Common terms in the caster industry – A basic textbook for procurement, sales, and technical personnel
1. Structure section
1). Wheel
The core component that carries and generates rolling. Common materials include rubber (ER), polyurethane (PU), nylon (PA), cast iron (CI), stainless steel (SS), etc.
2). Mounting bracket/Swivel plate
The load-bearing components that connect devices to wheels are divided into two categories: swivel and rigid.
3). Swivel bearings
The components that achieve 360 ° horizontal rotation of the bracket are commonly ball bearings or flat bearings.
4). Bushing
The anti friction component between the wheel axle and the hub is commonly made of copper alloy or engineering plastic.
5). Brake
Divided into directional lock and wheel brake, used to lock rotation or rolling.
2. Type article
1). Swivel casters
Can rotate horizontally, suitable for equipment that requires frequent turning.
2). Fixed casters
Only provide linear rolling for working conditions that require stable trajectory.
3). Omni wheel/Mecanum wheel
Multi directional sliding is achieved through inclined rollers, which are commonly used in AGVs and robots.
4). Kingpin less caster for central control
Cancel the central rivet and use integral forging for the rotating part, which has better impact resistance and maintenance performance, suitable for heavy-duty or high-frequency use scenarios.
3. Materials section
1). Nylon (PA6/PA66)
Wear resistant, impact resistant, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, with high cost-effectiveness.
2). Polyurethane (PU)
Wide hardness range, low rolling resistance, and low noise, suitable for protecting the ground and requiring quietness.
3). Rubber (NR/SBR/NBR)
Good elasticity and excellent shock absorption performance, but average aging resistance.
4). Cast iron (CI)
High load-bearing capacity, high temperature resistance, high ground requirements, mostly used in high-temperature or heavy-duty industrial environments.
5). Stainless steel (SS304/SS316)
Corrosion resistant, easy to clean, meeting food grade and cleanroom requirements.
4. Performance Parameters
1.) Load capacity
The maximum allowable static and dynamic loads for a single wheel should be calculated based on the total weight of the equipment multiplied by the safety factor (usually 1.25-1.5).
2). Temperature resistance range
The temperature range in which the material can work for a long time, such as -30 ° C to+80 ° C.
3). Rolling resistance
The horizontal thrust required to initiate and maintain movement is related to tire hardness, ground roughness, and bearing type.
4). Impact resistance
The performance of materials to resist instantaneous impact without cracking or permanent deformation.
5. Installation Method
1). Plate mount
Four hole or five hole bottom plate, fixed to the equipment bottom plate with bolts, and the installation surface must ensure flatness.
2). Stem mount
The threaded rod is inserted into the equipment foot base and locked with a nut, suitable for situations that require quick disassembly and replacement.
3). Expanding sleeve installation
Using a conical sleeve for radial expansion and fixation within the tubular foot base, without the need for welding or tapping.
6. Function Expansion Chapter
1). Silent casters
By selecting an elastic tread and matching it with precision bearings, the operating noise can be reduced to ≤ 45 dB.
2). Anti static casters
The tread resistance is ≤ 10 ⁴ Ω, which can promptly conduct away static electricity and meet the requirements of electronic assembly and explosion-proof areas.
3). Corrosion resistant casters
The bracket and fasteners are made of stainless steel or galvanized nickel and have passed a 720 hour neutral salt spray test.
4). Heavy duty casters
A single wheel can carry 1 ton to 20 tons, usually using a double raceway structure, forged brackets, and high-strength wheel hubs.
7. Standards and Certification
1). DIN EN 12532 / EN 12533
European standards for casters and wheels, covering size, static load, fatigue, and braking testing methods.
2). DIN 4102 / EN 13501
The fire rating of flooring materials is used to evaluate the flame retardant performance of wheel surface materials.
3). FDA 21 CFR § 177 and EU 10/2011
Food grade material requirements, applicable to the food processing and pharmaceutical industries.
4). RoHS & REACH
Restrict the registration requirements for hazardous substances and chemicals to ensure that products comply with environmental regulations.
8. Geometry and Details
1). Swivel radius
The horizontal distance from the rotation center to the outside determines the required turning space for the equipment.
2). Offset distance
The horizontal distance between the centerline of the wheel and the centerline of rotation affects steering flexibility and stability.
3). Dual wheel design
Parallel two wheels share the load, reduce the ground contact pressure of a single wheel, and improve stability and passability.
Conclusion
Familiarity and correct use of the above terms can reduce ambiguity and improve communication efficiency in technical communication, specification confirmation, and quality acceptance. It is recommended to describe the requirements in a seven paragraph format of “structure type material size load function standard” in the inquiry or technical agreement to ensure that both the supply and demand sides have a consistent understanding of the product.
Post time: Nov-08-2025
