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What are casters? The core structure of casters, the key points for selecting casters and their application scenarios
1. Core Components of casters
A caster isn't a single part; it consists of two key components working together. Some complex models may also include additional functional components:
Wheel: This part directly contacts the ground and determines the caster's load capacity, wear resistance, quietness, and surface compatibility. Materials vary: Common materials include super synthetic rubber/TPR (silent, floor-friendly, suitable for indoor use), polyurethane/PU (wear-resistant and floor-friendly, yet quiet), nylon (strong load-bearing and abrasion-resistant, suitable for industrial use), and cast iron/cast steel (extremely high load-bearing capacity, suitable for heavy equipment, but prone to scratching and noisy). Structural differences: Wheels feature built-in bearings (such as ball bearings or needle bearings) to reduce rotational resistance and make pushing easier.
The bracket: This bridge connects the wheel to the equipment, typically made of metal (stamped steel or cast iron). It determines the caster's overall load capacity and mounting method. Mounting Methods: Common options include "Screw-on" (the bracket is screwed to the bottom of the equipment), "Stand-on" (the bracket has a metal rod that inserts directly into the pre-recorded hole in the equipment), "Threaded" (the bracket is directly secured to the bottom of the equipment with a nut), and "Welded" (for heavy industrial equipment, requires welding).
Optional Components
Brakes: Some casters have brakes (e.g., "full brake" – locks both wheel rotation and bracket steering; "side brake/tread brake" – locks only wheel rotation) for positioning equipment and preventing slippage.
Dust caps/seals: Common in industrial applications, they prevent dust and debris from entering the bearings, extending their service life.
2. Main Classifications of Casters (by Functional Scenario)
Different scenarios require different mobility, load-bearing capacity, and environmental adaptability of casters, and therefore they are divided into several categories:
| Classification | Type | Features | Application Scenario |
| Turning ability | Swivel Ccaster | The bracket can rotate 360°, which can flexibly change the direction, and there is no need to adjust the angle of the device when pushing | Trolleys, shopping carts, office chairs |
| Fixed Caster | The bracket is fixed and can only move in a straight line. It has strong stability and is often used with universal wheels. | Both sides of the cart (with universal wheels for steering), | |
| Load capacity | Light duty casters | Load-bearing capacity < 50kg, small wheel diameter (usually 20-50mm), soft material (such as TPE, PU) | Small machinery and equipment, furniture |
| Medium duty casters | Load-bearing capacity <150kg, wheel diameter 50-150mm, mostly made of polyurethane or nylon | Supermarket shelves, medical carts, Medium sized industrial equipment | |
| Heavy duty casters | Load-bearing capacity 200-1000kg, thickened bracket (top plate thickness ≥ 6mm), wheels are mostly cast iron or high-strength nylon and iron core polyurethane | Industrial shelves, logistics turnover vehicles, industrial equipment | |
| Ultra heavy duty casters | Load-bearing capacity>1000kg, commonly used in special equipment, mostly double-wheel structure, or customized on demand | Heavy machinery, Large equipment | |
| Usage Environment | Silent casters | The wheels are mostly made of TPR/PU material, and the bearings have a silent design, making little noise when rotating. | Clean rooms, hospital wards, laboratories |
| Anti-corrosion casters | The bracket is nickel-plated or zinc-plated, and the wheels are made of nylon, polyurethane or stainless steel, resistant to acid, alkali and moisture. | Food factories, Laboratories | |
| Thermo casters | The wheels are made of high temperature resistant materials or cast iron wheels, which can withstand high temperatures of 100-300℃ | Kitchen equipment, oven carts, food industry |
3. Key Performance Parameters of Casters (Key to Selection)
When selecting casters, pay special attention to the following parameters to avoid problems such as "fracture due to insufficient load-bearing capacity" and "rapid wear due to floor mismatch":
Rated load-bearing capacity: The maximum weight a single caster can support. A 20%-30% margin should be reserved for actual use. (For example, if the total weight of the equipment is 400 kg, select four casters with a rated load of 135 kg or more, not 100 kg.) Carsun Casters generally recommends dividing the total weight by 3. (For example, if the total weight is 1500 kg, 1500 ÷ 3 = 500. Therefore, when selecting casters, choose casters with a load capacity of more than 500 kg per caster.)
Wheel diameter: The larger the diameter, the easier it is to navigate obstacles (such as thresholds and gaps) and the less resistance to pushing. (Larger diameters are suitable for rough surfaces, while smaller diameters are suitable for smooth surfaces.) Carsun Casters offers casters with wheel diameters ranging from 50mm to 500mm.
Rolling resistance: This refers to the force required to push a caster. The lower the resistance, the less effort required. This is generally related to the wheel material (soft vs. hard) and the bearing type (ball bearing vs. standard bearing).
Swivel flexibility: A key metric for universal wheels, it depends on the swivel mechanism of the bracket (e.g., whether it has a ball bearing turntable). Casters with high steering flexibility are suitable for applications requiring frequent steering (e.g., carts).
4. Common Application Scenarios
Industrial: Logistics carts, production line equipment, heavy-duty shelving, forklift training wheels;
Commercial: Supermarket shopping carts, food delivery carts, display racks, cleaning carts;
Medical: Hospital beds, IV carts, and instrument carts (must be quiet and corrosion-resistant);
Home/Office: Office chairs, chests of drawers, luggage, and robot vacuums (lightweight casters);
Special Applications: Outdoor camping vehicles (impact-resistant), laboratory equipment (corrosion-resistant), and kitchen oven carts (high-temperature resistant).
In short, casters are the fundamental components that make things move. Their design and selection directly impact the efficiency, safety, and lifespan of the equipment.
Dongguan Carsun Caster Co.,Ltd
We are a professional manufacturer of industrial caster wheels.
We can produce different types of casters according to your requirements.
We are the experienced caster wheel supplier.
OEM ODM etc are all welcome.
Packing/color/size/material are all available.
For more product information, please contact us.
Website:www.carsuncastor.com
Email: sales@casterchina.cc
Phone/WeChat/Skype:+86 18929102151
WhatsApp:+8613622621956
www.carsuncastor.com
Factory address: No. 38 Industrial North Road,Shangjia Dazhou,Wanjiang Street,Dongguan city, Guangdong Province, China