With the development of automation and intelligence, the caster industry is ushering in new technological changes. Choosing the appropriate wheels directly affects the safety, stability, and service life of equipment movement. Although the casters are small, they are a key component that affects the mobility of the equipment. Whether it's industrial equipment, medical carts, or office furniture, choosing the wrong wheels can lead to equipment damage, reduced efficiency, and even safety accidents. This guide will systematically guide you through all aspects of caster selection.
1. Core selection elements
When choosing casters, it is necessary to consider the required load-bearing capacity, wheel material, and usage environment comprehensively.
1). The carrying capacity is mainly considered according to the following principles
Calculation formula: Minimum load capacity of a single wheel=(total weight of equipment+load) ÷ number of casters × 1.2 (safety factor)
Classification criteria:
Lightweight:< 100kg (office chair, shopping cart, small shelf)
Medium size: 100-500kg (industrial carts, medical equipment, medium-sized storage vehicles)
Heavy duty: 500kg-2 tons (forklifts, heavy machinery)
Heavy duty:>2 tons (containers, large equipment)
Example: A 500kg shelf is equipped with 4 casters, and at least (500 ÷ 4) × 1.2=150kg/wheel casters need to be selected.
2). Select wheel material based on usage environment
Nylon wheels: wear-resistant and impact resistant, but relatively noisy, suitable for rough surfaces such as factories, warehouses, and outdoor rough surfaces
Polyurethane wheels: Silent, shockproof, and floor friendly, suitable for medical/office settings such as hospitals, laboratories, offices, and wooden flooring
Rubber wheels: anti slip and shock-absorbing but prone to aging, suitable for humid environments such as kitchens and cold chain logistics
Cast iron/steel wheels: ultra-high load-bearing but prone to rusting, suitable for heavy equipment and construction sites
Plastic wheels: lightweight, corrosion-resistant but low load-bearing, suitable for lightweight applications such as supermarket shopping carts and lightweight equipment
3). The usage environment is mainly divided into indoor and outdoor environments
Indoor smooth flooring (ceramic tiles, wooden floors): PU or rubber wheels to avoid scratches.
Outdoor rough ground: Nylon or metal wheels, wear-resistant and impact resistant.
Uneven ground: Choose large-diameter wheels (≥ 125mm) for stronger obstacle crossing ability.
4). Special circumstances require special consideration
High temperature resistance: silicone/special steel wheel (200 +)
Anti static: Conductive PU wheels or carbon fiber wheels (electronic workshop, clean room)
Food grade: FDA certified material (catering, pharmaceutical industry)
2.Mobile mode selection
In industrial, logistics, or equipment mobility scenarios, the choice between fixed wheels (directional wheels) or universal wheels depends on specific needs
Fixed casters: can only move forward and backward, suitable for linear pushing and pulling (such as forklifts and shelves).
Universal casters: 360 ° rotation, flexible steering (such as hospital beds, tool carts).
Equipped with brake wheels: Lock the wheels when fixing equipment (such as operating tables and instrument carts).
Equipped with shock absorption: transportation of precision instruments
With self-locking: fixing heavy equipment
Combination suggestion
2 fixed+2 universal: balance stability and flexibility (recommended handcart)
Universal: occasions that require frequent turning (such as airport luggage carts)
3.Professional purchasing skills
1). Wheel diameter selection
Small wheels (50-75mm): light load, limited space
Medium wheel (100-125mm): universal selection
Big wheel (150mm+): uneven ground, strong obstacle crossing ability
2). BEARING TYPE
Ball bearings: high-speed movement
Roller bearings: heavy-duty applications
Precision bearings: AGV robots and other precision equipment
3). Installation method
Flat panel: Standard installation for industrial equipment
Screw type: common office furniture
Plug in type: specifically designed for hand carts
Purchase process diagram
1.Calculate the carrying capacity requirements → 2. Determine the material (environmental adaptation) → 3 Choose a moving method (fixed/universal) → 4. Match ground conditions → 5. Confirm installation method → 6. Choose brand/certification
4.Industry Application Guide
1). Logistics warehousing
Recommendation: Heavy duty nylon wheels+roller bearings
Attention: Choose universal wheels with brake function
2). Medical equipment
Recommendation: Antibacterial PU wheels+silent design
Attention: It is necessary to choose a floor material that is scratch free and does not damage the floor
3). Food industry
Recommendation: FDA certified PU wheels
Attention: Easy to clean design, no hygiene blind spots
4). Intelligent manufacturing
Recommendation: Intelligent casters (with sensors)
Attention: Integrated automation control system
5.Maintenance and upkeep
1). Regularly check the wear of the wheels
2). Keep the wheel axle clean and lubricate it regularly
3). Avoid overloading during use
4). Replacement cycle for different materials:
PU wheels: 1-2 years
Nylon wheels: 2-3 years
Metal wheels: 3-5 years
6.Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q1 Why do my wheels always lag?
A Possible reasons: Bearing dust ingress Overloading usage Wheel deformation
Q2 How to determine if the wheels need to be replaced?
A When: obvious cracks inflexible rotation decreased bearing capacity by 30%
Q3 Are silent wheels really effective?
A High quality PU wheels can reduce noise by up to 70%, but they need to be used in conjunction with high-quality bearings
Error 1: Overloading use → resulting in wheel breakage and bracket deformation.
Solution: Select the bearing capacity based on a safety factor of 1.2 times.
Error 2: Metal wheels used on wooden floors → Scratching the ground.
Solution: Use PU wheels or install floor protection covers instead.
Error 3: Ignoring brake demand → Equipment sliding causing accidents.
Solution: Choose universal wheels with braking function.
7.Future Trends
As a key component in industrial, logistics, medical and other fields, the future development of casters will evolve around intelligent, lightweight, environmentally friendly, high-performance and other directions.
1). Integration of Intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT)
(1) Smart Casters
Sensor embedding: Real time monitoring of the load-bearing, wear, temperature, vibration, and other data of the wheels to prevent malfunctions.
Automatic braking system: Automatic locking is achieved through gravity sensing or remote control to enhance safety.
Location tracking: Combining RFID or GPS to optimize equipment management in warehousing and logistics.
(2) Automated logistics adaptation
AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) special wheels:
High precision steering to meet the needs of unmanned warehousing and smart factories.
Combining AI path planning to reduce energy consumption.
2). Lightweight and high-strength materials
(1) Application of composite materials
Carbon fiber reinforced nylon: lighter than traditional metal wheels, but with higher strength, suitable for aerospace and high-end medical equipment.
Magnesium alloy wheel frame: 50% lighter than steel wheel frame, while maintaining high load-bearing capacity.
(2) 3D printing customization
Produce lightweight casters with complex structures on demand to reduce material waste.
3). Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development
(1) Recyclable materials
Bio PU: Replace petroleum based materials and reduce carbon emissions.
Recycled Nylon/Rubber: Utilizing recycled tires or industrial waste to manufacture casters.
(2) Maintenance free design
Self lubricating bearings: reduce the use of lubricating oil and avoid polluting the environment of the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Long life wheel surface: Improved wear resistance and reduced replacement frequency.
4). High performance and adaptability to special environments
(1) Extreme environmental adaptability
Ultra low temperature casters (-60 to -100 ): used for cold chain logistics and polar scientific research equipment.
High temperature resistant casters (300 +): suitable for the metallurgical and casting industries.
Explosion proof casters: anti-static requirements in the chemical and petroleum industries.
(2) Silent and shock absorption optimization
Honeycomb structure wheel surface: absorbs vibration and is suitable for medical and laboratory precision equipment.
Magnetic levitation casters (experimental stage): zero friction movement, completely eliminating noise.
5). Modular and rapid replacement design
Plug in axle: wheels can be replaced without tools, reducing downtime.
Multi functional wheel surface: The same wheel frame can be adapted to different material wheel surfaces (such as rubber/nylon/polyurethane).
6). Industry customization trend
Future Wheel Wheel Demand in the Industry
E-commerce logistics with high speed, low noise, automatic sorting and compatible wheels
Medical antibacterial coating, silent, anti entanglement design
Food industry easy to clean, FDA certified materials
New energy is resistant to acid, alkali, and corrosion (in battery production environments)
Aerospace ultra lightweight, high payload, and extreme temperature resistance
7). Market driving factors
Industry 4.0 upgrade: Smart factories drive the demand for AGV casters.
Green regulations: EU REACH and China's "dual carbon" policy promote the application of environmentally friendly materials.
Rising labor costs: Automated equipment replaces labor and increases the use of casters.
8.Purchase suggestion:
1). Clarify your specific needs (carrying capacity, environment, and mobility)
Prioritize quality over price
2). Consult professional suppliers for customized solutions
3). Request samples for actual testing
The procurement of casters requires a balance between performance, cost, and supply chain stability. It is recommended to establish a qualified supplier list and regularly review quality data. For critical equipment such as medical/aviation, priority should be given to brand suppliers with a history of cooperation.
Choosing suitable wheels requires a comprehensive evaluation of four core elements: load-bearing capacity, material, movement mode, and ground conditions. Industrial scenarios prioritize durability, while medical and office environments focus on quietness and floor protection, while intelligent logistics requires the integration of sensor technology. Through this guide, you can accurately match your needs and avoid procurement errors. Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry, understand market trends, and choose products that are efficient, high-quality, and meet your needs.
