Whether designing a new wheel system or updating an existing one, it’s essential to understand the basics of caster wheels. There are several types of caster wheels, each with unique features. Therefore, it’s necessary to understand these characteristics before purchasing.
Caster brakes
Whether you need to stop an object from moving or want to increase the stability of your furniture, caster brakes are an ideal solution. They are designed to slow or stop moving equipment and help prevent injury to your employees.
Caster brakes are available in a variety of different designs. One of the most common is the side lock brake, which uses a screw to engage a plate on the wheel tread. A foot pedal also uses a similar mechanism to lock the wheel.
A face contact brake is also a common choice. Again, it is because it applies pressure to the top of the wheel tread. These brakes are used in both heavy-duty and light-duty applications. The design is simple, and the holding force is strong.
Caster angle
Changing the caster angle on your caster wheels can enhance your vehicle’s handling. It can also help your car handle better when you change tires.
A caster angle is defined as an angle between the wheel’s steering axis and the verticle axis. It is an essential factor in vehicle stability. Caster helps you keep your car straight at speed. Caster also contributes to your vehicle’s steering torque, a self-aligning torque generated by a strut or upper ball joint.
The caster is measured in degrees from an imaginary line perpendicular to the road surface. This line passes across the middle of the steering axis’s upper and lower ball joints. The position of the lower ball joint also influences the caster.
Swivel offset
Adding a swivel offset to a caster wheel helps reduce the amount of swiveling force needed to move the wheel. As a result, it reduces ergonomic concerns in the workplace and material handling injuries.
The distance between the kingpin’s center and the wheel axle’s center is known as the swivel offset. A more considerable compensation means a caster will be more accessible to swivel, and less force is needed to turn the wheel.
A swivel caster can be designed with a larger or smaller offset. A more considerable compensation provides more strength and stability to the wheel, while a smaller balance allows for easier swiveling.
The swivel caster wheel can be either narrow or wide. Wide casters rotate slowly in the center while the sides rotate faster. Wide wheels also have more ground contact area, which helps resist swivel rotation.
Load rating
A proper caster load rate is essential to reduce the risk of injury and downtime. However, the ideal caster load rate depends on a variety of variables.
The most obvious is the maximum weight capacity of the caster. It is measured by dividing the weight of the load by the number of load-bearing casters. The importance of the cart should also be included in the calculation. The actual weight capacity of the caster may be different from the estimate.
Other factors that determine the correct caster load rate are the cart’s weight, size, and the type of floor the cart is being used on. For example, a more durable caster is required if the cart is used on a carpeted floor.
Flanged caster wheels
Flanged caster wheels are designed for use on steel tracks. They help to reduce the rolling effort of a wheeled loader. The flanged wheels can be used in either a driven or keyed application. Flanged wheels are available in a variety of materials. Some of the most common are made of cast iron. They can handle a load of up to 3,000 pounds. Cast iron is also abrasion resistant.
Some wheels are designed to be used in extreme environments. These include cast nylon flanged wheels, which are impact resistant and have a high chemical resistance to several aggressive substances. Cast nylon flanged wheels are also known for their excellent rolling resistance.
Some flanged wheels are designed for use in damp environments. Various materials are used in making these wheels, including cast iron, forged steel, and stainless steel. Cast iron flanged wheels are durable and able to withstand high temperatures. The forged steel wheel is also designed to withstand hard impacts.