One common feature in all industrial equipment is the caster. Just like most industrial equipment that range from small to big, casters also come in varied sizes. Varied materials are used to make industrial casters, and they include aluminum, stainless steel, forged steel, plastic, polyurethane and cast iron. As for industrial equipment, they use two types of casters commonly known as rigid caster and swivel caster.
Difference between swivel and rigid caster
Swivel caster, unlike rigid caster, is known to allow movement in all directions. This means that the caster can rotate in 360 degrees turn. Common swivel casters include stem casters, plate casters, hollow kingpin casters, kingpin-less casters as well as locking casters. On the other hand, rigid casters allow movement in two directions only, the forward direction and the backward direction. Rigid casters are stronger compared to the swivel, and for this reason, they are the most commonly used casters in industrial equipment. There are many companies specializing in production of industrial casters. A good dealer of industrial casters is the off road casters, offering all types of casters.
Application of casters
Buyers will buy casters for different reasons. There are some factors that should be considered before you settle for a certain caster. This is an important part as failure to put these factors into consideration will lead to choosing the wrong caster. These factors include:
The first factor is the floor type. What kind of a floor are you dealing with? Is it linoleum, steel, concrete or carpet? The second factor is the load capacity. Before you choose a caster, ensure you have a rough idea of the total load that will be subjected to the caster. Floor cleanliness is the third factor. Is there debris on the floor? In most cases, casters are used in pairs. Therefore, enquire about the number of casters your industrial equipment will require. Other factors that you should look into include floor condition and the environment. Regarding these last two issues, ask yourself whether your floor is unlevelled, whether there are cracks or even bumps. Put into consideration whether the equipment will be subjected to humid conditions or elevated temperatures.
Casters for industrial equipment
Industries will require moving large and heavy objects from time to time. In the aerospace industry, for instance, engine parts and airframes may require moving. This requires high capacity casters that can support hundreds of tons. This, on the other hand, requires these casters to be strong and robust. The only materials that can be used to make such kind of casters are nylon or a mixture of polyurethane and different metals. Multi-wheeled casters made of rubber are also used with heavy industrial equipment.
Since there is some industrial equipment that works around elevated temperature, there are some casters that are made to withstand this heat. This calls for the use of special lubricants and even special sleeve bearings that do not require lubrication. There is a caster for every industrial equipment, and all you have to do is make the right choice.
