Casters 101: A Comprehensive Guide

Casters have become a key part of the operation of many types of businesses since the moment caster wheels were patented back in the 1800s.

Most of us use casters in our everyday life without even being aware of them. Think of your office chair, fridge, or grocery cart, that moves easily in whichever direction it’s pushed. Worker safety and productivity are just one of the most important advantages of casters, usually manufactured in a single, double, or compound wheel configuration. But what are casters and how are they used in different types of industries?

Read below to find out everything you need to know about types of casters and how they work.

What are casters?

Simply put, casters are a wheel and mount combination, designed to make different types of appliances, furniture or equipment easily movable, by providing support and maneuvering simple. Casters are available in a wide range of sizes, materials or heights and they are not only used in industrial settings, but also at home or your office.

How do casters work?

Caster wheels are attached to the vehicle by a fixed top plate, typically using 3-4 bolts or screws inserted in this plate. In the beginning, casters were frames used to hold a wheel and axle together, which went forward or back, later developing the frame to allow the wheel to pivot. Nowadays, casters are based on a more modern concept, and “self-steering” material handles the movement. Wheel casters are made from various materials, like plastic, aluminum, soft rubber or even wood and some of them come with a built-in brake design, like medical or industrial casters.

Types of casters and their applications

Caster wheels have extensive use, and there is a specific caster designed for food catering, medical or industrial sectors.

1. Medical casters

Casters used for hospital beds, stretchers or other equipment must be durable, easy to clean and to be moved around. This is why it is better to go with caster wheels made up of either rubber or polyurethane. These materials have good wear and abrasion resistance, essential in hospital settings.

2. Industrial casters

Casters used for industrial applications need to be able to withstand weight and roll smoothly over rough surfaces. In addition to this, industrial strength casters must have good resistance to chemicals and oil, cleaning agents or greases. With so many characteristics to take into consideration, your best bet would be to consult with expert industrial caster manufacturers in selecting the right type of caster to ensure that your business equipment functions safely and efficiently.

3. Food and catering

Just like in the medical environment, when choosing casters for the food industry, it is important to consider wheels that are easy to clean and disinfect, as hygiene is extremely important. Also, they need to be resistant to corrosion and exposure to harsh chemicals or grease.

Conclusion

Casters are an essential part of many sectors, including day-to-day life. Whether we talk about industrial, medical casters, or those used in the food industry, there are a few important factors to take into consideration when choosing the right one for your specific use: roll resistance, and load capacity are just one of the few. If you need help with choosing the ideal caster for your business, our team is here to offer you all the information you need.

Get in touch today, we are here to help!