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Casters
Douglas Caster and Equipment has been in the caster, wheels, and material handling business for over 60 years. Founded in 1955 and based in Miami, FL, we are the largest distributor and exporter of wheels and casters in the Southeast and the Caribbean. We have built a reputation as an industry leader through our commitment to excellence, experience, and expertise. We are often asked questions about casters and wheels, and we are happy to answer everything you need to get the best casters you need for your project!
Casters are pivoting rollers that attach to the bottom of furniture, trucks, trailers, and portable machinery for easy movement. Casters are usually made from various types of rubber, plastic, steel, and stainless steel. Additionally, casters are available in a variety of sizes, depending on the application.
The type of material used to create casters depends on their purpose. For example, cushioned rubber or plastic casters are used when the caster's surface will be rolling on is susceptible to scratching; the casters on the bottoms of shopping carts and office chairs are made with rubber or plastic casters. These types of casters help to protect the floors they will be rolling on. However, in some applications, plastic and cushioned rubber casters are not durable enough for material-handling equipment that transports heavy goods. Therefore, this equipment often requires the added durability that steel casters provide. Stainless steel casters provide the necessary durability while being more resistant to corrosion.
The different materials used to make casters also have varying degrees of temperature resistance. This is especially important when using casters in material handling equipment, which can be exposed to high-temperature levels such as in commercial bake racks, ovens, or powder coating and where high levels of temperature are created from fiction. Forged steel casters, for example, can withstand temperatures up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Rubber casters, on the other hand, can only withstand temperatures up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit although some modern resin compounds can handle up to 575 degrees Fahrenheit.
Casters simplify the material handling process by reducing load and friction. Through casters, heavy objects and bulk objects can be easily pulled or pushed rather than carried. Casters with larger dimensions are used for outdoor applications or on rough floors, making it easier for the casters to travel on the surface.
Although casters are one of the smaller parts that make up a material handling cart, they play an integral role in how they will move efficiently and safely. Also, premature caster failure can impact the company's bottom line.
Caster technology has come a long way in the last several decades. However, companies continue to face problems with casters that occur during manual material handling tasks. Caster problems can negatively impact ROI due to the recurring cost for caster replacement. Additionally, caster replacement can mean poor productivity due to machine downtime.
There are many reasons why a caster can fail, but choosing the wrong caster in the first place comes up most often. Many times, casters are selected based on upfront costs. An inexpensive caster purchase can cost you much more in the long run if it is not the right caster for the application. Multiply the caster replacement cost by the number of that specific caster you own and add the lack of productivity when equipment is down! You may find yourself wishing you had chosen the correct caster, since the beginning.
Call Douglas Caster and Equipment, and one of our experienced product specialists will make sure you get the right casters and wheels for the job.
Create your own project with casters and wheels ranging in a variety of colors and sizes for the following industries:
- Casters for Aerospace Industry
- Casters for Automotive Industry
- Casters for Distribution & Logistics Industry
- Casters for Food & Beverage Industry
- Casters for Furniture Industry
- Casters for Hospitality Industry
- Casters for Industrial Industry
- Casters for Janitorial Industry
- Casters for Manufacturing Industry
- Casters for Marine & Ship Industry
- Casters for Medical Industry
- Casters for Office Industry
- Casters for Pharmaceutical & Laboratory Industry
- Casters for Retail Industry
Shop the caster you need for your next project today!
Contact us today to help you to choose the right Caster for you or your project!