Swivel caster with wheel brake and directional lock, PP hub and TPE tread, mounted with bolt hole, 400 kg, Ast

Swivel caster in TPE with polypropylene hub, ESD conductive

This is a swiveling caster with a running surface in TPE and a hub in polypropylene in an ESD version, meaning electrically conductive. It is built for environments where static electricity needs to be led away in a controlled way, while the cart is to roll quietly and without leaving marks on the floor. The TPE tread has a hardness of 85 degrees Shore A, a soft elastomer that gives compliant, damped running and a non-marking contact surface against the floor.

What does the ESD property do? The material in the tread is compounded so that it conducts electricity instead of insulating. When the wheel rolls, static charge is led away from the cart through the wheel and out into a conductive floor, instead of building up and discharging in a spark. That matters where sensitive electronics are handled or where sparks must not occur. For the function to work fully, the floor needs to be intended for the purpose, for example a conductive or dissipative industrial floor.

How does the wheel feel in use? A soft tread at 85 Shore A flattens out somewhat under load, which widens the contact surface and gives better grip but also a slightly higher starting resistance than a hard wheel. Once the wheel is rolling, it runs smoothly and quietly. Compared with a hard, conductive plastic wheel, the plastic wheel rolls more easily and carries more, but it is noisy and harder on the floor; you choose the soft TPE tread when quiet and floor protection weigh more than maximum load. The wheel carries up to 100 kg.

The polypropylene hub is light and free from corrosion. The series comes with two bearing options: plain bearing, which is simple, maintenance-free and tolerates dust and moisture, and ball bearing, which gives lower rolling resistance and smoother running on carts that are moved often. The wheels come in diameters from 50 to 125 mm. A larger diameter rolls more easily over joints and lowers the rolling resistance, while a smaller one keeps the overall height down.

As a swivel caster, the bracket turns freely through 360 degrees, which makes the cart easy to turn and steer in a small space. Mounting is with a bolt hole, a through hole that fits tubular legs and narrow frames. The caster can be ordered with a wheel brake that locks the wheel, with the combination of wheel brake and directional lock that both locks the wheel and holds the bracket straight, or with a total lock brake that locks wheel and swivel at the same time.

Where does it fit? The ESD conductive version belongs in electronics production, circuit board assembly, clean rooms, laboratories and warehouses where static electricity can damage components or cause trouble. The quiet, non-marking tread also makes it suitable in premises with light floors and a requirement for low noise.

Think about the operating environment. TPE works best at normal indoor temperature and in dry to slightly damp spaces, and the material is not intended for high temperatures or outdoor use. The conductive function depends on a suitable floor and clean contact surfaces. If the wheel stands still for a long time under full load, the tread can take a temporary flat spot that rolls out after a while.

Do you want to know whether the ESD version matches your floor and which diameter and brake function suit you? Get in touch and we will go through the requirements together.