Author:www.hsinbon.com China Hsinbon Caster Manufacturing Co., Ltd
Casters play a crucial role in numerous devices and tools. Whether it's a supermarket shopping cart, a factory trolley, or an office chair, the durability of casters directly affects their efficiency and service life. Therefore, accurately testing the durability of casters is of great importance. The following will introduce some common and effective testing methods in detail.
I. Visual Inspection
Material Quality
High - quality casters are usually made of high - grade materials. For plastic casters, observe whether the color is uniform and whether there are obvious impurities and bubbles. If the color is dull and there are many impurities, the casters may be prone to cracking during use. For rubber casters, feel their elasticity. A rubber caster with moderate elasticity and a smooth surface is of relatively better quality. For metal casters, check whether the surface is rusty, scratched, or deformed. Especially for the caster bracket, the thickness and strength of the metal will affect its durability.
Structural Integrity
Carefully check whether all parts of the caster are tightly connected. The connecting shaft between the wheel and the bracket should be firm without any looseness. If the connecting shaft is loose, the wheel may fall off during use, posing a safety hazard. At the same time, check the steering mechanism of the caster. It should rotate smoothly without any jamming or abnormal noise. For casters with a braking device, check the sensitivity and reliability of the brake.
II. Static Load Test
Determine the Test Load
Determine the weight to be applied during the test based on the rated load of the caster. Generally, a weight slightly higher than the rated load can be selected to simulate the extreme conditions that the caster may encounter in actual use. For example, for a caster with a rated load of 100 kilograms, a 120 - kilogram weight can be used for the test.
Test Process
Install the caster on a test platform to ensure it is firmly installed. Then, place the selected heavy object smoothly on top of the caster so that the caster bears the load. Keep the load for a certain period of time, usually more than 24 hours. During the test, regularly observe the state of the caster, checking for any deformation, damage, or wear on the part where the wheel contacts the ground. If the caster shows obvious deformation or damage during the test, it indicates that its durability may not meet the requirements.
III. Dynamic Test
Rolling Test
Install the caster on a suitable device and let it roll on a specific road surface for the test. The choice of the road surface can be determined according to the actual use scenario of the caster. For example, if the caster is mainly used on a smooth indoor floor, the test can be carried out on a tile or wooden floor; if it is used outdoors, it can be tested on a cement or asphalt road surface. Let the caster roll at a certain speed for a certain distance, generally not less than 1000 meters. During the rolling process, observe whether the caster rolls smoothly and whether there is any abnormal vibration or noise. After the rolling is completed, check the wear of the wheel. The less the wear, the better the durability of the caster.
Steering Test
For steerable casters, a steering test is required. With a certain load on the caster, simulate the steering operation in actual use and let the caster make frequent turns. Record the number of turns, generally not less than 1000 times. During the steering process, check whether the steering mechanism is flexible and whether there is any jamming or damage. At the same time, observe the wear of the wheel during steering, especially the edge of the wheel. If there is obvious jamming during steering or severe wear on the wheel edge, it indicates that there are problems with the durability of the steering mechanism and the wheel of the caster.
IV. Environmental Adaptability Test
Temperature Test
Place the casters in high - temperature and low - temperature environments for testing respectively. The high - temperature environment can be set in a constant - temperature box at 50°C - 60°C, and the low - temperature environment can be set in a low - temperature box at - 20°C - - 30°C. Let the casters stay in such environments for a certain period of time, usually 24 hours. Then take out the casters and let them stand at room temperature for a while to return to room temperature. Then conduct a visual inspection and a dynamic test to observe whether the casters are deformed, whether the material performance declines after being exposed to high and low temperatures, and whether their rolling and steering performance are affected.
Humidity Test
Place the casters in an environment with relatively high humidity, such as an environmental chamber with a humidity of 80% - 90%, for a period of time, generally 48 hours. Observe whether there is rust, corrosion, or softening of the material on the surface of the caster. For rubber casters, also check whether the elasticity of the rubber has changed. After the humidity test, conduct a dynamic test to check whether the performance of the caster is normal.
V. Chemical Resistance Test
If the casters may come into contact with chemicals such as cleaning agents and grease, a chemical resistance test is required. Immerse the casters in the corresponding chemicals for a certain period of time. For example, for a cleaning agent, the immersion time can be 24 hours. Then take out the casters, rinse them thoroughly with clean water, and dry them. Observe whether there is corrosion, discoloration, or material dissolution on the surface of the casters. Then conduct a dynamic test to check whether the performance of the casters is affected. If the casters show obvious damage or performance decline under the action of chemicals, it indicates that their chemical resistance is poor and their durability will also be affected.
Testing the durability of casters requires comprehensive evaluation from multiple aspects. Through visual inspection, static load test, dynamic test, environmental adaptability test, and chemical resistance test, a more comprehensive understanding of the quality and durability of casters can be obtained, thus providing a reliable basis for selecting suitable casters. In practical applications, the testing methods and standards can also be appropriately adjusted according to the specific use scenarios and requirements of the casters.
How
Created At: 2025-03-05 12:58:03
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