Castors
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Castors
Castors, also known as casters, are wheel-like devices that are attached to the bottom of furniture, equipment, or other objects to enable easy movement. Castors come in a variety of sizes, materials, and designs, and are commonly used in industrial, commercial, and residential settings. The primary purpose of castors is to provide mobility and maneuverability to objects that are heavy or difficult to move by hand. Castors are typically made of materials such as rubber, plastic, metal, or a combination of these, and may be fixed or swivel, depending on the intended use. Fixed castors are designed to move in a straight line and are ideal for objects that require stability and directionality, such as carts and dollies. Swivel castors, on the other hand, can rotate 360 degrees, allowing for greater flexibility and ease of movement. Swivel castors are commonly used in office chairs, hospital beds, and other objects that require frequent changes in direction. Castors are also classified based on their load capacity, which refers to the maximum weight that they can support. Light-duty castors are designed to support loads of up to 100 pounds, while heavy-duty castors can support loads of up to 10,000 pounds or more. The load capacity of a castor depends on factors such as the size and material of the wheel, the type of bearing used, and the overall design of the castor. In addition to their mobility and load-bearing capabilities, castors can also provide other benefits such as noise reduction, shock absorption, and floor protection. Castors with soft rubber or polyurethane wheels can help reduce noise and vibration, while castors with hard plastic or metal wheels can provide greater durability and resistance to wear and tear. Castors with non-marking wheels can also protect floors from scratches and other damage.
mobility, load capacity, swivel, fixed, materials
CITATION : "Steven Thompson. 'Castors.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/castors?E=288279 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"
Castors on Design+Encyclopedia
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