Many people may not know what a caster is, but when they see it, they may simply define it as a wheel.
But a caster is more than just a wheel!
In materials handling, as in many other fields, when it comes to looking for a certain product, you have to be very specific in naming what you want. And knowing the correct name of the product is key there. So let`s define exactly what the difference between a caster and a wheel is.
We`re all familiar with the wheel. It`s a round object that will have a hole in the center to use as a shaft to make it work for whatever purpose you need, and that can be anything. One might also define it as a circular cylinder of greater or lesser width that spins around on an axle, much like the wheels on a car. The wheel is used for many mechanical purposes.
The invention of the wheel 5000 years ago has changed the way humans live, work and create. But it`s only been about 150 years since the even more versatile caster was first patented. If you`re inquiring about the difference between a wheel and a caster, chances are you`re more interested in the caster and what it can do for you.
A caster does indeed include a wheel. But, it is more than a wheel. It is an assembly that contains both a wheel and a bracket for it, sometimes called a [fork," or [yoke" And this bracket that contains it is what separates it from the regular wheel. So when you`re looking to replace the [wheel" at the bottom of your chair or cart, you are actually looking to replace the caster assembly. So be sure to type in [caster" in your search engine, or if you`re going to a brick and mortar store, ask your sales associate for a caster, not a wheel. You`ll save yourself a lot of time.
Casters are mounted to an apparatus or piece of equipment to make that apparatus moveable. You`ll find that casters come in two different styles:
1. The kind that features a flat bracket with mounting holes so that you can fasten another flat surface flush against it – Plate Mounted,
2. Or the kind without the flat surface that can thread or otherwise lock into the attaching object via a threaded pintel or a spring retention clip – Stem Mounted.
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