Guide to Selecting Medical Casters
Time：Jul 12,2025
In hospital corridors, those silent yet fast-moving devices all rely on four small wheels—casters. They are inconspicuous, yet directly determine whether a device is 'usable' or 'easy to use'. Choosing the wrong material can lead to noise disturbances at best, and device failure at worst. Below, we will break down four common materials, so you will know what to choose in the future.
Four materials, remember their characteristics in one sentence:
Polyurethane (PU): Quiet, wear-resistant, and disinfectant-proof
Rubber: Anti-slip, shock-absorbing, and remains elastic even at -40℃
Stainless steel: Strong load-bearing capacity, rust-proof, and can withstand disinfection
Nylon: Lightweight, smooth, and effortless to push
-
Matching scenarios:
1. Wards, pharmacies—requires quietness and disinfectant resistance
Problem: Patients are afraid of noise while sleeping, and disinfectants are sprayed daily.
Answer: Use polyurethane casters directly. They roll almost silently, and disinfectants cannot damage them.
Typical equipment: Mobile nursing carts, medicine carts.
2. ICU, operating room—heavy equipment that needs to turn accurately
Problem: Ventilators and operating tables weigh several hundred kilograms; ordinary wheels cannot move them and are prone to tilting.
Answer: Stainless steel casters + double bearings, turning easily and bearing steadily. If the equipment is heavy but requires shock absorption, rubber wheels can be used locally.
Typical equipment: Emergency carts, hemodialysis machines.
3. Emergency department, hemodialysis room—slippery floors, fear of collisions
Problem: There is always water on the floor, and emergency braking causes drifting; precision instruments are afraid of vibrations.
Answer: Rubber casters with a wet skid resistance coefficient ≥0.5 and a rebound rate ≥40%, ensuring both braking and shock absorption.
Typical equipment: ICU pendants, ventilators (stainless steel wheels can be used when frequent disinfection is required).
4. Logistics robots, laboratories—running long distances every day, tiring to push
Problem: Traditional wheels are heavy, tiring to push for a long time, and wear out quickly.
Answer: Use nylon casters, weighing only 1/3 of metal, with self-lubrication, making long distances easy.
Typical equipment: Logistics robots, laboratory benches.
-
Summary:
Choose PU for quietness, rubber for anti-slip, stainless steel for load-bearing capacity, and nylon for lightness and speed. Consider the scenario first, then choose the material. Casters may be small, but they determine the efficiency of the equipment.
Previous article
Previous article
Sweep the attention
Universal Caster
FOSHAN Globe Caster Co., Ltd.
Telephone: 86-757-86692299
Mobile:86-137 0966 5707
E-mail:sales@globe-castor.com
Fax: 86-757-86690681
Website:www.globe-castor.com
Address: 599 Yangxi Avenue, Yanghe Town, Gaoming District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China
Copyright©2024 FOSHAN Globe Caster Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved