How do shock-absorbing casters achieve their vibration-damping effect?

Time：Oct 23,2025

Shock-absorbing casters achieve vibration reduction through six methods: materials, springs, damping mechanisms, structural design, hardness gradients, and fluid filling. The core objective of all these approaches is to "absorb impact, delay release, and suppress resonance."

1. Elastic material

The wheel tread is made of rubber or polyurethane, utilizing elastic deformation to absorb energy; formulation adjustments can balance vibration reduction and load-bearing capacity.

2. Spring Mechanism

Built-in compression springs store impact energy and release it gradually; multi-stage springs operate in segments according to the magnitude of the load, enhancing linearity.

3. Damping

High-damping rubber converts vibrational energy into heat, while hydraulic dampers utilize throttling resistance to provide stable attenuation across the entire frequency range.

4. Structure

Independent suspension allows each wheel to float independently over terrain, ensuring optimal ground contact. Multiple wheel distribution reduces the load on any single point, thereby minimizing peak impact forces.

5. Hardness Gradient

The wheel surface is soft, the inner layer is hard, or multiple layers with varying hardnesses are used to achieve "soft energy absorption and hard load-bearing performance," thereby maximizing the deformation zone while maintaining load capacity.

6. Fluid Filling

Inflatable tires rely on air pressure to deform and provide cushioning; closed fluid chambers utilize viscous flow to dissipate energy, making them ideal for high-silence or high-frequency vibration applications.

By integrating the above measures, vibration-damping casters can progressively attenuate ground excitation along the transmission path, thereby reducing the acceleration experienced by equipment and minimizing the risk of resonance. This approach not only extends the service life of the equipment but also helps maintain operational precision.