Polyurethane wheels for the 4-Track Articulated 3.2 tonne Telehandler

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The best way to oil the wheels of industry could well be to use a material for parts that doesn’t need to be lubricated! Which is why so many specifiers are ‘coming round’ to the idea of Polyurethane industrial wheels.

What are the benefits of using polyurethane for industrial wheels?

From the smallest guide wheel to massive cable drum rollers, polyurethane is increasingly the core material of choice. That’s because any basic wheel or caster (device usually attached to a larger piece of machinery to create a smooth motion) can be improved by creating a PU replacement.

Versatility with precision moulding

Polyurethane can create all the immediately apparent physical properties you need.

This includes creating wheels, casters, spokes or forks in any colour or size, precision finished to slot into place instantly. The moulding process means these wheels can also have any physical features you need, including grooves, slots, holes and patterns. The possibilities are vast.

Even an apparently simple caster can take many forms, depending on the bearing type, size and functional spec, but polyurethane means a quick turnaround.

Related article: How to Cast Polyurethane: Everything you Need to Know

The perfect task-specific blend

The work to create your ideal industrial wheel actually starts much earlier than designing your micro-accurate mould though.

Often the main reason polyurethane is chosen instead of alternative substances, is that its unique chemical blend can be formulated to create a wide range of shore hardness and tensile strength. In general, polyurethane can be a light foam or adhesive, or as hard as metal. So, you can build a wheel with the level of rebound energy you need. Creating a motion that needs less force behind it.

You also need to be confident that anything that is being wheeled over a floor or part of your production line doesn’t damage the surface it travels over. Something that smooth polyurethane is more than capable of promising. It also has excellent noise dampening capabilities.

Which all means that when specifying an industrial wheel for a new machine or to replace a worn part, you can literally request any performance criteria. Including industrial wheels with high load capacity.

Long lasting and reliable

Getting the blend and mould perfectly formed to create the best result, is still not the end of polyurethane’s many advantages over its rivals.

It is an ‘all-round’ powerhouse. One that can stand up to incredible amounts of wear and tear. Including vibrational energy and the sort of abrasive action that would damage alternative materials.

Polyurethane industrial wheels are also resistant to moisture, oily substances, moulds, mildew and many corrosive chemicals. They will continue to perform brilliantly in extreme temperatures and in very wet conditions. Without warping, cracking or flaking as rubber would.

It also provides your industrial wheels with great traction, for when you want to avoid slippage.

Polyurethane industrial wheels can stand up to incredible force, while still holding their original shape. This strength is easily comparable with metal wheels and other parts, but it doesn’t dent or buckle like metal.

Related article: Polyurethane can be used as an adhesive

The cost savings from using polyurethane

As polyurethane is so incredibly versatile, accurate and durable as a material for industrial wheels, you might imagine that the cost is greater than metal or rubber parts.

Not so. Remarkably, specifying polyurethane industrial wheels could well save you money, as they can be produced for a low unit cost by the team at Custom Moulded Polyurethane.

Keep in mind that the durability factor also makes then a cost-effective way to create task-specific wheels, rolls and casters. As you won’t need to replace them for a long time, you save money on new parts and improve productivity by eliminating downtime for repairs and replacements.

Related article: Polyurethane for the Boat Industry

Examples of polyurethane wheels in action

Polyurethane is capable of crafting a highly diverse range of parts, including wheels for all purposes.

As shown by our wheel and tyre product page, the team at CPU have been tasked with creating direct bond drive wheels, small guide wheels, heavy load wheels and casters for all manner of trolleys and roll cages, as well as forklift truck wheels, track idlers and cable wheels.

We can also bond polyurethane to any metallic substrate you need. Such as aluminium, cast iron and all forms of steel.

Call us to drive your industrial wheel project forward, with a free quote and advice.

 

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