Technical Guidebook

Technical Information on Casters

1. Types

Twin-wheel casters, wheel diameter 32 - 37 - 40 mm = furniture casters
Twin-wheel casters, wheel diameter 50 - 55 - 60 - 65 mm = office chair and furniture casters
Twin-wheel casters, wheel diameter 75 - 80 - 100 mm = furniture casters
We also supply single-wheel and roller casters, caster modules and caster cups as well as chair and furniture glides.

2. Wheel Contact Surface

There are hard and soft wheels. Soft wheels have a contact surface of non-smearing, abrasion-resistant polyurethane.
The following general rule applies:

  • hard wheels for soft surfaces such as carpets and linoleum
  • soft wheels for hard surfaces such as tiled, parquet or laminate floors

3. Standard Fixtures

  • spindle with retaining ring
  • screw-on fixture plate
  • threaded spindle

Please refer to our catalogue for the various types. Special spindles can be supplied to the customer's specifications.

4. Brakes and Locking Mechanisms

  • un-braked:free-running, without brake or locking mechanism.
  • load-dependent braking: the brake is only applied to the caster when not under load. That means it will not shift when you stand up.
  • braking under load: the caster brakes the chair or furniture only when under load. That means it will not roll while sitting down.
  • wheel-locking: the brake lever locks the wheels.
  • complete braking: the brake lever locks the wheels as well as the swivel movement.

5. Load Capacity

The load capacity in kg is approximately the same as the wheel diameter in mm. Please refer to our catalogue for further details.

We recommend the following approximate calculation for furniture on 4 casters:
required load capacity per caster = (weight of furniture + guaranteed maximum loading) x 1/3

6. Recess Diameter

Our casters are available for a variety of recess diameters. This enables optimum matching to the office chair base. Casters are also available with universal adaptors for special applications.

7. Start, Roll and Swivel-resistance

Before an object on casters can start to move, three resistances have to be overcome by force. The resistances are depend on the following factors: weight, wheel diameter, load on the casters, material and shape of the contact surface and the type of the floor.

8. Checking the Height

The x-value shown in our catalogue for each type of product has to be added to the y-value of the fixing used. The y-values can be found in the catalogue in tables at the end of the catalogue.

9. Materials

Besides plastics (PA6, TPU, etc.), we use zinc die-casting for certain designs, which can be chromium-plated or powder-coated in a variety of colours.

10. Electrical Conductivity

Casters which conduct electricity are capable of earthing electrostatic charges. Their electric resistance is R = 10^4 Ohm.

11. Standards

The following standards apply:

  • EN 12528 for furniture casters
  • EN 12529 for braked and unbraked chair casters

Both European standards define the technical requirements, suitable dimensions and requirements for testing.

12. Special Designs

We can also produce casters to custom-designed specifications.

13. Improper Use

In order to ensure a caster's long service life, the following recommendations should be followed:

  • The load must not exceed its load-bearing capacity
  • It must not be used on unsuitable surfaces
  • The ambient temperature must not be too high or too low
  • Furniture with locked brakes should not be moved by force
  • It must not be subjected to particularly aggressive agents (cleansing, etc)
  • It must not be subjected to improper shock-loading or being dropped
  • The casters should not be moved at speeds above 4 km/h (2.5 mph)
  • No modifications should be made without consultation.