Before working with Caster Connection, a large manufacturer of various products was experiencing failure and breakdown with their phenolic wheels. After observing the client's applications and environment, a Caster Connection Regional Solutions Manager recommended the CC Apex wheel to improve their mobility performance.
Automotive plants have some of the most rigorous applications in the material handling world. Many of the applications are running non-stop and can be very demanding on the wheels, which makes it extremely important to understand the application and to make sure to put the correct wheel in the field. Read on to discover how the CC Apex wheel solved problems presented by this application and environment.
Automotive plants are subject to strict safety testing in order to ensure the protection of their products and workers. Some examples of safety testing include ergonomic measurement and implementation, and decibel level measurement.Before speaking with Caster Connection, an automotive manufacturing plant found that the casters and carts in their applications were too loud. To meet the customer's needs, Caster Connection recommended the customer implement the Blickle Softhane wheel, as well as a rubber dampening pad.
Manufacturing seats for the automotive industry creates an environment that can be very hostile to most caster wheels - an environment in which a great amount of debris (such as metal shavings and screws) is dispersed throughout the factory floor, ergonomic issues arise due to heavy push-pull requirements and flat-spotting of wheels may occur due to long periods of cart inactivity. In many cases, one or two of these issues may be solved with a single type of caster wheel, however very few caster wheels offer a solution for all three issues. Read on to discover how the CC Apex wheel solved the problems presented by this application and environment.
Road cases often carry extremely valuable equipment, which is often substantially heavy. While a great deal of importance is placed on the design of the case itself, the casters and brakes that the case is moved on are arguably of equal importance. These cases need to be moved with casters that are capable of ergonomic mobility and brakes that help to keep equipment and people safe.
After a competitor of Caster Connection recommended a nylon wheel that was an incorrect fit for its meat mixing machine, a food packaging company quickly began to experience problems with the wheel's performance. Caster Connection's solution to the problem introduced the customer to a wheel and brand that they never knew existed.
A Machine Shop customer of Caster Connection was approached by a customer of theirs that used multiple racks in their facility and had a floor surface covered in metal shavings. The end user had tried wheels in the past that were either intolerably loud or not the right material (and durometer) to stand up to the debris on the floor. Read on to discover how the CC Apex wheel solved the problems presented by this application and environment.
The maintenance department of a hospital uses carts that encounter various types of floor environments, requiring casters that are durable, quiet and easy to push and pull. Caster Connection was approached by a hospital maintenance department customer that was using a standard polyurethane on iron wheel which they found to be difficult to push and noisier than they desired for their environment. The customer desired a more ergonomic caster that would use quieter wheels than they currently employed, as well as a wheel that would roll easily on various types of flooring surfaces.
Bearings are an unsung component of casters that play a huge part in casters' performance. Ensuring that the correct bearing is implemented for the application is just as important as ensuring that the proper wheel is used. A Caster Connection Regional Sales Manager encountered a customer's problem that was solved by recommending the proper bearing.
The fiberglass manufacturing environment includes the presence of continuous heat, water and chemicals. This environment can take a heavy toll on the equipment involved in the manufacturing process, especially casters. An environment involving the combination of heat and water is one of the most difficult for caster wheels to hold up in, but Caster Connection solved the problem by recommending the perfect wheel for the application.
High volume manufacturing and distribution requires flexibility and swiftness from all suppliers.Before becoming a customer of Caster Connection, a large manufacturer and distributor of office equipment that ships worldwide found themselves with a unique problem. The casters they were using were sufficient for their needs, but the company they were ordering from was not. Caster Connection was brought in for help, and quickly solved the company's problems.
Hospitals constantly look for new ways to improve their patients' comfort level. One aspect of patients' comfort is the noise level of their environment. While it may not be the first decision on noise control that comes to mind, implementation of the proper casters and wheels in a hospital environment is critical. Caster Connection has the expertise and expertise needed to recommend the perfect casters and wheels for any application.
The applications of many industrial manufacturing plants require the use of manually operated, hand-pushed carts. These carts are essential in carrying equipment and must be easy to maneuver for workers. In 2012, an industrial manufacturing plant approached Caster Connection for help with their carts, which workers complained were too difficult to push and pull.
Hospitals pride themselves in keeping their floors and seating areas clean and unmarked. One hospital found that their rolling chairs and tables (which were fitted with nylon wheels) were damaging floors and leaving them with streaks.The hospital contacted several caster companies and none of them were able to solve their problem - except for Caster Connection, of course.
The equipment used in automotive manufacturing has to meet strict safety standards in order to be approved for use. An example of equipment that does not meet safety standards are casters that require push/pull force above the organization's set ergonomic threshold. A leading automotive manufacturer approached Caster Connection when one of their dollies could not meet these standards. Caster Connection solved the customer's problems by recommending CC Apex paired with a special rig.
The environment of a large chicken farm requires tough casters and wheels that can handle varying temperatures, floor types, debris, and chemicals. Failing wheels can hinder productivity, harm workers and livestock, and cost the owner thousands of dollars in maintenance downtime. A major chicken farm on the east coast found that their polyurethane on polyolefin wheels were not up to the challenge of such a harsh environment. Caster Connection solved their problem by recommending the best wheel for their variety of of environmental conditions.
Hospitals are designed to work around the patients' needs and to keep them comfortable. It is sometimes easy to forget how big of an impact small details can have on the patient, such as the noise levels of casters .One large hospital found themselves with just this problem. Their 6" x 2" polyolefin wheels were making a lot of noise that annoyed employees and patients.After observing the carts in use, a Caster Connection Regional Sales Manager recommended a trial run of the CC Apex 6" x 2" wheel.
A design and build contractor for one of the United States' leading light-rail systems was encountering problems with static shock in one of their projects. The project involved several moving gates that rolled on 8" wheels. While the wheels met most of the contractor's requirements, they were also building up static, and the engineers feared this could impact passengers' safety. To find a wheel that would not retain static electricity, the contractor got in touch with Caster Connection...
Manufacturers often face the problem of choosing brakes that are effective and ergonomic for the carts in their facilities. A major manufacturer had trouble finding effective brakes that workers could use easily and safely. After speaking with Caster Connection, the customer implemented the perfect solution for their problem.
A major manufacturer of clocks and furniture was trying to introduce a new product into their lineup. With the added stress of this new product on their carts, the 5" x 2" polyurethane on steel wheels they had used for years were now chipping and breaking apart. After a recommendation from another supplier of theirs, the clock manufacturer contacted Caster Connection for a solution to their problem.
When purchasing casters and wheels, the quality of the sellers' customer service is often as important of a factor as the quality of the products being purchased. A manufacturer of automotive parts and accessories found that although the casters they were using on their Automated Guided Vehicles worked sufficiently, the supplier they ordered from was struggling to deliver their product in an efficient manner. Because they were unhappy with their lead time and pricing, the automotive manufacturer reached out to Caster Connection for help.
Before working with Caster Connection, a large manufacturer of various products was experiencing failure and breakdown with their phenolic wheels. After observing the client's applications and environment, a Caster Connection Regional Solutions Manager recommended the CC Apex wheel to improve their mobility performance.
Casters and wheels are easy to overlook unless there is a glaring problem with them. Some companies may not recognize the value in having uniform specifications for casters and wheels in their applications. Some companies and their employees may not recognize the value in using casters and wheels that are ergonomically designed for particular applications and environments - until the caster fails or an employee is injured from improper use.
When material needs to be moved and space is limited, manually pushed and pulled carts are typically used as mobility tools. Using manual carts instead of motorized carts and vehicles increases the importance of easy-rolling casters and wheels to reduce workers' injury risk. Concerned for the safety of their employees, the company got in touch with Caster Connection to find a solution to the problem. After inspecting the casters and wheels that the customer had in use, Caster Connection recognized the perfect solution for the customer.
A family-owned and operated ice cream cone and cup manufacturer was experiencing difficulty in manually pushing and pulling their 1,500 lb batter bowls. After consulting with Caster Connection, the customer implemented the CC Apex wheel in their operations and noticed immediate improvement in their application's maneuverability.
During the restoration of his 1941 Buick Century Sedanette in June of 2003, Matt Harwood of Cleveland found that he needed to build a "body dolly" that could hold the body of the car while remaining mobile. The body dolly would be used until Matt had an auto rotisserie to deconstruct the car's body. Caster Connection contacted Matt to let him know that we could provide four casters with polyurethane-on-steel wheels that could do everything he needed, including holding a weight capacity of up to 1,200 lbs per caster, while providing justifiable pricing. Matt ended up purchasing the casters the same day.
End users of industrial magnets such as railroad yards, steel yards and warehouses use casters and wheels on their yard trucks to move the magnets throughout their facilities. These environments require casters and wheels that can hold up in harsh requirements with minimal necessary downtime. A company specializing in industrial strength and commercial magnets came to Caster Connection with deteriorating wheels that were costing them money and time due to failure. Caster Connection recommended that the customer implement casters with lightweight and durable polyurethane on polyolefin wheels.
After receiving a request from a now-client in the manufacturing & design industry who found our website in hopes of finding a solution to their then-current wheels' problems, Caster Connection made a recommendation that solved the client's every mobility issue.
It's awesome to see how our line of vintage and other DIY-project casters and wheels can add the perfect touch to someone's home or office. Caster Connection client and professional photographer, Abby Lorenz told us the story of how she found our vintage casters, installed them on her steel and reclaimed wood coffee table - and included some fantastic pictures as well!
A large automotive manufacturing client of Caster Connection is clearly aware of why selecting the right caster is vitally important to keeping business in motion. One of the styles of body shop racks in the client’s new assembly line were used in a rather unique way because they required pushing and pulling from the sides of the cart, rather than traditionally being pushed or pulled from the ends. This nontraditional method of maneuvering required an unacceptable level of required push-pull force. Based on the recommendation of a Caster Connection Regional Solutions Manager (RSM), the client upgraded the rigs from the 8” CC Alpha with an extended lead to the 8” CC Peak with an extended lead, reducing their required push-pull force below 40 lbs.
In 2008, the Crew won the MLS Championship. The trophy in the picture is now constantly traveling all around the state of Ohio for events and appearances – in the last month it’s been to numerous local businesses, the Columbus City Council, the Ohio Statehouse, on center ice for a Blue Jackets game, and on NBC/ABC/CBS/ESPN as the Crew play in the 2015 MLS postseason.
A company that manufactures windows was having a difficult time moving carts using 8” x 2” phenolic rigid and swivel casters. The phenolic wheels were picking up lots of glass pieces from the manufacturing floor, causing them to become very hard to push. The glass shards also led to broken wheels that had to be replaced regularly. Even with smaller weight loads, it still took two people to get the cart moving, which is unacceptable in almost any manufacturing application.
A large auto manufacturing client of Caster Connection brought a new challenge to the table: they needed a solution for an electrostatic discharge-safe area. They were using an electrostatic dissipative strap on the bottom of all carts, but discovered that the straps only had a 3-year life span. However, there was currently no maintenance program in place for the straps, and really no possible way to track when the straps were installed. After randomly testing carts in the plant, they discovered that most were not ESD compliant. The auto manufacturer’s standard requirement was that the resistance to ground must be less than 1 giga ohm.
A material handling company was using a 6” x 3” polyurethane wheel that was continually failing and retaining large amounts of debris. This made the company’s carts very difficult to move, which resulted in lots of downtime and regular maintenance issues. Because the facility had a new floor that the company wanted to preserve, they also needed the best surface protection available.
A poultry producer was using a very hard 4” x 1-1/4” polyolefin wheel for their feed carts. The wheels were very noisy and broke after only a few months of use, causing downtime and replacement costs. The polyolefin was cracking due to debris and particulates getting imbedded in the wheel.