1. What sizes are Rotacaster omni-directional wheels available in?
Rotacaster manufactures five different wheel sizes; a 180mm diameter wheel, a 125mm diameter wheel, a 90mm diameter wheel, a 50mm diameter wheel and a 35mm diameter wheel, launched in early 2016. Our current product development map includes five (5) omnidirectional wheel sizes ranging from 35mm up to 180mm in diameter. We can expedite development of specific wheel sizes dependent on specific customer requirements and demands. If you have specific requirements, please contact us to discuss your needs or subscribe to our newsletter so we can keep you updated on developments.
2. Are Rotacaster omni-directional wheels available in different colours?
Yes. Subject to custom orders (P.O.A). If you would like a 'corporate' colour or standard black, we can accommodate your requests. Please contact us for more details and minimal order quantities.
3. What are Rotacaster omni-directional wheels made from?
The current 125mm Rotacaster omni wheels are manufactured from engineering grade polymers. The body is made from carillon, the bushes from nylon and the rollers from elastomers (polyurethane). Our 50mm multidirectional wheel is manufactured using glass filled nylon for the body and axles and Delrin bushed polyurethane (TPU) rollers. 35mm Rotacaster wheel bodies are manufactured from ABS or Acetal with a choice of soft, over-moulded TPE rollers, PU roller or solid nylon rollers.
Should you require custom roller materials, e.g. rubber, we can usually accommodate these requests. Please contact us for more details and minimal order quantities.
4. How strong/hard wearing are Rotacaster omni-directional wheels?
This is a very common concern, however Rotacaster wheels are an extremely robust and hard-wearing product. Manufactured from injection moulded engineering grade polymers, the wheel body incorporates both the hub and transverse roller axles. This monolithic web-like structure provides a robust and resilient frame, which can handle substantial dynamic (impact) and static (carrying) loads without failure. The subsequent over moulding encapsulates the bush and axles (with a durable roller material such as polyurethane). The omnidirectional wheels are then sonically welded together to form double or triple Rotacaster wheels. The wheels are then ultimately mounted within a fixing leaving little chance for anything to break or malfunction.
The result is a wheel that offers:
Superior strength, wear and friction characteristics
Outstanding chemical resistance and low permeability
High resistance to fatigue, creep, swelling and repetitive deformation
Excellent balance of stiffness and toughness over a wide temperature range
Resistance to a variety of fuels, organic solvents and aggressive aqueous media
We encourage you to read the case study on the performance of the Rotacaster wheel in an abrasive and corrosive environment over a 2 1/2 year period in which the prior nylon swivel castors had been replaced every 6 months.
5. What configurations do Rotacaster omni-directional wheels come in?
Rotacaster wheels are manufactured in a single, double or triple row configurations for the 125mm wheel whereas, at present, only a double configuration exists for the 50mm wheel. Single wheels are only for use when combined in multiples to either create a roller or a conveyor transfer table.
6. Do I need a swivel base?
No. The rollers take the place of a swivel mount, providing omnidirectional movement whilst using a fixed mounting. This also provides other benefits in regard to mounting options, load stability, improved tracking capability, minimal housing enclosures and simple mounting using the axle bolt.
7. What are the rollers on the Rotacaster omni-directional wheel made from?
The rollers on the Rotacaster multidirectional wheel are made from polyurethane as a standard, however custom requirements are available for particular environments depending on volume orders.
8. Can I use a single Rotacaster omni-directional wheel as a floor wheel?
Yes, but only when combined in multiples to ensure that the combination provides a complete circular circumference so the contact surface of a roller maintains the concentric or circular bearing surface. The single wheel is predominantly for use as a driven wheel combined with others in conveyor transfers.
9. Will Rotacaster omni-directional wheels move sideways when unattended?
No, not on an even flat surface. Because the Rotacaster wheels use rollers for sideways movement and has a fixed orientation, it requires a greater applied force in the roller direction than in it's primary orientation. This is the case whether the force is manually or mechanically applied or by gravity such as on inclines. Therefore it will travel in its primary direction at a greater rate than it will in its secondary roller orientation. Dependent on the level of incline, load and speed, the Rotacaster wheels will generally track directly across trafficable inclines with minimal crabbing and in many cases allow loads to be parked on an incline with no (or minimal) applied braking. For this reason it provides a much more controllable handling solution when negotiating inclines than swivel castors..
10. How do Rotacaster omni-directional wheels handle travelling across an incline?
Please refer to question #9.
11. Can I use more than four Rotacaster omni-directional wheels on a load platform, hand trolley or hand cart?
Yes, you are no longer restricted to the traditional 4 corner point fixing. The great thing with the Rotacaster multidirectional wheel is that each wheel acts individually and allows as many wheels as required to share the load without the need to overcome the mechanical coupling bond created when swivel castors are not aligned with one another or need to be reversed. You can add several Rotacaster wheels to provide the level of manoeuvrability you require without the need for larger wheels and you can even mount Rotacaster wheels at 90 degrees to one another.
12. Are Rotacaster dollies available in different sizes?
Yes. We offer some standard accessories that can be used to customise your dolly. Please visit the Dollies, Skates and Carts page or contact us for more information.
13. Where are Rotacaster omni-directional wheels made?
All Rotacaster wheels are manufactured in Newcastle, New South Wales.
14. Is the Rotacaster omni-directional wheel available with a brake mechanism?
No, We do recommend the use of readily available floor lock. There are generally 2 types, a friction lock or a lifting type lock. Please contact our sales team if you are unsure and they will help you choose the product that is right for you.
15. Can Rotacaster omni-directional wheels be driven in a conveyor transfer application?
Yes. All Rotacaster wheels single wheel can be fitted to a keyed shaft, which can then be driven in various applications.
Please visit the conveyor transfers section for more information.
16. How do I order from Rotacaster's range of material handling equipment and Rotacaster omni-wheels?
A complete list of Australian, U.S. and worldwide resellers can be found here.
You can also access our online store. Or you contact us directly No matter where you choose to purchase Rotacaster products we are looking forward answering all questions and any queries you have..
17. Do your prices include freight?
No. When you proceed to the online checkout, freight will be added to you order. If you are purchasing multiple Rotatrucks or large quantities, please contact us for savings on freight. Alternatively, if you wish to use your own freight company, please contact uscontact us.
18. Do your prices include GST?
No. GST will be added to Australian sales during checkout as the total is compiled including freight.
19. I live outside Australia, do you ship internationally?
Yes. If your country does not appear in our freight matrix when purchasing from the online store, you can submit your order and we will contact you to organise shipment.
20. Can my company become a Rotacaster reseller?
Please contact us directly to discuss this opportunity further.
21. Are Rotacaster omni-directional wheels suitable for use in a freezer environment?
Yes. By replacing the steel bearing with a nylon bearing to prevent it from seizing in the freezer, Rotacaster omni wheels will out perform swivel castors in this challenging environment. Read a testimonial from Exquisine, a company who uses rotacaster wheels in freezers at -27 degrees celsuis.
22. Can I use Rotacaster omni-directional wheels in a salt water environment?
Yes. The Rotacaster omni-directional wheel is available with a nylon bearing and stainless steel spanner tube if required. Read a case study on the use of our wheels in a salt water environment.
23. We are an original equipment manufacturer and would like to use Rotacaster omni-directional wheels on our products, is this possible?
Yes. We love seeing the different applications OEMs find for the Rotacaster multidirectional wheel. Please contact us to discuss further. Find products using Rotacaster wheels OEM products with Rotacaster omni wheelshere.
24. Is there a warranty on Rotacaster's range of material handling equipment and omni wheels?
Yes. Rotacaster Wheel Limited provides a 12 month warranty on all of our products when they are used in accordance with suggested use and safe operating requirements. Find more information here.
