Casters
Challenges
Determining the best use of space is a process, not an end result. This is especially true when space is at a premium. Furniture and equipment are easier to move when they have wheels. But after you’ve moved them, they should be as stable as possible. So the casters should be easy to lock and unlock with a foot or a hand.
Approaches
Subcomponent count and 3D printability of existing caster designs were surveyed. Eleven revisions of test caster were designed, printed, and destructively tested to arrive at a working locking mechanism and feature construction given the constraints imposed by the FDM 3D printing process. Initial designs used 608 roller skate bearings. Later designs increased the number of axes with a preloaded bearing and decreased subcomponent count and cost by integrating printed bearing races into existing printed components.
Current components:
- 6mm stainless steel balls
- Stainless M8x130 bolt, nut
- 2x printed M8 thrust bearings
- Printed flexible roller (1 hour)
- Printed hub (1.5 hours)
- Printed retaining ring (0.5 hours)
- Printed locking lever (0.4 hours)
Interoperability:
Development targets
- Locking caster v12
References
- Sehome Swerve Drive 2
- Simple Furniture Caster M8-M4
- Print-in-place caster wheel
- 3 in. Rubber Light Duty Swivel Caster with Brake Harbor Freight Tools 61855
- Skelang 4 Pcs 2” Adjustable Leveling Caster, Leveling Feet Wheels, Swivel Plate Casters Wheels, Installing for Industry Equipment, Shopping Carts, Dollies, Workbench, Bookshelves, Loading Capacity 440
