Rolling Resistance of Castor Wheels Based On BS EN 1728:2012

A preliminary study was conducted to determine the effect of castor wheel diameter and types of prong on rolling resistance of plastic castor wheels mounted on an office chair. The determination of rolling resistance of the unloaded chair was carried out according to BS EN 1728:2012, clause 6.30. The rolling resistance was measured as the force used to push or to pull the chair on the flat surface at a constant speed of 50 ± 5 mm/s over the distance from 250 mm to 500 mm. The rolling resistant of 50-mm castor wheels were 7.05 ± 0.20 N and 7.14 ± 0.07 N when mounted on plastic and metallic prongs, respectively. For 60-mm castor wheels, rolling resistant were 6.03 ± 0.21 N (plastic prong) and 6.12 ± 0.09 N (metallic prong). The results showed that all assemblies did not meet the test requirement, i.e. all test results were less than 12 N. It was found that the rolling resistant of castor wheels increased with increase in wheel diameter. Prong material did not significantly influence the rolling resistant.