How to design a fully efficient and ergonomic Lean trolley 

Most suitable industrial wheels for Lean trolleys

Wheels for manual handling Lean trolleys

Wheels for mechanical handling Lean trolleys

Wheels with specific electrical resistance

Lean trolleys and specific uses: the importance of proper wheel configuration   

 

Modular trolleys are increasingly used within companies that have focused on a production model based on the Lean philosophy.

Many different types exist, depending on their specific use, but they maintain some common features. Let’s have a closer look at this topic in the article.

How to design a fully efficient and ergonomic Lean trolley

When designing a modular Lean trolley, special attention must be paid to efficiency and ergonomics, with the aim of minimising waste.

Therefore, during the design phase, it is necessary to define the uses of the trolley and the specific purposes for which it will be intended.

In other words, it is advisable to clarify:

• - What materials it will have to transport
• - Product sizes and weights
• - Product characteristics in terms of fragility and manoeuvrability
• - Trolley manoeuvrability characteristics
• - Distances it will have to cover
• - Frequency of use
• - Types of surfaces on which it will have to pass
• - Possible obstacles on the path

 

When these aspects have been clarified, it is possible to move to the design phase, choosing every component and the single parts of the modular trolley with care.

Most suitable industrial wheels for Lean trolleys 

A very important factor is related to the wheels, since Lean trolleys need specific solutions according to the type of handling they undergo.

The common feature is the need to ensure the lowest energy consumption for their operation.

Wheels for manual handling Lean trolleys

Let’s start with manual handling Lean trolleys. In these cases it is advisable to focus on solutions that allow the operator to reduce the effort as much as possible during trolley handling.

When defining the most suitable wheels, it is useful to divide the trolleys into two groups: with total load capacity lower and greater than 500 kg.

For Lean trolleys with total load capacity lower than 500 kg

When this load capacity is to be used on basically smooth and even floors, Tellure Rôta offers thermoplastic polyurethane wheels with core in polyamide 6 of 60 ST and 60 CC series (hub with ball bearings) or 61 st and 61 cc series, combined with NL (light-duty) or M (medium-duty) castors.

For use on uneven floors: elastic rubber wheels of 72AL series or TR-Roll polyurethane-covered wheels with nylon core of 62NY series, also combined with NL (light-duty) o M (medium-duty) castors.

For Lean trolleys with total load capacity greater than 500 kg

Starting again from use basically on smooth and even floors, we recommend TR polyurethane wheels of 65AL or 64 ST series, low-thickness TR-Roll polyurethane wheels of 62BS series, with P castors o P castors with hardened ball race grooves.

To use trolleys also on uneven floors: TR-Roll polyurethane wheels of 62AL or 62ER series, with P castors o P castors with hardened ball race grooves.

Wheels for mechanical handling Lean trolleys

For mechanical handling Lean trolleys, solutions with good resistance to the stresses and shocks associated with this type of use should be found.

Wheels with metal cores and ball bearings, combined with very strong castors, are particularly appropriate.

For use on even and smooth floors at speed up to 6 km/h: TR polyurethane wheels of 64 series, low-thickness TR-Roll polyurethane wheels of 62BS series, Vulkollan® wheels of 63AC and 63GH series, combined with heavy-duty castors with hardened ball race grooves (PT) or extra-heavy-duty castors (EP).

For use of uneven floors at speed up to 6 km/h: wheels with high covering thickness are recommended, for better vibration damping. Therefore, elastic rubber wheels of 72AL series, high-thickness TR polyurethane wheels, TR-Roll polyurethane wheels of 62AL series are appropriate. Also in this case, the wheels must be equipped with heavy-duty castors with hardened ball race grooves (PT) or extra-heavy-duty castors (EP).

For use at speed above 6 km/h (and up to 16 km/h): we recommend TR-Roll polyurethane wheels or Vulkollan® wheels combined with electrowelded castors or, in case of obstacles and very uneven floors, sprung castors.

Wheels with specific electrical resistance

In special situations, solutions offering specific electrical resistance are appropriate, i.e. suitable for environments where it is necessary to avoid accumulation of electrical and electrostatic charges.

These are sectors where safe handling of trolleys requires the application of specific wheel accessories, in particular: directional locks, foot protections, specific centralised brakes, expansion stems for correct application to tubular trolleys.

Lean trolleys and specific uses: the importance of proper wheel configuration 

In addition, in terms of correct handling of Lean trolleys, a correct wheel configuration that takes into account the cycle of use and the path of the trolley is increasingly important.

In case of frequent changes of direction, in fact, trolleys with swivel castors are recommended, while in case of long straight paths, it is better to use swivel castors together with fixed castors.

Want to learn which types of industrial wheels are best suited to your specific needs, through a dedicated consultation? Contact our technicians to receive a no-obligation consultation for your specific project.