In the production process of sanitary ceramics, the transportation of green bodies and dry bodies is a critical stage. Since these semi-finished products remain fragile before firing, any vibration or impact can cause cracks, defects, or even breakage, affecting the final product's yield rate. Therefore, selecting the appropriate transport carts and their wheels to ensure smooth movement, durability, and low maintenance costs is essential for improving product quality and reducing losses.
During the internal transportation of semi-finished products, the factory floor conditions (such as smoothness and track system evenness) and the quality of the transport cart wheels directly affect the safety of the green and dry bodies. Ideal wheels should have the following characteristics:
High-quality rubber or polyurethane coating: Rubber or polyurethane tires offer excellent shock absorption, reducing vibrations during transport and preventing damage to the green body.
Optimal hardness: Wheels that are too hard tend to transmit more vibration on slightly uneven surfaces, while wheels that are too soft increase rolling resistance. A balanced hardness level is ideal.
Larger diameter design: Bigger wheels can more easily overcome minor obstacles on the floor, minimizing vibration transmission to the cart and protecting the fragile ceramic pieces.
Transport routes inside factories are often long, requiring high-strength, wear-resistant materials to reduce the frequency of replacements.
Durable rubber or polyurethane material: Compared to regular nylon or hard plastic wheels, rubber and polyurethane wheels offer better wear resistance and do not crack or peel easily under heavy usage.
Reinforced structure: For carts carrying heavier loads (such as multiple dry bodies), the internal structure of the wheel must be strong enough. This can include thicker metal cores or double-layer polyurethane coatings to prevent deformation or cracking due to prolonged heavy loads.
Sanitary ceramics factories often have high humidity levels, and certain areas may also experience elevated temperatures (e.g., drying rooms or sections near kilns). Inferior bearings tend to rust or seize in such environments, affecting transportation efficiency. When selecting bearings, consider the following:
Stainless steel bearings or bearings with anti-rust coatings: These prevent corrosion in humid conditions.
Sealed bearings: These protect against dust and moisture infiltration, reducing friction wear and extending lifespan.
High-temperature-resistant lubricants: Regular lubricants degrade or evaporate under high heat, so using heat-resistant lubricants ensures long-term smooth operation.
Poor-quality wheels or improperly designed transport carts create excessive vibrations, deformation, or stuck bearings, leading to cracks or chipped edges in the ceramic bodies, increasing defect rates.
By selecting the right wheels, the semi-finished products remain stable during transport, reducing unnecessary damage and increasing the overall yield rate.
Low-quality wheels wear out quickly under heavy usage, and damaged bearings may render entire wheels unusable, increasing maintenance and replacement costs.
High-quality wheels with superior wear resistance extend the maintenance cycle, reducing labor requirements for repairs and minimizing production downtime.
Inferior wheels tend to cause transport carts to operate inefficiently due to frequent jamming or deterioration, requiring frequent adjustments or repairs.
Well-selected wheels ensure smooth transportation, minimizing unplanned production halts and improving overall operational efficiency.
Wheel Material | Advantages | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
Rubber Tires | Excellent shock absorption, wear-resistant, smooth operation | Suitable for factory floors with slight unevenness or rough surfaces |
Polyurethane Wheels | High wear resistance, high load capacity, chemical resistance | Ideal for heavy-duty transport carts, especially for dry body transportation |
Nylon Wheels | Lightweight, chemical-resistant but poor shock absorption | Suitable for smooth floors but not ideal for fragile green body transport |
Cast Iron Wheels | Extremely durable and wear-resistant but prone to vibration | Used for ultra-heavy loads but requires additional shock absorption mechanisms |
From a practical perspective, a polyurethane wheel + stainless steel sealed bearing combination is the optimal choice for sanitary ceramics factories, balancing durability, stability, and cost-effectiveness.
In sanitary ceramics production, the quality of semi-finished product transportation directly impacts the final product yield rate and production costs. High-quality wheels reduce vibration, ensure stable movement, and lower maintenance and replacement expenses. Choosing wear-resistant polyurethane wheels with stainless steel sealed bearings and an appropriate wheel diameter is an effective strategy to optimize transport systems.
By selecting the right wheels, manufacturers can not only reduce semi-finished product damage and improve production efficiency but also lower long-term operating costs, ensuring a smoother and more stable production process. For small and medium-sized sanitary ceramics manufacturers, this is a critical yet often overlooked area for improvement.