Shared terminology
Technical Glossary
Concise definitions for caster and mobility engineering terms.
DOMAIN
Definitions establish a common vocabulary and point toward deeper engineering resources.
01Definition
02Context
03Related terms
04Limitations
Published knowledge
Questions, principles and design decisions
Caster
A wheel-and-mount assembly that supports equipment and enables rolling movement.
Read definition ↗Swivel caster
A caster whose fork rotates around a vertical swivel axis so the wheel can align with travel.
Read definition ↗Caster offset
The horizontal separation between the swivel axis and the wheel contact or axle reference.
Read definition ↗Total lock
A caster mode intended to restrain wheel rotation and swivel movement.
Read definition ↗Directional lock
A mode that holds a swivel caster in a preferred rolling orientation.
Read definition ↗Medical caster
A caster engineered for mobile medical equipment and its defined load, control, cleaning, noise and safety requirements.
Read definition ↗Central Locking caster for hospital bed
A hospital-bed caster designed to receive mode commands through a linked equipment control.
Read definition ↗Conductive caster
A caster designed for a specified electrical-resistance path; the applicable definition must be verified.
Read definition ↗Antistatic caster
A caster described for charge-control use under a defined resistance classification and test method.
Read definition ↗Dynamic load
A supported load considered under defined movement and test conditions.
Read definition ↗Static load
A supported load considered while the caster and equipment remain stationary.
Read definition ↗Rolling resistance
Force opposing steady wheel motion through deformation and other losses.
Read definition ↗Starting force
Peak horizontal force required to initiate movement from rest.
Read definition ↗Push force
Horizontal force applied to move or accelerate mobile equipment.
Read definition ↗Powered Assist System
An operator-guided mobility system that supplies motor-driven propulsion force.
Read definition ↗Motorized wheel
A caster or wheel module integrating an electric drive to produce tractive force.
Read definition ↗Tractive force
The usable driving force transferred through the powered wheel at the floor.
Read definition ↗Duty cycle
The relationship between operating time, idle time and the repeat pattern of a powered system.
Read definition ↗Polyurethane (PU)
A family of elastomeric wheel materials whose performance depends on formulation, hardness and operating environment.
Read definition ↗Thermoplastic rubber (TPR)
A family of thermoplastic elastomer wheel materials selected through application-specific tradeoffs.
Read definition ↗Move from principle to a transparent estimate.
Published by HAION CASTER INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.. General engineering guidance is kept separate from product-specific claims.