Design Guidelines
Transport System Design
22
MagneMotion
Rockwell Automation Publication MMI-UM002E-EN-P - March 2016
Wheel Materials
Some examples of commonly used wheel materials and key considerations:
Steel:
•
Very durable, typically used in systems moving heavy payloads or for difficult envi-
ronmental conditions.
•
Low rolling resistance.
•
When used on a metal guideway are typically noisier than plastics.
Plastic, Teflon, or Urethane:
•
Plastics with a high durometer number (hardness) are a good choice of wheel material
for many applications, particularly for systems with moderate to low payload weights.
•
Plastic or urethane wheels may develop a small flat area if the vehicle remains station-
ary for a long time period due to the vehicle mass but in most cases the flat spots dis-
appear after the vehicle is put in motion again.
•
Higher rolling resistance than steel, but usually operate more quietly than steel wheels
when used on a metal guideway.
•
Typically requires the vehicle be grounded to the guideway using static brushes.
Mounting Magnet Arrays to Vehicles
Magnet arrays are provided with locating features to ensure consistent mounting to the user’s
vehicles and threaded standoffs for attachment. Arrays should be attached using stainless steel
hardware that fully engages the threads provided in the array mounting standoffs.