How to Buy Robot Casters and Wheels

If you're putting together a robot from scratch rather than using a kit, one thing you'll have to decide is what kind of casters and wheels to use. You have a lot of options for wheels depending on the function and size of the robot. Remember to consider alternatives like tank treads when you're trying to get your robot rolling.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Determine what materials you want to use for your casters. The most common materials for casters are metal and plastic, which vary in their functionality and durability.
2. Consider what material you want to use for your wheels. Wheels come in an even greater variety of materials, from plastic to acrylic to metal. Look out for factors like durability and weight.
3. Select the size of wheel that you need. Small robots may need wheels that are not only small, but also very thick, while tall robots may work better with treads.
4. Determine the number of wheels that you need. You might consider getting more or less than four wheels to change the appearance, stability or mobility of your robot.
5. Decide if your robot is an indoor robot or an outdoor robot. Indoor robots have few specific needs from casters and wheels, but outdoor robots need to have high traction wheels to get through outdoor terrain as well as low-friction casters to reduce energy use.
6. Find out if the wheels you are ordering come with rubber lining or tires. If the wheels are not lined with rubber already you will need to order the tires separately.
7. Look into regular wheel alternatives, such as tank treads, which come in either rubber or heavy duty metal, or wheels designed for other devices. One functional alternative for a large robot is to use stroller wheels, which are stable and rotating, as well as cheap.