Cast polyurethane is widely used in logistics and warehouses to manufacture durable and reliable components such as conveyor rollers, wheels for forklifts and AGVs (automated guided vehicles), and impact-absorbing dock bumpers.
Polyurethane with its properties such as wear resistance and load-bearing capacity, and good resilience cam facilitate smooth goods movement, reduce noise, and extend equipment life . It also provides efficient, safe operations in demanding logistics and warehouse environments.
Advantages in Logistics & Warehousing Industry
- Wear Resistance
The volume wear rate of PU is <0.03 cm³/1.61 km, 5–6 times that of traditional rubber, making it suitable for high-frequency operation requirements of logistics equipment (e.g., conveyor belts, sorting rollers)。
- Impact Absorption & Buffering
With an impact absorption rate >70%, it can reduce collision forces during cargo loading/unloading and transportation, reducing damage to fragile goods.
- Anti-Slip Properties
Features a stable surface friction coefficient (0.4–0.6), adapting to humid/low-temperature warehousing environments and preventing stacked goods from slipping.
- Noise Reduction & Vibration Damping
It can absorb equipment vibrations and reduce the operating noise . it is good to improve the warehousing work environment .
Key Application
- Polyurethane Wheels and Rollers:
Cast polyurethane is ideal for high-performance industrial wheels and rollers. These wheels are used on forklifts, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and conveyor systems. These rollers are used on mecanum wheels and OMINI wheels. Mecanum wheels and OMINI wheels are vital for omnidirectional movement in automation. They’re widely used on warehouse robots, and small cargo transporters. Polyurethane has excellent toughness and low rolling resistance. It supports smooth, efficient movement of heavy loads. It also enables stable high-speed operations, meeting logistics equipment demands.
- Conveyor Systems
Polyurethane is widely used in automated sorting systems and conveyor lines at warehouses, manufacturing plants, and transportation hubs. It makes key components like conveyor rollers, belt guides, and sorting chute liners, designed for efficient goods transport with minimal friction and impact.
CPU’s low friction coefficient (0.35–0.45) prevents jams in high-speed sorters (e.g., cross-belt types), while its >70% impact absorption protects fragile items. Its exceptional wear resistance (<0.03cm³/1.61km per ASTM D1630) handles 500kg/roller loads and 24/7 operation without degradation, cutting downtime. Also, its elastic structure reduces noise by 10–15dB, improving work environments and ensuring steady goods movement to boost efficiency..
- Protection for Products
For warehouse protection items like car parts shelf , dock bumpers and trailer plates, cast polyurethane (CPU) is an ideal material. It excels at absorbing impacts when vehicles move (such as forklift docking or trailer positioning), protet facilities from scratches or deformation.
