Most plant air systems are suitable for air caster equipment. Most have adequate pressure, usually over 80 psi. However, make certain adequate flow is available for the equipment.

The amount of airflow required to operate an air caster depends on three variables:

When an air caster is carrying its rated load and riding on an excellent floor surface, the required air consumption for good operation is 1 SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) per foot of air caster perimeter. An excellent floor surface is considered to have a smooth texture equivalent to sheet steel, smooth epoxy or machine troweled concrete with a polished finish. The surface is absent of any pits, cracks or other defects.

Air Caster Airflow Requirements

The required air consumption for good operation of an air caster, carrying a capacity load on an average floor surface, is 3 SCFM per foot of perimeter. An average floor surface is considered to have a texture equivalent to that of steel plate with minor flaking of mill scale, good concrete with minor pit scratches and hairline cracks or epoxy with an “orange peel” texture.

The required air consumption for acceptable operation of an air caster, carrying a capacity load on a slightly rough floor, is 5 SCFM per foot of perimeter. A slightly rough floor feels rough to the hand; however, it is much smoother than a broom-finished concrete texture. Broom-finished concrete is unacceptable for air caster use.

The required air consumption for an air caster is also proportional to the amount of load it is carrying. Therefore, an air caster operating at half its rated capacity will require approximately half of the airflow required to operate at full capacity.

For more information, call an Airfloat applications engineer at 800-888-0018.