Anti-static wheels being used in an electronic manufacturing setting to avoid the build-up of static electricity.
T Tracey Williams

Why Anti-Static Castors Are Essential In Electronic Manufacturing

Aug 7, 2024 · industrial castors · industrial trolley wheels
In the manufacture of electronics and other high-tech products, static electricity can easily damage sensitive components. A small zap that you won't even feel can be enough to ruin microchips and other intricate parts, which is why having the right anti-static precautions in place is absolutely vital.
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Installing anti-static castors, also known as anti-static wheels, on any carts, workbenches, or equipment that moves around the production floor is an essential safeguard. These specialist wheels and castors are specifically designed to prevent the buildup of dangerous static charges.

Reduce static buildup

Anti-static materials inhibit the ‘triboelectric effect’, which is the generation of static electricity by contact between two nonconductive surfaces. In essence, rubbing certain materials together causes electrons to be exchanged, leading to positively and negatively charged surfaces. Anti-static castors are made of materials that resist this electron transfer.

The rub test measures a material's tendency to acquire and dissipate electric charge. Anti-static materials generally have a conductive resistance of less than 1 x 104 ohms, allowing charges to drain away safely before they can accumulate.

Safeguard sensitive components

In the production of printed circuit boards (PCBs), integrated circuits, sensors, and other electronics, anti-static wheels on moveable equipment are vital. They prevent the accumulation of static electricity which could otherwise discharge and damage sensitive electronic components.

A sudden electrostatic discharge of just a few hundred volts can be catastrophic to microchips and other intricate parts. Anti-static castors ensure safe charge drainage, protecting fragile electronics from destruction.

Meet safety regulations

Electronics manufacturing inevitably involves some flammable solvents and materials. In these potentially explosive environments, preventing static discharge is mandatory. Anti-static wheels reduce the risk of fires or explosions caused by stray static sparks.

Installing anti-static castors on any mobile equipment and ensuring proper grounding allows manufacturers to meet safety regulations, avoiding disruptive shutdowns as well as expensive fines for non-compliance.

Improve equipment reliability

Even small buildups of static can interfere with the performance of electronic devices. This stray static electricity causes glitches, errors, and malfunctions. Unpredictable problems in turn can lead to defective products and damaged components.

Anti-static wheels prevent static buildup, ensuring sensitive manufacturing and test equipment performs properly, while consistent and accurate performance means higher product quality with less waste and expense.

Reduce static interference

The sensitive analogue and digital circuits in a lot of modern equipment are prone to disruption from stray static charges. This interference causes erratic operation as well as data and signal loss. Unpredictable malfunctions result in inconsistent product quality.

The low conductive resistance of anti-static castors drains off static safely, preventing stray charges from affecting the functioning of sensitive electronic equipment. Processes thereby become smoother and more reliable.

Find out more

Keep your people, products, and profits safe with anti-static wheels from a specialist supplier: For some of the best anti-static castors on the market with a ‘conductive resistance’ of less than 1 x 104 ohms, explore the latest Rolltek Catalogue.
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Image Source: Canva

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