How do manufacturers test the load capacity of wheels on mobile trash cans?

Manufacturers employ standardized testing methodologies to evaluate the load capacity of wheels on mobile trash cans, ensuring they meet operational demands and safety requirements. The primary testing follows ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and ANSI/BIFMA (American National Standards Institute/Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association) protocols. Key testing phases include:

1. Static Load Test: Wheels are subjected to 150% of their rated capacity for extended periods (typically 24+ hours) to check for deformation, cracking, or structural failure.

2. Dynamic Durability Test: Wheels undergo continuous rolling over standardized surfaces (including obstacles) for thousands of cycles while carrying maximum rated load. Test equipment simulates real-world movement patterns at specified speeds.

3. Impact Resistance Test: Wheels are dropped from predetermined heights onto hard surfaces with loaded weights to simulate curb impacts and sudden shocks.

4. Environmental Testing: Wheels are tested in varying temperatures and humidity levels to ensure performance consistency.

Manufacturers use specialized equipment like universal testing machines, dynamic test tracks, and impact testers. Data collection includes measuring force resistance, material stress points, and wheel axle integrity. High-performance wheels often incorporate reinforced hubs, precision bearings, and advanced polymer compounds that undergo additional fatigue analysis and finite element analysis (FEA) simulations before physical testing.

Quality wheels must maintain integrity after completing all test phases without visible damage or performance degradation, typically certified to handle 300-500 lbs per wheel depending on industrial applications.