ROLLER COASTER WHEELS

Roller coaster wheels, fairground ride wheels, theme park and amusement park wheels are engineered to exacting standards.  Safety, reliability and wear-resistance are key with any wheel design – none more so than in the amusement park industry. 

We can supply any wheel to any specification which means we can offer wheels for roller coasters, fairground rides and almost any amusement park ride in operation today. We supply Vulkollan^®, polyurethane and rubber load and guide wheels for slow moving rides with low requirements right through to the super-fast roller coasters that require very high quality and high load capacity wheels which can operate at maximum efficiency for long periods of time.

WHEN DESIGNING WHEELS FOR HIGH SPEED ROLLER THERE ARE FOUR KEY AREAS TO CONSIDER:

• Low rolling resistance – friction causes the carriages to slow down, rides are designed for speed so wheels require minimal friction.
• High load endurance – to carry the weight of the passengers & vehicles, plus forces of up to six times that of gravity.
• Smooth ride performance - wheels must be able to absorb impact on uneven surfaces due to minor imperfections or debris on the track.
• High durability – for minimum down time and maintenance costs

NYLON Vs POLYURETHANE ROLLER COASTER WHEELS:

NYLON WHEELS

Nylon is a hard plastic which offers low rolling resistance, and durability – meaning lower maintenance costs on the wheels but potentially is more demanding on the track.  Hard plastics do not provide the smoothest of rides and passengers will encounter vibrations.

POLYURETHANE WHEELS

Polyurethane is a softer plastic providing a smooth ride for passengers with less vibration than nylon wheels. The softer tread also means a slower ride as friction is increased.

Whilst both nylon and polyurethane are suitable materials for roller coaster wheels each has its advantages and disadvantages. Many amusement parks will use a mix of both nylon and polyurethane wheels to achieve the optimal ride performance.

VULKOLLAN^® WHEELS

Our roller coaster wheels typically come with a Vulkollan® or polyurethane tread directly bonded to a steel or cast iron centre. The wheel assembly is then connected to the axle through a bearing. Important characteristics for roller coaster wheels include safety, durability, reliability and low replacement costs. We can supply roller coaster wheels to match existing wheels in operation or we can produce wheels to meet prototype or new designs.

Technica products ensure smooth operation for roller coasters, monorail and light railways, enabling safe and dynamic movement through turns and loops. Our specilaist range of wheels are engineered with Vulkollan® and polyurethane elastomers, produced via hot-casting, offering low rolling resistance and high durability. These materials excel in load capacity, abrasion, and tear resistance. 

SPECIALIST MATERIALS

Vulkodyn® is a highly elastic polyurethane elastomer developed for extremely dynamic applications. This specialist compound has excellent properties such as approximately 20% lower rolling resistance, higher load capacity at the same speeds, better driving comfort thanks to good damping, lower risk of flat spots during stoppages, hydrolysis resistance and better traction. Vulkodyn® is therefore particularly suited for use at high speeds.

• Long service life
• Very high load capacities
• Extreme speeds
• Minimal rolling resistance

KEY BENEFITS OF OUR ROLLERCOASTER WHEELS