Wheels for AGVs and AMRs

WSCS supplies polyurethane drive wheels, load wheels and guide wheels for automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and other mobile robotic platforms. Standard and custom wheels can be developed according to payload, motor torque, speed, floor, navigation accuracy and duty cycle.

AGV and AMR Wheel Range

Applications We Support

• Warehouse pallet transport, towing and lifting AGVs

• AMRs for flexible factory and warehouse material movement

• Heavy-load robots for molds, batteries and industrial components

• Assembly-line vehicles and line-side delivery systems

• Rail-guided shuttles and automated storage equipment

For forklifts, pallet trucks and other warehouse vehicles, see wheels for warehousing and logistics equipment.

Key Performance Requirements

How to Select AGV and AMR Wheels

1. Identify the Wheel Function

Confirm whether the wheel drives, carries or guides the vehicle. A powered wheel requires a secure motor or gearbox connection, while a load wheel normally requires suitable bearings and low rolling resistance.

2. Calculate the Dynamic Load

Include the chassis, battery, payload, lifting structure and center-of-gravity changes. Acceleration, braking and floor joints can place more load on one wheel than a simple total-weight calculation suggests.

3. Confirm Torque, Diameter and Speed

Wheel diameter affects travel speed, floor torque, obstacle crossing and installation space. Provide motor torque, gearbox ratio, required speed, acceleration and maximum slope.

4. Match the Wheel to the Floor

Epoxy floors, polished concrete, tiles, expansion joints and rough surfaces create different traction and wear conditions. Water, oil and debris should also be identified.

5. Define Precision Requirements

Projects can require controlled outside-diameter tolerance, concentricity, radial runout and consistency between paired drive wheels. These values should be linked to the navigation and positioning target.

6. Review the Duty Cycle

Provide daily runtime, speed, starts, stops, turns and rest intervals. Multi-shift vehicles require evaluation of dynamic fatigue and heat rather than static load alone.

Rolling Resistance and Battery Runtime

Rolling resistance is affected by polyurethane formulation, hardness, tread deformation, diameter, bearings and vehicle alignment. Excessive resistance can increase motor current and reduce operating time between charges.

The lowest rolling resistance is not the only goal. The wheel must still provide sufficient traction for starting, braking and controlled travel.

Wheel Accuracy and Positioning

When movement is calculated from wheel rotation, loaded diameter changes or differences between left and right wheels can affect estimated travel distance. Excessive runout can also cause vibration and uneven floor contact.

• Outside-diameter tolerance

• Radial runout and concentricity

• Loaded wheel deformation

• Paired-wheel diameter consistency

• Bore, keyway, flange and bearing-seat tolerances

Polyurethane Material Selection

Polyurethane is commonly used because suitable formulations can combine load capacity, wear resistance, traction, dimensional stability and floor protection. However, polyurethane is a family of materials rather than one fixed compound.

Formulation and hardness influence resilience, rolling resistance, tear resistance, heat build-up, compression set and resistance to moisture or oil. A harder wheel is not automatically more durable, and a softer wheel is not automatically better for traction.

Customization Options

• Outside diameter, width and tread thickness

• Polyurethane hardness and performance formulation

• Steel, cast-iron or aluminum wheel cores

• Plain bore, keyway, flange, bolt holes or custom motor interface

• Flat, crowned, grooved or special tread profiles

• Bearings, bushings and protected bearing structures

• Low rolling resistance, low noise or non-marking requirements

• Hydrolysis, oil, temperature, antistatic or conductive requirements

• Prototype, small-batch and repeat OEM production

Common AGV Wheel Problems

• Slipping: check floor contamination, preload, material and acceleration.

• Rapid wear: review load, floor roughness, turns and wheel diameter.

• Chunking: inspect pivot turning, tread edges and tear resistance.

• Reduced battery runtime: check rolling resistance, bearings and alignment.

• Excessive heat: review load, speed, runtime and tread thickness.

• Vibration or positioning error: measure runout, diameter and bearing clearance.

• Delamination: inspect hub preparation, torque, heat and core deformation.

Prototype and Quality Validation

New wheel designs should be tested under representative payload, speed, floor and turning conditions. Inspection and validation can include:

• Outside diameter, width, bore and hub dimensions

• Hardness and material batch consistency

• Concentricity, runout and paired-wheel diameter

• Starting, braking and slope traction

• Rolling resistance and motor current

• Operating temperature, wear and tread-to-hub bonding

Why Choose WSCS?

• Polyurethane material development combined with wheel manufacturing

• Drive, load and guide wheels from one supplier

• Custom hub, motor connection, tread and performance options

• Support for drawings, equipment data and existing samples

• Prototype, small-batch and repeat production can be evaluated

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an AGV drive wheel and a load wheel?

A drive wheel transmits motor torque to the floor. A load wheel supports the chassis and payload without providing propulsion.

How do AGV wheels affect battery runtime?

Wheel deformation, bearings, diameter, alignment and material all influence rolling resistance and motor demand.

Why do AGV wheels wear during pivot turns?

Pivot turning creates lateral scrubbing and concentrated edge stress. Load, tread profile, tear resistance and control settings all affect wear.

Can WSCS manufacture from a drawing or sample?

Yes. A drawing is preferred, but an existing wheel can be evaluated together with equipment data and operating conditions.

Request an AGV or AMR Wheel Evaluation

Send WSCS your drawing, payload, motor torque, speed, floor and precision requirements to identify a standard product or develop custom wheels for AGVs and AMRs.