Pololu Ball Caster with 1″ Plastic Ball and Ball Bearings

This ball caster uses a 1″ diameter plastic ball and has an overall height of 1.1″ (29 mm). The two-part housing snaps together to securely enclose the ball and three ball bearings that minimize friction between the ball and the ABS housing. The base piece of the housing has holes for three #4 or M3 screws (not included).

This ball caster is an improved version of our original Pololu Ball Caster with 1″ Plastic Ball; we recommend this new version over the older version for all applications that are not somehow specifically tied to the previous design.

Assembling the Pololu Ball Caster with 1″ Plastic Ball and Ball Bearings (screws not included).

Overview

This ball caster kit includes a two-part black ABS housing, a 1″ diameter POM (also know as acetal or by the brand name Delrin) plastic ball, three 3×7×3mm ball bearings, and three dowel pins used to hold the ball bearings. When assembled, the ball caster is capable of rolling in any direction with low friction, making it suitable for use as a third contact point for wheeled, differential-drive robots weighing up to around ten pounds.

The base piece of the housing has holes for three #4 or M3 mounting screws (not included) and slots for ball bearings. The second part of the housing snaps into the base piece to secure the ball and ball bearings. The assembled ball caster has an overall height of 1.1″ (29 mm).

This ball caster is also available with plastic rollers instead of ball bearings.

Dimensions

Dimensions of the Pololu Ball Caster with 1″ Plastic Ball and Ball Bearings. Units are mm over [inches].

This dimension diagram is also available as a downloadable PDF (134k pdf).

Comparison of Pololu ball casters

Pololu ball casters with plastic and metal balls. Ball diameter from left to right: 1″, 3/4″, 1/2″, and 3/8″.