OVERVIEW

Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheels

  • Keyway provides the most secure method of transferring torque effectively, while allowing flexible conveying of materials.
  • Flexible profile allows for conformance to materials that they come in contact with.
  • High friction and durable ML6 polyurethane provides exceptional performance and longevity.
  • Unbeatable bond strength between ML6 polyurethane and core materials.

Keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels are engineered to provide controlled pressure while maintaining positive engagement with keyed shafts. These wheels are commonly used in industrial automation, packaging, and material handling systems where non-slip rotation and consistent pressure are equally critical. ML6 keyed no-crush wheels are available in a broad range of durometers, sizes, profiles, and configurations.

Standard ML6 keyed no-crush wheels feature a machined keyway and set screw, allowing secure mounting to keyed shafts (key not provided). This configuration ensures reliable torque transfer without slippage, making them ideal for driven roller applications. Cores are typically machined from 6061 aluminum, but other materials, including various metals, plastics, and non-metallic options, are available to suit specific application needs.

Click here to see our complete lineup of polyurethane no-crush wheels.

Custom-molded keyed no-crush wheels are available affordably and with fast turnaround times. Whether for a one-off prototype or a high-volume production run, Meridian Laboratory delivers precision-engineered ML6 polyurethane wheels to match your specifications. Click here to learn more about our custom ML6 polyurethane molding capabilities.

All keyed no-crush wheels are manufactured using Meridian Laboratory’s proprietary ML6 polyurethane, bonded directly to the core to prevent delamination or tear-off in high-demand applications. This method results in exceptional bond strength and long service life.

Our precision ML6 polyurethane molding process guarantees tight tolerances – ensuring superior consistency, performance, and durability across all wheel types.

Learn more below about how Meridian Laboratory’s ML6 keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels deliver unmatched quality, precision, and value in demanding automation environments.

Advantages

Advantages of ML6 Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheels

Standard & Custom Polyurethane Wheels with Keyway

Meridian Laboratory offers quick and cost-effective standard and custom keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels. Our expansive tooling library, encompassing a wide variety of sizes and shapes alongside our in-house machining capabilities, allows us to deliver the exact keyed polyurethane no-crush wheel solution to meet your needs, on time and within budget.

  • Readily available products available direct or through distribution
  • Extensive tooling library to meet your needs without long lead times
  • Complete in-house machining allows for fast and cost-effective keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels in all volumes

Quality Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheels Without Compromise: Why We're Unbeatable

Meridian Laboratory delivers exceptional quality with every keyed polyurethane no-crush wheel we produce. We set the industry standard in high precision, tight tolerances, and urethane bond strength. Our molded polyurethane process guarantees unbeatable quality and consistency.

  • Superior bond strength makes it ideal for high-load and heavy-duty applications
  • Precision manufactured tooling and cores made entirely in-house
  • Molded tolerances down to 0.001”, including total indicated runout on wheels, shafts, and rollers

Urethane Innovators: What Puts ML6 Polyurethane Ahead of the Rest?

Our keyed no-crush wheels utilize ML6 Polyurethane, the culmination of decades-long experience in researching, testing, and perfecting exclusive blends of raw materials. The properties of our proprietary ML6 polyurethane are designed to meet the needs of industrial, scientific, and high-performance applications.

  • High-quality and exclusive raw materials provide exemplary quality finished parts
  • High coefficient of friction provides excellent grip and traction
  • Exceptional wear resistance extends the lifespan and reliability of keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels

Prototype to Production with Fast Turnaround Times

Meridian Laboratory is your single source supplier for high quality keyed no-crush wheels, from prototype to production volumes. We have decades of experience and the latest equipment and technology to deliver Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheels quickly and cost effectively.

  • In-house machining capabilities allow for cores and tooling to be produced quickly and efficiently
  • Cost-efficient prototyping with the ability to scale output as volumes grow over time
  • Ability to deliver keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels complete to specifications

Understanding Polyurethane: The Key Advantages

Keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels utilize ML6 polyurethane, which is engineered to provide exceptional properties for industrial, scientific, and high-performance applications. For most applications, polyurethane outperforms rubber, silicone, nitrile, and many other materials, making it the ideal choice.

  • Durable against wear and chemical exposure for long-lasting performance
  • Superior noise reduction for quiet operation between contact surfaces
  • Non-marking to ensure surface integrity is maintained between contact surfaces

Precision Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheels Manufactured to Exact Standards

Meridian Laboratory’s expertise lies in precision manufacturing of keyed no-crush wheels and our ability to produce unique and complex shapes with exceptional detail. Our polyurethane molding process achieves final part dimensions without grinding, retaining the beneficial outer layer or “skin” of the polyurethane. This ensures optimal friction and longevity, while minimizing the likelihood of the urethane wearing off over time.

  • Ability to mold small, complex shapes and precision parts accurately and consistently
  • Eliminates the need for post-mold grinding operations of urethane
  • Preserves outer layer for increased friction and maximum longevity

Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheels Engineered to Your Exact Needs

Meridian Laboratory’s keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels have a wide variety of customization options to fit every need. From aesthetic custom colors to formulas engineered for specific requirements, such as FDA compliance, anti-static properties, metal detectability, and more; we ensure our products meet our clients’ precise specifications.

  • Durometers including Shore A 40, 55, 70, 80, 90 and Shore D 60, 70, 75
  • Variety of standard color offerings with the ability to exact color match for unique branding or identification needs
  • Specialized formulations and additives, including FDA compliant, anti-static, metal detectable, and more

Specifications

ML6 Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheel Models






      You are requesting a custom model, please fill out the information below, and we will be in contact within 24 hours.

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      Replace -XXX in part numbers with specific durometer

      Durometer Options:

      40A | 55A | 70A | 80A | 90A | 60D | 75D

      Configurations

      Flexible Specifications & Customizations

      A wide variety of standard bore options are available for keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels, with the ability to customize to your exact bore requirements for all volumes. Most center bores have a tight tolerance of +0.001/- 0.000”; tighter tolerances are available upon request.

      Meridian Laboratory molds ML6 polyurethane directly to a wide variety of metals, including but not limited to: aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, brass, copper, and nickel. The bond strength between ML6 polyurethane and the metal core material is extremely strong and resists tear-off and delamination.

      Our standard colors for keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels include yellow, blue, orange, black, red, white, green, clear, and purple. For our standard keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels offerings, these colors are correlated to a specific durometer for simple identification of different parts. However, Meridian Laboratory also offers the ability to deliver any custom polyurethane colors to your specific preference in all volumes.

      The standard finish of keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels features a smooth, blemish-free, and high-grip surface on all molded portions of the part. This surface finish maximizes friction / grip while minimizing wear. Contrary to conventional belief, this finish provides the maximum amount of traction – similar to the way a racing slick provides the maximum traction with the asphalt surface it comes in contact with.

      Cost Effective Customization

      Custom Molded Polyurethane – From Prototype to Production

      Meridian Laboratory’s proven process for manufacturing custom keyed polyurethane no-crush wheels makes it easy and efficient to specify, order, and scale your polyurethane needs, no matter the volume.
      Our unique manufacturing method is engineered for flexibility, allowing customers to go from prototype to full-scale production without costly tooling, long lead times, or complex ordering processes.

      Why Engineers and Buyers Prefer Meridian Laboratory:

      • Fast and Simple Quotation Process
        Submit your dimensions, durometer, and application requirements, we work with you to ask the right questions, answer yours, and provide a solution.
      • Low Minimums, High Flexibility
        Ideal for both one-off prototypes and full production runs without changing your process or supplier.
      • No or Low Setup Fees
        Our streamlined approach eliminates traditional barriers like expensive molds or long production setups.
      • Scalable Without Disruption
        As your demand grows, our polyurethane manufacturing process seamlessly scales with you, no re-engineering required.

      Whether you’re prototyping a new design or ramping up to high-volume production, Meridian Laboratory makes custom polyurethane manufacturing simple, fast, and reliable.

      FAQs

      Common Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheel Questions

      How much force is needed for a certain amount of deflection?

      Wheel Deflection refers to the amount a No-Crush Wheel will compress or “crush”. The amount of deflection depends on several factors, including the wheel’s diameter, width, and polyurethane durometer. Here, you will find deflection charts for our most common No-Crush Wheel sizes and durometers to help guide your selection.

      How strong is the bond between the core material and polyurethane?

      ML6® polyurethane is chemically bonded to core materials using a proprietary process that provides a bond stronger than the polyurethane itself. Unlike some competitors who use press-fit or glued-on coatings, our processing method ensures maximum durability and prevents delamination, even under high loads or extreme dynamic conditions. Contact us to learn more!

      Do you have existing tooling that can be utilized for my parts?

      Yes, we maintain an extensive library of existing molds and tooling. If your part closely matches an existing size or geometry, we may be able to use or adapt our current tooling to reduce both cost and lead time. Contact us to learn more!

      What makes ML6® polyurethane different from other polyurethanes and materials?

      ML6® is unique in that it can hold very tight tolerances without grinding or post-cure finishing. This leaves a perfect surface finish that has a better coefficient of friction, and is impervious to contamination since the cell structure is not opened through grinding or machining. This results in a better performing and longer lasting part. More information regarding the advantages of ML6 can be found here.

      Can ML6® bond to various materials like metals and plastics?

      Yes, ML6® bonds exceptionally well to metals and plastics when properly prepared. We use proprietary bonding processes and surface treatments to ensure a durable, long-lasting bond to materials such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, bronze, brass, and engineering plastics. Contact us to learn more.

      Can you manufacture custom-molded polyurethane parts to spec?

      Yes, we specialize in custom-molded polyurethane parts, from single prototypes to full production runs. Our flexible process allows us to deliver parts quickly and cost-effectively, even in single piece quantities. Once we have manufactured any part once, it can be made any number of times, in any quantity, with cost-effective and repeatable results.

      APPLICATIONS & USES

      Common Uses for Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheels

      In-Line Capping Equipment

      ML6 polyurethane no-crush wheels and drive rollers are used on in-line capping equipment to maneuver bottles into the correct orientation and position.

      Medical Tube Skiving

      ML6 no-crush wheels and drive rollers are used for skiving medical tubing at high volumes and continuous production cycles.

      Fish Processing Equipment

      ML6 FDA-approved polyurethane rollers and grippers are used in fish processing equipment for sorting and packaging operations.

      Industries

      Industries Using ML6 Keyed Polyurethane Wheels

      Automated mailroom sorting equipment and conveyor systems

      Mailroom

      Application & Uses

      • Material Printing
      • Mailroom Equipment
      • Label Application
      Original equipment manufacturers with advanced machinery and production lines

      Original Equipment Manufacturers

      Application & Uses

      • Wire Feed, Strip, and Cut
      • Glass Handling Equipment
      • Gummy Coating and Demolding Equipment
      • Automated Stage Lighting
      • Automated Cannabis Processing
      • Data Cable Processing
      Manufacturing and production facilities with advanced machinery

      Manufacturing & Production

      Application & Uses

      • Centerless Grinding
      • Semiconductor Device Fabrication
      • Glass Fabrication
      • Security Gates
      • Material Handling Carts

      Where to Purchase ML6 Keyed Polyurethane No-Crush Wheels?

      STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

      We are here to deliver exceptional quality molded polyurethane and service. Reach out to get your project started!

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