Contents

• Introduction

• The use of industrial wheels outside the traditional areas: the theatre

• Industrial wheels in the art and design world

• Industrial wheels in safe driving instruments

• Moving the Pope’s Throne

• Industrial wheels and quality food and wine tradition

 

Introduction 

In a specific article, we have dealt with the history of the wheel, with particular reference to industrial wheels.

We briefly remind you that the development of this specific sector coincides with the need to move trolleys for particularly heavy loads in coincidence with the first industrial revolution (1760-1780), especially within the production plants of the textile and metallurgical sector.

All this was possible thanks to the introduction of the flying shuttle and the steam engine.

The first types of industrial wheels were made of cast iron or iron, initially with few ergonomic features. The ball bearing, developed in France for bicycles, arrived only later, allowing a clear step forward for the handling of goods within the factory.

 

The use of industrial wheels outside the traditional areas: the theatre 

It may be interesting, at this point, to investigate the uses of industrial wheels and the relevant brackets outside their “natural” context, thanks to the versatility that characterises most of them.

Let's think, first of all, of the theatres, of the scenic needs of theatre companies when setting up everything necessary for shows with set designs that are sometimes decidedly majestic.

For these types of applications, wheels and brackets with a high load-bearing capacity and a very low centre of gravity are required, such as the Iberruedas tripods.

Tripods are designed precisely for handling heavy loads in confined spaces, such as theatre flats, with little operator’s effort and low vibration and noise during use.

The use of TR and TR-Roll polyurethane wheels guarantees a long product life, with maximum reduction of the initial starting point and effort during handling.

 

Industrial wheels in the art and design world

The world of design and, more generally, that of art, offer unlimited facets, so even industrial wheels fall within many areas with roles as protagonists or co-protagonists.

This is the case of Fontana Arte, which uses black rubber industrial wheels for its limited-edition glass coffee table. We are not talking about simple commercial products, but elements of pure design. Fontana Arte was founded in 1881 as a factory for the production of glass slabs and a few years later began a sought-after production of furnishing objects - unique pieces and made to order - manufactured using glass as a raw material. As proof of this care for art, in 1931 the leadership of Fontana Arte was taken on by Gio Ponti, an artist with eclectic personality on the national and international cultural scene, designer of buildings and objects that will remain in the history of architecture and design.

In a similar way to Fontana Arte, the architect Cesare Leonardi often used certain types of industrial wheels from Iberruedas as elements to support his famous “Solidi”. In this case, we are talking about chairs, but also stools, tables, wardrobes, sofas, mezzanines, which have become cult and design objects, obtained from wooden boards generally used in construction as concrete formwork, without producing waste.

 

Industrial wheels in safe driving instruments 

It is also interesting that some types of industrial wheels are used in accessories used for safe driving courses.

In what way? As components for the construction of skid cars.

The skid car is a tool that makes it possible to simulate skidding and loss of grip even on dry surface and in perfect safety conditions. It is used for a particular exercise in which students learn to control the car skidding with the rear end by triggering a "right about turn".

The skid car in use at Gordon De Adamich's International Safe Driving Centre was built using industrial wheels produced by Iberruedas.

 

Moving the Pope’s Throne 

While continuing to analyse the most unusual uses of industrial wheels, we bump into the religious and spiritual sector.

A particular type of polyurethane wheels of the 65 series, produced by Iberruedas, was requested by the Cardinal Augustinian Roman Curia in 2009, for the movement of the Pope's Throne. It is a heavy and very valuable marble seat used at the time of the ordination by Pope Benedict XVI and now used by Pope Francis.

 

Industrial wheels and quality food and wine tradition 

Let's end with food and wine tradition, not the generalist one, but that of high and very high quality. In this case, we refer to industrial wheels used by the vinegar masters to move single barrels or batteries of barrels where the traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena is aged.

These wheels have the important and delicate task of protecting one of the most valuable products, in terms of culinary heritage, present on our tables.

Are you interested in knowing the types of industrial wheels best suited to your specific needs, through a dedicated consultation? Contact our experts to get a no-obligation consultation specific to your project.