The new series of wheel bearings improves bearing life up to 40% and provides a 12% reduction in push forces.
HAMILTON, OH — Hamilton Caster today announced the launch of its new ZPI™ (Zero-Fix Precision Integrated) Ball Bearings, a new series of wheel bearings designed to extend service life, improve wheel rollability, and simplify assemblies across Hamilton’s vast caster & wheel product line.
Designed and engineered in-house, the new ZPI™ bearing rethinks traditional industrial wheels with metric precision ball bearing by eliminating the top hat bushings that introduce friction, wear, and long-term performance degradation. By allowing the wheel to roll more efficiently around a stationary inner ring, the ZPI™ design significantly reduces fretting and ball sliding—two major contributors to premature bearing failure in conventional assemblies. The integrated design improves lead time and simplifies assembly in Hamilton’s USA factory.
Durability testing revealed bearing life improvements exceeding 40%, directly extending the service life of both the bearing and the overall caster assembly. Performance testing further demonstrated a 10–14% reduction in start-up and sustained rolling force, delivering measurable improvements in maneuverability and ergonomic performance under load.
The ZPI™ bearing Series consists of (6) variations accommodating axle sizes: ½”, ¾”, 1”, & 1-1/4”. In addition to overall performance improvements, the new bearings feature a distinctive red seal for quick visual identification, along with clear product markings that support traceability and quality assurance throughout the supply chain.
The new bearings began shipping this month and are now offered in 80% of Hamilton’s product line with zero cost impact, delivering immediate performance gains to customers.
Check out Hamilton’s complete line of industrial wheels here.