Custom plastic star wheels
Machined pocket profiles for container-handling equipment.
CDS machines custom star wheels from drawings, specifications and existing parts. Request a new wheel, replacement or repeat run with the pocket pattern, material and dimensions specified for your equipment.
Pockets, center features and wheel thickness
A star wheel receives containers in pockets around its edge. CDS machines the wheel to the pocket geometry and locating dimensions shown in your part definition.
- Pockets have the contour and spacing specified for the wheel.
- Bore and hub are dimensioned center features.
- Locating reference has a specified relationship to the pocket pattern.
Conceptual part view. Your drawing defines pocket shape, count, dimensions and locating features; the illustration is not a standard CDS wheel.
Custom pocket profiles
The drawing establishes pocket count, contour, depth, relief and spacing. Round and non-round profiles need their actual geometry, rather than the container name alone.
Bore and locating features
Bore, hub, keyway and mounting holes have separate dimensions. Show their specified angular relationship to the pockets and any required locating marks.
Diameter and thickness
Outside dimensions, face steps, edge details and required tolerances complete the wheel specification. Identify each part number and format separately.
For other wheel types, see container timing-wheel inquiries or synchronous timing-belt pulleys.
Reproducing a worn or obsolete star wheel
An existing wheel can start a replacement machining request when a drawing is unavailable. Old prints, part numbers and equipment records help identify the component.
Document the existing part
Reverse engineering documents existing wheel features for manufacture. Identify worn pockets, damaged mounting areas and any reliable dimensions or unworn spare available for comparison.
A worn sample may no longer preserve the pocket contour or its original dimensions. Missing features and unknown material requirements need clarification before the replacement is made.
New formats and repeat orders
For a customer-specified format change, provide the revised wheel drawing. For repeat quantities, include the current revision and previous CDS order reference if available.
Your specified material and grade
Provide the plastic and exact grade required for the wheel, including any controlled brand, filler or permitted substitution. CDS confirms material availability and machining scope for the quotation.
For a replacement, include available material records. Color and appearance alone do not establish the grade.
Detectable star wheel options
CDS offers metal-detectable and X-ray-detectable star wheel options. Give the required formulation and detection method so the requested grade, availability and documentation can be confirmed.
Detection in your inspection system requires application-specific evaluation. Food-contact documentation also depends on the exact formulation and intended use.
Detectable-plastic machining and documentationRequest a quote for your star wheel
Send the wheel drawing, specification, dimensioned sketch or details of an available sample. Identify new parts, replacements and each quantity required.
Wheel definition
Part number and revision; pocket pattern, diameter and thickness; bore, hub and locating features; required tolerances and finish. Include relevant machine or container references used to identify the part.
Material and records
Exact plastic grade, required brand or filler, permitted substitutions and required material, food-contact or detection records. Mark worn or unknown features in a sample.
Order details
Quantity by wheel or format, repeat needs, requested timing and previous CDS order reference. Separate drawings identify customer-specified revisions.
Contact CDS before arranging to send a physical wheel.
Start with a physical wheel