What are Ball Transfer Units

Omnitrack ball transfer units (BTU) are an advanced type of bearing engineered to allow precision omnidirectional movement or conveying of heavy items. 

Omnitrack’s innovative ball transfer units provide instant and precise directional change with low friction and a heavy-duty load capacity. Our patented solutions come in a wide range of styles and sizes.

Can a Ball Transfer Unit be used upside down (like a Castor)?

Omnitrack Heavy Duty Ball Transfer Units can be used at all angles of orientation at full load bearing capacity and without loss of quality of movement. Omnitrack Light Duty, pressed & Medium Duty, machined Ball Transfer Units can be inverted, but will not offer the same load capacity or quality of movement. Omnicaster ball castors can also be inverted to great success and are suitable for delicate floor materials.

Are Ball Transfer Units suitable for outdoor use?

Omnitrack Ball Transfer Units can be manufactured from a number of different materials with differing corrosion resistance properties. 9000 series heavy duty ball transfer units are user-serviceable and material upgrade service kits are available for use in arduous environments.

Key benefits of a Heavy Duty Ball Transfer Unit:

  1. Lowest coefficient of friction. Expressed as a ratio less than 1:0.005; or as the breakaway point of inertia, less than 0.5% of the conveyed load.
  2. Maximum Load at any orientation up to 8000kg each
  3. High Shock Resistance
  4. Longest service life – user-serviceable service kits, full factory spares and reconditioning service backup from 1954.
  5. Smooth, high-precision movement
  6. Drain/ Debris channels included as standard
  7. Precision machined construction
  8. Heavy Duty spring loaded units are ideal where uneven track conditions or shock loading occurs 

What are the primary applications of a ball transfer unit?

Examples as follows:

  • Air Cargo Handling 
  • Shipbuilding
  • Automotive
  • Aircraft Assembly/ Testing
  • Press Tool & Die Handling
  • Packing/ Production Lines 
  • Robotics/ Robotic Assembly

Example product series for Air Cargo Handling:

  • MX, MV & MW series is the industry standard for Air cargo applications – engineered for standard air cargo ball deck and washdown ball platforms. Rapid drain with noise reduction. Imperial and metric fixing options are ideal where single-sided access of the ball platform is available for fitting and replacement.

Why Trust Omnitrack?

Omnitrack is the original manufacturers, inventors and patentees of the heavy-duty ball transfer range which has been in continuous production since 1954

  • Heavy-duty ball transfer units capable of bearing up to 8000kg (18000lbs).
  • Unique “endless-track” internal bearing system allows for maximum precision and instantaneous directional change.
  • A comprehensive range of sizes, mounting options and material options available.
  • In-house design and production plant in Stroud, UK. Allowing us to ship immediately, provide express worldwide shipping and keep costs low.
  • All Omnitrack products come with a free two-year warranty and quality guarantee.
  • Free advice from our highly experienced technical support team.

What is the lifespan of a ball transfer unit?

The lifespan of a Ball Transfer Unit is determined by a number of variables including maximum load, working conditions & material/ hardness of the contact surface. 

Please contact us with the details of your application and our engineering team will be able to offer (free) expert technical advice in selecting the most appropriate Ball Transfer Unit or movement solution for your application. Our Ball Transfer Units are hand assembled, tested & packed to ensure maximum longevity.

Can ball transfer units be made from Plastic?

Omnitrack LP Series Plastic Ball Transfer Units are precision machined from solid polyoxymethylene (POM). Which is a high-grade engineering polymer (plastic).

LP ball units are fitted with either Delrin balls or AISI 316 marine-grade stainless steel balls (add suffix ‘A’). 

This austenitic grade of stainless steel has exceptional resistance to corrosive attack by salt or seawater. Marine grades of CR stainless steels are relatively soft so offer limited load-carrying capacity. LP ball transfer units are non-magnetic and offer excellent resistance to chemical attacks. 

If non-marking properties are required, also consider our light-duty L series units and M series units with the suffix ‘D’ ball upgrade. They are dimensionally compiled with the LP series.

These Euro ball units offer delicate conveying of painted or sensitive surfaces. Both can use K-clips (galvanised sheet steel) and C-clips (stainless steel) for rapid fitting and replacement.

Also consider our Omnicaster Ball Castors and Omniwheel wheels where Plastic contact is essential.

Some Omniwheels models are produced entirely from Plastic and are ideal for applications where no Steel or conductive materials can be used.

We stock over 800 products to be shipped immediately, with worldwide Express delivery available.

Need advice or a custom solution to meet a specific requirement? Speak with our team now — we’re always happy to help!