casters

Casters are wheel assemblies that attach to furniture, carts, and equipment to make them movable. A typical caster consists of a wheel mounted in a housing, with a mounting option such as a plate, stem, or threaded shank. Wheels come in various materials—rubber, polyurethane, nylon, and metal—and many casters include brakes to lock movement.

Casters are categorized by mounting and mobility: swivel casters rotate 360 degrees for easy steering, while rigid casters roll in one direction for stability. Many setups use a combination of swivels with at least one fixed caster for directional control. Selection depends on load rating, floor type, noise, and environment. For heavy or expensive loads, durability and floor protection are important considerations.

Casters also refers to people who provide live broadcast commentary. In sports, gaming, and e-sports, a caster supplies narration and analysis during a match or event—often with a play-by-play caster and a color commentator. Effective casters coordinate with producers, manage pacing, and use microphones and audio interfaces to ensure clear sound and timely delivery.

In fantasy and tabletop contexts, a caster is a character who can cast spells, such as wizards and clerics. The term distinguishes spellcasters from physical combatants, with game systems typically modeling spellcasting through resources like spell slots or mana and through various spell effects.