Flow forming wheels - GIF

[Altair]

Flow forming wheels.



Previously:

Intricate wheel rim machining - GIF
Wheel rim straightening machine - GIF
Wheel rim cleaning machine - GIF
Wheel assembly machine - GIF
Machine for installing tires on rims - GIF

[schuylergrace]

Does anyone know how this works? It looks like the work is clamped top and bottom, a tool comes in to make a center depression, the press comes down to finish forming the center and pulls up to finish forming the top and bottom lips. Somewhere in there, it looks like they rolled the outside edges over, too. That was mesmerizing to watch.

[BuffaloJohn]

If you watch, first the drum is spun up, then the profile on the left presses against the rotating drum and then the profile on the right does the same. The spinning action lets the sidways force deform the cylinder evenly.

If you search for spin forming, you can see other examples of the process.

[schuylergrace]

If you watch, first the drum is spun up, then the profile on the left presses against the rotating drum and then the profile on the right does the same. The spinning action lets the sidways force deform the cylinder evenly.

Oh! I didn't see that second forming tool, despite all the times I watched the video! It all makes sense, now. I thought there must have been some materials voodoo going on to do the finish forming.

[Wildwilly]

I'm thinking the start of motorcycle rims. Either that of one very strong worker to be doing that one handed!