Wheels advanced manufacturing process

Types of aluminum alloy wheels

There are basically three kinds of aluminum alloy wheels we have seen from the manufacturing process: casting, forging, and a new process called MAT spinning technology.

Now, although we know that aluminum alloy wheels are better than steel wheels and are more suitable for passenger cars, do you know that there are different types of aluminum alloy wheels? There are basically three kinds of aluminum alloy wheels we have seen from the manufacturing process. - One is casting, which is used by most family cars or some luxury cars. The other is forging, which is mostly used in high-performance cars, high-end sports cars, and many high-end products of car wheel modification brands are also forged products. In addition to the above two original processes, there is now a new process form called MAT spinning casting.

Cast aluminum alloy wheels

How to produce cast aluminum alloy wheels to make the final product.

Casting is generally divided into two types: gravity casting and low-pressure casting. Dynamic casting is a relatively primitive casting process.

It relies on the gravity of the aluminum water to pour into the mold, and the aluminum water fills every corner of the entire mold through its own pressure. The method of this process is relatively simple and the cost is lower, but the product quality control is not high, and it is prone to defects. It has been almost completely replaced by low-pressure casting in the automobile wheel manufacturing industry.

Low-pressure casting, as the name implies, is to pour aluminum water into the mold through the pressure of the equipment, and the entire solidification process of the aluminum water is under a state of certain pressure. The advantage of this is that the aluminum water will have a greater density due to the pressure, and the strength of the finished product after solidification is higher. It can also be ensured that the mold is filled with more complex shapes. Many cast aluminum alloy wheels with complex styles can only be manufactured by low-pressure casting. The low-pressure casting process is completed by machinery, and the casting yield is high, which is very suitable for mass production. Therefore, the cast aluminum alloy wheels specified by automobile manufacturers are all produced by this I process.

Forged aluminum alloy wheel forging is a more advanced process than casting. Because the finished product is expensive, general family cars and even medium and high-end cars will not use forged aluminum alloy wheels. Forging is a manufacturing process in which a solid aluminum alloy material blank is subjected to huge pressure by a forging press to extrude and deform it, and a certain shape, strength, and size of the stroke are made. The forged blank is then finished to become the final product, which is the same as casting. Through the adjustment of a series of complex processes, such as reasonable forging ratio, temperature control, etc., forgings with different strengths and properties can be forged.

Forging equipment is also a large and expensive high-tech product, and the forging equipment used for wheel hubs can reach a stamping force of 8,000 tons or 10,000 tons.

Although forged aluminum alloy wheels are more suitable for automobile use in all aspects, both in terms of firmness and light weight, they are more ideal, but the cost of the current forging process is extremely high and can only be used in the high-end market. Whether it is a complete vehicle manufacturer or a refit manufacturer, forged wheels are absolutely high-end goods - the price of only forged aluminum alloy wheels may be several times higher than that of cast aluminum alloy wheels, and even some forged wheels with extremely complex shapes and processes are expensive. It is more than ten times higher, so it is impossible to popularize in a short time.

MAT Spinning Technology Wheels

After the introduction of the wheel hub products of the above two processes, you must clearly understand the difference between the two products, and a problem will arise. If you want to ensure the weight and strength of the wheel hub, and at the same time, you can control the cost better. Do? MAT spinning technology is a new technology born to reconcile the advantages and disadvantages of these two processes.

What if we want to ensure the weight and strength of the wheel hub, and at the same time control the cost better? MAT spinning technology is a technology born to reconcile the advantages and disadvantages of these two processes.

The MAT spinning technology was originally put into use by the Japanese wheel manufacturer ENKEI. The well-known Italian wheel manufacturer OZ has also recently launched its own MAT spinning technology products. Friends who watch WRC must often see the OZ wheels used on various WRC racing cars. More and more wheel manufacturers are very optimistic about the prospects of this technology.

The MAT spinning technology was originally put into use by ENKE, a well-known Japanese wheel manufacturer. ENKE is a manufacturer that not only makes complete vehicle accessories, but also produces modified wheels for competition and street use.

The 

MAT spinning wheel hub is actually a kind of cast aluminum alloy wheel hub, but the difference is that the cast wheel hub blank will be specially

The equipment rotates and pressurizes the place where it is stressed. The molecular arrangement inside the metal at the treated position changes, showing a fibrous shape with a higher density than the cast hub, which changes the metal mechanics and increases the strength. This allows the wheel to be made lighter and thinner, up to 15% lower than a cast aluminum alloy wheel, but its strength is comparable to a forged wheel.

But MAT spinning casting technology will not replace forging technology, because the upper limit of forging technology is higher, as long as the cost allows, it can produce high-performance parts that are unimaginable to us ordinary people, so the wheel hub of MAT spinning casting technology is only in the civilian field. Advantage. Including the familiar Yafandi, which also has MAT spinning technology products, because its parent company has a cooperative relationship with ENKEI, it is authorized by ENKEI to use MAT spinning technology. You can see from the inside of the Yafandi MAT spinning technology hub

to the words 'LICENSED BY ENKEI'.

Carbon fiber wheels, regardless of cost

Although aluminum alloy wheels are currently the most widely used wheel material, many auto manufacturers and accessories manufacturers pursue newer technologies and ultimate performance. Carbon fiber, as the most ideal material for hardness and light weight, is a material commonly used in many expensive supercars and racing cars. But it is extremely rare to be used as a car hub. Ford and Australian supplier Carbon

Revolution teamed up to develop the first production carbon wheels as standard on the Shelby GT350R, even on the Koenigsegg

For such a sky-high supercar, carbon fiber wheels are only available as optional components.

Ford has set extremely high testing requirements for wheels that must withstand curb strikes, UV exposure, and chemical exposure, extreme

A series of tests, such as a high-temperature durability test. Ford and Carbon Revolution used a ceramic coating method in the aerospace industry to complete this series of demanding requirements, and a lot of work has been done in the process, design, and structure. On this basis, this carbon fiber wheel has reached an excellent standard in terms of light weight, responsiveness, durability, and safety.

Although this carbon fiber wheel still has an extremely high cost and is not realistic for most consumers, we also believe that it is precisely because of continuous innovation, exploration, and experimentation that our cars will become better and better. Yet, we're also looking forward to driving cars with carbon fiber wheels.