Production of Jointless Light Alloy Cycle Wheel Rims by Ring Rolling

Abstract

Summary

A method of manufacturing aluminium alloy cycle wheel rims by expanding small ring blanks with profiled rolls to create the required section is described. The raw material for this method of manufacture is simpler and therefore cheaper than the thin-walled extrusions conventionally used for circled-and-jointed rims. The absence of a joint improves the acceptability of the rim in service, and also enables the complete manufacturing route from blank preparation to final packing to be fully automated.

The paperdescribes the development of a prototype ring rolling mill for the production of rims up to about 650 mm OD from blanks of about 150 mm OD. Details of the construction and operation of the machine are given, and the problems of achieving the necessary accuracies of circularity and profile are discussed. An analysis is given of the economic advantages of the manufacturing route.