A device for manufacturing a metal wheel (1) from a pre-form, with stretching rolls (3) engaging on the rim region of the pre-form, by means of which rolls a rim (1.1) is end-formed which, for forming a rim flange (1.7). Freely rotatable rolls (4) are arranged underneath the stretching rolls (3) and cooperate with them. A method for manufacturing a metal wheel (1) from a pre-form, the pre-form of the metal wheel (1) to be manufactured is placed on a clamping mandrel (2) and is caused to rotate, stretching rolls (3) engage an axially outer side of a rotation-symmetrical jacket of the pre-form with the exertion of radial pressure, and move along the jacket wall of the pre-form with compression and stretching of the jacket wall to form a rim (1.1) with a main movement component parallel with the axis of rotation (2.1) of the pre-form.

A device for manufacturing a metal wheel (1) from a pre-form, with stretching rolls (3) engaging on the rim region of the pre-form, by means of which rolls a rim (1.1) is end-formed which, for forming a rim flange (1.7). Freely rotatable rolls (4) are arranged underneath the stretching rolls (3) and cooperate with them. A method for manufacturing a metal wheel (1) from a pre-form, the pre-form of the metal wheel (1) to be manufactured is placed on a clamping mandrel (2) and is caused to rotate, stretching rolls (3) engage an axially outer side of a rotation-symmetrical jacket of the pre-form with the exertion of radial pressure, and move along the jacket wall of the pre-form with compression and stretching of the jacket wall to form a rim (1.1) with a main movement component parallel with the axis of rotation (2.1) of the pre-form.

A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel includes: a casting process of manufacturing the wheel in a one-piece body having a forming end and a temporary flange protruding at inner and outer sides of the wheel, respectively, wherein the one-piece body further includes a resonance chamber forming groove; a primary shape machining process of forming a stepped part at an outer circumferential side of the resonance chamber forming groove; a flow forming process of bending the forming end to be seated on the stepped part; a friction stir welding process of integrally bonding a portion where the forming end and the stepped part are in close contact with each other; a fine machining process of removing the temporary flange; and a sound-absorbing hole machining process of forming a sound-absorbing hole for communicating between the resonance chamber and an interior space of a tire in the forming end.

A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel includes: a casting process of manufacturing the wheel in a one-piece body having a forming end and a temporary flange protruding at inner and outer sides of the wheel, respectively, wherein the one-piece body further includes a resonance chamber forming groove; a primary shape machining process of forming a stepped part at an outer circumferential side of the resonance chamber forming groove; a flow forming process of bending the forming end to be seated on the stepped part; a friction stir welding process of integrally bonding a portion where the forming end and the stepped part are in close contact with each other; a fine machining process of removing the temporary flange; and a sound-absorbing hole machining process of forming a sound-absorbing hole for communicating between the resonance chamber and an interior space of a tire in the forming end.

A wheel disc for vehicle wheels manufactured by flow forming, in particular for passenger cars, which has a stretched disc transition surface subsequently provided with ventilation holes and a radial outer disc edge. All ventilation holes are located in the transition surface and are attached by punching or cutting. In order to improve the competitiveness of vehicle wheels made of steel or other materials suitable in particular for cold forming compared to cast vehicle wheels made of aluminium, the transition surface is provided with several changes in material thickness generated during flow forming by displacement of the tool and, viewed in the radial direction, effecting a wave structure on the surface facing the tool during flow forming. The surface provided with the wave structure can in particular form the non-visible inner side of a vehicle wheel, but can also form the visible side. In addition, the opposite surface can also be provided with a wave structure.

A wheel disc for vehicle wheels manufactured by flow forming, in particular for passenger cars, which has a stretched disc transition surface subsequently provided with ventilation holes and a radial outer disc edge. All ventilation holes are located in the transition surface and are attached by punching or cutting. In order to improve the competitiveness of vehicle wheels made of steel or other materials suitable in particular for cold forming compared to cast vehicle wheels made of aluminium, the transition surface is provided with several changes in material thickness generated during flow forming by displacement of the tool and, viewed in the radial direction, effecting a wave structure on the surface facing the tool during flow forming. The surface provided with the wave structure can in particular form the non-visible inner side of a vehicle wheel, but can also form the visible side. In addition, the opposite surface can also be provided with a wave structure.

The present invention explains a process for manufacturing tubeless vehicle wheel without welding using a hoop 100 having an outboard end 101, a centre region 102, an inboard end 103. The process includes spinning the outboard end 101 to obtain a disc region 202, spinning disc end 203 to obtain preform nave region 301. Forming the disc region 202 to obtain a disc profile 401 and a nave region 403, forming the centre region 102, inboard end 103 to obtain a straight rim profile 402. Spinning and forming outer end 405 of the straight rim profile 402 to obtain an outboard flange 502a and spinning the straight rim profile 402 to obtain a concave rim profile 601a with a preform inboard flange 602a. Spinning the concave rim profile 601a to obtain bead seats 701a, well region 703a and, forming the preform inboard flange 602a to obtain an inboard flange 704a.

The present invention explains a process for manufacturing tubeless vehicle wheel without welding using a hoop 100 having an outboard end 101, a centre region 102, an inboard end 103. The process includes spinning the outboard end 101 to obtain a disc region 202, spinning disc end 203 to obtain preform nave region 301. Forming the disc region 202 to obtain a disc profile 401 and a nave region 403, forming the centre region 102, inboard end 103 to obtain a straight rim profile 402. Spinning and forming outer end 405 of the straight rim profile 402 to obtain an outboard flange 502a and spinning the straight rim profile 402 to obtain a concave rim profile 601a with a preform inboard flange 602a. Spinning the concave rim profile 601a to obtain bead seats 701a, well region 703a and, forming the preform inboard flange 602a to obtain an inboard flange 704a.

The invention relates to a flow-forming machine and a method for flow-forming a substantially rotation-symmetric workpiece having a drum-shaped circumferential portion, comprising a spindle which can be driven in rotation about a spindle axis, a clamping device which is arranged on the spindle and has a plurality of clamping elements which are adjustable between a clamping position, in which the clamping elements abut against an outer circumferential region of the workpiece with a predetermined clamping force and hold the workpiece on the spindle for forming, and a release position in which the clamping elements are spaced from the workpiece in a defined manner for releasing the workpiece from the spindle, by means of a first actuating device, wherein the clamping force for holding the workpiece on the spindle during forming can be applied by the first actuating device, and a plurality of forming rollers which are radially and axially feedable to the drum-shaped circumferential portion for forming the circumferential portion of the workpiece. According to the invention, it is provided that a second actuating device is provided on the clamping device, by means of which a position of the clamping elements can be set in a radial direction for adapting to a diameter of the workpiece, and that a control device is provided, by means of which the second actuating device can be actuated depending on the diameter of the workpiece to be formed, wherein the clamping elements are radially pre-positioned depending on the diameter of the workpiece.

The invention relates to a flow-forming machine and a method for flow-forming a substantially rotation-symmetric workpiece having a drum-shaped circumferential portion, comprising a spindle which can be driven in rotation about a spindle axis, a clamping device which is arranged on the spindle and has a plurality of clamping elements which are adjustable between a clamping position, in which the clamping elements abut against an outer circumferential region of the workpiece with a predetermined clamping force and hold the workpiece on the spindle for forming, and a release position in which the clamping elements are spaced from the workpiece in a defined manner for releasing the workpiece from the spindle, by means of a first actuating device, wherein the clamping force for holding the workpiece on the spindle during forming can be applied by the first actuating device, and a plurality of forming rollers which are radially and axially feedable to the drum-shaped circumferential portion for forming the circumferential portion of the workpiece. According to the invention, it is provided that a second actuating device is provided on the clamping device, by means of which a position of the clamping elements can be set in a radial direction for adapting to a diameter of the workpiece, and that a control device is provided, by means of which the second actuating device can be actuated depending on the diameter of the workpiece to be formed, wherein the clamping elements are radially pre-positioned depending on the diameter of the workpiece.