Patent ID: 6539765
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: B21D,B21H,B21K,C21D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of forming a vehicle wheel from a perform shape of spin formable material having a center web and a thickened periphery, wherein said wheel includes a rim having in cross-section a drop center, generally axial integral flanges extending in opposite directions therefrom, a generally radial tire bead retaining flange extending from the outside of each of said axial flanges, and a wheel center joining said rim adjacent the axially outer portion of said rim, said method comprising the steps of:a) solution heat treating said preform shape to a working temperature; b) quickly positioning and clamping said preform shape while still hot between opposed headstock fixtures having a circumferential die shape and which have quench solution channels running there through; c) rapidly spinning said headstock fixtures and said hot preform shape and bringing at least one contour roller of a mating circumferential die shape to bear against the material periphery in order to spin shape said material into the circumferential die shape; and d) flooding said material with a quench solution coolant while being spin-formed, said coolant being directed through said headstock fixtures quench solution channels and contacting said center web and simultaneously flooding said material periphery as said material is being spin-forged, thereby producing full heat treatment properties in said vehicle wheel.