Production processLightweight forged alloy wheels

The raw material

The raw material

We use special aluminum alloy with high strength and fracture toughness for our wheels. These properties enable the production of very lightweight wheels with maximum payload.

Depending on the wheel size,  narrower or wider rod sections are sawn from rod-shaped raw materials.

The forging process

The forging process

With a force of up to 12000 t, the upper die presses the preheated rod sections into an already wheel-like preform in the lower die of the forging tool. The forging process itself transforms the aluminum alloy.

This leads to a significantly higher strength compared to steel and lightweight metal cast wheels.

Flowforming

Flowforming (rotary ironing)

The forged wheel preform is further formed by subsequently rolling the rim well over a rotating negative mold. The flowforming process makes it possible to further reduce the material thickness compared to conventional manufacturing processes, which can lead to a weight reduction of up to 45%.

SPEEDLINE TRUCK is one of the pioneers of the flowforming process for vehicle wheels.

Thermische Behandlung

Heat treatment

The blanks are first solution annealed in a heat treatment process at high temperatures, then quenched and later artificially aged. The properties of the material are significantly improved by this production step.

Mechanical processing

Mechanical processing

In the next step, the blanks are turned on high-precision processing machines, before the bolt holes, the central hole and the standard or design ventilation holes on the wheel are machined.

This ensures the precise round shape and balanced weight distribution of every wheel. Exceptional concentricity is an important criteria for maximum driving comfort.

Surface treatment

Surface treatment

The turning of all wheel components creates an already very smooth surface. Following mechanical processing, this is further refined, smoothed and partially brought to the maximum possible gloss level on fully automatic polishing machines.

Depending on the level of polishing, either a Diamond or Mirror surface is achieved.

Quality inspection

Quality inspection

Before delivery, the valves are installed and the wheel is inspected as part of the outgoing goods inspection in addition to the tests carried out during production.

Logistics

Logistics

All our wheel models are available in our European central warehouses in Italy or Germany and can be delivered within a very short time period.