Machining Rims

[burns]

I've taken on the job of machining 18"-20" chopper rims from billet aluminum. I plan on mounting a rotary table in the vertical position and running a surface parallel toolpath for 180 degrees then rotating the part. Were still working on ideas for the rim pattern and hub mount. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[crazy^millman]

Well if you do not have the travel then use the rotarty but if I had the travel and was looking to make money doing them I would do it on the table. I always like ot make soemthing in one set-up ten moving it and trying ii get things to match. I would also have a disclaimer sign and kept of record for every one you make. If that rim fails and kills someone you could possible be liable. Ride at your own risk unless you have all fo the software to test the strength and faliure points then taken a risk unless they are someone else's deisgn and they take all responsiblity for the durability and saftey.

 

HTH

[Matt Berube at Ferron Mold]

Well, well... I guess they weren't kidding about you being retained for legal counsel, eh Ron ?

[ChuckM]

Don't know much about hubs on motorcycles so can't help you there other than to say... look at how the other guys out there are doing it.

 

Sounds like a fun project. You just making the center section of a 2 piece wheel or is this a 1 piece?

 

You guys don't happen to have a mill/turn machine in the shop do ya?

 

I sure wish we did......

 

As for designs... hey, no limit to the imagination. If you spend too much time looking at what's out there you're just gonna come up with something that looks like something else.

 

Have fun,

Chuck

[crazy^millman]

Well Matt been around the block more than once.

[Müřlıń®]

Just don't hold your endmill in a drill chuck like I saw on TV........

 

 

+ 1000 to Ron

 

I would not want the liability........... an unseen pothole could prove fatal......

[medaq]

quote:

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Just don't hold your endmill in a drill chuck like I saw on TV........

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Haha, I noticed that to, and thought to myself. I wonder if they will get that on video. When the chuck pops off and hits someone in the head.

 

 

Jim

[John13]

If the EM in the drill chuck was on OCC, they're the knuckleheads that stare into the waterjet while it's running without the guard down. I've never been around a waterjet, but something tells me that doesn't seem to smart to do.

[burns]

Thanks, I don't think our VF0 has the travel to machine the outer ring with the part laying down. The project is a chopper between the machine shop and welding shop, the entire bike will have a disclaimer.

[Gail Plush / Amcast Automotive]

All you really need to do is understand the OEM Load specs, run an FEA, and determine what design modifications need to be made. If you are really sweating the liability, simply make one, and have sent out for rotary, radial, and impact testing. There are multiple testing houses for this application.

[Guy Arseneault]

I thought that was a drillchuck.

[ktd]

You can always purchase a forged aluminum rim blank the mill your own design into it

[burns]

Well the forged blank looks like the way to go, a billet piece 20x20x10 is $1200. I can't seem to find a place to purchase these blanks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Müřlıń®]

burns do a search because I am pretty sure this topic has come up and someone posted a link...

 

quote:

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If you are really sweating the liability, simply make one, and have sent out for rotary, radial, and impact testing.

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Yes that would be the way to go if you were designing a wheel that would be used over and over.

 

Problem is, most of these guys that are building these custom choppers are building one of a kind bikes.

 

I would be willing to bet, none of these guys rims has gone through anything but computer simulated stress tests, if that....

It costs too much and takes too much time to have many "do overs"......

 

They just prol use a standard rule of thumb on how many spokes and how thick they need to be. But when you start doing funky shapes with the spokes.....

[Gail Plush / Amcast Automotive]

These guys are more confident than I am. We use a general rule of thumb as well. I guess I'm not as smart becuase we still fail ~ 30% of the time. This is with 20 years experience, and 20 million wheels (literally). I understand that most of the "one offs" don't test or run FEA (which isn't that expensive if you buy the software, strength wizard or something like it), but I wouldn't over complicate the process (or expense) of doing testing either. I also understand that it is a different market, and these bikes will see limited miles, so it probably isn't that big of a deal. But, Firestone wasn't that concerned either, FireWho?

[ktd]

Go and pick up any bike magazine and you will find lots of places selling rim blanks.

[Brendan P]

I believe that some wheel manufactures follow the (Japanese Automotive standard)which includes: Radial load testing,side test,tortion testing,and impact testing.

Chrome wheels are also exposed to salt test for warranty on the finish.

[Gail Plush / Amcast Automotive]

You are correct, and that is contingent upon the customer. The Japanese standard is referred to as JAPMA. You are also correct on the environmental testing, although it isn't quite as canned as the fatigue testing. Different customers require different things. All OEMs require environmental testing, which varies in definition, i.e. Salt Spray, (Filiform), pot hole, etc.

 

 

Gail

[Brendan P]

I try to do my homework ....

 

Here is a link to a place that supposedly sells rim blanks in Kalifornia as teh Govoner would say...

 

http://show.teampowersports.com/teampowers....cvn?exbID=3193