Handsome work: this is how rims are produced

In this article you will learn more about cast rims, flow forming rims and forged rims. So there are three options. Although, these days carbon fiber wheels are also on the rise. You need to bake these in the oven just like sausage rolls for best results. We won’t go into that now. It did make us hungry, including the three other rim production methods.

Cast rim

A cast rim is a rim produced by injection molding technology. So each rim has a specific mold and that mold is filled with molten aluminum. If necessary, a vacuum is created for best results. After cooling and curing, the rim is ready for further finishing, such as removing any raw edges and drilling holes. A mold lasts about 50,000 to 80,000 casting processes, after which the mold must be replaced. A cast rim is most common. The manufacturing process is also simpler than with a flow forming or forged rim. Every manufacturer does supply cast rims. These are also the heaviest compared to other rims.

Flow forming rim

A lot more labor intensive and therefore more expensive is the so-called Flow Forming Technology to achieve a flow forming rim. How that works. After the aluminum is cast, pressure is applied to the wheel during rotation so that the aluminum stretches and compresses. This increases tensile strength and results in a lighter and therefore stronger wheel. The load capacity of the wheels is also greater compared to normal cast rims. Depending on the brand, different designs are of course possible, including for BMW rims just to name a brand.

Forged rim

Finally, forged rims also exist. These are forged rims made of solid aluminum. In special machines, the light metal is heated after which a rim is milled from a block of aluminum under pressure. The end result can always be seen, as you can also see at JD Tires & Rims. Forged rims are generally a bit more expensive, but you get top quality in return. And as we said at the beginning of this article on rims, wheels make the car.

A piece of security

Thus, the production of a rim involves an extraordinary amount. It is also important for the manufacturing process to go well, because a good rim also contributes to safety. In this regard, original wheels are always a good choice, as they are manufactured according to the quality standards of the particular car brand itself. Of course, there are other high-quality rim specialists with high quality standards. In any case, the supply is plentiful. Also, always choose high-quality rubber: a car tire is the car’s only piece of contact with the road surface.