Alloy wheels are one of the most heavily used parts of a car. Contact with kerbs, mechanical damage, corrosion and years of use mean that even high-quality wheels lose their original appearance. Modern refurbishment workshops are increasingly using CNC technology, which enables a high degree of consistency and a quality of finish that is impossible to achieve with manual machining. Today, wheel turning has become one of the most important stages in the professional refurbishment of aluminium rims.
Alloy wheels are one of the most heavily used parts of a car. Contact with kerbs, mechanical damage, corrosion and years of use mean that even high-quality rims lose their original appearance. Modern refurbishment workshops are increasingly using CNC technology, which allows for a high degree of repeatability and a quality of finish that is impossible to achieve with manual machining. Today, wheel turning has become one of the most important stages in the professional reconditioning of aluminium rims.
Contents
- Why has CNC technology transformed the wheel refurbishment market?
- What does CNC wheel rim turning involve?
- How does professional CNC wheel refurbishment work?
- CNC lathe for aluminium rims – what possibilities does it offer?
- Summary
Why has CNC technology transformed the wheel refurbishment market?
Just a dozen or so years ago, wheel refurbishment relied mainly on manual grinding and painting. Nowadays, CNC wheel turning is playing an increasingly important role, as it enables the extremely precise reproduction of the characteristic ‘Diamond Cut’ finish. Numerical control eliminates the randomness of the process and ensures an identical result on every subsequent wheel.
Modern CNC lathes enable machining with an accuracy measured in hundredths of a millimetre. This allows the operator to precisely remove a thin layer of material from the front surface of the wheel, whilst preserving its geometry and aesthetic appearance. Solutions of this type are used both in workshops specialising in rim refurbishment and in factories manufacturing aluminium components. Information on the process parameters can be found in the article on CNC turning.
What does CNC rim face turning involve?
The most distinctive stage of rim refurbishment is CNC rim face turning. The process involves the precise removal of a very thin layer of aluminium from the front face of the rim. This removes fine scratches, traces of corrosion and unevenness caused during use.
The correct selection of cutting parameters, the type of cutting insert and the spindle speed is of key importance. Overly aggressive machining can lead to excessive material removal, whilst too low a feed rate will not ensure the expected surface quality. This is precisely why professional wheel turning is carried out on CNC-controlled machines, which guarantee full control over every stage of the process.
Once machining is complete, the surface features distinctive, parallel cutting marks, which are the hallmark of rims finished using the Diamond Cut method.
How does professional CNC wheel refurbishment work?
Comprehensive CNC wheel refurbishment is not limited to turning alone. The entire process involves several consecutive technical stages.
First, the wheel is thoroughly cleaned of paint, dirt and any remaining protective coatings. Next, its technical condition is assessed – checks are carried out for cracks, deformations and any damage requiring straightening or welding.
Only once the rim has been prepared is CNC turning carried out, the aim of which is to restore the perfect front surface. Once machining is complete, the rim is sent to the paint shop, where a clear coat is applied to protect the aluminium from corrosion and the elements.
Thanks to the use of numerically controlled technology, the workshop can maintain a high degree of consistency in the services provided, reduce machining time and minimise the amount of material removed from the rim.
CNC lathe for aluminium rims – what capabilities does it offer?
The key to effective refurbishment is a suitably selected machine tool. A specialised CNC lathe for aluminium rims has been designed for machining rims of various diameters and designs.
Machines of this type are equipped, amongst other things, with dedicated clamping fixtures, measuring probes, automatic lubrication systems and software to assist with toolpath selection. This enables the operator to quickly prepare the machine for operation and achieve a high-quality surface finish whilst ensuring the safety of the entire process.
For workshops carrying out a large number of refurbishments, the ability to automate operations and reduce changeover times is also significant, as this directly impacts the company’s productivity.
Summary
Growing market demands mean that professional rim reconditioning is increasingly reliant on CNC technology. CNC rim reconditioning, including CNC rim face turning, restores the rims’ aesthetic appeal and high-quality finish whilst ensuring full process repeatability. Carefully selected machine tools and the operator’s experience determine the final result; therefore, investing in modern CNC solutions from an industrial machinery manufacturer is becoming a natural course of development for workshops specialising in the refurbishment of aluminium rims.
