Method and apparatus for processing/machining a vehicle wheel/rim preform

Abstract

A method of processing a vehicle wheel/rim preform with a first rotational axis and having a centersection/spider and an annular wall extending around the centersection/spider and first rotational axis and having an annular surface defining axially spaced, annular inboard and outboard bead seats. The method includes the steps of: providing a workpiece support having a chuck assembly that is rotatable around a second axis and at least one rim wall support assembly; engaging the chuck assembly with the centersection/spider to maintain the vehicle wheel/rim preform in a processing position on the chuck assembly wherein the first rotational axis on the vehicle wheel/rim preform is substantially coincident with the second axis; engaging the at least one rim wall support assembly with the annular wall to exert a force with a radial component upon the annular wall to thereby stabilize the wheel/rim preform; and processing the vehicle wheel/rim preform at the annular surface fully axially between the inboard and outboard bead seats with the vehicle wheel/rim preform maintained in the processing position and rotated by the chuck assembly around the second axis.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.