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

A method of processing a vehicle wheel/rim preform having a first rotational axis and comprising 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 comprising the steps of:

• providing a workpiece support comprising 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 through a plurality of radially outwardly facing surfaces that each engages a radially inwardly facing surface on the annular wall to thereby exert radial forces upon the annular wall at circumferentially spaced locations 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.