Reducing Unsprung Weight

•The weight from the Suspension apparatus which includes the Tire and Wheel combination is called “Unsprung Weight”, and reducing the weight of this section is crucial to the performance of the vehicle. If 1kg of weight is saved from the suspension system, the value of a 15kg weight loss from the vehicle’s overall weight can be saved. This means if an aluminum wheel which is 1kg lighter than a stock steel wheel is installed, 60kg of total of body weight can be saved.

Forged one piece wheels

•Forged One-piece Wheels A forged wheel is made by forming a wheel under extreme high pressure. The material used is an aluminum billet—a solid piece of dense aluminum. A forging press, a huge machine that exerts thousands of tons of pressure on the metal, basically presses or rolls the billet into its fundamental form. This forging is then machined to final finish. This process allows wheels to be built with much less material, allowing for lighter weight and unique designs, because the process creates a much stronger wheel than other methods. Many premium wheels are made using forging technology.

Cast one piece wheels

•One-piece Cast Wheels A cast wheel is made by pouring molten aluminum into a mold; the metal then takes the mold's shape as it cools and hardens. There are several types of casting methods that include low pressure/gravity, counter pressure, and high counter pressure molding (HCM); each method has its place in today's market. A wheel manufacturer will select a particular method according to the weight, strength and finish that they have specified for that design. The benefit of casting wheels is the relative low cost for set up and manufacturing. However cast wheels are typically heavier and less robust compared to a wheel manufactured using a forging method.

Multi piece wheels

•Multi-piece Wheels The processes mentioned above can be combined to produce a wheel of a particular strength and weight. For example, some wheels have a cast aluminum center, welded to steel outer. Another type of two-piece construction features a billet center welded to a rolled outer (extruded aluminum rolled into a hoop). Still other wheels feature a split outer so that widths and offsets can be made to custom specifications. This last method is the three-piece type construction. In this type of wheel, the center that can be cast, billet or forged, is usually attached to the outer assembly by special screws or rivets.