Does machine work count?

[-lecroix-]

custom billet motorcycle wheels machined on Haas CNC equipment ... does this count?

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/IMG_0006.jpg

[bmwpower]

Ummmm.... I would say YES!

[KingPerformance]

I love the smell of cutting oil in the morning ... afternoon ... and late into the evening. I do some cadd work. In years past I worked in a rapid prototype lab and it was all sterile and smelled of chemicals. I can still remember the first time I walked into a REAL machine shop. It was amazing. It is just such a shame where all our machine work is going. Love the wheel! Show us more!

[PAToyota]

Nah, that doesn't count at all... :D

Seriously, mighty sweet work. Are you taking orders? :)

[-lecroix-]

Here's a few more with pics along the way of a different wheel "in process" ... enjoy.

Fresh new shiny wheel blank is positioned on table ... notice the duct tape (always a new use for duct tape :bounce: ) between the "rim" portion of wheel and the machine table ... this is to keep the wheel edge nice and shiny and to prevent nicks or scratches during the machining process. Nothing worse than a scratched up rim-edge to ruin a brand new wheel. :wtf:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/Various003.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/Various002.jpg

Mounting/hub pattern (holes around large center hole) are drilled & reamed ... and then the "starter" holes are drilled for the larger "open" portions of the wheels that are going to be removed during the machining process. Notice too that the "toe clamps" have now been installed ... gotta keep this puppy in one place while all the cutting is going on. :thumbup:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/Various004.jpg

mounting/hub pattern is in along with the "starter" holes ...

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/Various005.jpg

next the larger "open" areas are roughed out ...

during rough machine ...

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/IMGP0520.jpg

after rough machine ...

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/Various006.jpg

"drops" or the material that will not be needed are removed from the "open" areas of the wheel ... notice how the center section is featureless and "flat" looking ... we'll take care of that in the next step :pimpflash

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/Various011.jpg

at this point, we are ready to start the finish machining of the wheel ... this is what takes the most time ... this consist of any fine work like chamfering or radiusing of edges ... machining of any "flutes" or cosmetic features and/or any engraving that might take place ...notice the edge of the spokes in this case. once finished, the spokes will resemble a knife edge.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/IMGP0525.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/Various007.jpg


Taa-Daa!!! finish machined and ready for buff/polish and/or plating ...

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/slecroix/IMGP0504.jpg

[PAToyota]

Thanks for sharing! Neat to actually see the process!

[thefairlaneman]

Cool. a stupid question I guess,but just how do you determine a wheel is strong enough to carry the stress/weight .

[-lecroix-]

Cool. a stupid question I guess,but just how do you determine a wheel is strong enough to carry the stress/weight .

Not a stupid question at all. Production wheels (wheels sold to the public) must be sent to an independent testing lab and they are testing using F.E.A. (Finite Element Analysis) standards as well as stress tests, non-destructive and destructive testing. These tests are performed on prototype wheels. These tests are required by D.O.T. as well as the insurance company that carries the manufacturers Liability Insurance. Once everyone "signs off" concerning the design, then you can go into production.

The wheels shown above are NOT production wheels, they are one-off's that were cut for demo purposes to show my machine's capability, so no testing was required. :bounce:

[Coach James]

Another question about wheels. When some builder like Orange County Choppers(Don't throw things at me) makes a wheel for some company bike, do they have to be tested also?

Coach

[-lecroix-]

I can't say for sure, but I am going to guess no.

My assumption is the purchaser of the bike assumes responsibility by way of a contract or release when he takes ownership. Most of those bikes are built for show and/or promotional purposes only and don't see the sort of road time that would cause time-induced stresses on the wheel. Whereas production wheels sold to the public are going to see daily and/or weekly use.

[Canadian Charlie]

Yes machine work counts, nice job

[strizzy]

Very awesome. I too was curious about how it is determined that a wheel is strong enough; thanks for clearing that up.

About how long does either wheel take as far as machining time?

I love stuff like this...THANKS!

[Woogeroo]

very cool.

I'm in machine tool school right now, still on the manuals right now.

That is very neat, nice work.

-W

[markb1]

What a treat.
Thanks for sharing.