Forging Wheels That Will See 1000mph

[Boyd]

Very cool, and short, video about the forging process for the wheels on The Bloodhound SSC.

The orchestrated dance between the lift driver and the forge press operator is a sight to see.

Ballet de Forge

 

[R.Anderson]

That is impressive to see. How would you train for that job, and wonder how much it cost for each forging.

 

[91bronc300]

That forge press is incredible! I love German industry.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Holy press!!

 

[thundermug]

That was amazing. The aluminum looked like taffy when it was in that press.

 

[bluebolt]

Cool video!

 

[HOTFR8]

Competition for Rosco McGlashan.

 

[skeletonizer]

Awesome. Anyone else think "Glen Quagmire" when they first saw the dude at the beginning?

 

[240sxguy]

Awesome, I agree with above.. looked just like taffy! Smashy smashy.

 

[coma13]

Wow! So cool. Forging machines are some of the most impressive pieces of beastly equipment there is, in my opinion.

 

[kazlx]

Holy ****.

 

[Richard D]

Any video of the rest of the process making the wheels?

 

[NASTYZEN]

Now that takes some serious teamwork! It must take years of practice to be able to do what these guys do.
Awesome!

 

[R.Anderson]

Any video of the rest of the process making the wheels?

Only other video I see is them testing two different wheels machined from those forgings.

Here is one for other parts being machined

 

[Faria]

Wow!!
Thats a MASSIVE press!!!

 

[A_Pmech]

Wow!!
Thats a MASSIVE press!!!

The Mesta "Fifty" will put that into perspective for you.

 

[theknurl]

Faria;
thats a toy.....

A_Pmech gave you the answer;

the Mesta 50, period. a 50,000 ton press

http://atomictoasters.com/2012/02/big-complicated-machines-9-the-fifty/

its 87 feet tall
the 4 guide columns have 4 nuts on them 51" in diameter they weigh 55 tons EACH

they found some cracks in the base....ALCOA estimated it would cost $68,000,000 to rebuild it, they are going to......then it'll be good for another 50 years

COO? you got it USA