Abstract: A light-alloy wheel is cast using an apparatus wherein cores are moved by a cotter via a sliding mechanism. A sliding portion is isolated from molten metal so that locking at the sliding portion is unlikely to occur. The sliding mechanism can be of a small size and is disposed in an interior of a mold top segment with a relatively large gap between the cotter and the mold top segment. The gap assures a good heat dissipation from the mold top segment. In a molding method conducted using the apparatus, the cores may be positioned at a retracted position and extended before the molten metal has solidified to thereby remove blow holes in a cast wheel.

Abstract: A light allow cast wheel includes a disk portion and a rim portion integral with the disk portion. The rim portion includes a first flange located closer to the disk portion and a second flange located farther from the disk portion. The second flange includes a radially extending portion which has an outboard surface and an inboard surface. The second flange has a plurality of grooves recessed from the outboard surface of the radially extending portion. Since a thickness of the second flange is reduced due to the grooves, a thermal thickness shrinkage of the second flange which occurs during casting is small. As a result, generation of blow holes in the second flange during casting is prevented.