Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one end flange-less wheel rim includes the steps of: providing a sheet of rim material having a width substantially corresponding to the developed width of a one end flange-less wheel rim to be made, curving the sheet to form a cylinder, flaring one end of the cylinder, roll-forming the flared cylinder to the desired rim configuration using roll-forming machines each including an upper roll, a lower roll and a ring, with the flange-less side end of the rim material being axially abutted against the ring, and removing a margin for machining from the flange-less side end of the rim material. In the apparatus, the ring is coupled to one of the upper roll and the lower roll.

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: In a method for producing a cast aluminum wheel, a cast aluminum wheel is produced, and then all of three strengthening processes are applied to the cast aluminum wheel. The three strengthening processes include forging a portion of the cast wheel between adjacent boltholes, burnishing a nut seat of the cast wheel, and shot blasting a hub coupling surface of the cast wheel.

Abstract: b 55773576.001A disk having a non-uniform thickness with a thickness of an end portion thereof being smaller than a thickness of a hub coupling portion and a thickness of a hat portion being smaller than the thickness of the end portion. As a result, rigidity of the hat portion is decreased so that stress distribution in the disk is uniform and excess stress concentration is prevented from influencing a weld portion. Further, because of the decrease in thickness, weight of the disk also is decreased as compared to conventional disks.

Abstract: In a breakout prediction system for predicting breakout in a mold of a continuous casting machine, a prediction deciding section is connected to one of temperature sensors located on the mold and at least three temperature sensors which are adjacent to the one of the temperature sensors. In the prediction deciding section, at least three cross-correlators are connected to the one of the temperature sensors and the at least three temperature sensors and carry out a predetermined normalization operation to produce operation results. A temperature variation pattern detector is connected to the one of the temperature sensors to detect a temperature variation pattern. At least three peak detectors are connected to the at least three cross-correlators, respectively, to detect peak values of the operation results. At least three breakout detection networks are supplied with the peak values and the temperature variation pattern to carry out decision on breakout prediction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a link of a vehicular endless track. According to this method, low-carbon boron steel is selected as a starting material for producing the link. The present invention involves the steps of forging and hot-trimming the link material to form a substantially final link shape. Then, the link material is rapidly cooled so that a metallic crystal structure of the link material is converted to martensite. Next, the link material is tempered at a low temperature. Finally, a pin hole and a bushing hole are machine finished in the link material.

Abstract: An annular member is placed on a forming profile of a convex die without fixing the annular member to the convex die. Then, the convex die is moved toward a concave die which has an axis inclining with respect to an axis of the convex die. When the convex die is moved toward the concave die, the concave die is revolved around the axis of the convex die. The concave die does not revolve about its own axis. Revolving the concave die around the axis of the convex die may be replaced by forcibly rotating the convex die about its own axis. When a compression load is imposed on the annular member, opposed ends of the annular member are formed simultaneously.

Abstract: A smoke suction duct of an electric furnace is constructed as a separate member from other exhaust duct portions and other devices and is supported to be rotatable about an axis of the duct. Further, the smoke suction duct is either alternately turned to right and left or continuously turned in one direction by a duct turning device. Since accumulating dust is raised to an upper portion of the smoke suction duct where an exhaust gas flow has a high velocity due to rotation of the smoke suction duct and is pushed toward a combustion tower by the exhaust gas flow, dust is advantageously prevented from accumulating on a bottom of the smoke suction duct.

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.

Abstract: A production method for an endless track bushing wherein high-carbon low-alloy steel is selected as a bushing material, the bushing material is quench-hardened without pre-carburizing the bushing material, and then tempered. In the quench-hardening, the bushing material is induction-heated from an outside surface of the bushing material only so that an inside surface of the bushing material is heated to a temperature above and close to a transformation temperature of the high-carbon low-alloy steel, and then the heated bushing material is cooled from the outside surface of the bushing material only so that a residual compressive stress is produced at the inside surface of the bushing material when it has been cooled to an ambient temperature. The thus produced bushing has a high hardness throughout the entire cross section and a high toughness.

Abstract: A driving mechanism having a driver-loose key provided between a rim base and a bead seat band mounted about the rim base of a multi-piece rim which has the rim base, the bead seat band, a pair of side rings and a lock ring. The driver-loose key is cross-shaped with the two portions thereof which are adapted to be inserted into a groove extending in the circumferential direction of the rim base between the rim base and the bead seat band being arc-shaped so as to have substantially the same curvature as that of the groove. With this structure the slippage of the bead seat band on the rim base can be minimized and the durability of the mechanism can be increased.

Abstract: A wheel rim displacement measuring apparatus which measures radial and axial displacements of a rim wall on the basis of a nut seat pitch circle. A wheel to be measured is mounted on a lower head on the basis of a hub hole center and rotated about an axis of the lower head. An upper spindle which is horizontally displaceable relative to the lower head is adjusted in position so as to align with a nut seat pitch circle center of the wheel and is rotated about the axis of the lower head. A Fourier analysis is carried on a wave of the displacements of the upper spindle so that an eccentricity amount of the nut seat pitch circle center from the hub hole center of the wheel can be calculated from the first harmonic. In a computer, a wave of the displacements of the rim wall measured on the basis of the hub hole center is amended in calculation to a wave of the displacements of the rim wall from a true circle having a center at the nut seat pitch circle using the first harmonic wave.

Abstract: A production method for an endless track bushing wherein medium-carbon steel is selected as a bushing material, the bushing material is carburized, quench-hardened, and then tempered. In the quenching, the bushing material is induction-heated from an outside surface of the bushing material only. Due to the selection of medium-carbon steel, the carburizing time is reduced as compared with the case of low carbon steel. Further, due to the heating from the outside surface only, the induction-heating step is reduced to one-half of the case of heating from an outside surface of a bushing material and then from an inside surface of a bushing material.

Abstract: A wheel shaping apparatus including a single cotter for expanding first and second dies circumferentially split into a plurality of first and second die elements, respectively. The single cotter is supported by a cotter supporting member at one end portion of the cotter and is also supported by a cotter guide at the other end portion of the cotter during shaping of a rim element. Because of the single cotter supported at both end portions thereof, rim bead seat portions located at axially end portions of the rim element are shaped in an accurate alignment with each other and almost exactly parallel to each other. In the case when ring-like members are provided around the first and second dies or when teeth are formed at sides of each first and second die element, formation of local deformations at gaps between two adjacent first die elements and between two adjacent second die elements is suppressed.

Abstract: A composite wheel for a vehicle including a disk, a rim having a rim base portion, a bead seat band mounted about the rim base portion, a side ring mounted on the bead seat band, and a lock ring provided between the rim base portion and the bead seat band for locking the bead seat band on the rim. An angle of a contact surface formed between the bead seat band and the lock ring is between 30.degree. and 40.degree. relative to an axis of the wheel so that slip at the contact surface between the bead seat band and the lock ring due to a load from a tire can be effectively prevented, while the sufficiency of the strength of each member in the wheel can be ensured.

Abstract: A full face type cast wheel, wherein a rim portion holding a tire and a disk portion connected to the rim portion are integrally cast, includes a side wall portion extending from a dropped portion of the rim portion to a bead seat portion of the rim portion and a plurality of recessed portions defined intermittently in the circumferential direction of the wheel on a surface of the side wall portion facing the inside of the tire. By formation of the recessed portions, the weight of the wheel can be decreased, generation of blowholes in a casting process can be prevented and air capacity of the tire can be increased.

Abstract: A valve hole punching apparatus for a vehicle wheel wherein the punch and the bill punching a valve hole in the wheel wall can be adjusted in inclination. In such an apparatus, a wheel into which a valve hole is to be punched is brought to the punching position with its axis maintained in a vertical position. The wheel portion to be punched is punched out by the inclined punch and the bill positioned at a right angle. As a result, handling of the wheel is very easy and punching can be done very smoothly.

Abstract: A wheel rim forming machine including a fixed frame having four vertically extending columns. Due to the frame structure, the forming force acting at the top and bottom rolls of the machine are borne evenly through tensile forces acting in the four columns. Thus, no bending deformation occurs in the columns. Further, because the columns are not exposed to bending forces, they can be formed with a relatively small cross-section and thus the frame structure is compact. Therefore, access to the guide rolls and their support structure is facilitated and high grade adjustment of the guide rolls is possible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for interference-fitting an inner member having a flange and an annular outer member. The apparatus includes a supporting member for floatingly supporting the inner member at its flange in the axial direction of the inner member. The floating support of the supporting member is changeable to a locked support such that the support member can support the inner member at its flange in the axial direction when it is locked. Before the interference-fitting is performed, the supporting member adjusts its support point and is locked. Because the inner member is supported at its flange in the axial direction during the interference-fitting, the inner member is not inclined even if it receives a circumferentially non-uniform force. As a result, a high quality fitting is obtained.

Abstract: A top roll exchanging apparatus for a rim shape forming machine. The top roll exchanging apparatus includes a movable bearing device for supporting a top roll shaft and a top roll loading/unloading arm provided on an extension of the top roll shaft. The movable bearing device is movable between an engaging position wherein the movable bearing device rotatably supports the top roll shaft and a waiting position wherein the movable bearing device is spaced from the extension of the top roll shaft. The top roll loading/unloading arm is movable toward and away from the top roll shaft and is rotatable about a mid-portion thereof. A top roll is exchanged by removing the movable bearing device from the engaging position, moving the top roll loading/unloading arm to load and unload top rolls and finally returning the movable bearing device to its original position.