Wheel hubs and dedicated wheel-hub CNC machines are an important area of the machine-tool market. CNC machines underpin equipment manufacturing, and government policies have supported the development of China’s domestic machine-tool industry.
　　
As industry upgrades its equipment, demand for machine tools is expected to grow. The original article projected annual consumption in China of 90,000 mid-range and 30,000 CNC machine tools by 2020, compared with the then-current figures of 36,000 and 1,000 respectively. These are historical forecasts, not current market figures.
　　
Growth in the automotive and motorcycle industries has increased demand for dedicated wheel-hub machines and improvements in machining technology.
　　
Wheel-hub manufacturing depends on quality, technology and cost. Production capability involves machine selection and installation, process planning, tooling, fixtures, measurement and programming. Controlling concentricity and runout helps a workshop produce the required number of acceptable wheels consistently while improving cost, output and quality.
　　
Machine selection should follow the technical requirements of the wheel. Practicality, productivity, stable quality and suitability for wheel cutting are key considerations.
　　
Consider a rigid, preferably one-piece bed; reliable precision ball screws, bearings and guideways; and a high-speed, rigid spindle capable of constant-surface-speed cutting. A dependable turret should be efficient and easy to maintain. Oil-water separation can reduce coolant contamination, particularly for bright or mirror finishes. Full guarding and appropriate interlocks are also important. Automation and a suitably equipped CNC machine can reduce manual handling where justified by the application and budget.
　　
As manufacturing technology advances, fully equipped CNC wheel-hub machines can help improve production capability and quality in the automotive and motorcycle industries.