Aluminum Alloy Hub Flange Machining for Planeness Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional machining methods for aluminum alloy hubs result in low yield due to difficulty in achieving flange plane planeness ≤ 0.02 mm, leading to potential brake abnormalities during car operation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving pre-machining and multiple stages of machining with specific tools (120° R3 boring tool and 95° R0.8 hook tool) at controlled speeds and feed rates to ensure accurate flange face machining, reducing the last finish turning's feed rate and maintaining tool stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional turning method with large turning amount is used, then machining efficiency is improved, but flange plane planeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining efficiencyVSAvoidflange plane planeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The machining process is divided into multiple stages: rough turning with 120° R3 boring tool (turning amount 2mm per pass) and finish turning with 95° R0.8 hook tool (turning amount 0.35mm per pass). This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function - rough turning removes material efficiently while finish turning achieves the required planeness of ≤0.02mm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different cutting parameters are applied for different stages: rough turning uses feed rate 0.40-0.50mm/r with 120° R3 boring tool, while finish turning uses reduced feed rate 0.15-0.2mm/r with 95° R0.8 hook tool. This parameter optimization ensures both productivity and precision requirements are met

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If large turning amount is applied in last finish turning, then productivity is improved, but machining accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining speedVSAvoidflange plane planeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The finishing process is segmented into two separate operations: first finish turning with 95° R0.8 hook tool removing 0.35mm at feed rate 0.15-0.2mm/r, followed by second finish turning removing remaining 0.05mm allowance at reduced feed rate 0.1-0.12mm/r. This ensures the final surface achieves ≤0.02mm planeness while maintaining reasonable productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If machining is performed in A-B direction with blade as force bearing point, then machining simplicity is improved, but machining route deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining simplicityVSAvoidmachining route deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The machining direction is inverted from the conventional A-B direction to B-A direction. The blade is positioned at the A end as the force bearing point, while the tool approaches from the B end. This inversion reduces machining route deformation by optimizing the force distribution and structural stability during the turning process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3476505B1Method for machining flange face of aluminum alloy hub
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 CITIC DICASTAL CO LTD
  • EP3476505B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3476505B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for machining a flange face of an aluminum alloy hub, comprising the steps of: (I) pre-machining a hub flange; (II) machining two times with a 120° R3 boring tool with a total machining amount of 2 mm, and then reserving a machining allowance of 2.4 mm on the flange face blankafter processing; (III) machining two times with the 120° R3 boring tool with a total machining amount of 2 mm, and then reserving a machining allowance of 0.4 mm on the flange face blank after processing; (IV) machining with a 95° R0.8 hook tool, and then reserving a machining allowance of 0.05 mm on the flange face after processing; and (V) machining with the 95° R0.8 hook tool, then machining the remaining flange allowance, thus completing the machining. The advantages of the method are that: (1) the feed rate and turning amount of last finish turning of the flange face are reduced, and the planenessacceptability of the flange is ensured. (2) The machining direction is from the inner side of the flange to the outer side, and the tool bar is stressed during turning, so that the machining route is not easyto be deformed, and the guarantee ability is strong.