GB2462297A

GB2462297A - Providing an alloy wheel with an image

Info

Publication number: GB2462297A
Application number: GB0814022A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Caves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-31
Filing date: 2008-07-31
Publication date: 2010-02-03
Also published as: GB0814022D0

Abstract

An apparatus for, and a method of, providing an alloy wheel 702 with an image 701 includes a wheel support to securely receive an alloy wheel. A three-dimensional data model of a selected surface area of the wheel is generated by a wheel data model generator. An image data model generator generates a three-dimensional data model of the image. The three-dimensional data models are processed in combination by a data processor and machine-readable instructions for a machine tool are generated to machine the image into the selected surface area of the wheel. The image is machined into the selected surface area of the wheel by a machine tool having a tool head. The tool head may be configured to carve, cut, engrave or etch. The alloy wheel displays the image in intaglio, in relief or as a sculpture.

Description

Providing An Alloy Wheel With An Image

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application represents the first application for a patent directed towards the invention and the subject matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to providing an alloy wheel with an image.

2. Description of the Related Art

Alloy wheels for vehicles are known. Some automobile enthusiasts consider that alloy wheels offer aesthetic and functional benefits. However, alloy wheels are typically more expensive than standard steel wheels and theft of alloy wheels is a problem. It is also known for some alloy wheel owners to personalise their alloy wheels by applying stickers. However, stickers deteriorate when exposed to road and weather conditions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

*::, According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided **S.

S.... apparatus for providing an alloy wheel with an image, comprising: a wheel support configured to receive said alloy wheel in a secured configuration, a :. wheel data model generator configured to generate a three-dimensional data model of a selected surface area of said alloy wheel, an image data model I...

: generator configured to generate a three-dimensional data model of said S.....

* image, a data processor configured to process said three-dimensional data model of said image in combination with said three-dimensional data model of said selected surface area and generate machine-readable instructions for a machine tool to machine said image into said selected surface area of said alloy wheel, and a machine tool having a tool head, said machine tool configured to execute said instructions to machine said image into said selected surface area of said alloy wheel, whereby said alloy wheel displays said image in intagllo, in relief or as a sculpture.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing an alloy wheel with an image, said method comprising the steps of: receiving an alloy wheel, locating said alloy wheel in a secured configuration relative to a wheel support, generating a three-dimensional data model of a selected surface area of said alloy wheel, generating a three-dimensional data model of said image, generating instructions for a machine tool to machine said image into said selected surface area of said alloy wheel, and machining said image into said selected surface area of said alloy wheel, whereby said alloy wheel displays said image in intaglio, in relief or as a sculpture.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an alloy wheel machined to display an image in intaglio, in relief or as a sculpture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS * S.

Figure 1 shows an alloy wheel of an automobile; SI..

S... Figure 2 shows an alloy wheel provided with an image; 1* Figure 3 shows steps in a method of providing an alloy wheel with an image; * : .* Figure 4 shows a step of the method of Figure 3 in further detail;

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Figure 5 shows apparatus for providing an alloy wheel with an image; Figure 6 details a computer system shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 illustrates the machining of an image into an alloy wheel; and Figure 8 shows an alloy wheel provided with an image in use on a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE

INVENTION

Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an alloy wheel of an automobile. Alloy wheel 101 forms part of a set of alloy wheels of vehicle 102.

Alloy wheels may be used on a vehicle such as a car, motorcycle or truck. The fabrication of an alloy wheel may comprise aluminium, magnesium or both. Alloy wheels are often considered to provide a functional benefit when compared to standard steel wheels. An alloy wheel may be lighter in weight than a steel wheel and this feature provides for improved handling of the vehicle. An alloy wheel may also be superior in terms of heat conduction and this property provides for improved heat dissipation from the brakes of the vehicle, which in turn may reduce the risk of brake failure.

Alloy wheels are typically more expensive than steel alloy wheels.

Hence, alloy wheels may be seen as an optional luxury. Emphasis may * therefore be placed on the aesthetics of a set of alloy wheels. For this reason, the choice of an alloy wheel style is not often an arbitrary one. The design of an alloy wheel is traditionally limited by the mould or die used in production.

Following purchase of a set of alloy wheels, the owner may desire to personalise the alloy wheels. Thus, an owner of a vehicle dressed with alloy wheels may wish to prevent the theft of the alloy wheels from their vehicle. *.S*

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Figure 2 Figure 2 shows an alloy wheel provided with an image. Alloy wheel 201 is fabricated from an aluminium alloy and image 202 is displayed in intaglio.

The alloy wheel has been provided with the image by means of a process involving a machining step that results in the removal of material from the alloy wheel. The image is thus provided in a permanent form than when compared with, for example, an image provided by the application of a sticker to the alloy wheel or by a printing process.

Figure 3 Figure 3 shows steps in a method of providing an alloy wheel with an image. At step 301 an alloy wheel is received. In an application, an aluminium alloy wheel is received. At step 302 a question is asked as to whether a pre-machining preparation process is to be performed. If the question asked at step 302 is answered in the affirmative, step 303 is entered. At step 303 a pre-machining preparation process is performed. Following step 303, step 304 is subsequently entered. If the question asked at step 302 is answered in the negative, step 304 is entered. At step 304 the alloy wheel received at step 301 is located in a secured configuration relative to a wheel support. At step 305 an * image is machined into the alloy wheel. Step 306 is subsequently entered, at which a question is asked as to whether another image is to be machined into the alloy wheel. If the question asked at step 306 is answered in the affirmative, step 305 is re-entered. If the question asked at 306 is answered is the negative, step 307 is entered at which the alloy wheel is removed from the wheel support. Subsequently, a question is asked at 308 as to whether a post **** machining process is to be performed. If the question asked at step.308 is answered in the affirmative, step 309 is entered. At step 309 a post machining process is performed. Subsequently, step 310 is entered. lithe question asked at step 308 is answered in the negative, step 310 is answered. At step 310 a question is asked as to whether a finishing process is to be performed. If the question asked at step 310 is answered in the affirmative, step 311 is entered where a finishing process is performed.

It is to be appreciated that the alloy wheel received at step 301 may be an unused alloy wheel or a used alloy wheel. If the alloy wheel is an unused one, then it may not be necessary to perform a pre-machining preparation process upon it before it is located to be machined at step 305. If the alloy wheel is a used alloy wheel then it is more likely that a pre-machining preparation process would be required to be undertaken. A pre-machining preparation process may comprise at least one of removing a tyre, a chemical stripping process, a pressure washing process, a media blasting process. A used wheel would tend to have scratches and/or gouges due to use, most incidences of which are removable during a stripping process.

The process performed at step 305, to machine an image into an alloy wheel, is described in further detail with reference to figure 4.

At step 309 a post machining process may be performed upon an alloy wheel. A post machining process may comprise at least one of a media * 20 blasting process, a surface protection coating application process. In an application, following machining, the alloy wheel is sandblasted to remove any sharp edges.

A finishing process may be performed at step 311. A finishing process may be performed upon the alloy wheel. A finishing process for the alloy wheel 25 may comprise a polishing process, a re-coating process. A finishing process **.* may be performed upon the image. A finishing process for an image may comprise a powder coating process, a painting process, a resin application process, a lacquering process, a diamond cuthng process. A polyester powder coating may be used. It is to be appreciated that the machined image may thus be coloured or surface treated in accordance with a desired aesthetic result.

Figure 4 Figure 4 shows step 305 of the method of Figure 3 in further detail. At step 401, a 3D data model of a selected surface area of the alloy wheel is generated. At step 402, a 3D data model of the image is generated. At step 403, machinereadable instructions for a machine tool to machine the image into the selected surface area of the alloy wheel are generated. At step 404 the image is machined into the selected surface area of the alloy wheel. The alloy wheel is machined to display an image intaglio, in relief or as a sculpture.

A sculpture may, for example, be a 3D figure of a person sculpted from a spoke of the wheel. An image may comprise a word, a number, a graphical device or a combination of any of these. It is to be appreciated that an alloy wheel may be provided with mcre than one image, and hence an alloy wheel may be provided with a combination of different types of images.

Manufacturing processes and tolerances often result in uniformity discrepancies within a single alloy wheel and also between like alloy wheels. In * *.

* 20 accordance with the method of Figures 3 and 4, each region of an alloy wheel * * ***. . . . . . to receive an image is individually mapped and then machined. If a further ***., region of the alloy wheel is to receive an image, steps 401 to 404 are repeated. In an alternative method, substantially the whole surface area of one side of the alloy wheel is mapped in preparation for machining to impart the **** *....: 25 image(s) to the wheel. The same image or different images may be provided * * at a plurality of locations about an alloy wheel. The same image or different images may be machined into each alloy wheel of a set.

Figure 5 Figure 5 shows apparatus for providing an alloy wheel with an image.

Apparatus 501 comprises a wheel support configured to receive an alloy wheel in a secured configuration. In an application a wheel support is provided in the form of a jig 502. The apparatus comprises a wheel data model generator configured to generate a 3D data model of a selected surface area of an alloy wheel. In an application, the wheel data model generator comprises a digitising arm 503. The digitising arm may be a MicroScribe� articulated-arm 3D digitiser, which is linked to appropriate software. An image data model generator is configured to generate a 3D data model of an image. In an application, the image data model generator comprises software. Data processor 504 is configured to process the 3D data model of the image in combination with a 3D data model of a selected surface area of the alloy wheel and to generate machine-readable instructions for a machine tool to machine the image into the selected surface area of the alloy wheel. The image data model generator may be based on a Rhinoceros� modelling tool software application. A mould and die computer aided manufacturing software application may be used to generate tool path data and associated machine- :.:: 20 readable instructions for the machine tool. Any suitable interfacing software S...

* application(s) may be used as required.

Apparatus 501 comprises a machine tool having a tool head, the *.* machine tool configured to respond to generated instructions to machine the *...

: image into the selected surface area of the alloy wheel. In an application, the :: 25 machine tool comprises a 3D router 505 having a tool head 506. In an application, tool head 506 is configured to carve, cut, engrave or etch.

Preferably, the tool head comprises a bow-shaped head. This type of tool head typically reduces the instances of sharp corners. Preferably, digitising arm 503 is mounted relative to tool head 506 such that the wheel data model generator and the tool head have a common data origin point. This serves to simplify data processing procedures.

Data processing is effected by a programmable computer system 504 that responds to input data from a user via a keyboard 507, a mouse 508, or similar manually operable input devices. Output data from computer system 504 is typically displayed to a user, via a visual display unit (VDU) 510.

Computer system 504 receives input data from the keyboard 507 and other input devices via cable connections although in alternative embodiments radio interfaces could be provided. Many different types of programmable computer system 504 could be deployed. Instructions executable by computer system 504 are installed via an instruction carrying medium such as a DVD-ROM 511 or a similar instruction carrying medium such as a DVD etc. The computer system 504 may also have devices for recording output data, such as a DVD-ROM burner 512, a DVD burner or removable magnetic disk storage device,

for example.

Figure 6 Components of computer system 504 are further detailed in Figure 6.

* The system includes a central processing unit (CPU) 601 that fetches and executes instructions and manipulates data via a system bus 602 providing connectivity with a DVD-ROM re-writer, a removable magnetic disk drive and S. *..: other components. CPU 601 is configured with a high-speed cache 604 that :": 25 stores frequently-accessed instructions and data to reduce fetching operations from memory 603. Memory 603 stores executable programs which, along with data, are received via said bus 602 from a hard disk drive 606. Hard disk drive 605 provides non-volatile bulk storage of instructions and data.

A graphics card 606 receives graphics data from the CPU 601, along with graphics instructions. Graphics accelerator 606 is preferably coupled to the CPU 601 by means of a direct port 607. Preferably, the graphics card 606 includes substantial dedicated graphical processing capabilities, so that the CPU 601 is not burdened with computationally intensive tasks for which it is not optimised.

Input/output interface 608 provides standard connectivity to peripherals such as a keyboard and a mouse. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) 609 is provided as an alternative means of providing connectivity to these peripherals, whereby said connectivity is improved with a faster bandwidth for user input data transfer.

Network card 610 provides connectivity to a network by processing a plurality of communication protocols. A sound card 611 is provided.

CPU 601 executes instructions loaded into memory 603 to carry out the processes of generating and storing a three-dimensional data model of a selected surface area of said alloy wheel and generating and storing a three-dimensional data model of said image. CPU 601 executes instructions loaded into memory 603 to process a stored three-dimensional data model of an .. image in combination with a stored three-dimensional data model of a selected surface area. CPU 601 executes instructions loaded into memory 603 to * generate machine-readable instructions for a machine tool to machine the *** image into the selected surface area of an alloy wheel. The CPU 601 may *** * 25 store machine-readable instructions for repeated use. CPU 601 controls the S.....

* output of machine-readable instructions for use by a machine tool.

The equipment shown in Figure 6 constitutes an inexpensive programmable computer of fairly standard type. However, any programmable computer may be used.

Figure 7 Figure 7 illustrates the machining of an image into an alloy wheel. In this example, the image is being machined into a spoke 701 of alloy wheel 702.

The alloy wheel itself, as opposed to a hubcap for example, is machined. In an application, an image is machined into an alloy wheel in sunken relief to a depth of approximately 0.7mm. In this example, alloy wheel 702 is being provided with an image 701 that comprises a plurality of letters such as letters 703. In an application, the machining of a single letter may take approximately between 5 and 10 minutes. However, the time taken to complete each image is dependent upon the capability of the apparatus and the complexity of the design to be achieved.

The machining process permanently marks the alloy wheel. This feature is a useful anti-theft attribute. The manner in which the alloy wheel is provided with the image is a deterrent for thieves, since input of time, effort and expense would be required in order to restore the appearance of the machined alloy wheel to that of a pre-machined alloy wheel. * ** ** S

:.:: Figure8 **** Figure 8 shows an alloy wheel provided with an image in use on a **5.* vehicle. In this example, machined alloy wheel 702 is provided upon vehicle S..

101. The machined alloy wheel 702 now provides an enhanced aesthetic effect and visible theft deterrent. It is thus possible with the apparatus and process described herein to provide bespoke alloy wheels.

A unique image may be associated with a vehicle, a person or both a person and a vehicle. Thus, alloy wheels carrying the unique image may identify a vehicle or a person. This use of a unique image may not only discourage the unlawful taking of alloy wheels but also assist in the return of stolen alloy wheels to the rightful owner. The unique image may be a vehicle identification reference code. * ** * . S * S. S*S * * * *5*� * S. * * * * ..

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Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for providing an alloy wheel with an image, comprising: a wheel support configured to receive said alloy wheel in a secured configuration, a wheel data model generator configured to generate a three-dimensional data model of a selected surface area of said alloy wheel, an image data model generator configured to generate a three-dimensional data model of said image, a data processor configured to process said three-dimensional data model of said image in combination with said three-dimensional data model of said selected surface area and generate machine-readable instructions for a machine tool to machine said image into said selected surface area of said alloy wheel, and a machine tool having a tool head, said machine tool configured to execute said instructions to machine said image into said selected surface area of said alloy wheel, whereby said alloy wheel displays said image in intaglio, in relief or as a sculpture. * SS* * * 20 * S. *.. *
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said alloy wheel is *:*::* fabricated from an aluminium alloy.

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3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tool head is *S*S * 25 configured to carve, cut, engrave or etch.* ** S..S S
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said machine tool is a three-dimensional router.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said tool head comprises a bow-nosed head.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surface data model generator comprises a digitising arm.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said digitising arm is mounted relative to said tool head such that said wheel data model generator and said tool head have a common data origin point.
8. A method of providing an alloy wheel with an image, said method comprising the steps of: receiving an alloy wheel, locating said alloy wheel in a secured configuration relative to a wheel support, generating a three-dimensional data model of a selected surface area of said alloy wheel, *:::* 20 generating a three-dimensional data model of said image, generating instructions for a machine tool to machine said image into said selected surface area of said alloy wheel, and machining said image into said selected surface area of said alloy wheel, whereby said alloy wheel displays said image in intaglio, in relief or as a sculpture. I....
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said alloy wheel is fabricated from an aluminium alloy.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said selected area of the surface of said alloy wheel that is to be machined is an area of a spoke of the alloy wheel.
11. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising the step of performing a pre-machining preparation process upon said alloy wheel.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said pre-machining preparation process comprises at least one of: removing a tyre, a chemical stripping process, a pressure washing process, a media blasting process.
13. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising the step of performing a post-machining process upon said alloy wheel.
14. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said post-machining process comprises at least one of: a media blasting process, a surface protection coating application process. * ** * * * * .*
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising the step of *:*::* performing a finishing process upon said image machined into said alloy * wheel. S.. S...* 25
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said finishing process *....

* comprises at least one of: a polishing process, a powder coating process, a painting process, a resin application process, a lacquering process, a diamond cutting process.
17. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said image comprises at least one of: a word, a number.
18. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said image comprises a graphical device.
19. An alloy wheel machined to display an image in intaglio, in relief or asasculpture.
20. The alloy wheel as claimed in claim 19, wherein said alloy wheel is fabricated from an aluminium alloy.
21. Apparatus for providing an alloy wheel with an image substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.
22. A method of providing an alloy wheel with an image substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures. * *S * * * * **

23 An alloy wheel substantially as herein described with reference to *:*::* the accompanying Figures. * ****SS.....