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Abstract

Expanding apparatus and method for sizing a one-piece drop-center wheel rim having first and second ganged arrays of rim sizing die segments insertable into the rim from one side thereof, and a third array of rim sizing die segments insertable into the opposite side of the rim, all three arrays cooperating to form a complete array of die segments for expansion sizing of the rim. A single wedge mechanism moves the arrays radially outwardly to individually size the inboard bead seat, outboard bead seat and drop-center well zones of the rim in response to relative coaxial movement of the wedge and arrays in a rim expansion working stroke along a longitudinal axis of the wedge. The wedge includes an expansion cone mechanism comprising first, second and third cone cams respectively individually operably associated with the first, second and third die arrays for radially expanding the same in such working stroke. A set-up adjustment mechanism disposed interiorly of the wedge has three concentrically arranged lead screws individually threadably coupled to each of the cone cams for carrying and selectively positioning the same along the longitudinal axis of the wedge to thereby vary the set-up end limit of radially outward movement of the associated die segment array for a given relative working stroke of the wedge means and arrays. A gear drive coupled to the exterior end of each lead screw individually rotates, and is driven either manually or by the same servo motors operably coupled to each worm gear drive. Cone cam position sensors each develop a signal indicative of the axially adjusted set-up position of each associated cone cam. A signal processing control system utilizes the signals for controlling the servo motors to drive the cone cams and thereby control their adjusted set up positions.

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