PRODUCTION

Alloying & Melting

Where every wheel begins – with precisely controlled molten aluminium and in-house alloying.

At SCO, our journey to crafting high-quality aluminium alloy wheels begins with the precise science of melting and alloying. Unlike others, we prioritize sustainability by utilizing molten aluminium from a local supplier, thereby minimizing our carbon footprint and environmental impact. This liquid aluminium undergoes rigorous analysis to ensure it meets our exacting standards.

Next, just like a skilled chef, we introduce key alloying agents like Silicon and Magnesium, each carefully measured to achieve the desired properties for the final wheel, while heating the mixture to approximately 760°C. This meticulous alloying process, conducted entirely in-house, guarantees consistent quality and adherence to our high standards.

To remove any impurities, the molten alloy undergoes a degassing process, guaranteeing exceptional quality.

Only after passing stringent tests, including specific gravity measurements and spectral analysis, is the alloy deemed ready for the next stage. Each certified batch is carefully transferred to ladles and delivered to the waiting low-pressure die-casting machines where it will be shaped into the wheels of tomorrow.

Casting

Low-pressure die casting (LPDC) gives each wheel its precise form and structure.

Remember that fiery liquid alloy from before? Now it's time to transform it into a real wheel.

Here at SCO, we utilize the precision of low-pressure die casting (LPDC) to bring your wheel design to life. This specialized technique involves injecting the molten alloy upwards through a riser tube and into a preheated steel mould. Consistent pressure throughout solidifies the metal within the mould cavity, ensuring exceptional quality and consistent mechanical properties.

To optimize cooling and solidification, we employ both air-cooling and water-cooling to rapidly set the cast. Once solidified, the pressure releases, and any remaining liquid flows back into the holding furnace for efficient recycling.

Our trained engineers remove casting burrs and then visually inspect the cast wheel for quality control purposes, ensuring only the best castings proceed to the next stage.

Quality Assurance Overview

We don't just build wheels, we build confidence – backed by global certifications and rigorous tests.

At SCO, we don't just build wheels, we build confidence. That's why leading OEMs and aftermarket brands trust us to deliver exceptional quality every time.

Our commitment to quality is evident in the diverse array of inspections as well as our certifications. We are IATF 16949:2016 accredited and our paint-line complies with CQI-12 guidelines.

Our quality checks include:

• Chemical Testing: Spectro analysis and specific gravity tests to assess the material composition.
• X-ray Inspection: To identify any internal imperfections or flaws, ensuring structural integrity and safety.
• Mechanical Properties Testing: Tensile strength and elongation tests.
• Dimensional Inspection: Using CMMs to confirm wheel dimensions with unparalleled precision.
• Helium Leak Test: To guarantee leak-free wheels.
• Uniformity Test: To ensure perfect balance, minimizing vibrations and optimizing driving comfort.
• Impact Test: Our wheels undergo impact resistance assessments, guaranteeing durability and performance.

Explore our wide range of wheels today and experience the SCO difference.

Production Capabilities & Wheel Finishes

A wide range of wheel sizes, types and coating systems tailored to OEM and Aftermarket needs.

At SCO, we offer a diverse range of production capabilities, enabling OEMs and aftermarket brands to tailor wheels to specific markets, needs, and desired performance.

Wheel Types:

• Cast Alloy Wheels
  Sizes: 14” x 5” to 26” x 12”
• Flow-Formed Alloy Wheels
  Sizes: 17” x 7.5” to 26” x 12”

Paint / Coat Options:

Choose between 3-coat or 4-coat options, depending on your desired level of depth and customization.

3-Coat System:

• Powder Primer for exceptional adhesion and durability.
• Liquid Basecoat for vibrant colour expression.
• Liquid Clear for a stunning, protective finish.

4-Coat System:

• Powder Primer for a solid foundation.
• Liquid Basecoat for unmatched colour vibrancy.
• Powder Clear for added depth and durability.
• Liquid Clear for a final touch of gloss and protection.

Combined with our advanced automation and controlled paint environment, these capabilities enable us to deliver wheels that not only perform exceptionally, but also look outstanding on the road.

Laser Marking/Bar-Coding:

Every SCO wheel gets a unique Data Matrix Code (DMC), etched with precision using a state-of-the-art laser marking system. But it's not just a pretty inscription – it's a crucial part of ensuring quality and efficiency. This code allows us to guarantee you:

• Error-free production: Continuous tracking eliminates the risk of confusion or misplaced wheels, ensuring every step is accurate.
• Optimized production times: Knowing exactly where each wheel allows for efficient scheduling and resource allocation, minimizing delays.
• Enhanced quality control: The code enables automatic process tracking and control of all subsequent production steps in wheel manufacturing guaranteeing the highest quality standards.

So, the next time you see an SCO wheel, check the bar code – a testament to our commitment to precision, efficiency, and delivering the best possible wheels, on time, every time.

X-Ray Inspection

At SCO, we believe in quality that goes beyond the surface.

That's why every single wheel undergoes 100% automatic X-ray inspection. These powerful machines are equipped with cutting-edge Automatic Defect Recognition (ADR) software.

This software analyzes each wheel against its specific design and our stringent quality standards, identifying even the smallest imperfections.

This guarantees your wheels are free from any internal damage or defects that could impact performance or safety.

Sprue / Riser Drilling

After passing the X-ray inspection, each SCO wheel undergoes a meticulous process known as sprue drilling.

This involves removing the excess material from the hub area, ensuring optimal performance and aesthetics. Instead of the traditional "punching" method, we use advanced drilling technology. This offers several key advantages, especially for today’s larger wheels:

• Design freedom: Drilling allows for more flexibility in sprue size and shape, catering to diverse and intricate wheel designs.
• Reduced defects: Unlike punching, which can cause distortion, deformation, or even cracks, drilling ensures clean and precise sprue removal, guaranteeing a stronger and more reliable wheel.
• Precision control: Combined with our intelligent conveyor system, each wheel type receives the exact drill diameter suited to its design, guaranteeing optimal results.

The removed sprue material gets recycled and melted back into the production process, minimizing waste and promoting sustainability.

Flow-forming Technology

Transforming ordinary cast blanks into lightweight, strong, high-performance wheels.

Using flow-forming technology, we transform ordinary cast blanks into lightweight, strong, high-performance wheels.

The process starts with a cast blank, that’s heated up while powerful rollers precisely shape the rim well. This stretches the material, making it stronger and more resilient, and up to 15% lighter than traditional cast wheels!

The benefits are undeniable:

• Improved fuel efficiency: Lighter wheels mean better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.
• Enhanced performance: The improved stiffness-to-weight ratio translates to sharper handling and better overall vehicle performance.
• Exceptional strength: Don’t be fooled by the weight reduction; flow-forming creates wheels that are just as strong and durable as their heavier counterparts.

So, the next time you see a lightweight, high-performance wheel, remember the power of flow-forming – a testament to our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and delivering the best possible wheels for you.

Heat Treatment

Enhancing strength, durability and structural stability.

At SCO, we believe in creating wheels built to last, which is why every wheel undergoes a meticulous heat treatment process. The wheels are heated to a specific temperature for approximately 4.5 hours. This process helps refine the material's internal structure, making it more uniform and consistent.

After this, the wheels undergo an ageing process for about 5 hours under controlled conditions. This gentle release of tension ensures the material remains stable and free from internal stresses, further enhancing its performance.

The result? Wheels with enhanced mechanical properties, including improved strength, durability, and resistance to wear and tear. That means you can confidently take on any road, knowing your SCO wheels are built to handle it all.

CNC Machining

High-precision machining and CMM validation for flawless accuracy.

After the heat treatment, our wheels enter a world of high-tech precision – the domain of CNC machining. Our state-of-the-art CNC machines meticulously carve, drill, and shape the wheel according to our demanding specifications, ensuring compliance with our strict machining tolerances.

Finally, each completed wheel undergoes a final inspection by a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), confirming its precise dimensions and flawless finish.

This dedication to precision doesn’t just look good – it delivers:

• Exceptional Fit: Perfectly machined wheels ensure smooth mounting and optimal interaction with your vehicle’s components.
• Uncompromised Performance: Precise dimensions contribute to balanced operation, minimizing vibration and maximizing handling capabilities.
• Exceptional Quality: Our CMM inspection minimizes defects, delivering consistently high-quality wheels.

Deburring

Final edge refinement for a smooth, uniform finish.

After the precise machining stage, each wheel goes through a final step towards flawless finishing – deburring. Using automated mechanical brushing systems, we smooth out any rough edges to achieve a uniform surface finish. For more intricate wheel designs, our skilled technicians also perform manual deburring using specialized tools.

Helium Leak Detection

100% leak-proof sealing & ride stability assurance.

At SCO, we leave nothing to chance. Every wheel undergoes a critical helium leak test to ensure it is perfectly sealed and ready for anything the road throws its way. We also perform an imbalance test, where our machines precisely measure any potential imbalance to ensure a perfectly smooth ride and maximum stability.

Painting / Coating

14-stage coating process for protection, durability & visual appeal.

Each wheel undergoes a meticulous coating process, transforming bare metal into a masterpiece of colour and corrosion protection. To improve paint adhesion, shotblasting is performed first, followed by a 14-stage pre-treatment that removes impurities and prepares the surface perfectly.

Once prepared, the primer is applied and followed by a base coat before the wheel is sealed with a final transparent finish that protects it from corrosion. At SCO, we also prioritize sustainability by using eco-friendly powder coatings which deliver long service life and high-quality finish while minimizing environmental impact.