Alloy wheel manufacturing process
DESIGN & MANUFACTURING · CONCEPT TO CAST

From a single sketch to a fully cast wheel.

01 — THE PROCESS

We take the pressure of supply, so you can focus on your business.

01

Design & Concept

Our in-house design team is unmatched. Tell us your concept and we’ll create everything you need — from preliminary sketches to scaled 3D images for approval, always giving you artistic licence.

02

Manufacture

A network of factories across the world, each with unique capabilities. We place your business with the right factory and oversee production from start to finish.

03

Logistics

We let you know when stock is imminent and plan delivery to your premises — on time, where you need it. We can also store and fulfil retail orders from our own warehouse.

04

Support

Once you’ve placed your order, the hard work starts. We coordinate and schedule stock, ensuring quality and quantity, from our offices in the UK and Taiwan.

Six-Twelve design studio logo 02 — DESIGN WITH INTENT

We don’t only design wheels — we help develop brands.

Working with some of the biggest names in the industry, our in-house designers provide rapid-turnaround bespoke design using leading modelling and visualisation technologies. From identity development to print, web design and product configurators — with over 20 years in the automotive design sector, our team delivers innovative, practical solutions every time.

3D wheel design rendering by Six-Twelve
STEP 01

Concept

Your journey begins with your ideas and market expectations. We discuss your plans and target vehicles, and share examples and case histories to get you started.

STEP 02

Design & Brand Assets

Brand identity, logo, colours, box designs and wheel designs — always starting with the constraints of the target vehicle to push design limits within safety and engineering boundaries.

STEP 03

Rendering

Photo-realistic 3D renders place your products on the target vehicle for approval. This is where your vision truly comes to life — manufactured exactly as you imagined.

STEP 04

CAD & Tooling

Designs go to our TÜV & ISO accredited facility for CAD engineering drawings. Sample wheels are scrutinised and test-fitted before the run is gravity cast from the highest-quality aluminium ingots.

03 — QUALITY & TESTING

Every part rigorously checked — under TÜV and ISO law.

Once conceptual designs are agreed, parts are engineered to be fit for purpose. Material thickness, weight and strength are analysed using Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) in Pro/E. Any weaknesses are addressed without compromising the design before we move to tooling and prototyping. Wheels undergo a number of internal tests and can be sent to the lab at TÜV Austria to carry out the same tests independently.

Dimensional check
DIMENSIONAL CHECK
Bend moment test
BEND MOMENT TEST
Rolling test
ROLLING TEST
Dye penetrant test
DYE PENETRANT TEST
Impact test
IMPACT TEST
Corrosion test
CORROSION TEST

Quality control checks throughout production

CASTING

X-ray, aluminium analysis and pulling-strength testing.

CNC

Roundness, rotational balance and air-leak checks — 100%.

AFTER PAINTING

Visual check, roundness and rotational balance — 100%.

APPEARANCE

Final visual check by QC and packing staff — all methods approved to TUV and ISO standards.