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Custom Steering Wheel - One-of-a-Kind Steering Wheel

Chassis Tech Shows Us The Ropes
By Mike Alexander, Ryan Davis
Photography by Courtesy of the Manufacturers
Custom Steering Wheel Logos
Every custom steering wheel... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Logos
Every custom steering wheel begins with the customer's idea, sketch, picture, or logo. The image is imported into AutoCAD and recreated into a digital format. Depending on the application, there's plenty of room for creativity and design.
Custom Steering Wheel 3D Design
After the 2D design is complete,... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel 3D Design
After the 2D design is complete, the image is imported into Solidworks to create a 3D representation of the steering wheel. This is beneficial because it allows them to see how the finished product will look. This particular black and aluminum wheel is part of a new line coming out soon, called The Midnight Series, which will offer new designs with black and aluminum accents to create a new look for steering wheels. After the wheel is finished, a rendering of the wheel is sent off to the customer for approval.
Custom Steering Wheel Programmed Wheel
After the customer gives the... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Programmed Wheel
After the customer gives the thumb's up on the design, the wheel is programmed using CamWorks. All the tool paths the CNC mill will use to create the steering wheel are programmed.
Custom Steering Wheel Camworks
Custom Steering Wheel Machining Process
Once the steering wheel is... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Machining Process
Once the steering wheel is programmed, they simulate the machining process, which will verify the program will give you what you want.
Custom Steering Wheel Detailed Cutouts
Certain steering wheel designs... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Detailed Cutouts
Certain steering wheel designs require small detailed cutouts. In that case, the Calypso water jet is used to cut out the little details and then the mill is used to clean up and do any other machining necessary. The water jet has dual cutting heads, which are powered by two 60hp electric motors that create a cutting pressure of 60,000 psi per cutting head. This machine will actually follow the contour of the steering wheel and stay a set distance above the wheel.
Custom Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Blank
Next, the steering wheel blank... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Blank
Next, the steering wheel blank is loaded. Chassis Tech carries both full billet and half-wrap steering wheels, so this process will vary. This particular wheel was sent to powdercoat to receive a matte-black coating before it was cut.
Custom Steering Wheel Computer Program
With the wheel bolted down,... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Computer Program
With the wheel bolted down, the program is then loaded.
Custom Steering Wheel Building Wheel
Once the steering wheel is... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Building Wheel
Once the steering wheel is loaded into the fixture and the program is ready to run, the machine goes to work.
Custom Steering Wheel Detail
The detail that can be put... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Detail
The detail that can be put into a custom wheel is amazing! After all the machining is done, the steering wheel is taken out, cleaned up, and sent to polishing.
Custom Steering Wheel Assembling Wheel
After the wheel comes back... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Assembling Wheel
After the wheel comes back from polish it's assembled, shipped, and ready to be sent to the customer.
Custom Steering Wheel Finished Product
And here it is: a one-of-a-kind... 
   
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Custom Steering Wheel Finished Product
And here it is: a one-of-a-kind custom steering wheel that will set you apart from the rest of the crowd. If you can imagine it, airbagit.com can build it. For more information, be sure to give them a call, or log onto www.airbagit.com.
Chassis Tech
234 S. Hibbert
Mesa
AZ

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