Welding wheels—whether for automotive, industrial, or even hobby applications— can present unique challenges that demand specialized automation. Our MIG, TIG, and plasma welding machines ensure strong, clean, and repeatable welds, reducing reliance on highly skilled labor.
Automated Wheel Welders in Manufacturing
Welding is an integral step in wheel manufacturing processes for both steel and aluminum wheels. Traditional manual welding methods may lead to inconsistencies, slower production rates, and increased labor costs; automated wheel welders alleviate these obstacles by streamlining their process with advanced technology that ensures every weld meets industry-grade standards.
About Bancroft’s Wheel Welding Equipment
We offer standard and custom options. Our standard automated wheel welder is a MIG system that supports wheels up to 32 inches in diameter and 16 inches deep, making it the ideal choice for many applications ranging from aftermarket automobile wheels, wheels for heavy machinery and similar applications. This system delivers unmatched precision and repeatability at its price point.
Bancroft Engineering’s wheel welding systems feature several advanced features that contribute to their superior performance:
#1. Versatile Welding Capabilities
Our standard system features Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) for welding both steel and aluminum materials, offering strong, durable welds tailored specifically to material specifications. This enables manufacturers to utilize one system for multiple production needs. When welding aluminum, it is outfitted with a push/pull system.
#2. Manual Repeatable Torch Locating Mechanism
For consistent welding results, accurate torch positioning is key. Bancroft’s system features a manual repeatable torch locating mechanism which ensures the torch returns to its exact spot during every weld, eliminating variability and improving overall quality. The wheel is used as the datum, so manufacturing inconsistencies can often be accounted for by our fixturing, causing less scrap parts.
#3. Pneumatic Clamping & Unclamping System to Speed Loading & Removal
Accelerating cycle times is critical to efficiency. A pneumatic clamping and unclamping system helps accelerate part loading and removal, decreasing downtime between welds while increasing throughput. It provides a secure hold while permitting quick transitions between parts—increasing productivity while decreasing cycle times.
#4. Dual Grounding to Enhance Safety & Protection
Unlike traditional systems, Bancroft wheel welders feature dual grounding to enable the use of non-metallic table covers that protect polished wheels from surface damage while keeping the finish looking its best. We can then ground off of the mounting face rather than the shiny outward facing side.
#5. Customizable Skip Welds
The best economy or aesthetic often isn’t a solid fillet weld around the entire diameter of a wheel. Our standard machine is equipped with a skip welding process, which allows symmetrical stitches around the wheel in common intervals.
Our Custom Systems
When you’re an innovator, sometimes the tools everyone else uses just won’t cut it. We do fully custom systems, including TIG or Plasma Arc Welding systems, outfit with everything from automatic touch sensing, oscillation, AVC (closed loop arc voltage/distance control), all the way up to robotic torch manipulation in combination with wheel rotation – don’t be afraid to ask for something that doesn’t exist, that’s what we’re here for.
Why Should You Trust Bancroft Engineering for Automated Wheel Welding?
Bancroft Engineering’s standard wheel welder is unmatched in its capability and simplicity. Bancroft has nearly 60 years of experience in supplying shops with the best tool for the job – even when that tool is uncommon.
Through Bancroft’s automated wheel welders, manufacturers can maximize productivity while simultaneously maintaining top weld quality and streamlining their operations to reduce labor costs and waste!
