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      05-21-2019, 09:04 AM   #1
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HRE3D+ 3D-Printed Titanium Wheel | The Second Generation





HRE WHEELS UNVEILS SECOND GENERATION OF GROUNDBREAKING HRE3D+WHEELS
HRE Performance Wheels expands brand partnership with GE Additive to create an improved second generation of the world’s first 3D-printed titanium wheel, the HRE3D+.









Vista, Calif. (May 21, 2019) – HRE Wheels has announced the release of a newly revised version of its revolutionary HRE3D+ titanium wheel made using additive manufacturing. To improve the HRE3D+ concept, HRE has again teamed up with GE Additive to utilize the brand’s 3D-printed multiple additive manufacturing systems, including Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM).

Through its brand partnership with GE Additive, HRE gained access to two unique 3D printing manufacturing systems for the second generation of the HRE3D+. The first of these, Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM), utilizes laser technology to melt ultra-fine layers of titanium powder on top of each other to gradually build complex forms with extremely fine detail. The second process, known as Electron Beam Melting (EBM), is a refinement of the process used to create the first HRE HRE3D+ and uses a beam of electrons to heat and fuse raw metal materials in a vacuum.





EBM Printing:: Electron Beam Melting is an additive technology that uses and electron beam to melt and fuse fine layers of titanium powder into a solid. These fine layers are built up one at a time to create the full design.






In addition to a new and futuristic design impossible to create with traditional manufacturing systems, the revised second-generation HRE3D+ revolutionizes the wheel manufacturing process by reducing overall materials waste in the process from 80 percent to five percent of raw titanium material by weight. Not only has material weight been saved in the manufacturing process, but the finished HRE3D+ wheel is also significantly lighter than ever before possible. For example, the 20 and 21-inch wheels of the first generation HRE3D+ weighed 20 and 23 pounds respectively, while the more advanced design of the second generation allows for a total wheel weight of only 16 and 19 pounds for the same size wheels, again mated to a carbon fiber barrel. The first HRE3D+ concept is comprised of 6 parts, including a center cap and lug seat section holding the spokes against the vehicle. HRE further reduced weight for the second generation by redesigning the center area to reduce the part count to 5 printed sections.







Support Removal: Temporary internal support structures are printed along with the part to provide support to the structure and to facilitate extremely complex designs. These are removed by hand and recycled after printing.



DMLM Printing:: A roller spreads a thin layer of metal powder on the print bed. Next, an .stl file directs a laser to create a cross-section of the object by completely melting metal particles. The print bed is then lowered so the process can be repeated to create the next object layer.





Powder Recovery: The excess titanium powder is removed to reveal the final design and recycled for future parts.



HRE’s experience with these cutting-edge technologies in the development of the second-generation HRE3D+ has prompted significant refinements in the technique, opening up exciting possibilities for future advancement, including the additive manufacturing of one-piece wheel centers.

“We’re proud to be breaking new ground in wheel manufacturing with the updated HRE3D+ wheels,” said HRE President/CEO Alan Peltier. “Working with GE Additive has given us access to some truly cutting-edge technology, and we’re exploring the future of wheel technology together with tools that will continue to evolve over the next few years. We can’t wait to see what we’re able to accomplish next.”

HRE will debut the second generation of the HRE3D+ wheel on a 2019 Ford GT in GE Additive’s booth at RAPID + TCT 2019, North America’s largest and most influential additive manufacturing trade show, at Cobo Center in Detroit from May 21-23, 2019.














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All HRE wheels, including the HRE3D+, are engineered to minimize unsprung mass and rotational inertia for optimal acceleration, handling and braking performance. Each wheel is built-to-order and there are nearly infinite fitment, color and finish options available for the ultimate custom-tailored wheel buying experience. For more information on the HRE3D+ and the full line of HRE products, visit www.HREWheels.com or an authorized HRE dealer.

About HRE Performance Wheels: HRE designs, engineers and manufactures 3-piece and 1-piece forged aluminum alloy wheels for Racing, Performance & Luxury cars and SUVs in their San Diego, California-based, TÜV-approved facility. HRE’s built-to-order wheel sets offer a customized choice of offsets, widths and finishes, resulting in a uniquely personal style and performance solution for each customer’s application. HRE wheels are sold through select high-end car dealerships, specialty retailers and performance companies worldwide. For more information, visit www.HREWheels.com or call an HRE wheel expert at (760) 598-1960.
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