What certifications should an alloy wheel manufacturer have?
The wheel is a critical part of the car and must meet several stringent requirements to ensure safety. This includes bending fatigue, radial fatigue, impact and structural tests.
In Japan, there are strict load-rating and testing standards for alloy wheels called “JWL” and a related standard called “JWL-T”. Alloy wheels that have been tested will be marked with the JWL and VIA marks from the Japan Vehicle Inspection Association.
JWL
If you have a set of alloy wheels manufacturer, chances are that you’ve noticed some letters embossed in the wheel face that don’t quite make sense. These might include JWL, VIA, TUV or JAWA and they seem to be very important markings that are supposed to help you choose safe wheels.
The Japan Light Alloy Wheel Association (JAWA) has a strict quality standard for the manufacture and sales of light alloy disc wheels. They also promote a Voluntary Wheel Design Protection Registration System (VIA) that is designed to prevent illegal copying of wheels and ensure users’ safety.
There are several types of testing that a wheel must pass in order to get this certification, including an impact test and radial fatigue test. The latter tests the strength of the rim’s mounting area to make sure that it won’t crack under the forces and impacts of driving.
In addition to ensuring that the wheel is made from high-quality aluminum, the manufacturer must also conduct an in-house test that mimics all of the conditions of the road. The test includes bending, impact and radial stress to ensure that the wheel is as durable as possible.
Another important factor that must be considered is the load rating of the wheel. The load rating of the wheel must meet a certain weight requirement, which is established by checking on the installation specifications of each vehicle hub.
These are all very important factors when choosing a new set of wheels, as you don’t want to risk purchasing a wheel that is too weak for your car and will eventually fail. That’s why we recommend that you look for an aftermarket alloy wheel manufacturer that has the proper certifications.
VIA
In Japan, light alloy wheels must be tested and approved by the Vehicle Inspection Association (VIA) before they can be sold on the market. These tests ensure that each wheel is safe and will not cause an accident. The VIA markings that appear on the casting of the wheel are proof that it was tested and passed.
VIA is a nonprofit organization that tests and certifies light alloy wheels in Japan. They also run a quality assurance program to ensure that all wheels are made to the highest standards possible.
The Japanese government requires that all wheels are tested for compliance with a standard called JWL. The VIA logo on a wheel means that it has been certified by the Japanese government and that it meets the JWL requirements.
There are a few different ways that manufacturers get this certification, but it is usually through a series of tests designed to simulate the stress and strain that a wheel undergoes while being used on a car. These tests include radial and cornering fatigue tests. They also include impact testing and hydrostatic burst testing.
All of these tests are designed to make sure that the wheel can withstand the force that it would encounter in the event of an accident. This is important because, unlike steel, alloy wheels are more prone to breaking during a crash.
Having this certification means that the manufacturer is doing everything they can to produce safe and reliable wheels. It is a great way for customers to know that they are getting the best possible product when they purchase an alloy wheel.
The TUV auditing and approval process is a rigorous one. It is designed to ensure that the wheels that are manufactured at the factory meet specific manufacturing and production standards.
JAWA
If you’ve ever purchased a set of wheels, there’s a good chance that they came with some kind of marking on them. These markings are usually either JWL or VIA and they are supposed to tell you that the wheel has been tested for safety and reliability.
JWL stands for Japan Light Alloy Wheel and it is a set of standards that all alloy wheels must meet in order to be sold in Japan. The JWL mark is cast or forged into the wheel and it indicates that the manufacturer has self-certified the product to meet this standard.
In addition to the JWL marking, you will also see the VIA mark which is independently tested by a third party group in Japan called the Vehicle Inspection Association. This group tests wheels to ensure that they can meet the JWL or JWL-T standards.
These certifications are a must have for any manufacturer and they should be included on all of their products. These certifications not only indicate that the product has been tested for safety but they also provide a warranty that it will be up to date and safe to use.
JAWA is a Japanese organization that works to maintain the safety and reliability of all light alloy wheels in the market. They do this through a double-checking system that includes testing the wheel’s strength and quality.
Once the wheel has passed the test, it will receive a JAWA Quality Cert sticker which will have a holographic image to ensure it is not forgery. Additionally, JAWA also has a design deposition system which is meant to prevent copying of wheel designs so that users can be confident they’re getting a safe and reliable product.
SAE
The Society of Automotive Engineers, or SAE as it is often referred to, is a worldwide professional association and standards organization with a particular emphasis on transport sectors such as automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicles. Its principal focus is on developing technical standards based on best practices that are identified and described by its task forces and committees.
The United States-based organization serves over 138,000 global members through major efforts in standardization, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) promotion, professional development and certification. It also hosts conferences, releases publications and sponsors collegiate design competitions.
Its technical information is disseminated through meetings, books, explanatory publications, standards, reports, and professional development courses. Its membership is comprised of engineers and technical experts from the transportation industry, including automobile, truck and bus, off-highway equipment, aviation, marine, rail and transit systems.
There are two basic test procedures used by the organization, a radial fatigue test and a cornering fatigue test. The radial fatigue test is conducted with a standardized load at a predetermined number of cycles, while the cornering fatigue test uses a larger-than-normal load.
Both test procedures are conducted using a computer-controlled system to accurately replicate a wheel’s load conditions. This ensures that the tests provide accurate data for both a wheel’s design and its materials.
These tests are performed to ensure that the wheels meet or exceed the performance requirements set forth by the manufacturer. They also help identify flaws in the wheel’s design or materials that the manufacturer can work to correct before it puts it on the market.
The Society of Automotive Engineers also established the J 2530 standard for testing aftermarket wheels, which provides the performance requirements that an alloy wheel manufacturer must adhere to. Compliance with this standard indicates that the manufacturer takes quality seriously and that it is dedicated to delivering wheels that meet regulatory and customer expectations.
DOT
Alloy wheel manufacturers should have the necessary certifications to ensure their products are made with quality materials and meet the specialized standards of different countries. These standards are designed to protect the safety of consumers and ensure that wheels are not subject to unnecessary stress or wear.
In the United States, every rim must have certain information on it for ease of reference and convenience. This includes the DOT mark, which indicates that the tire or rim meets FMVSS 109, 119 and 120. The DOT mark is also used to identify the rim’s manufacturer and date of manufacture.
The DOT certification process involves testing the tire or rim to verify that it meets FMVSS requirements. The test results are then verified and recorded on a DOT certificate.
During the test, the wheel must be balanced to achieve an accurate measurement of the tire’s pressure and rim’s load capacity. The rim must also be inspected to ensure that it is positioned and attached properly, as well as being in good condition.
If a tire or rim is not correctly installed or maintained, it can become unsafe to drive. This is especially true for racing vehicles, which often put their wheels under intense stress and higher G-Force pressures.
Japan has stricter regulations on the automotive wheel industry than the United States does, so it is important for manufacturers to have a certification to prove their product is compliant. Fortunately, the Japan Vehicle Inspection Association (VIA) offers a JWL VIA certification, which allows wheels to bear a special permanent JWL VIA mark on them.
As with the other DOT certifications, this demonstrates that the rim has been tested and certified by a third-party organization. It is also a great way for customers to see that the wheels they purchase are safe and have undergone rigorous testing.