@@TheRealChilly It costs money to setup so after a few years generally the price should drop, they work all the costs out when they are designing the manufacturing line. If the product isn't as profitable then it might take a lot longer to recoup losses. The average to get a manufacturing line up and running 'perfectly' is something like 2 years iirc if you're running brand new machines designed for a specific task.
@@TheRealChilly they even censored that tiny part while machining the forged wheels, already a proof the cost to RnD to get to that kind of level are insanely high.
@@nonotorious1467machines need maintenance, moulds deteriorate, material prices go up, pay of the workers goes up, quality control is expensive, having all the paperwork needed to be allowed to sell car parts is expensive, and you have to constantly invest into R&D to stay competitive. Depending on your margins, you might not really be able to decrease the price. THEN, the price for the end user usually has significant markup by couple of middle-man.
It's exactly like how Japanese the Best Motoring videos were done. Totally miss those. Not the wild hyperbolic crap and fast cut clips we see in western marketing. Japanese technical advertising is the bomb. Tons of numbers and real world info and deep explanation of processes, not the "sorry, can't show you without an NDA" crap.
All white on the brand new 99' civic si Super Street magazine or was it Import Tuner. Had DC Sports headers and stabilizer bars also a front to back Greddy muffler system.
Nearly all manufacturing is more complex than people typically think. My first engineering job was at a tape measure plant; going in I thought it would be extremely boring. It wound up being a perfect first job for me as I got to work on so many different types of processes and projects.
I can see why they stopped the “how it’s made” series. Only companies like rays are proud enough to show behind the scenes in these days. This is next level.
20 years after seeing these for the first time in a Super Street issue, I finally ponied up the cash and bought a set of TE-37's. For anybody curious, it's shocking how light and strong they are. It isn't sales gimmicks or hyperbole. They really are that good. You can feel a big difference even on a stock car. Don't buy junk, cast knock-offs of these wheels. They're not even close to the real thing. Yes, real RAYS wheels are expensive, but hey that's why there's Up-Garage and Croooober. Buying them 2nd hand is a great and often very affordable option.
If cast if the only option, flow formed is the lowest you should go. Its hilarious to see full cast wheels shatter on hard impacts at the streets and or at the track. Gonna try my luck and get a set of CE28SLs on crooober for my MK3 Supra.
I put ze40 on my tarmac car. I went from 235 wide hankook semis on cheap 17" rims. And put 295/30r18 Yokohama ao50, with volk ze40, and it actually weighed less.
absolutely love my TE37 SLs even if they're over a decade old. That pressed graphite looks phenomenal giving both a grey and black look depending on lighting. Rays makes a master class wheel, and it was interesting seeing the process.
I was feeling so proud and smiling during and after video. This is so proper. Japan never disappoints. Made in Japan means highest standard in my opinion
coolest video I've seen on wheels. I've had desmond regamasters, I've had RPF1s, my next set will def be RAYS, the automation and manufacturing process is incredible to watch.
The only bad part about the engravings is if the wheel ever needs to be repainted, it would make it significantly harder to keep paint/powder coat out of that area.
They truly are a work of art. I would love these beautiful wheels, but would be scared to damage them. Incredible workmanship from Japan. I admire their dedication to perfection.
Cool and interesting video! Thank you for sharing! One thing I noticed at 7:10 , the unit of tensile and yield/proof strength values should be N/mm^2 (mm square) or MPa (Mega Pascals) not just N/mm. The reason is comes from this formula: sigma = F/A so Stress = Force/Area -> N/mm^2
never actually thought about how exactly forged wheels are forged. That press machine is quite impressive, not to say about other machinery involved. Looks like those wheels cost that much not only because of a brand, it is a very coplicated product to make 👍
I love my CE28's, Its cool to see the tech, precision, and care that was taken into making products like this. This video also has that nostalgic feel like you were in school watching a tv on the rolling cart.
OMG... These Seem To be the Finest Wheels Manufactured on The Entire Planet. My E36 M3 is Not Even Worthy of such Awesomeness... Happy to know Perfection does exist.
This is great to show people the difference in engineering, production technology, and quality testing between top of the line wheels like RAYS or BBS compared to cheap gravity cast wheels or rotary forged wheels from developing nations. I'm a big wheel nerd and still learned a ton from this video. Would love to see what goes into the racing program wheels like the F1 and Super GT center locks. i'm sure there's a lot of secrets there but it would be a dream come true to see how the very best of the best are designed and made.
I bought my first pair of RAYS wheels a few years ago and always wondered how they were made, and there was never really a good video for that until this. Crazy to see how much engineering goes into making these, makes me even happier to own my TE37SLs :)
reminder , this process only apply on original made in Japan by Rays engineering, any copy product are not process in this way but only try to get similar look by copying from Rays Engineering original
I'm excited for my BBS Forged wheels !! Great to watch some sick Japanese manufacturing. Highest quality standards. I hope someday I can get my hands on Rays Forged.
Wow, this is an exquisite manufacturing process. It should be illegal to copy Rays wheels designs. Their beauty is in the process. There is no company that can replicate rays wheels. The classic TE37 design should never be copied because it’s a disgrace to the intense level of engineering and development that goes into making real Rays wheels.
I've used Rays since ordering my first set from Japan in the 90s. IMO, they are the best wheels money can buy. Unsurpassed in form or function. Well worth the money.
Rays/ Volk has always manufactured a quality product. Just think of all the racing heritage and abuse these wheels go through. TE-37's have been a favorite by themselves. Thanks for sharing this.
They had a patent application for Germany in the video so you might be in luck in future. I'm amazed your stupid TUV doesn't allow these. Meanwhile I can drive an A-class that wants to kill me on a bump and it's 'TUV" approved. what a joke.
@@N4CR5 yeah I know. TÜV here in Germany is such a pain. There are so many stupid things that are not legal. In my opinion it's that hard and expensive to make wheels legal because they know some German wheel brands could close their business.
@@garagekudos3953 it's absolutely ridiculous. And in some of the direct neighbour countries you can do whatever the f*** you want. Poland for example or Great Britain. But in german air everything breaks or wants to kill people, especially custom cars! 🤣😵💫
After seeing this, I now feel bad after abusing my Rays in drifting for years. But they are still good as they were when I bought them used for $400 10 years ago, yes I know they were cheap but the seller didn't know that they were actually RAYS, so it was a bargain...
echoing a lot of other comments, but something we take for granted these days, wheels, are so delicately engineered it's awesome. Also, I'm always amazed by the machines and robotics that make these things. Would love to see a how-it's-made for those machines and how they are designed to do such a specific task and work seamlessly with all the other machines. Freakin awesome.
My 350Z has these Rays Nismo branded wheels - have always thought they were the best wheels available anywhere. Love the look - mine are silver with polished rims - perfect indeed.
Just bought a RHD 2006 Lexus IS 350 from Japan with Rays Cr57's, and the car looks absolutely stunning. Never had Rays before as they're like $3000 for a set in Canada, but this car came with em
It is impressive to see all the involved knowledge and machinery to produce wheels on such a high level of quality. Thank you for posting such an informal video. It was really interesting to watch and to get a better idea of the whole process.
