Originally Posted by
cyccommute
From some videos I've seen, it looks like many wheels are hand laced then tensioned in a machine. I've also seen a very old video of a machine that laces the wheel as well as tensioning it. The problem, however, is that the tensioning isn't something that lends itself to the level of programing that we currently have. There are too many variables for the spokes to be tightened up to a specific tension and just left there. You can do that by hand and you'll probably have a very wobbly wheel. Robots are really good at doing something repetitive but they aren't so good a making judgements.
I'd have to disagree about the level of tech available to wheel manufacturers. If it's using the 20+ year old tech of (typically) pneumatic driven, mechanical spring-clutch drivers, then yes, it'll only go to a set torque and leave it there.
Most modern assembly is being done with DC driven tools that are both torque and position controlled. The tension-release-re-tension cycle is no big deal for a tool like this. Even the programing for a sequence like that is drag-and-drop. Add in vision or tactile feedback for rim true, and i bet you could get a pretty decent rim right 'out of the box'
I have one setup that does the valve lash on a single cylinder OHV engine in about 45 sec, so the tech is out there.