Rolling is one of the most important manufacturing processes in modern industry. Rolling is a deformation process in which the thickness or cross-sectional area of a material is reduced by the application of compressive forces (pressure) between two rolls. This process is known as rolling. In rolling, the material is subjected to a plastically deforming force along a predetermined axis. As a result, the material thickness or cross-sectional area is reduced in the direction of rolling while the length is increased.
The purpose of rolling is to reduce the thickness of a metallic component while maintaining its profile as a continuous repeat of its initial shape. The most common type of rolling is two-high rolling, where two rolls rotate on opposite directions and roll the material between them. The process of two-high rolling can be divided into several stages.
First, the material to be rolled is heated. The heating of the material is usually almost instant. This ensures that the material is pliable for rolling. Once heated, the material is rolled between two large cylindrical arms.
The two arms move on an S-shape movement. This movement ensures that the material is always kept in a tight grip between the two arms, while at the same time exerting enough pressure to reduce the materials thickness. The concept of shape rolling is then used to regulate the rolls form and shape into its desired size and form.
Next, the material is cooled. During the cooling process, the material slowly loses heat until its temperature is below the recrystallization temperature. At this state, the material starts to become more brittle and is more conducive for rolling. Depending on the type of material being processed, coolants may be added to assist in the cooling process.
Finally, the material enters the finishing stage where it is inspected to ensure the desired shape has been attained. Edges, intricate contours, textures, and any other special requirements are carved into the material before it is moved onto the next process.
Overall, two-high rolling is an efficient and cost-effective method of reducing the thickness or cross-sectional area of a material while keeping its shape and profile as a continuous repeat of its initial shape. Rolling enables mass production of components in a very short time. The process is favored by most factories and is suitable for processing a wide range of materials.
