Rolling small-size billet and precision finishing technology
Small-size billet is a kind of medium and small-size billet during the hot and cold rolling process. The materials that can be processed include steel, aluminum, iron, plastic and alloys. The general size is mainly within 12.7mm * 12.7mm and the length is no more than 8 meters. Small-size billets are mainly used for making small and thin parts for automobiles, appliances and other industries.
Rolling small-size billet not only has the requirement of large precision but also the requirement of roll forming pattern. According to the different characteristics of forming materials, different rolling processes are adopted. For some materials with low hardness, carbon steel is often used for roll forming, while for some materials with high hardness, such as aluminum, copper, or stainless steel materials, roller forming, or so-called extreme rolling, is usually adopted for small-size billet processing.
1st step: Selection of suitable roll forming technology
For small-size billet, the requirement of precision and roller forming is very important. In order to ensure the quality of the final product, it is necessary to use appropriate roller forming technology. According to the material and forming shape, the process engineer should select suitable roller forming angle and pass number, so as to ensure the effectiveness of forming, and then select the type of roller needed. The selection must be based on the size of the profile after roller forming and the precision of the product.
2nd step: Cold rolling technology
Cold rolling is an important process in producing small-size billet. It is mainly used to make steel thin and have the ability to roll fine products from thin sheets. The thin sheet should be preheated since the low temperature may reduce the ability of rolling if the heated temperature is too low. During the cold rolling process, lubricants are needed to reduce the force of rolling and decrease the probability of surface defect. Generally, the cold rolling speed should be kept as low as possible, about 15-20m/min.
3rd step: Heat rolling technology
Heat rolling is an important process for materials with high hardness, such as aluminum and stainless steel. Through heat rolling, the plasticity and ductility of the materials can be improved and the products can be obtained with high accuracy. During the heat rolling process, the surface temperature of the material should be kept above the recrystallization temperature of the material. When the temperature is too high, it is easy to cause overheating and cracks.
4th step: Precision finishing technology
Precision finishing is the final process for small-size billet to obtain qualified products. After precision finishing, the accuracy of the small-size billet can be improved and deformed nodes can be eliminated. Precision finishing technology of small-size billet generally includes grinding, boring, polishing and so on. According to the size and precision requirements of the workpiece, the machinist should select reasonable process parameters.
In summary, there are several steps to finish the rolling small-size billet with precision. Selection of suitable rolling technology is the first step, followed by cold rolling and heat rolling technology, and precision finishing is the last step. The entire process must be strictly controlled in order to ensure the quality of the small-size billet.