Working principle of vertical ring rolling machine

The vertical ring rolling machine is a specialized equipment for manufacturing ring forgings through local plastic deformation. Its core process is based on the principle of metal rolling, and it achieves the expansion of the ring blank, wall reduction, and forming through the coordinated action of multiple rollers. The following are its detailed working principles and key features:

1. Basic workflow

Blank heating: The annular blank (such as a hollow ring) is heated to a temperature above the recrystallization temperature (typically 900°C to 1200°C) to reduce the deformation resistance.

Loading positioning: The heated billet is placed on the driven roller (core roller), and the driving roller is pressed down by the hydraulic system to contact the billet.

Rolling deformation:

The driving roller rotates and applies radial pressure, causing the billet to rotate under the action of friction, resulting in a reduction in wall thickness and an increase in diameter (as the metal extends in the tangential direction).

The guide roller is closely attached to the outer edge of the billet to ensure rotational stability and correct ovality.

Size control: When the outer diameter of the billet contacts the signal roller (control roller), the active roller is triggered to return, completing the rolling cycle.

2. Key institutions and movements

Active roller: Driven by a motor, it provides rotational power and radial feeding force.

Driven roller: Passively rotates, supports the billet and guides the deformation.

Guide roller: maintain the stability of the geometric center of the billet and prevent deviation.

Control roller: detect the outer diameter size and trigger the return signal.

3. Process characteristics

Dynamic deformation control: It is necessary to precisely adjust the rolling ratio (diameter expansion rate) and the amount of pressure per revolution to ensure stable biting of the billet.

Multidisciplinary coupling: involving plastic mechanics, thermodynamics, and kinematics, with complex and dynamically changing deformation zone boundaries.

Material advantage: The metal fibers are continuously distributed, and the strength is increased by 20% to 30% compared to free forging.