Plate Rollers
Plate rolling machines use large shafts, called rolls to squeeze materials to the desired thickness, flatness, and tolerances needed. Plate rolling is an extremely dynamic fabrication process because it involves multiple forces and directions of inertia as the forming is happening. It takes the right combination of equipment and operator talent for the type of materials and finished products being manufactured to be profitable in plate rolling.
Metal Fabrication with Plate Rollers
Plate rolling machines use large shafts, called rolls to squeeze materials to the desired thickness, flatness, and tolerances needed. Plate rolling is an extremely dynamic fabrication process because it involves multiple forces and directions of inertia as the forming is happening. It takes the right combination of equipment and operator talent for the type of materials and finished products being manufactured to be profitable in plate rolling.
Key Considerations when Selecting Plate Rolling Equipment
Material Type to be Formed
The plate roller size is determined by material properties, including yield, tensile strength, width, thickness, and diameter (or radius) of the part that is being made. Metals with high yield or products with tight diameters require more pressure to form. Plate rollers for sale should specify the thickness, tolerance, and minimum and maximum widths possible.
Crowning Managing Deflection on Plate Rollers
There is always some deviation from the plane where the roller contacts the material. This is called deflection. The amount of deflection is greatest at the center, so crowning is used to adjust the rollers and correct the materials deviation from the plane. Usually, optimal crowning is 75% of a plate rolling machines thickness capacity. So, a machine with a 1 rolling capacity will form .75 thick cylinders but would deform .25 material.
Common Types of Plater Rollers for Sale
Plate rollers are available in countless configurations. Manufacturers like Davi, Heller and Webb engineer plate rollers to the customer specifications. Keep in mind that part-handling options often make or break the profitability and safety of plate rollers and should be considered with every purchase.
- Four-roll plate rollers: Fast, accurate bends since the plate is held in place by the top and bottom rollers while the side rolls move vertically to create the bend. Plates are loaded horizontally at the feed level, allowing for roller tables to feed material.
- Three-roll, variable geometry plate rollers: Good for medium to thick-plate bending. Requires plates to be tilted down as they are fed. Can be double-pinch which does not require operator to remove, flip and square the plate a 2nd time after pre-bending (which is necessary with three-roll, initial pinch rollers.)