What is Steel Plate Rolling?
Steel plate rolling is a metal forming technique used to bend steel plates or other shapes into a near-closed cylindrical form. This method is widely utilized in mechanical engineering, forging, and stamping industries.
Difference between Plate Rolling and Press Braking
Steel plate rolling and bending differ in process, equipment, and applications.
- Rolling bends plates into cylindrical or conical shapes using rolling machines, ideal for making pipes and tanks.
- Bending uses press brakes to form flat or simple curved shapes, like boxes and covers.
Rolling is for cylindrical parts; bending is for flat or simple curved parts.
Why Choose ATIMEI for Your Steel Plate Rolling Needs?
At ATIMEI, we specialize in complex heavy plate rolling, forming large parts for various applications such as agricultural equipment, rotary drum equipment, pressure vessels, and truck trailer bodies. Our expertise in steel plate rolling ensures high precision and quality.
Our Plate Rolling Capabilities
Our heavy-duty plate rolling machines can roll steel plates up to 4200mm wide and 130mm thick (cold plates).
- Low Carbon Steel (e.g., Q235): Thickness usually below 20mm; maximum rolling diameter can exceed 6 meters.
- Medium Carbon Steel (e.g., Q345): Thickness generally between 20-40mm; maximum rolling diameter is 4-5 meters.
- High Carbon Steel (e.g., Q420): Thickness above 40mm; maximum rolling diameter is typically 3-4 meters.
Shapes We Can Roll
- Cones or Conical Segments
- Cylinders
- Rings
- Structural Shapes
- Ellipses
- Square to Round Transitions
- Oval or Oblong Shapes
- Helical Shapes
- U-Through Shapes
- Multiple Radius with Tangents
- Reducing Fittings
- Spirals
Steel Plate Rolling Service
Material Preparation
Selecting suitable steel plates and ensuring their quality meet the requirements. For ultra-thick steel plates, high-strength materials are chosen to ensure stability and durability after processing.
Designing the Rolling Process
Designing a suitable process plan based on the desired rolled dimensions and shapes. This includes determining the rolling radius, angle, and whether heating or cooling treatment is needed.
Choosing the Bending Radius
The bending radius is a crucial parameter in the steel plate rolling process, determining the extent and shape of the bend. The radius is chosen based on the plate thickness, material type, and desired bend angle.
Heating and Cooling Treatment
To enhance plasticity and reduce deformation resistance, heating treatment may be applied. Heating makes the steel plate softer and easier to bend, reducing stress from bending. After heating, rapid cooling is necessary to maintain the shape and dimensional accuracy.
Equipment Preparation and Adjustment
Before rolling, check and adjust the equipment. This includes lubricating, ensuring normal operation of transmission parts, and adjusting the distance between rollers as needed. The clamping force must be suitable for the plate thickness and material to maintain stability during rolling.
Rolling Process
The primary forming process, which can be done in one or multiple passes. For ultra-thick plates, multiple passes are often required. The number of passes depends on process and equipment limitations, such as slippage conditions and power constraints.
Straightening
After rolling, straightening ensures uniform curvature and high product quality. This step may be necessary to enhance precision and appearance.
Key Points In The Heavy Plate Rolling Process
- Material Selection
- Preheating
- Pre-bending and Bending Control
- Cooling
- Rolling
- Welding and Heat Treatment
Material Selection
Choosing the right material is crucial for steel plate rolling. Different materials have varied physical and mechanical properties that affect the rolling process. For example, low carbon steel and high carbon steel have different bending performances, and alloy steel may oxidize and become brittle when heated.
Preheating
Due to the high hardness of ultra-thick steel plates, preheating may be required to enhance plasticity, making bending easier.
Pre-bending and Bending Control
Pre-bending, performed before rolling, helps reduce material waste and improve forming accuracy. The pre-bend residual straight edge should be ≤1.5 times the plate thickness.
Cooling
Post pre-bending, cooling is necessary to fix the shape and reduce internal stress. The curvature and shape of the pre-bent steel plate must be checked to ensure compliance with requirements.
Heavy Rolling Process
Pre-bent steel plates can then be rolled into cylinders, resulting in smoother rolling and higher final product precision and quality.
Welding and Heat Treatment
After rolling, the cylinder seams are welded and necessary post-treatments, such as heat treatment and non-destructive testing, are performed to ensure the cylinder’s overall performance.
Industrial Applications of Plate Rolling
Steel plate rolling technology is used to manufacture various industrial products such as fans, bridge templates, chemical equipment, cable racks, mining explosion-proof switches, and centrifuges.
Learn more about our metal fabrication services for industrial applications...
Petrochemical Industry
In the petrochemical sector, steel plate rolling is extensively used to construct pressure vessels and storage facilities, such as natural gas tanks, compressed air manifolds, reactors, and heat exchangers.
Food and Pharmaceutical Industry
Steel plate rolling is crucial for producing pipes and fittings used to transport raw materials, water, and steam in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Equipment like grinders, mixers, cutters, and formers also use rolled steel components.
Road and Bridge Industry
Bridge decks often use rolled steel plates. Many modern bridges with steel frame structures utilize rolled steel plates for beams and columns. Highway guardrail systems may also use rolled steel plates for enhanced durability and safety.
Shipbuilding Industry
Ship interiors, bulkheads, and chamber structures may use rolled steel plates to increase structural strength. Rolled steel plates are a primary component in the construction of large ships and oil tankers, providing the necessary strength and durability for deck structures.
