The working principle and performance analysis of the rolling ring machine

The ring rolling machine is primarily used to process high-quality seamless ring parts and possesses several excellent processing characteristics. Based on the theories and processes of ring rolling, we analyze the factors influencing the quality of ring rolling and the trends in ring rolling technology.

Ring rolling, also referred to as annular rolling, ring expansion, hole expansion, or rolling ring, is a plastic processing technique that facilitates continuous local plastic deformation of the ring part with the aid of a ring rolling machine. The machine, also termed rolling ring machine, ring rolling mill, or hole enlarger, allows the ring part to have smaller wall thickness, larger diameter, and forming cross-sectional profile. This process is suitable for the production of various shapes and sizes of ring-shaped mechanical parts, such as bearing rings, gear rings, flanges, wheel hubs, thin-walled cylindrical parts, wind power flanges, high-neck flanges, and other types of seamless ring forgings. Ring parts are widely used in numerous industrial fields such as machinery, automobiles, trains, ships, petrochemicals, aviation, aerospace, nuclear energy, wind power, etc. The materials of the ring parts are usually carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, titanium alloy, copper alloy, aluminum alloy, cobalt alloy, nickel-based alloy, high-temperature alloy, etc.

Process Characteristics:

1. Small equipment tonnage and large processing range. The forming process of ring rolling is an accumulation of continuous small deformations under local pressure, and the contact area between the workpiece and the die is small. Therefore, the required deformation force is small, resulting in small equipment tonnage.
2. High material utilization. The cross-sectional shape of the rolled ring is closer to the finished product, with a small processing margin.
3. High product quality. The metal fibers of the rolled ring are continuously distributed along the circumferential direction, which adapts to the force and wear during the use of the parts. In most cases, the internal organization of the rolled ring is compact, the grains are small, and the comprehensive mechanical properties are significantly higher than ring parts processed by other methods.
4. Good working conditions and high productivity. Ring rolling is similar to static pressure rolling, with very little impact and vibration, low noise, easy operation, and a high degree of mechanization and automation. The labor intensity of the workers is greatly reduced.
5. Low production cost. Compared with free forging, the consumption of material and energy is low, the comprehensive production cost is low, and it has good economic benefits.
6. The largest vertical ring mill in China is D5Y-1000F, which can reach a maximum external diameter of 1500mm. It is developed and manufactured by Wuxi Daqiao Bearing Machinery.