Researches on the ring stiffness condition in radial-axial ring rolling

The radial-axial ring rolling technology is used mainly to manufacture large rings in many industrial fields. During rolling process the ring may be collapsed or deformed unexpectedly under the pressure of guide roll, and in this case the ring is wasted. To prevent ring collapsing is necessary for smooth rolling. On the basis of rolling theory, the forces exerted to ring in radial-axial ring rolling process were analyzed, and the stiffness model of ring was proposed. The stiffness condition was derived and the influencing factors of ring stiffness condition were explained. The ring stiffness condition in radial-axial ring rolling is related to the factors of ring size, rolling ratio, position angel of guide roll, rolls sizes, position of cones, radial and axial feed speed and friction condition. The effect laws of some factors on ring stiffness condition were revealed by FEM simulation. The stiffness condition can be used as a rule of design and manufacturing for radial-axial ring rolling. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.