PRODUCT REVIEWS
By
Faccin Group
Plate rolling machines are among the most versatile in the metalforming industry . They can be used to bend and shape metal into various forms ( including cylindrical and conical ), used to manufacture parts and components in a large variety of sectors and designed to maximise RoI ( return on investment ) to the fabrication workshop .
“ Choosing the right partner is key to a successful operation . Machines must be built with the best materials and components , where special attention to the machine structure is key . This will not just prevent malfunctions but also reduce any machine downtime to the minimum ,” explained Italian rollforming specialist , the Faccin Group .
Plate rolling in focus
PLATE BENDING TECHNOLOGY
Two , three or four rolls
Plate bending equipment features rolls to bend metal . There are three types , based on the number of rolls : two- , three- or fourroll plate rolling machines . Plate bending machines can also be classified based on their technology and guide equipment .
“ The pyramid-type plate rolls , with three or four rolls , are divided into two separate categories for cost and performance : bending rolls with planetary guides and bending rolls with linear guides . The planetary guides offer lower cost and linear guides are preferred because they guarantee shorter distance between the bending rolls and , therefore , real rolling precision ,” continued the Faccin Group .
“ The four-roll plate bending machines , with linear or planetary guides , guarantee greater productivity and are easier to use as well as being the only ones that can effectively be automated with numeric controls . Fourroll plate rolls are widely used for mass
Faccin three-roll plate bending technology for the oil and gas sector .
production , high volumes and repetitive production in an automatic cycle . They are rapid and precise , and are normally used in a variety of industries to produce wind towers , truck tanks , HVAC components etc .,” it added .
“ The three-roll machines are instead preferred for their versatility and flexibility , and are divided into two categories : three-roll pyramidal plate rolls as previously stated ( with linear or planetary guides ) and threeroll plate rolls with variable geometry . The three-roll machines are ideal for versatile and flexible production , including the production of cones . They are normally used to manufacture pressure vessels , heat exchangers , pipelines etc .,” the manufacturer told ISMR .
The two-roll plate bending rolls are suitable for large batch production of thin-sheet metal products (< 0.2 ’’/< 5mm ).
Technical features
As with any other metal bending machine , the technical feature that most characterises bending accuracy is the minimum possible distance between bending points . In a press brake , this is the ‘ V width ’. In a plate bending roll , this is the distance between the rolls . In short , the closer the lateral rolls ’ approach to the central axis of the machine , the more precise the rolling .
“ For instance , as in a press brake , rolling accuracy means being able to concentrate the bending force on one small portion of sheet metal to obtain pre-bending with minimal flat or to optimise the final calibration quality in a longitudinal welded area ,” outlined the Faccin Group .
“ This feature makes the three-roll variable geometry machine the preferred choice of