PRODUCT REVIEWS
Heavy plate roller for shipyard
Shipbuilding is a sector where steel must obey strength and precision simultaneously. Rolling ultra-thick, high-strength plates with accuracy is a critical step that ultimately defines structural integrity downstream. The GEMAK Group of Companies has strengthened this capability with a fully customised FACCIN three-roll Variable Axis plate-rolling solution.
“ Engineered specifically for marine applications and designed to handle extreme thicknesses with tight tolerances, this solution ensures seamless integration with welding and assembly processes— further consolidating GEMAK’ s position in the maritime industry,” explained Italian rollbending specialist, FACCIN.
The Gemak Group of Companies is a leading player in shipbuilding, ship repair and conversion, offshore projects and heavy steel fabrication, serving global customers through its modern production facilities in Turkey. The Faccin Group has over 17,000 installed machines for rolling, bending and forming metal( Faccin, Roundo and Boldrini brands). For the shipbuilding industry, Faccin offers a range of advanced technologies, including three-roll bending machines specifically engineered for shipyards, plate straightening machines, frame benders and 3D forming portal presses.
Turning requirements into capability
The FACCIN three-roll Variable Axis plate-rolling solution at Gemak.
A GEMAK shipyard.
Gemak’ s requirements were clear:
■ Expanding capacity for rolling heavy plates used in large offshore and marine structures.
■ Achieving superior pre-bending quality to minimize welding corrections and rework.
■ Ensuring process stability and productivity across complex, one-off and small-batch shipyard projects.
“ In short, this was not about adding capacity. It was about raising the bar,” FACCIN told ISMR.“ Meeting these requirements meant going beyond a standard machine. Gemak was looking for a plate-rolling solution capable of combining maximum power, flexibility and precision without compromise.”
Following an extensive technical evaluation, the choice fell on the FACCIN Heavy Duty Variable Axis( HAV) plate-rolling machine, installed at Gemak’ s Altınova Shipyard in Turkey. Gemak’ s engineeringdriven approach aligned with FACCIN’ s philosophy, a shared mindset that was the foundation of the partnership.
“ Engineered for extreme plate thicknesses and the most demanding forming applications, the HAV model delivers the level of performance required for advanced shipbuilding and offshore fabrication,” continued FACCIN.
“ Key characteristics of the solution, specifically designed for shipbuilding, include variable axis geometry with independent movement of the rolls, enabling excellent pre-bending performance even on very thick plates. Exceptional rigidity and rolling force ensure accuracy in roundness tolerance across the full plate length. Advanced control systems allow precise and repeatable forming, fully aligned with shipyard production workflows. It offers excellent performance in cone rolling, even under extreme operating conditions. A modern energy-efficient hydraulic system, with load-sensing control, enables maintenance
42 | ismr. net | ISMR June 2026