Investigation of Slip Occurrence in the Ring Rolling Process

Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 36, 20-618, Lublin, Poland

^a Corresponding author: a.gontarz@pollub.pl

Abstract

Ring rolling is a hot forming process for producing rings that have large diameters when compared to their cross sections. This process is very dynamic and involves considerable variations in ring shape and size. One of the failure modes in ring rolling processes is slip that occurs when a thickness reduction, exceeds the limit value. The thickness reduction depends on the tool speed and dimensions as well as ring size, and varies over time. This paper reports results of a study investigating the thickness reduction with respect to slip occurrence. In terms of wall thickness reduction, the process can be divided into three distinct stages (excluding the sizing stage): (i) initial stage corresponding to the first revolution of the roll, (ii) main stage, when the proper ring rolling takes place, (iii) final stage, when the main roll does not move in an axial direction but the ring is being formed during one revolution of the tool. It has been found that the most slip-prone moment is the end of the second and the beginning of the third stage of the ring rolling process, when the wall thickness reduction is the highest. Based on a comparison of the calculated thickness reduction and its limit values, it could be predicted whether slip would occur, and if so – in what stage of the rolling process. Numerical results and experimental findings are in good agreement.