Rolling Mill

The place where the metal forming process occur that reducing the metal work piece thickness into
desired dimension from its initial thickness, in which the work roll, rotating in opposite directions, and
then draw the work piece (strip or plate) to be rolled into the roll gap and force it through the exit,
causing the required reduction of the thickness. This process will be affect the mechanical properties
of the metal work piece related to the basic physical metallurgical aspect, such as the dislocation
phenomena in the crystal structure so that induced the strain hardening phenomena (increasing the
hardness property).

There are six types of rolling mill, which are consist of :

1. Two High Rolling Mill

Pic 1. Scheme of the Two High Rolling Mill

It contains two heavy rolls fixed one over the other. The rolls are supported in bearing housed in
sturdy upright frames (called stands) which are grouted to the rolling mill floor. The vertical gap
between the roll is adjustable. The rolls rotate in opposite directions and are driven by  electrical
motors. The direction of rotation of rolls cannot be changed, therefore the work has to be fed into
rolls from one direction only. If rolling requires more than one ‘pass’ in the same set of rolls, the
material will have to be brought back to the same side after the first pass.

2. Three High Rolling Mill

Pic 2. Scheme of the Three High Rolling Mill

It consists of three rolls positioned directly over one another as shown in the figure below. The
direction of rotation of the first and second rolls are opposite as in the case of two high mills. The
direction of rotation (path) of second and third rolls is always opposite to each other. Always all three
rolls rotate in their bearings in the same direction. The advantages of this will mill is that work
material can be fed in one direction between the first and second roll and the return pass can be
provided in between the second and third rolls. This results in the transport of material from one side
of rolls to the other.

3. Four High Rolling Mill

Pic 3. Scheme of the Four High Rolling Mill

The mill has four horizontal rolls, two smaller diameters and two much larger. The larger rolls are
called backup rolls. The smaller rolls are the working rolls, but if they would be thicker in the centre
and thinner at either end. Backup rolls hold the working rolls and restrict deflection when the
material is being rolled. The usual products of these mills are hot and cold plates and sheets.
4. Cluster Rolling Mill

Pic 4. Scheme of the Cluster Rolling Mill

It consists of two small diameter working rolls and four or more backing rolls. The larger number of
backup rolls provided becomes necessary as the backup rolls cannot exceed the diameter of working
rolls by more than 2-3 times.

5. Planetary Rolling Mill

Pic 5. Scheme of the Planetary Rolling Mill

A large backup roller is surrounded by a number of planetary working rollers as shown in the figure.
Each planetary roll gives a continuous reduction. It is employed to reduce large thicknesses in a single
pass of a steel strip. Its rolling capacity is higher than cluster machine but less than a tandem rolling
machine.

6. Tendem or Continuous Rolling Mill

Pic 6. Scheme of the Continuous Rolling Mill

It includes several two high rolling mills (non-reversing), thus the work piece can pass through the all
machine and also this type has an appropriate efficiency for the high production capacity.

Parameters that related to the Rolling Mill are consist of :