The Diverse Applications of Universal Plate Rolling Machines

Three-roll plate rolling machines can be categorized by control mechanism: fixed-point control, NC digital display control, and CNC numerical control.

Three-roll plate rolling machines can be categorized by transmission: mechanical and hydraulic; and by drive mechanism: fully driven and partially driven.

Three-roll plate rolling machines can be categorized by structure: vertical and horizontal.

Three-roll plate rolling machines can be categorized by function: those with pre-bending and those without.

Those with pre-bending capabilities include: asymmetrical three-roll plate rolling machines, top-roll universal three-roll plate rolling machines, horizontally adjustable three-roll plate rolling machines, curved-roll adjustable three-roll plate rolling machines, and inclined-roll adjustable three-roll plate rolling machines. These are mostly used for rolling plates with a thickness of 3 mm or less.

Top-roll universal three-roll plate rolling machines are mostly used for rolling plates with a thickness of 3 mm or less. This structure is an outdated Japanese model; the two lower rolls are fixed in position, while the upper roll can move up, down, left, and right. Introduced to Nantong in the 1990s, this type of machine is low-cost, features pre-bending capabilities, and is widely used.

The horizontally adjustable three-roll plate rolling machine is mostly used for rolling plates thicker than 30mm. Also a Japanese model, it was introduced to Changzhi Forging Press in the 1980s. The two lower rolls move horizontally as a whole, while the upper roll moves vertically. This model is stable and suitable for pre-bending and rolling medium-thick plates. At the beginning of this century, Changzhi Juxing Forging Press introduced an Italian model based on this design, where the two lower rolls can move horizontally individually. This structure is mostly three-roll fully driven. Some manufacturers also produce machines with two lower rolls driven and the upper roll passive.

The curved downward adjustable three-roll plate rolling machine is a Swedish model, introduced to Changzhi in the 1990s, suitable for pre-bending and rolling medium-thin plates. In this model, the upper roll is fixed in position, while the lower rolls move individually along a curved trajectory towards the upper roll. It has a small straight edge during pre-bending, flexible operation, no idle stroke, and high efficiency. The drive is a three-roll fully driven system.

The inclined downward-adjustable three-roll plate bending machine is a French model, introduced by Changzhi Juxing Forging and Pressing Company at the beginning of this century. This model is a replacement for the four-roll machine. The upper roll is fixed in position, while the two lower rolls move linearly along the guide groove towards the upper roll. This model offers accurate operation and higher precision than the curved downward-adjustable type. It produces a smaller pre-bent straight edge. The center distance between the two lower rolls is variable. It has a wider rolling range and easily achieves small-diameter rolling. It also features full three-roll drive, preventing slippage during rolling. It offers high cost-effectiveness for medium and heavy plates.

Machines without pre-bending are generally symmetrical upward-adjustable three-roll plate bending machines or vertical downward-adjustable three-roll plate bending machines.

The symmetrical upward-adjustable three-roll plate bending machine has a simple structure; the upper roll moves up and down, while the lower rolls remain fixed. Generally, the lower rolls are mechanically driven, while the upper roll is passive. The upper roll's lifting can be driven by a worm gear or a hydraulic cylinder. The two lower rolls may have a single drive system or separate roll drives.

In a vertically adjustable three-roll plate bending machine, the upper roll is fixed while the lower roll moves vertically as a whole. This type of machine is typically used for plates with a thickness of 3 mm or less.