At Scot Forge, we produce seamless rolled rings using an open die forging method or our ring rolling mill. Forged seamless rings are incredibly durable and reliable because they have inherent, circumferential grain structures and no weldments, eliminating weak points. Our seamless ring rolling mill is also a more cost-effective forging process than other methods because less starting stock is required to manufacture the ring. As a result, there is less material to machine away from the end product, another added benefit. When combined with a ring expander, ring rolling generates exceptionally round and durable ring products in any forgeable material.
Seamless Ring Rolling Process
The seamless rolled ring forging process starts with heating a pre-cut billet, then the malleable metal is placed on a hammer or press. The ring shape begins with a centerpiece "snapped" from the pre-form to produce a hollow center, similar to a donut, and moved to the ring mill. Once on the ring mill, the center of the part supported by a mandril and rollers apply pressure from different angles to gradually expand the ring. Rings made on a press are placed on a pin, supported by a saddle, then rotated as force is applied to expand the opening. Both techniques create circumferential grain flow creating the desired dimensions of the forged ring.
This is our high-tonnage Wagner ring mill and ring stretcher in action! The Wagner allows us to produce:
- Straight rolled rings
- Contoured rolled rings
The additional processing on our custom-engineered ring stretcher/sizer helps to minimize stock allowances, improve concentricity and cold-work aluminum rings.