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How To Use Plate Rolling Machine?

How to use plate rolling machine? This is a correct and efficient user guide for plate rolling machines, based on actual workshop operating experience. It is suitable for beginners and covers the operating procedures, techniques, and common mistakes.

1. Preparations before use plate rolling machine

1) Equipment Inspection

Hydraulic oil level is normal and there are no leaks.
Electrical, emergency stop buttons, and limit switches are effective.
All roller surfaces are clean and free of welding slag and iron filings.
Rollers rotate smoothly without abnormal noises.
Operating with faults is prohibited, especially the hydraulic and synchronization systems.

2) Sheet Metal Inspection

Material Type: Carbon Steel / Stainless Steel / Aluminum Sheet

Are the actual thickness and width within the equipment’s capacity?

The sheet metal should be as straight as possible, avoiding severe warping.

Reminder:

“Maximum coil thickness ≠ Long-term stable working thickness”

It is recommended that long-term use be ≤ 80–90% of the rated capacity.

2. Standard Operating Procedure (General Steps)

How to use plate rolling machine? The following is applicable to three-roll and four-roll plate rolling machines (details may vary slightly)

Step 1: Adjust Roller Position

Adjust the lower roller/side roller to its initial position.
Set an appropriate pre-pressure amount according to the plate thickness.
Four-roll machine: The lower roller presses the plate tightly, and the side rollers pre-roll.

Principle:

First apply light pressure → then gradually increase pressure.

Step 2: Loading and Centering

Place the plate in the center, aligning it left and right.
Keep the plate edges parallel to the rollers.
For wide plates, it is recommended to have 2 people or use a hoisting system.

Inaccurate centering = skewed cylinder, flared end, rework.

Step 3: Pre-bending (Critical Quality Step)

Pre-bend one end first.
Flip the plate and pre-bend the other end.
Reduce the straight edge length and increase the roundness.

Empirical value:

The pre-bent straight edge should be controlled within 1.5 to 2 times the plate thickness.

Step 4: Final Rolling

Start the main roller rotation.
Gradually raise the side roller/upper roller. Adjust in multiple small circles to avoid pressing all at once.

Incorrect practice:

Pressing too hard all at once → Poor roundness, damaged rollers, and slippage of the sheet material

Step 5: Roundness Correction

Check roundness and diameter.
Fine-tune and rewind 1-2 turns if necessary.
Correct any tapered or off-round shapes promptly.

Step 6: Unloading

Retract the side rollers/upper rollers.
Open the flip bearing (applicable models).
Gently remove the workpiece.

Do not strike or pry the finished product!

3. 6 Practical Tips for Efficient Use Plate Rolling Machine

1) Slower Speed for Thick Plates, Steadier Speed for Thin Plates

Thick Plates: Low Speed+ Multiple Pressure Applications
Thin Plates: Anti-slip, Anti-wrinkling

2) Different Materials Require Different Treatment

Stainless Steel: High Springback → Over-coiling 3-5%
Aluminum Plates: Easily Damaged → Clean Rollers, Reduce Pressure

3) Roundness Requires "Multiple Round Corrections"

A perfect roundness isn’t achieved in one go, but through repeated fine-tuning.

4) Remember Commonly Used Parameters

It’s recommended to create a “Rolling Plate Parameter Record Sheet”:

Material
Thickness
Roller Position
Final Diameter

➡ Apply directly next time, increasing efficiency by 30%+

5) Long Plates Must Be Prevented from Deviation

Observe both ends of the plate constantly.
Stop the machine immediately and adjust if deviation is detected.

6) Batch Processing: Test Roll First

The first piece serves as a sample.
Continue production only after it passes inspection.

4. Comparison of common mistakes and consequences

Incorrect Operation	Direct Consequences
Excessive Pressure in One Operation	Poor roundness, equipment damage
No Pre-bending	Excessively long straight edges
Misalignment of Sheet Material	Cylinder skewing
Overloading	Bent rollers, hydraulic failure
Rolling Sheet with Foreign Objects	Roller surface damage

5. Safety Operating Points (Must be followed)

The following actions are strictly prohibited:

Putting hands between rollers
Correcting sheet metal while it is being rolled
Forcing excessively thick or wide sheets to be processed
Operating large sheets by one person

Recommendations:

Wear protective gloves
Familiarize yourself with the emergency stop location
Use lifting or auxiliary supports for large sheets

6. Common Operating Points for Plate Rolling Machines

1) Key Points To Use W11 Three-Roll Plate Rolling Machine

① Structure and Features (Understand before operating)

Upper roller fixed
Two lower rollers (or one moving at a time) for lifting and forming
Simple structure, low price, wide applicability
Relatively weak pre-bending capacity, slightly longer straight edges

Suitable for:

Medium-thick plates, general rolling, workpieces with less stringent requirements for straight edges

② W11 Standard Operating Points (Must Read)

Feeding must be “leveled and aligned”:

The plate must be parallel to the upper roller
The exposed length on both sides should be consistent
A slight deviation will cause the entire roll to be off-center

Pre-bending relies on “multiple light pressures”:

Light pressure at one end → Flip the plate → Light pressure again
Do not attempt to press it into place in one go
Accept a small amount of straight edges, compensate for with subsequent rounding

Common mistakes:

Large pressure at once → Poor roundness + strain on the rollers

Rolling should be done slowly:

Start at low speed
Adjust one roll at a time
Small adjustment range each time

W11 Key principles:

“Multiple turns, small pressure, slow progress”

Rounding requires “repeated rewinding”:

Turn clockwise one full turn, counterclockwise half a turn, observe the roundness and make fine adjustments.

③ W11 Usage Precautions

Not suitable for extremely short straight edges.
Not suitable for high-speed batch production of thin plates.
Suitable for thick plates, structural parts, and cylindrical components.

2) Key Points To Use W12 Four-Roll Plate Rolling Machine

① Structure and Advantages

Main drive by upper and lower rollers
Independent lifting of side rollers
Strong pre-bending capacity, extremely short straight edges
Automatic centering, high efficiency

Suitable for:

High-precision cylinders, batch production, stainless steel, thin plates

② W12 Standard Operating Points (Important)

Feeding: “Clamp first, then pre-bend”:

The lower roller first clamps the plate tightly
Confirm the plate is firmly clamped and does not slip
Then perform pre-bending with the side rollers
If the plate slips, all subsequent rolls will be wasted

Pre-bending in one step, but the pressure must be accurate:

One end pre-bending completed
Flip the plate → Pre-bend the other end
The side roller stroke is completed in one go, without repeated adjustments

Experience:

Stainless steel pre-bending amount ≈ Theoretical value + 3～5%

High efficiency in formal rolling:

Main roller rotates
Side rollers gradually rise
Continuous rolling is possible, without frequent flipping

W12 Core Advantages:

“Accurate pre-bending, fast rounding, and excellent roundness”.

Rounding is primarily achieved through “side roller fine-tuning”:

Adjust the side roller that is off-center.
Do not leave the lower roller stationary or press the upper roller too hard.

③ W12 Usage Precautions

Do not neglect clamping force.
Asynchronous operation of the two side rollers will cause a conical shape.
Always test roll one piece before mass production.

3) Quick overview of the operational differences between W11 and W12 plate rolling machines

Comparison Items	W11 Three-roller	W12 Four Rollers
Pre-bending capability	Generally	Good
Straight edge length	Relatively long	Extremely Short
Feeding difficulty	Medium	Low
Rounding efficiency	Medium	High
Operational error tolerance	Low	High
Suitable for batch production	Generally	Perfect for

7. Summary

1) Before starting the machine

Check oil level
Test emergency stop
Clean rollers (no welding slag, iron filings)

Do not start the machine without checking.

2) Loading

The plate must be straight, centered, and parallel.
The exposed length on both sides should be the same.
The edge of the plate should be parallel to the roller.
Large plates must be handled by two people or hoisted.

3) Pre-bending (most critical)

W11 (three rollers):

Light pressure → Flip the plate → Light pressure again.
Don’t strive for perfect bending in one go.
Leaving a little bit of straight edge is fine.

W12 (four rollers):

Clamp first → Pre-bend.
The lower roller must be firmly pressed.
The side rollers should press perfectly in one go.
Remember to “press a little more” for stainless steel.

4) Rolling

Start at slow speed.
Adjust one rotation at a time.
Apply small pressure.
Do not press all the way down at once.

5) Rounding: Remember this action

Rotate one full rotation clockwise → Rotate half a rotation counterclockwise → Check roundness.
If it’s not round, make minor adjustments and do another round.