Armpro Slip rolling machine

1.What is Slip Rolling Machine?

A slip roller, also known as a slip rolling machine or sheet metal roller is the equipment widely used in the metal fabrication industry. As its name suggests, the slip rolling machine bends and rolls the sheet metal.

Slip Roller Machine

Since the sheet metal itself is comprised of different shapes, sizes, and qualities. So, it all comes down to an effective device or equipment that could roll or bend the sheet of any given specification. Slip roller is deemed a versatile device to serve the purpose.

The working principle of the device is as simple as the machine itself. The rollers exert hydraulic pressure or mechanical force to roll, cut, or bend the sheet metal. Slip roller creates arc-shaped, round, conical, oval, cylindrical, and cut-out sheet metal pieces. The shape or form of the final piece depends on the dimensions of sheet metal as well as the specifications of the machine.

The slip rolling machine comes in a multi-rollers design to enable its usage for sheet metal of varying dimensions. The conical or cylindrical-shaped bent sheet metal finds its large usage in the commercial industry and household applications.

The slip rolling machines come in several models and variants depending on the set parameters such as the number of rollers, yield limit & rolling speed, diameters of upper & lower rollers, thickness & width of the rolling plate, and motor power, etc.

2. What are the Types of Slip Rolling Machines?

As it was established in the previous section, slip rolling machines are featured in a variety of types based on the number of rolls. They’re usually categorized into 3 main types:

• Manual Slip Rolling Machine
• Electric Slip Rolling Machine
• Hydraulic Slip Rolling Machine

Following is a brief discussion on each of its types:

Manual Slip Rolling Machine

Manual Slip Roller Machine

This type of slip roller, as obvious from its name, is a completely manual device needing maximum human labor and workforce. The more superior variants; namely, Electric and Hydraulic slip rollers are replacing manual ones rapidly.

Various industries and international factories are preferring better versions of the slip rollers since the manual version is never rendered ideal for heavy-duty tasks and large-scale production. Still, the manual slip roller has its own unique aspects & advantages.

Here’s a quick analysis of the features and limitations of a manual slip roller machine:

Working and Features:

• Most of the manual slip rolling machines come with multiple thickness/radius adjustment pins and crank handle.
• The manual slip rolling machine constitutes a rigid (upper) roller and an elastic/flexible lower roller.
• Although the operation is completely manual, the machine is relatively simple and easy to operate.
• This roller can accommodate a maximum of 18 ga capacity for aluminum sheet metal while 20 ga capacity for mild steel. Evidently, the manual rolling machine is used for small-scale production of relatively lighter and thinner sheet metals.
• The machine turns the steel and aluminum sheet metals into round and conical shapes.

Limitations:

It is termed historic in most of the industries & factories as it no longer complies with the existing standards of sheet metal bending and rolling process. Neither does this type of machine conform to the current requirements for the production of plate & slip rollers.

Electric Slip Rolling Machine

Electric Slip Rolling Machine

The electric machine is a more versatile and compact variant. It is equally cost-effective, convenient in operation & maintenance, and shows the least structural complexity.

Here’s a quick analysis of the working, features, and limitations of the electric slip roller machine:

Working and Features:

• Powered by up to 230V 1HP electric motor, the upper roller in this type remains fixed while the lower ones are moveable or rotatable.
• The electric slip is highly durable with a sturdy and rugged frame design to mold heavy materials.
• The maximum capacity differs with the models but it typically remains between 16 ga and 20 ga for mild steel. The sheet metal of low carbon steel remains the perfect material to be rolled more efficiently.
• The electric slip roller is deemed ideal for the round, cylindrical, conical, and arc-shaped bending of the material. It is widely used as a metal forming and molding device for home appliances such as the central HVAC system

Limitations:

Although the machine has several automated features, requirements for technical personnel and trained staff are high for convenient & efficient operation of the machine.

Hydraulic Slip Rolling Machine

Hydraulic Slip Rolling Machine

The hydraulic slip roller typically comes in a 3-rolls configuration and works at moderate temperature. The machine features maximum automated controls for convenient operation.

Here’s a quick analysis of the working, features, and limitations of the electric slip roller machine:

Working and Features:

• The hydraulic slip rolling machine is deemed ideal for a plethora of shapes such as arc, circular, oval, cylindrical, conical, U-shaped, and multi-R type shapes.
• The device uses the hydraulic system/motor to rotate or drive the upper roller, while lower rollers are driven by solid friction force induced by the upper roller and feed/sheet metal plate.
• The upper roller features vertical motion by the hydraulic motor and horizontal motion by the mechanical motor.
• The machine comes in several variants that provide excellent flexibility in terms of the sheet metal width and specifications. Its different models can accommodate the plate of thickness from 4mm to 16mm while it provides bending width from 2500mm to 4000mm.

Limitations

Oil spilling might be an issue in hydraulic slip rollers, but the latest variants come with a safe, secure, and enclosed structure for prevention from spilling. Such a sophisticated structure has enabled it to have a minimal failure rate and a high degree of reliability.

3. What are the Features and Advantages of the Slip Rolling Machine?

Slip rolling machines has various types depending on their configuration and power & driving system that enables the machine to possess incredible advantages.

Following are some technical features of slip rollers that contribute to the upcoming remarkable advantages of the equipment:

Features of Slip Rolling Machine

Technical Features

• Precision ground rolls for high accuracy and efficient functioning.
• Rugged and rough-hewn materials incorporated in the manufacturing of the machine with quick-release roll on the top and robust steel gears.
• Long screws enable increased adjustability for rolls; these screws enable precision adjustment for all upper & lower rolls.
• Automated setting up system for repeatability.
• Strong, heavy cast, and sturdy frame comprised of different alloys of steel and iron.

Advantages

• The heavy-duty electric-powered slip rollers can roll large and sturdy sheet metals into conical pieces. They remain ideal for large-scale production of metal cut-outs across various industries.
• Automation is one major feature that electric and hydraulic-driven machines come with. The modern slip rollers feature automatic feeding and discharging that reduces the workload and human labor.
• An appropriate adjustment between all three rollers, a sheet metal plate can be rolled into any given radius, although greater than that of the top roller.
• The high degree of precision and accuracy via efficient working is yet another major advantage that comes from its pre-bending and rolling function.
• The modern hydraulic machines have permanent lubrication technology nullifying the need to add oil within its service life.
• Highly scalable and adjustable, owing to its diverse methods of rolling and multiple thickness adjustment pins.
• The varying sizes and shapes of the machine ensure their flexible uses for the sheet metals of any given width, thickness, and gauge capacity.
• The latest versions of slip rolling machines feature touch screen display and CNC numerical control system alongside PLC for convenient operation.

4. What is Slip Rolling Machine Composed of?

As is established in the previous sections, the slip rolling machine has a variety of types with each one of its models having a unique set of parts. Below, we’ve listed out all the major components put together to assemble a slip rolling machine:

Slip Rolling Machine

• Rollers
• Machine Frame & Base
• Turning & Balancing Device
• Moment Device
• Main Drive
• Working/Control System

Rollers

A 3-roll slip machine has these rollers:

Spin Rollers

• Top & Bottom Rollers: Upper roller is the most significant part made of steel alloy 42CrMo; while the bottom roller is made of carbon steel of the finest quality. Both the rolls have bearings and gears. The central oil cylinder is present in the upper roller. The rollers follow HB 230-290 parameters of quenching & tempering.
• Third Roller: The third roller works as a supporting roller. Made of high-quality steel, this roller supports the bottom one and plays an effective role in providing maximum precision in rolling the sheet metal.

Machine Base & Frame

Base and Frame-Photo Credit: plateroller

The frame is typically made of sturdy material and constitutes the shaft, side plate, and body of the machine itself. As for the base, it is a welded “box-like” structure and is equally strong & sturdy since the frame, side plate, shaft, and motor are all assembled on the base.

Turning & Balancing Device

The turning device, assembled on the frame-side, controls the axial direction of the roller and ensures the smooth ousting of the workpiece. Whereas, balancing device includes a supporting plate and a rod. The balancing device also helps in the precise ousting of the workpiece by providing balance to the upper roller.

Movement Device

The movement device mainly drives the rollers and is comprised of a screw rod, gear, and reducer. The device is powered by a motor and realizes the pre-bending through the horizontal motion of the upper roller.

Main Drive

The main drive system provides torque to the lower roller for rotation and includes the main motor, gear, bearing, and reducer.

Working & Control System

Working

The working/control system of the machine is either manual or mechanical or hydraulic.

• Manual: The manual working system features a crank handle for hand operation. Such a system provides lesser efficiency and precision as compared to the numerical control system.
• Mechanical: The mechanical system employs high-powered for mechanical transmission and is around for many years in the industries. However, it shows power fluctuations, and thus is being replaced by a worthy alternate, the hydraulic system.
• Hydraulic System: Such a system controls the entirety of the machine’s functioning movements via Hydraulic transmission. The system includes an oil cylinder, valves (solenoid and pipeline), and a pump station.

5. What are the Applications of the Slip Rolling Machine?

The rolling function of a slip roller primarily turns sheet metal into various forms. Therefore, the device is found applicable in several small and large industries across the globe.

Following is the list of the industries, sectors, and areas that employ the deformation operation of the slip rolling machines:

• Military and Defense: The aerospace & aircraft sector, in the production of both military and non-military equipment, employs heavy-duty slip roller machines.

In Military

• Household Applications: The deformed or rolled steelworks as a major component in the central HVAC system in the household as well as in other home appliances.
• Shipyards and Truck Containers
• Earth Moving Heavy Duty Machines
• Heat Exchangers and Boilers
• Energy Industry and Wind Towers
• Pressure Vessels

In Household

6. How does Slip Rolling Machine Work?

The working procedure of a slip rolling machine is pretty simple. The machine is designed on the basic principle of rolling, bending, and cutting. For a 3-roll slip machine, the plain concept of rotational motion and position change alongside exertion of hydraulic pressure or external mechanical force upon the main and supportive rollers is exploited for plate deformation.

The procedure is divided into two basic parts, i.e., motion and rolling:

Motion

The main motion and auxiliary motion carry out the basic processing task. The main motion refers to the rotation of both the rollers while the auxiliary motion is all about lifting and overturning the top roller. The hydraulic pressure or mechanical force moves the upper roller while the lower two rollers are moved by the friction force produced between the main roller and sheet metal plate.

Rolling

Rolling

A pre-bending process is implied before the final rolling because a length at either side of the plate doesn’t bend. Chances of misalignment are always there if one fails to keep the plate parallel/in-line with the roller. The curved or rolled workpiece is then loaded on the roller again for correction to ensure maximum uniformity and smoothness.

7. Manual or Electric Slip Rolling Machine, Which One is Right for Your Workshop?

Much has been said about the capabilities, features, and advantages of electric & manual rolling machines. The previous sections fully explain the working and limitations of manual and electric slip rolling machines. Here’s a quick summary of the previous discussions in this regard.

As evident from its name, manual slip rolling machine has a little-to-know involvement of automation. This hand-operated device via crank handle uses mechanical transmission. The precision, in such a case, can’t be guaranteed. This is the reason the device is never rendered good for large-scale production and heavy-duty tasks.

Electric Slip Rolling Machine

On the contrary, the electric slip roller features a 230V 1HP motor with a sophisticated design and sturdy rollers to withstand heavy sheet metal plates. The machine features several automated features with a CNC numerical control system to achieve a high degree of precision followed by proper workpiece correction protocols.

Evidently, the electric slip roller should be your preference anytime over the old-school manual slip rolling machines which, the factories and heavy industries are phasing out rapidly.

8. How to Make your Slip Rolling Machine Productive and Effective?

For increased productivity and efficacy, the following is the brief working procedure:

Considerations Before the Operation

• Imply strict technical protocols prior to operation. The operation must be carried out under the supervision of a trained professional.
• Wear the required work clothes and protection kit to avoid any unforeseen accidents.
• Examine the machine parts thoroughly and adjust the rollers precisely in accordance with the sheet metal’s thickness.
• You’re ought to keep the range of the device in line with the plate specifications. Plate dimensions exceeding the range of the machine might turn disastrous for everything involved in the process.

Considerations During the Operation

Operating Slip Rolling Machine

• Stabilize the plate and turn on the machine upon the signal from the expert personnel.
• Keep in mind, the front knobs are for tension adjustments, while the back knobs are for radius adjustment.
• Make sure your clothes, hands, or any other stuff apart from the metal plate is safe from entering the rollers.
• If you want to readjust or figure out the dimensions, never do it without switching off the machine.
• In case of violent vibrations or sounds, switch off the machine immediately and inspect each of its parts separately.

9. How to Maintain a Slip Rolling Machine?

Following are some maintenance considerations when operating a slip rolling machine:

Maintenance of Slip Rolling  Machine

• Wipe the machine down after each operation to remove dust and do away with the possible oil spilling.
• You may treat the unpainted steel and iron components with non-sticky lubricant. Make sure the lubricant you use is implied in the appropriate locations.
• Look for the shabby and worn-out parts of the machine and have them replaced.
• Disintegrate the electric parts/components of the machine and have them checked regularly. Make sure the electric system, during the operation, is grounded.
• Proper lubrication of the adjustment screws, gears, and roller bushing after each work shift is all-important if you’re to reduce power consumption and increase machine efficiency.
• Slider bearings between the rollers, the gears within the main drive system, and roller bushings are the main components requiring regular lubrication.
• For the proper maintenance, it is prudent to seek assistance from expert management personnel.

10. What are Slip Rolling Machine’s Safety Operating Regulations?

The safety operation regulations are mostly covered in the previous two sections. Here are some further takeaways specifically ensuring security during the entire process:

Operating Machine

• Familiarize yourself completely with the machine components, working, and structure.
• You need to keep the range, specifications, and accommodation capacity of the machine in mind the whole time.
• The heavy-duty operations with the hydraulic and electric slip rollers should be approved by management personnel beforehand.
• Such operations require a team of workers for convenient working; the team must be supervised by an experienced professional.
• Wear safety glasses, helmet, and work clothes. Your casual dress or loose clothing might get driven into the rollers triggering a hazardous situation.
• Make the workshop childproof and never stack the needless or irrelevant stuff around the machinery.
• Avoid placing the hands on the plate while it enters the rollers. Also, designate a specified area to place the workpiece. Don’t pile them up onto each other ruthlessly.

11. What is “Automatic Feeding Technology” in Slip Rolling Machine Automation?

The latest rolling machines are one step ahead of the manual slack-handle hand-operated slip rollers. Automatic feeding technology, being one of the major automation features of modern slip rollers, minimize the effort of manual feeding.

Automation

The equipment in this technology involves plate conveying, auxiliary mechanism, actuator, and plate trolley. The trolley assembles and places the sheet metal piece to be rolled while the actuator is responsible for conveying/moving the piece on the trolley towards the rollers. The automatic center aligner makes the edges of the plate meet the outer-round part of the roller, providing maximum precision in the rolling process.

Owing to its remarkable benefits in terms of flexibility and stability, all the modern variants of slip rollers feature automatic feeding technology – be it mechanical power transmission, electric power supply, or hydraulically powered machines.

12. What Key Factors You Must Know Before Buying a Slip Rolling Machine?

Choosing the best slip rolling machine requires a deep understanding of the machine as well as your own requirements. We’ve made the entire concept easier for you. Here’s how to choose the ideal slip roller for your workshop:

Slip Rolling Machine

. Identify Your Needs & Requirements

Figure out these parameters beforehand:

• The type of plate material you’re going to roll, bend or cut alongside its dimensions (width and thickness).
• The shape you intend to convert the sheet metal into, the size, the diameter, thickness, and level of precision.
• Mention any additional requirements (if you have them) separately to the manufacturers for proper recommendation.

. Go for the Best Suppliers in Town

It’s an all-important step to opt for the ideal manufacturers of the slip rolling machine. Discussing the details about the machine is a prudent way to dissect the most professional brand. Here’s what to discuss with your potential supplier of the machine:

• Quality of the Machine

Prioritize quality over everything else. You can gauge the quality of the machine with the following parameters:

Quality

• Strength and sturdiness of the frame
• Speed and operational stability
• Failure rate and reliability
• Rolling accuracy
• Workpiece shape & thickness precision
• Application scope
• Brand of reducer, motor, and other constituents of the device
• Machine appearance
• Repair rate and maintenance requirements
• Resale value

• Services & Price

The price of a good slip rolling machine would certainly be high since excellent quality is all about high pricing. Still, we recommend exploring various suppliers throughout the market. Make on-site visits. The more you dissect the details from different manufacturers, the easier it becomes to judge their quality-to-price ratio. Set the standards according to your needs, list out the most fitting machine models, and choose the most cost-efficient one among them.

As for the services, the supplier you’re going for must provide pre-sale and after-sale services. Ensure that they’re well equipped with the details of the machine and address your needs and concerns. Ask for the warranty, maintenance & basic training services, and make sure they come up with quality assurance.

. Get to Know the Basics of the Machine

It involves every little detail about the basics of the machine, from its structure & composition, working & operation, to its type, maintenance considerations, and safety precautions. Know if you want to go for an electric or hydraulic powered slip roller. Understand which variant is well-suited for the material of your sheet metal.

Our guide, as you have read in the previous sections, has covered all the relevant details thoroughly. Having read these basics would certainly help you make an excellent choice of the best slip roller for your workshop.

13. What are Common Problems and Solutions of Slip Rolling Machine?

Following are some key insights into trouble-shooting of the slip rolling machine:

Flattened by Wrong Plate

• The machine might cause trouble with the shapes, such as making a conical workpiece when intended to create a cylindrical one. This happens due to unparalleled rollers. You can make adjustments to the real roller via knobs and ensure the rollers are parallel.
• Crease formation is yet another possible malfunctioning of the roller. If such is the case, you might have applied immense pressure somewhere on the plate. Reduce the pressure and radius of the plate. Also, make several corrections to get a uniform result.

If the machine fails to roll the sheet metal, look for the material of the plate and rolling dimensions. Make sure they’re in line with the machine specifications. Also, it might happen due to the disengagement of the bottom roller, so inspect the rollers as well.