Plate Rolling Machines

Plate rolling machines in the KNUTH sheet metal range

A plate rolling machine, also called a bending roll, rolls flat sheet or light plate between several rolls into a cylinder, a cone or an open curve. The process is called roll bending or plate rolling. The plate passes through the rolls several times and the radius is tightened step by step. That is how tubes, boiler shells, vessel bodies and curved components are made without a seam around the circumference.

Three-roll technology: how roll bending works

KNUTH plate rolling machines work with three rolls. Two driven rolls feed the plate, while the third roll sets the radius by how far it presses in. The roll drive is motorised, so the plate runs through evenly and the curve stays repeatable over the full length.

• Pre-bending: the leading edge is bent before rolling, so no flat remnant is left at the end.
• Symmetric and asymmetric: on a symmetric build the rolls sit evenly, while with asymmetric adjustment tighter radii and pre-bending are easier to reach.

Which sheets and materials can be rolled?

The usual sheet and plate materials of fabrication can be rolled: mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper and zinc. The range runs from thin sheet through to heavier plate and flat bar. Plate thickness and working width decide the machine choice. The thicker the plate and the wider the sheet, the larger the machine has to be.

Industries in South Africa and the region

Plate rolling machines are used wherever round or curved shapes are made from sheet and plate. Typical work and sectors include:

• Vessel, tank and boiler building, including pressure-vessel work
• Steel and metal construction and metal structures
• Cladding, ducting and formed sheet in mining, oil and gas and heavy engineering
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• Roofing, plumbing and architectural and facade parts
• Series production and agricultural equipment

Technical features and machine sizes

KNUTH supplies motorised three-roll plate rolling machines in several sizes. Smaller builds suit the workshop and roll thin sheet, while wider machines handle greater working widths and heavier plate. The exact figures for working width and plate thickness are given with each machine on the product cards above.

Why KNUTH as your plate rolling machine supplier

KNUTH has supplied machine tools since 1923 and acts as a supplier, not a machine builder. Series are selected and given a documented inspection to European testing standards before despatch, with the documentation available on request. You get advice on the right working width, plate capacity and equipment rather than a bare catalogue choice, plus tooling and accessories from one source. The regional base at Germiston near Johannesburg looks after the market with sales, technical advice and parts. Pricing follows working width, thickness class and tooling, so every plate rolling machine is quoted on its own. For the wider sheet metal range, see the sheet metal processing category.

Service, spare parts and delivery

Commissioning, servicing and repairs run through local service partners, with parts supply and technical backing from Germany behind them. A ten year spare parts supply commitment applies company wide. Availability and delivery time for a particular plate rolling machine are given on request, and pricing for a machine is given on request. Reach us through the contact page for pricing, availability or a recommendation on machine size.

Further Machine Categories at a Glance

Explore the wider KNUTH machine range here. Choose a category to view the individual machines and their technical data.