Plate Rolling Machines

What is a plate rolling machine?

A plate rolling machine rolls flat sheet or 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 metalwork 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.

Applications and industries

Plate rolling machines are used wherever round or curved shapes are made from sheet and plate:

• Vessel, tank and boiler building, including pressure-vessel work
• Steel and metal construction and metal structures
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• Locksmithing, roofing and plumbing
• Architecture and facade parts
• Series production and agricultural engineering

Machine sizes and equipment

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 in the product cards above.

Why KNUTH

KNUTH has stood for machine tools for over 100 years. As a supplier we select our ranges carefully and give every plate rolling machine a documented inspection before it is shipped CE-compliant, with the declaration of conformity included in the delivery. You get tested quality at a fair price without compromising on safety. Machines are ready for despatch from our European central warehouse in Germany. For machines covering further steps, see sheet metal processing and the tube and profile rolling machines.

Service, spare parts and availability

Service runs through our own service network, with our own service engineers looking after the machines in the field. Common spare parts come from our central warehouse, and a ten year spare parts supply commitment applies. Whether a particular plate rolling machine is available and how quickly it can be delivered, we will tell you on request.

Further Machine Categories at a Glance

Here is an overview of our machine range. Select a category to learn more about individual machines and their technical data.