This study relates to an innovative method for forming rail car axles by skew rolling in a CNC 3-roll mill. The rolling mill was constructed at the Lublin University of Technology. The use of this machine makes it possible to produce elongated axisymmetric parts that are up to 55 mm in diameter and up to 1000 mm in length. Experimental rolling tests are performed (in 1:5 scale) using this machine. Two types of axles are analysed: one manufactured in accordance with North American standards (AAR Class E) and one manufactured in compliance with European standards (BA302). Diameters of produced axles have a dimensional accuracy of ± 0.4 mm. Produced axles are free from internal cracks, and their surface defects (shallow helical grooves) can easily be removed by machining. The major shortcoming of the proposed method is the presence of chucking allowance. To eliminate this allowance, it is proposed that the forming process should be performed in two operations: rolling extrusion and skew rolling. Results of a numerical analysis were performed using the Simufact.Forming program confirms that rail car axles can be formed by the proposed method.

Abstract:The paper describes a new method for forming a crankshaft preform. The method is based on the skew rolling technique. With this method the part is formed by three tapered rolls rotated with the same velocity and in the same direction. Simultaneously, the rolls either converge or diverge depending on the desired cross section of the product. The numerical modeling enabled determination of the distributions of effective strains, temperatures, and damage function according to the Cockroft -Latham criterion, as well as variations in the loads and torques during rolling. The results confirm that a crankshaft preform can be formed by the proposed skew rolling method.

The paper addresses the problem of material fracture in cross rolling processes. A new test based on rotary compression for determining limit values of the damage function after the Cockroft-Latham criterion is proposed. A FEM analysis is performed to determine the stress and strain states in a workpiece subjected to this test. The numerical results demonstrate that the axial region of the workpiece is characterized by the presence of alternating tensile and compressive stresses conducive to fracture. The distribution of the Cockroft-Latham integral in the axial region of the workpiece is determined.

Ductile fracture is one of the most common failure modes in hot metal forming. It can be predicted by means of so-called damage functions that describe the relation between stress, deformation and fracture initiation. A practical use of these functions requires the knowledge of the critical damage value of the material that is determined by calibration tests based on compression, tension and torsion. For the prediction to be correct, one must ensure that the modelled and real stresses are in agreement. Previous studies did not offer any effective test for determining critical values of damage under changing load conditions that occur in cross and skew rolling processes, among others. To compensate for this knowledge gap, researchers at the Lublin University of Technology have developed a new test consisting in rotary compression of a test-piece in a cavity between the tools, which is described in this paper. In the proposed test, a cylindrical test-piece is rolled over a cavity (impression) created by grooves on two mating tools. The cavity height is smaller than the test-piece diameter. At the critical value of the forming length, the state of stress induced thereby in the test-piece axis causes fracture. Knowing the critical forming length, it is possible to determine the critical value of damage by numerical modelling. The practical application of the proposed test is illustrated through the case of C45 grade steel subjected to forming in the temperature range 950-1150°C. The analysis makes use of the normalized Cockcroft-Latham (NCL) criterion of ductile fracture.

The article presents an innovative method of manufacturing hollow rail axles using three combined wedge rolls. The proposed solution was evaluated using numerical simulation. Two cases of forming, differing in the wall thickness of the billet, were analysed. The geometry of the formed axles, distributions of the effective strain, temperature and damage function were presented. Moreover, the changes to the forces and torques acting on each roll were presented.

This paper presents results of plastometric tests for plasticine, used as material for physical modelling of metal forming processes. The test was conducted by means of compressing by flat dies of cylindrical billets at various temperatures. The aim of the conducted research was comparison of yield stresses and course of material flow curves. Tests were made for plasticine in black and white colour. On the basis of the obtained experimental results, the influence of forming parameters change on flow curves course was determined. Sensitivity of yield stresses change in function of material deformation, caused by forging temperature change within the scope of 0 ∘ C ÷ 20 ∘ C and differentiation of strain rate forε = 0.563;ε = 0.0563;ε = 0.0056s −1 , was evaluated. Experimental curves obtained in compression test were described by constitutive equations. On the basis of the obtained results the function which most favourably describes flow curves was chosen.

Results of a study investigating a skew rolling process for elongated axisymmetric parts are presented. Despite the fact that the skew rolling technique for producing such parts was developed and implemented in the mid-twentieth century, there are no studies on this problem. The first part of this paper presents the results of FEM modelling of skew rolling stepped axles and shafts (solid and hollow). The FEM analysis was performed using the MSC Simufact Forming software. The numerical simulation involved the determination of metal flow patterns, the analysis of thermal parameters of the material during rolling, and the prediction of cracking by the Cockcroft-Latham ductile fracture criterion. Force parameters of rolling solid and hollow parts were also determined. The aim of the FEM analysis was to determine initial design assumptions and parameters for the development of the skew rolling mill. Later on in the paper, a design solution of a CNC skew rolling mill for rolling parts based on their envelope profile is proposed. FEM strength test results of a mill stand, obtained with MSC. NASTRAN, are presented. Finally, the performance test results of the constructed rolling mill are presented. The experiments involved rolling real stepped shafts that were modelled numerically. Obtained results show that the proposed skew rolling method has considerable potential. The designed and constructed rolling mill can be used to perform the rolling process according to the proposed method, with the tool and material kinematics being controlled based on the set parameters of a workpiece envelope.

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