The SMS group has received an order for a radial-axial ring rolling machine of type RAW 500/400-4500/800 EH. This was ordered by the Japanese forging company Ohmi Press Works & Forging. This is now the sixth ring rolling machine supplied by SMS group to Ohmi.
This capacity expansion at the Shigaraki plant will enable Ohmi to supply larger and heavier rings for a wide range of applications in the automotive, shipbuilding, aerospace, engineering, oil & gas and wind power industries. The new RAW can roll seamless rings with diameters up to 4,500 millimeters and up to a maximum height of 800 millimeters. The ring rolling machine is scheduled to start operation in May 2024.
"We decided in favor of the SMS group because we are convinced that it supplies the best technology on the market. We rely on SMS as a system supplier that not only supplies the plant but has also supported us with technical service for many years," explains Hiroyuki Sakamoto, President of Ohmi Press Works and Forging.
New more efficient drive concept
The RAW EH features an innovative electrohydraulic direct drive concept: depending on the application, energy consumption is reduced by up to 25 to 50 percent compared to conventional ring rolling machines. This drive concept, developed and patented by SMS, thus controls the ring rolling machine even more precisely and energy-efficiently. Instead of a large central hydraulic system, several small electrohydraulic drives are used for all rolling axes, providing the required energy as needed (power on demand).
With the electrohydraulic drive concept, the machine and foundation piping is reduced, in contrast to conventional fully hydraulic ring rolling machines, resulting in significantly lower investment costs.
"The trust Ohmi has placed in our machines and technologies spurs us on to expand our commitment to sustainable and effective cooperation. We are confident that our many years of experience and our commitment to developing advanced technologies will help to consolidate Ohmi's position as one of the leading manufacturers of ring rolling products," says Martin Gellhaus, Head of Ring & Wheel Rolling Technical Sales at SMS group.
Technical details
The ring rolling machine ordered has a radial rolling force of 5,000 kN and an axial rolling force of 4,000 kN. The SMS group scope of supply includes all machine components including the rolling tools and a comprehensive software and technology package.
The RAW is supplied with the CARWIN (Computer Aided Rolling under Windows) control software and the ROLLTECH Rings and ROLLTECH Profiles technology software. CARWIN checks the target data for the ring to be produced and controls the automatic rolling process together with the CNC control of the ring rolling machine. The ROLLTECH technology package can be used to simulate the ring rolling process and generate specific process parameters. For this purpose, the finished ring geometry and the material are entered.
The technologies used reliably ensure tight manufacturing tolerances and enable reproducible rolling results. High machine availability is also ensured by the quick tool changes and remote tool settings.
