Pass schedule design to inhibit surface cracks generation on workpiece in groove rolling process

Abstract

We simulated the roughing train of the rod mill of SEAH BESTEEL Inc. using finite element method to inhibit surface cracks initiation on workpiece. We designed 2nd pass (square roll) and applied to this roll in the roughing train of the rod mill. Also, we proposed new pass schedule, which changed roll gap of 3rd and 4th groove by using finite element method. We used shear damage model, which is dependent on shear stress ratio and compared the number of damaged elements on workpiece. A damaged element means surface crack. Consequently, after 2nd pass (square roll) is changed, the error rate decreased by 1.43% when compare to that of the old groove. And the number of damaged elements in the new pass schedule decreased by 37.6%, which is less than present pass schedule. © 2010 The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers.