Interchangeable Rolling Disc Assembly for Longer Tool Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rolling machines have a low service life and high maintenance costs due to the complex production of rolling tool profiles by grinding, leading to frequent replacements of rolling discs or entire machines.

Innovation Solution

A rolling tool and process featuring a roller disc package with a main disc and an interchangeable alternating disc, where the alternating disc performs the majority of the forming work and can be easily exchanged when worn, reducing material waste and extending tool life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the rolling tool profiles are produced by grinding, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost and service life are worsened due to complex production processes and frequent replacements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling tool profile precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling tool is divided into a main disk and an interchangeable disk that can be separately manufactured and replaced. The interchangeable disk contains the profiled rolling surface that contacts the workpiece, while the main disk provides structural support. This segmentation allows the expensive profiled surface to be manufactured once on a master tool and then replicated on multiple interchangeable disks, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interchangeable disk is designed to be replaceable when worn, allowing the valuable profiled geometry to be preserved on the main disk while only the consumable portion is discarded and replaced. This extends the service life of the rolling tool assembly and reduces the frequency of complete tool replacements, addressing the service life issue mentioned in the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the interchangeable disc performs the majority of forming work, then the service life of the main disc is extended, but the complexity of the rolling tool assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of rolling toolVSAvoidrolling tool assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling tool is segmented into a main disk and an interchangeable disk mounted on its front side. The interchangeable disk is specifically designed to perform the majority of the forming work on the workpiece, while the main disk provides structural support and mounting functionality. This clear functional segmentation extends the service life of the expensive main disk while keeping the overall assembly relatively simple through standardized mounting interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If round rolling tools are used to apply profile to workpiece, then the productivity is improved, but the pressure on workpiece becomes excessively high leading to cracking and distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling process efficiencyVSAvoidworkpiece cracking and distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The interchangeable disk is designed with a specific profile geometry that distributes the rolling pressure more evenly across the workpiece surface. The profile includes a gradual transition zone that reduces stress concentration at the entry point, and the disk geometry is optimized to apply force distributed over a larger contact area, preventing excessive localized pressure that causes cracking and distortion while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution extends the service life of rolling tools, reduces material waste, and lowers maintenance costs by allowing the interchangeable disc to be replaced without replacing the entire machine, while maintaining efficient rolling processes for both short and long workpieces.

Implementation Method 1

a rolling disk assembly (14) having at least one main disk (24) and an interchangeable disk (26) releasably and non-rotatably attached thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The interchangeable disk (26) is positioned upstream of the main disk (24) with respect to a working direction (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

When the rolling tool is operated in the rolling machine, the interchangeable disk (26) first encounters the workpiece (4) and is primarily subjected to this stress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

a rolling tool for rolling a profile, in particular a spline on a workpiece, and a corresponding method therefor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasticity: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4100186B1Rolling tool and method for rolling a profile
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 PROFIROLL TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP4100186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4100186B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4100186B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a rolling tool (10) for rolling a profile, in particular a spline toothing on a workpiece using a rolling disc packet, comprising at least one main disc (24) and an exchangeable disc (26) secured thereon. According to the invention, the exchangeable disc (26) has a phase (40) or a profile depression (42) in the working direction (8). The invention also relates to a method for rolling a profile, in particular a spline toothing on a workpiece.