Numerical analysis of a skew rolling process for producing a crankshaft preform

Abstract

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, aswell 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.