Measurement of Radial-Axial Rolled Rings by Using Image Processing and Thermography

Abstract

Radial-axial ring rolling is a hot forming technology to produce seamless rings, which are used in several industrial sectors, such as gear manufacturing, aviation and aerospace as well as transportation and energy. The use of allowances in the industrial production of these rings via radial-axial ring rolling is still very common to ensure that the rings’ final dimensions are reliably inside the given tolerances. Rolling a ring with allowances causes a lot of additional costs, for example purchasing and processing of the extra material.To enable ring manufacturers to reduce allowances for periodical ring errands, a rating of rings directly after the rolling process is benefical. In this paper the approach using image processing and thermography to detect the outer diameter and the surface temperature of the rolled ring to allow for a rating will be presented.