Rolling of flat and T-shaped profiled wires by the satellite mill

The authors have developed a new type rolling mill named the satellite mill. The mill comprises one large diameter roll (central roll) and five smaller diameter rolls (satellite rolls) arranged along a circumference of the central roll. Material is passed continuously through the five gaps between the central roll and the satellite rolls and deformed into a profiled cross section. Since all rolls are driven at the same roll speed, longitudinal compressive stress is produced between stands during rolling. The elongation is greatly suppressed. The mill has been applied to the production of round-edged flat wires and two kinds of T-shaped profiled wires from round circular wires. The obtained rolling characteristics and product properties are compared with those by a conventional rolling method. It is shown that the transverse metal flow is enhanced and the filling ability to the roll groove is excellent in satellite-mill rolling. The effect is more apparent in rolling of T-shaped wire having thinner ribs. It is supposed that the satellite mill is favorable for profiled wire production.