Numerical analysis of the skew rolling process for main shafts

The paper discusses a new technique of skew rolling with three tapered rolls and its application to the production of long main shafts of steel that are used in light trucks. First, the design of this forming technique is described. Then the paper stresses the universality of this process, as the skew rolling technique enables forming various products using one set of rolls. The reported numerical results (workpiece shape change during rolling, maps of effective strains and temperatures as well as loads and torques) confirm that the discussed technique is suitable for producing long shafts