Roll manufacturing, or metal rolling, is a process that involves passing metal through a pair of rolls to reduce its size and create uniform thickness. The process can also be repeated as many times as necessary for the metal to achieve the desired dimensions. Though roll manufacturing is common practice for machine shop workers today, it also has a rich history that dates back centuries.

The History of Roll Manufacturing

Leonardo da Vinci has long been credited with inventing one of the first rolling mills used for this type of manufacturing. While it’s true that he did produce drawings of such a mill during the Renaissance, people have since found archaeological evidence that rolling was used by earlier civilizations. Specifically, ancient South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures used roll manufacturing and mill technology as early as 600 BCE.

Early rolling mills, combined with da Vinci’s drawings, spread throughout Europe and Great Britain throughout the 17^th and 18^th centuries and was refined to produce everything from iron and tin plates to decorative gold filigree. During the 19^th and 20^th centuries, machine shops evolved to use steam power and electric motors to increase their speed and capacity.

Roll Manufacturing Today

If you walk into a machine shop that uses roll manufacturing today, you’ll find more advanced equipment, but the basic concept remains the same. Instead of relying on manpower and a manual crank, today’s machines are powered by electricity and have more moving parts. They work much faster and can produce a significantly larger volume of metal goods. The capacity and improved precision also result in higher quality materials with more accurate dimensions and durable surfaces. The metal is then used to produce automotive parts, construction equipment, and industrial components.

If you’re looking for a machine shop to help with your metal forming needs, contact R. A. Heller Co. in Cincinnati, OH. The machining company provides hard chrome plating and precision grinding services to businesses throughout the region. Since 1946, the shop has held itself to the highest standards when producing industrial equipment. They also have access to a state-of-the-art facility and advanced equipment, so they can complete jobs efficiently. To request information on any of the machine shop’s services, contact the team online or call (513) 771-6100.