Physical Modelling of the Ball-Rolling Processes

The objective of the article was to present the state of the problem of physical modelling of the hot-working processes with plasticine as the model material. It was stated that the aforementioned method can prove helpful in analyzing complex plastic forming processes such as cross rolling and helical rolling of balls. In order to confirm this hypothesis, an attempt at forming steel balls with diameters of 40 mm (cross rolling) and 57 mm (helical rolling) under laboratory conditions was made. Further on, these processes were conducted in model form using special model rolling mills and 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) tools. The comparison of the test results regarding shape and manufacturing accuracy, as well as force parameters, confirmed the validity of using physical modelling in the investigation of the process of cross rolling and helical rolling of balls.