Rolling apparatus

Abstract

A rolling apparatus has a frame and first and second roller mounted in the frame, rotatable about respective first and second axes, forming a nip through which a workpiece passes in a direction of travel, and each having a radially outwardly directed rolling surface that bears radially on the workpiece. The first roller has an axially directed first guide face that bears axially on the workpiece in the nip. A positioning assembly axially positions the first roller relative to the second roller. A shaping die is positioned axially downstream of the nip in the direction and receives the workpiece after it passes through the nip.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A rolling apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   first and second roller mounted in the frame, rotatable about respective first and second axes, forming a nip through which a workpiece passes in a direction of travel, and each having a radially outwardly directed rolling surface that bears radially on the workpiece, the first roller having an axially directed first guide face that bears axially on the workpiece;   a first positioning assembly for axially positioning the first roller relative to the second roller; and   a shaping die positioned axially downstream of the nip in the direction and receiving the workpiece after passing through the nip.   
     
     
         2 . The rolling apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second roller has an axially directed second guide face engaging the workpiece and axially confronting the first guide face. 
     
     
         3 . The rolling apparatus defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second positioning assembly for axially positioning the first roller relative to the first roller.   
     
     
         4 . The rolling apparatus defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 respective first and second shafts on which the rollers are carried, the first positioning assembly including a removable first spacer braced axially between the first roller and the first shaft and of a predetermined axial dimension.   
     
     
         5 . The rolling apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the positioning assembly includes a nut threaded on the first shaft and rotatable to steplessly axially position the first roller. 
     
     
         6 . The rolling apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein a core of the workpiece is in a partially liquid state when entering the roller nip. 
     
     
         7 . The rolling apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece is made of a magnesium and/or an aluminum alloy.