There are two common types of machine designs for plate rolls:

• Some machines use RECTILINEAR GUIDES to position the forming rolls in a linear fashion to the exact location required for forming.
• Other machines use PLANETARY SWING GUIDES to position the forming rolls along an arc to the required location for forming.

Which is better?

• In the Rectilinear Guide design, the rolling forces are transmitted through the hydraulic cylinders into the machine frame and foundation. There are few wear parts, leading to a long service life, consistent rolled parts, and low maintenance.
• The long bearing surface of Bertsch’s Rectilinear Guide design makes the Bertsch design even more robust than others who use this technology.
• Planetary Swing Guides place a torsional load on the frame during rolling, introducing the possibility of twisting the forming roll. The excessive number of wear parts (pins and bearings) creates higher maintenance, and more opportunities for creating inaccurate rolled parts due to worn components. While Planetary Swing Guides are less expensive to produce, the design is not as robust as the Rectilinear Guide design.

Bertsch – built for rolling heavy plate.