If you follow these ‘rules’, your sheet will probably come out
straight, even on a small mill…:-)…:
-
Mark one end of the piece to be rolled. If it is an ingot or
sheet, best to mark by a file mark or saw mark so it won’t get
erased. ALWAYS put the marked end in first so the piece is always
being rolled in the same direction!!! (Only)After annealing, you can
change the direction of the roll. -
Anneal often.
-
Take small bites.
-
After rolling through, flip the piece over and roll a second time
on the same bite! Make sure the marked end still leads! The second
time through straightens out any curving. -
The same side should not be facing up every time the bite is
reduced! -
A summary of 4 plus 5: Decrease bite; roll thru with side A up;
roll thru again but with side B up; decrease bite; roll thru with
side B up; roll through again but with side A up; decrease bite;
roll through with side A up; etc. ALWAYS put the marked end through
first!
If you follow these rules, any curving should get flattened out as
you go along. Waving is a pile-up of curving. you should never get
to that stage. Also note that bigger mills have a flat table on the
exit end where the sheet comes out of the rolls. This of course
helps considerably in keeping sheet flat.
Hope this helps.
Janet in Jerusalem