In metalworking, rolling is a metal forming process in which metal stock is passed through one or more pairs of rolls to reduce the thickness and to make the thickness uniform. The concept is similar to the rolling of dough. Rolling is classified according to the temperature of the metal rolled.
All modern rolling mills have to be able to remove the rolls quickly, especially the work rolls. The work rolls wear and get damaged from time to time.
Many plastics and rubbers are made on a rolling mill. This is sometimes referred to as a calendar mill. Many plastics used in automotive brake pads are rolled on a rolling mill. There are many types of plastics that are rolled, such as polyurethane and polypropylene.
Six-high rolling mills are the similar to 4-high rolling mills however, they have work rolls, intermediate rolls, and back up rolls. Refer to Drawings (right), which shows a 6-high reversing mill for rolling light gauge steel.
