title = "Rolling Operations: Hot and Cold Rolling"

content = """
Rolling is one of the most widely used metal forming processes at Ridgecrest Metalworks, used to reduce the cross-sectional area of metal stock and produce flat sheets, plates, bars, rods, and structural shapes. The process involves passing metal between two or more rotating rolls that compress and elongate the workpiece.

Hot rolling is performed above the metal's recrystallization temperature, typically above 1700°F (927°C) for steel. At these temperatures, the metal is more ductile and requires less force to deform. Hot rolling is used to produce large reductions in thickness and to break down the as-cast microstructure of ingots into wrought products. The resulting surface has a characteristic blue-gray scale from oxidation, which must be removed by pickling or shot blasting before further processing. Dimensional tolerances from hot rolling are broader than cold rolling due to thermal expansion variability.

Cold rolling is performed at or near room temperature, below the recrystallization temperature. The metal work-hardens during cold rolling, improving tensile strength, hardness, and surface finish. Cold-rolled products have tighter dimensional tolerances and a smoother, brighter surface compared to hot-rolled material. Annealing between cold rolling passes is often necessary to restore ductility when large total reductions are required.

Key rolling parameters include roll gap (draft per pass), roll speed, rolling force, and lubrication. Draft per pass must be controlled to avoid surface cracking, especially in cold rolling where ductility is limited. Roll speed affects productivity and surface finish. Rolling force is monitored to protect equipment and ensure uniform reductions.

At Ridgecrest, tandem rolling mills pass the workpiece through multiple roll stands in sequence, achieving large total reductions efficiently. Reversing mills pass the workpiece back and forth through a single stand, useful for smaller production runs. Roll alignment, roll crown (slight convexity ground into rolls to compensate for deflection under load), and roll cooling are critical maintenance items. Operators must monitor for roll wear, surface defects such as laps and seams, and edge cracking. Mill logs must record pass schedules, roll changes, and any deviations from standard procedure.
"""

version = "0.0.1"
