Spinningrolling

Spinningrolling is a metal forming process that merges principles of metal spinning and rolling to produce hollow, axisymmetric components. In this method, the workpiece is held on a mandrel and rotated at high speed while rollers or forming tools apply axial and radial pressure along the surface. The technique aims to combine the near-net shaping capability of spinning with the deformation control of rolling to improve surface finish, wall uniformity, and mechanical properties.

Development of spinningrolling emerged in the late 2000s and early 2010s within industrial research environments in Europe and Asia. Engineers sought to reduce manufacturing steps for seamless shells and housings by integrating forming actions, and the term reflects the hybrid character of the process. While still considered specialized, spinningrolling has attracted attention for its potential to streamline production of thin-walled, axisymmetric parts.

Process steps typically begin with a suitable blank, such as a solid disk or preform, mounted on a mandrel. The workpiece is then rotated while a set of rollers traverses the surface, applying controlled pressure to shape the outer profile and manage wall thickness. Lubrication and cooling are used as needed, and post-forming operations may include trimming, heat treatment, and surface finishing. Process parameters—speed, roller path, contact pressure, and temperature—are interdependent and tailored to the material.

Materials commonly used include aluminum alloys (such as 6061 or 2024), copper, stainless steel, and titanium. Feature sizes range from a few tens to several hundred millimeters in diameter, with wall thicknesses typically in the 0.3 to 5 mm range. Geometry is generally axisymmetric, which constrains applicability but simplifies control and simulation.

Applications span aerospace enclosures, pressure vessels, and certain consumer-electronics housings. As a specialized technique, spinningrolling continues to evolve with advances in modeling, tool design, and process control to broaden its practical use.