Seamless Rolled Ring Forgings & Heavy Machining
Seamless rolled ring forgings offer superior structural integrity compared to castings or plate-cut rings. Because the forging process aligns the continuous grain flow of the metal to the shape of the ring, it delivers unparalleled strength, fatigue resistance, and durability—making it the mandatory choice for critical industrial machinery.
At Openex, we utilize our massive Vertical Turning Lathes (VTLs) and 5-axis machining centers to turn, mill, and drill exceptionally large ring forgings. We process rings up to 8 meters (315 inches) in diameter for demanding applications in wind energy, heavy gearboxes, aerospace, and power generation.
Ring Machining & Processing Specifications
We machine seamless rolled rings from rough forged states down to extremely tight final tolerances. Below are our general facility capacities:
| Maximum Outer Diameter (OD) | Up to 8,000 mm (8 Meters) |
|---|---|
| Maximum Face Height | Up to 3,000 mm |
| Materials Processed | Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel (4140, 4340), Stainless Steel, Titanium, and Nickel-based superalloys. |
| Machining Operations | Rough turning, finish vertical turning, 5-axis milling, precise bolt-hole circle drilling. |
| Quality & Inspection | Large-scale CMM, Ultrasonic Testing (UT) for internal voids, Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI). |
Our Work: Large Flanges
The Ring Processing Lifecycle
Starting with a high-quality billet, the metal is heated and "upset" to increase diameter, then pierced to create a hollow center before entering the ring rolling mill.
To achieve the desired mechanical properties and relieve forging stresses, the rings undergo controlled normalizing, quenching, and tempering in our massive industrial furnaces.
The rough forgings are mounted on our heavy-duty Vertical Turning Lathes (VTLs) where excess material is removed, bringing the ring down to its final, tight-tolerance dimensions.
Because ring forgings are used in critical applications like turbine slewing bearings, we conduct rigorous UT and MPI testing to guarantee zero internal or surface defects.