Cold rolling processes to functionalize semi-finished products

Sheets, strips and profiles are semi finished products, which are widely used for structural lightweight components in transport systems, civil engineering and machine building. During the last years various rolling processes have been investigated and partly been introduced to industrial applications, which enable to manufacture geometrically tailored products. The so called "Flexible Rolling" process is used to roll sheets with product specific thickness changes in rolling direction to produce sheet metal part,. with load-optimized thickness distribution. Thickness changes in width direction of thin strips can be produced by Strip Profile Rolling using modified roll forming equipment. Riblet surface structures similar to shark skin can be rolled directly into aluminum sheet using a new roll structuring technique. The actual status of these processes and their application is presented.