Finite element analysis of the thermal bending of a chilled cast thermo roll

A previously-created roll model based on the ultrasound measurements of a chilled cast iron thermo roll of a soft calender was used to create a finite element (FE) model of the same roll. The FE analysis was used to simulate the behavior of the roll when heated and in changing operating conditions. The main interest was to study the thermal bending of the roll model. The simulated behavior was consistent with known behavior of the thermo rolls in general, and when compared to actual measurements carried out in the calender, the results of the simulation showed similar behavior between the roll model and the actual roll. The main difference was in the absolute value of the bending, but the bending directions were practically the same. These results are promising for future research to develop methods to avoid or minimize the negative effects of the thermal deformations in thermo rolls.