RING ROLLING FROM METAL BLANKS

A method of rolling a ring from a metal blank comprises mounting the blank (2) on a mandrel (4) between two forming rolls (6) located on opposite sides of the mandrel axis. A pair of lower growth control rolls (12) are located below and with their axes parallel to and on opposite sides of the mandrel axis (8), and a pair of upper growth control rolls (16) are arranged above and with their axes parallel and on opposite sides of the mandrel axis (8). The spacing between the pair of upper growth control rolls is different from that between the pair of lower growth control rolls. As the ring is rolled, both the forming rolls and the growth control rolls are engaged with it. In a modification of the method, the upper growth control rolls are replaced by a single roll (20) with its axis disposed directly over the mandrel axis.