Plate rolling machines are used to roll and bend metal plates to manufacture large structures such as oil tanks, ships, rockets, etc. These are complex machines and require a sheer amount of focus. 3 roll bending/rolling machines and 4 roll plate bending rolling machines are the most commonly used machines and we will discuss how to safely operate these machines.
We will focus on safety tips to help machine operators keep hazardous incidents at bay. You already know children should not come near the machine and other basic tips. So what are we going to discuss anyway?
Plate rolling machines are a major investment. Also, human life is invaluable. Thus, it becomes necessary to conduct rolling operations keeping all safety instructions in mind. It’s only natural for you to think, ‘But, what are the threats?’ So, let’s discuss that first.
Threats You May Face During Plate Rolling Process
The operation of a metal plate bending machine is complex. You cannot ignore the safety tips because, well, we don't want to seek life-threatening or near-death experiences. Even if you buy a new one after a disaster, what’s the guarantee it will keep producing for a long time unless safety tips are followed?
Here are five more solid reasons you need to follow the safety tips for operation.
Threat 1: Exposure to Hazards
Not wearing a mask or not taking care to save oneself from hazards results in health problems. It is not limited to inhaling some toxic materials, in case there are any. You may be exposed to excessive noise, airborne particles or vibrations, posing health risks over time.
Threat 2: Risk of Accidents
It is necessary to check for the ports and entrances. An operator should not allow children or people who have no knowledge of the machine near it during operation. Curiosity is great, but not while a plate rolling machine is in operation.
Also, an operator must ensure they don’t get their hands or clothing caught in moving parts of the machine. It may result in serious injuries.
Threat 3: Material Damage
Without adhering to safety precautions, it is possible that you may lead your metal plates into deformed rolling. Even a little out-of-focus operation might result in scratches, dents, and misalignments. Upon this, your repair, replacement, and post-rolling correction costs will increase.
Threat 4: Fire & Electrical Hazards
What would you do without the display in your plate bending machine? Nothing. You need to see what the settings are and what pressure and diameter you are rolling your metal plate for.
The digital display is just one example. We can only imagine the chaos electronic and electrical malfunctions would create. Improper handling of flammable materials also elevates the risk of fire accidents which endangers lives and causes serious damage to the machine.
Threat 5: Equipment Breakdown
You don’t want to put your investment at risk by putting it through excessive strain. It may lead to equipment breakdowns, catastrophic malfunctions and component failures. All these follow costly downtime due to delayed production.
Phew! We think these precautions are ample to understand why taking safety precautions is necessary. So what can you do to prevent these hazards, breakdowns, downtime, and failures?
Here’s how you can move forward swiftly with four important aspects of the safe operations of a plate rolling machine.
4 Aspects of Safety for Plate Bending Machine Operation
We will discuss four main aspects of safety. The list is curated in a way that no page is left unturned when it comes to operating your plate rolling machine.
General Safety Tips for Machine Operators
Pre-Operation Safety Tips
Safety Tips to Follow During the Rolling Process
Post-Operation Safety Tips
Let’s start with the general tips for machine operators.
Aspect 1: General Safety Tips for Machine Operators
There are 10 important safety procedures to follow in general for workshop owners. It is advisable to pay heed whenever something happens or in general when you have to operate a plate bending machine.
Provide detailed training to all employees.
Wear P.P.E (Personal Protective Equipment).
Do not wear open-toe shoes or loose-fit clothing.
Always let a trained operator work on your machine.
Keep the workplace around the machine clean and clear.
Walkways and exits should be cleaned daily.
Don’t force something into or out of the machine. It may malfunction severely.
Inspect the machine before each bending job.
Report injuries, malfunctions or servicing needs to management.
A plate-bending machine is a big investment and deserves all the attention before, after, and during the rolling job.
We are done with general safety tips, so let’s discuss some crucial tips for safety before starting the machine.
Aspect 2: Pre-rolling Safety Tips for Plate Rolling Machines
Before starting your plate bending/rolling machine, you must do five important things to conduct your rolling operation safely.
Check for abnormalities in each part of the machine.
Fasten all the screws and caps, none should be loose.
Check if the brakes are normal and reliable.
Adjust the distance of the roll relative to the thickness of the plate.
Don’t overload the machine. Workpieces need to be matching the rolling/bending capabilities of the machine.
Moving on to the matters that need to be addressed for a safe metal plate rolling operation.
Aspect 3: Safety Tips to Follow During Rolling the Metal Plates
Metal plates are expensive. You don’t want to cause the plate any deformities or uneven rolling. On top of that, they are heavy, and the operators need to be careful not to hurt themselves. Here are safety tips operators must follow during the bending process.
Make sure the machine is stable once you have adjusted the workpiece and fed it to the machine.
Don’t touch the rolled steel plate with heavy hands. Check the roundness template to measure ID of a rolled shell
If bending pressure is not enough during rolling the end of the metal plate, preserve a margin to ensure the plate doesn’t fall and hurt someone.
Never stand on your workpiece. We repeat, never!
If you’re rolling a thick cylinder off a metal plate with high material strength, lower the moving roll a little and roll it several times.
Upon the metal plate being fed to the machine, ensure your hands and clothes don’t get involved between the rolls.
If you find abnormal noise during operation, first turn off the machine. Now inspect, adjust and repair it.
The machine is to be turned off, but there is more than that to a successful rolling job ending. Let’s see what that is.
Aspect 4: Post-rolling Safety Tips for Plate Rolling Machines
Now that your rolling operation is over, there are two things you must do to turn the machine off successfully.
Turn the machine off from the switch on the display. Make sure to cut the power off from the main supply.
Place the machine in its proper place designated for stopping.
Conclusion
It is never easy to operate plate-rolling machines. But if you are going to do it, ensure your operators and workers know how to conduct themselves around the machine.
You can also print the safety tips and stick them near the machine for the operator and workers to follow. Maintenance of the machine also plays a big role in the safety of the workers and the machine’s longevity.
We, Himalaya Machinery, provide a user guide explaining how to use the machine, and our customer service also helps you with your doubts. Let us know your plate-bending machine requirements; our team will be on its toes to help you.
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