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How It Works: Cold Root Rolling

October 2 is Manufacturing Day, a national celebration of modern manufacturing.

In honor of the special day, we’re sharing an illustrative “How It Works” guide that offers a step-by-step look at the cold root rolling process and how it prolongs the life of drilling equipment in the oil and gas industry.

Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Installation

How It Works: Cold Root Rolling

CJWinter has developed specialized tools to roll both pin and box connections, and they’re compatible with virtually all controls — including popular lathes and controls like Fanuc, Weiler, and Mazak. It doesn’t require an external power device or accumulator, and loads easily on the control with an Error Proof Loading System.

The EPL system uses an asymmetric hub system where the hub on one side of the roll is larger than the other. The hubs work in conjuntion with a step in the roll holder to create Step/Hub interference if the user tries to load the roll backwards.

How It Works: Cold Root Rolling

Step 2: Burnishing

The purpose of cold root rolling is to strengthen connections. The tool works by burnishing the root radius of previously cut threads. Its hardened roll applies force to the surface of the already tapered thread.

How It Works: Cold Root Rolling
An illustration of the typical residual stress patterns that remain in the part after cold root rolling. Cold root rolling imparts a thin zone of residual compressive stress in the root region — this residual compressive stress offsets the tensile stresses induced during service, thereby lowering the overall stress in the thread root.

Step 3: Cold Forming

The tool penetrates into the metal surface, which displaces the thread material and restructures the crystalline lattice of the steel grain structure. The now cold-formed material is thus more resistant to further deformation, which improves the surface finish and the strength of the root substance.

How It Works: Cold Root Rolling
A roll entering the root contact. Pressure is applied to force the roller to penetrate into the cut surface of the root radius, displacing and cold-forming the thread material.

Results: Connection with Improved Stress Balance

After being cold root rolled, the rotary shouldered connection displays specific improvements in strength and stress balance.

  • The residual compressive stress of cold root rolling offsets the tensile stress of service in the critical stress region of a thread root.
  • The cold formed surface is more uniform, with fewer scratches, fatigue points and opportunity for chemical exposure.
  • The work-hardening effect of cold root rolling discourages shallow cracking in favor of deep, short cracking that can be more easily repaired.
How It Works: Cold Root Rolling
Final results after elastic springback.

To learn more about cold root rolling and our tools at CJWinter, download our Informational Guide or contact the team today.

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Picture of Tony Key
Tony Key

With extensive experience installing hundreds of units across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, I am one of the few specialists globally who understands the intricate processes and procedures required to accomplish cold root rolling that meets specifications for both API and proprietary thread forms on multiple machine tools.

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Tony Key

With extensive experience installing hundreds of units across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, I am one of the few specialists globally who understands the intricate processes and procedures required to accomplish cold root rolling that meets specifications for both API and proprietary thread forms on multiple machine tools.

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