The hollow axle is the key component of the high-speed train, and the realization of high-quality forming is the key to ensure the safety of train operation. In this paper, the specimen of the variable-diameter section of the hollow axle is taken as the research object, and the generation mechanism of surface spiral mark defects and the formula of spiral mark depth of variable-diameter section in the TRSR (three-roll skew rolling) process with variable roll spacing are explored. The external roundness error and the function C to measure the wall thickness uniformity of the cross-section were taken as the evaluation indexes and the single-factor simulation experiment was established and simulated in the software Simufact.forming16.0 to obtain the influence law of each process parameter on the external roundness error and wall thickness uniformity of the rolled piece. Orthogonal tests were designed and the order and optimal combination of process parameters on the forming quality were obtained by range analysis and ANOVA analysis. The research results provide theoretical guidance for improving the forming quality of the variable-diameter section of the hollow axle in three-roll skew rolling, and promote the transformation of the TRSR process to high performance and accurate forming.

Thin-walled conical parts with variable-section are usually made of superalloy material, with poor plasticity and complex forces, which are difficult to form and control. In this research, a thin-walled conical casing of superalloy GH1140 with variable-section is studied; the real stress–strain curve of the material is fitted and the load-displacement curves of superalloy GH1140 are obtained through a universal testing machine. To clarify the equivalent stress distribution on the upper surface of the thin-walled casing during the forming process and after unloading the rotary wheel, the finite element model of the thin-walled conical casing during the spinning forming process is established with the Simufact Forming finite element analysis software. The effects of processing parameters, such as the mandrel rotational speed ω, the roller feed ratio f and the gap deviation rate δ between the roller and mandrel, on the spinning forming load were obtained. The distribution and numerical trend of the tangential residual stress after forming were detected by X-ray diffraction, and the causes of defects such as flange instability were analyzed. The results of the forming test and the test of residual stress conform well with the simulation, which verifies the stability of the model. The research provides a theoretical basis for improving the forming quality of thin-walled parts with variable-section.

It is necessary to establish a constitutive model of 30CrMoA steel to optimize the forming shape and mechanical properties of high-speed train axles. The experimental stress–strain curve of 30CrMoA steel was obtained by an isothermal compression test on a Gleeble-3500 thermal simulation test machine under temperature of 1273~1423 K and strain rate of 0.01~10 s⁻¹. Considering the effect of strain on the material constant, an empirical constitutive model was proposed with strain correction for 30CrMoA steel. In addition, the material constant in the constitutive model is determined by linear regression analysis of the experimental stress–strain curve. Comparing the theoretical value and experimental value of flow stress, the correlation R is 0.9828 and the average relative error (ARRE) is 4.652%. The constitutive model of 30CrMoA steel with strain correction can reasonably predict the flow stress under various conditions. The results provide an effective numerical tool for further study on accurate near-net forming of high-speed train axles.

The hollow axle is the key basic component of high-speed trains. How to realize its production with short process and high-quality precision plastic forming is the frontier of current research and a major problem to be solved. On the basis of analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the existing forging process of the hollow axle, this paper expounds the principles and characteristics of multi-wedge synchrostep cross-wedge rolling (MSCWR) technology, multi-roll cross-wedge rolling (MCWR) technology, three-roll skew rolling (TRSR) technology, and tandem flexible skew rolling (TFSR) technology in detail, and discusses the feasibility and key technical problems of these technologies to form the hollow axle. It is concluded that tandem flexible skew rolling (TFSR) technology has the advantages of short process, high quality, high efficiency, energy saving, and material saving, and this technology is the development direction of precision plastic forming of the hollow axle. The research results provide technical guidance and research directions for promoting global high-speed rail development.

The paper presents chosen aspects of the skew rolling process of hollow stepped products with the use of a skew rolling mill designed and manufactured at the Lublin University of Technology. This machine is characterized by the numerical control of spacing between the working rolls and the sequence of the gripper axial movement, which allows for the individual programming of the obtained shapes of parts such as stepped axles and shafts. The length of these zones and the values of possibly realizable cross-section reduction and obtained outlines are the subject of this research paper. The chosen results regarding the influence of the technological parameters used on the course of the process are shown in the present study. Numerical modelling using the finite element method in Simufact Forming, as well as the results of experimental tests performed in a skew rolling mill, were applied in the conducted research. The work takes into account the influence of cross-section reduction of the hollow parts and the feed rate per rotation on the metal flow mechanisms in the skew rolling process. The presented results concern the obtained dimensional deviations and changes in the wall thickness determining the proper choice of technological parameters for hollow parts formed by the skew rolling method. Knowledge about the cause of the occurrence of these limitations is very important for the development of this technology and the choice of the process parameters.