Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I get a quote?

Getting a quote is easy!

In the case of parts to be machined or coated, email us at info@americanroller.com and include part drawings in your email, or fill out our request a quote, where part drawings can also be attached.   You can also within the website solutions, products or services, and click “Add to Quote”

In the case of industrial rollers, find what type of roller(s) you are looking for and then detail out face length and roller diameter.  Customize the roller (platings, coverings, machined surfaces) if necessary.

Add to your personalized quote cart, submit to us and also receive a copy of your quote via email for your records!  We will respond promptly to get you cost and detailed lead time information per your request.

Of course, if you have additional questions or concerns feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you!  We can be reached by phone at  262.878.8665.

Q: What is your size capacity?

For industrial rollers:

  • Largest: 102″ diameter x 564″ overall length
  • Smallest: 0.5″ diameter x 0.5″ overall length

For machined parts:

  • Largest: 96″ Length; 30″ Height; 45″ Width

For industrial coatings:

  • On-site = endless!

Q: How do I select the roller or coating for my application?

Surface engineering is a highly application dependent process.  While we do have standard products, many applications require talking to one of our experts by calling, emailing, or filling out an RFQ, and we will be happy to help you out.

Q: How do you determine standard tolerance versus tight tolerance?

The process that you are trying to control determines the tolerances.

Typical mechanical tolerances for industrial rollers are TIR .003″ Taper .005″

Tight tolerances usually used for coating, extruding and critical drive roll positions is Tir .001″ Taper .001

Machined parts can have a wide range of tolerancing requirements.

Q: What substrates and size can I apply coatings to?

Acceptable Part Substrates:

  • Steel
  • Cast iron
  • Stainless steel
  • Aluminum
  • Bronze
  • Hardened steel & chilled cast iron
  • Many plastics, fiberglass, and carbon fiber materials

Acceptable Part Configuration:

  • Cylindrical
  • Flat
  • Open Design Fabrications

Acceptable Part Size:

  • On-Site – No size limitations
  • In Plant – Maximum 15 ton weight, 10 ft. diameter by 40 ft. long

Acceptable Surface Profile:

  • Wide variety of surface textures from 1 to over 1000 Ra

Q: What type of coatings can be applied?

Most common materials used in our coatings:

  • Hardfacing
  • Nickel Chromes
  • Chromium Carbides
  • Stainless Steels
  • Tungsten Carbides
  • Ceramics
  • Molybdenum
  • Hastelloy®
  • Nickel
  • Aluminum
  • Zinc
  • Bronze

Polymers and Films:

  • Teflon® industrial coating, DuPont FEP, PTFE, PFA
  • Fluoropolymers
  • Silicones
  • Epoxies, Plastics, Nylon-11
  • Fluoro co-polymer, Halar®, Tefzel®

Q: Is any surface preparation required for coatings?

The most important part of our process is proper preparation. All parts to be processed require some form of cleaning or other preparation.

Cleaning: The most common cleaning methods we use are: Solvent Clean: Depending on the properties of the part and the coating to be applied, we may use certain solvents to remove any grease, oil, or impurities that may affect the coating.

Steam Cleaning: When solvents are not appropriate for the part or when we are applying coatings On-Site at the customer’s facility we frequently steam clean to prepare the part(s) for coating.

Pre-heat: Our large ovens uniformly heat under controlled temperatures. Pre-heating is used only for applications in our plant. It is the technique of choice with baked coatings and ambient cure applications. The temperature for pre-bake is determined by part type, design and base material.

Surface Preparation:Grit Blasting is a method by which sharp particles of aluminum oxide of specific mesh size are propelled via pressurized air at a surface to remove scale and surface contaminants. This also roughens the base material in preparation for the coating to be applied, which helps attain the maximum bond to the base material. We normally specify our blasters to attain a “white metal” standard, and a coating must be applied within 4 hours from the grit blasting process.

When processing large rolls or rolls and drums On-Site, we use a vacuum system that minimizes media loss and reclaims, separates and reuses grit.

Bond Enhancers: We sometimes use additives to provide increased strength and uniformity to surfaces.

Q: Do you only refurbish custom rollers?

No. We will also refurbish standard idlers. Consider sending us idlers that need repair in recycled crating. We want to provide our customers choices that allow for a more meaningful, effective, and sustainable solution for the environment and your business.

Q: Can I restore used process vessels, tanks and equipment instead of purchasing a replacement?

Yes, coating technologies can restore parts and equipment to original dimensional specifications. Further, additional coatings can be applied to provide new resistance to corrosion, wear and other properties. Depending on the requirements, restoration can be preformed ON-SITE at the customer’s location.

Q: How do I know what converting roll model I need?

We have developed a simple model number system to aid in specifying the physical dimensions, material and configuration for your idler roller requirements.

FOR EXAMPLE:
A model 500-LSA-40-60.75, is a 5” Nominal Diameter Live Shaft Aluminum Idler Roller with a 40.5” long Face and a 60.75” long Overall length.

500 : Nominal Roll Diameter in inches, machined to cleanup and specified to 2 decimal places. Examples: 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.00, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.00, 4.50, etc. Any diameter can be specified – dependent upon material availability.

LS: Configuration of roller. LS = Live Shaft, LW= Lightweight Aluminum, ML= Mighty Light Aluminum, None: Standard dead shaft.

A: Material of Roller Body. A= Aluminum, S= Carbon Steel, SS= Stainless Steel, CF=Carbon Fiber

150: Shaft diameter denoted in inches, specified to 3 decimal places. For dead shaft rollers, this is the diameter of the shaft that fits the bearings. For Live shaft rollers, this is the diameter of the bearing journals.

40.5: Facelength – denoted in inches, is specified to 2 decimal places and held to +/- 0.015″

60.75: Overall length – denoted in inches, is specified to 2 decimal places. For Dead Shaft rollers, this is the length of the shaft when it is required. For Live Shaft rollers, let us know if the journals are symmetrical or not.

Q: What are your standard lead times?

For Rubber recover it is from 1 to 4 weeks depending on the application.

We typically quote 2-3 weeks for standard idlers. If you need the rollers sooner let us know. We will work with you; contact us before you place your order!

Q: Is the shipping crate included?

Yes, we include the crate within the quoted price.

Our crates are made of solid wood construction (not wood blends) to hold up to the stresses of transportation and to help ensure a safe delivery to our customers converting rolls.

In an effort to recycle – we will pay the shipping costs for sending your crating back to us to re-use on your next order. Contact us for more for more details.

Q: How do I specify converting roller specifications?

  • CH: Chrome Plating
  • HC: Hardcoating (aluminum only)
  • RC: Rubber Covered
  • CG: Chevron Grooved
  • RT: Reverse Tapered
  • KN: Knurled and Ground
  • RB: Recessed Bearings
  • SI: Steel Bearing Inserts
  • DT: Drill and Tapped Shaft
  • EN: Electroless Nickel Plating
  • HL: Hardlube (TFE Hardcoating)
  • PC: Plasma Coating
  • HB: Herringbone Grooved
  • MG: Micro Grooved
  • SG: Spiral Grooved
  • LS: Live Shields (for Dead Shaft Rolls)
  • DS: Dead Shields (for Dead Shaft Rolls)
  • FC: Faced and Chamfered Shaft