AP-Tela has decades of experience in roll manufacturing. We produce finished rolls according to the customer’s drawings, but if needed we can also provide design services through our partners based on the customer’s initial specifications.

We are able to handle the entire roll manufacturing process in-house and supply fully finished rolls. The roll shell is fabricated from plate by pressing and welding. The shell is machined externally and internally to required dimension. After we assemble heads and shafts to the roll and balance it dynamically to the required tolerance. If needed, we can also install bearings and housings. This way the roll we deliver to the customer is ready for installation. If roll needs any specialized coating we can offer these via our partners.

Over our history, we have manufactured many types of rolls for the paper, energy, and lifting machinery industries.

A significant portion of our roll production is dedicated to rolls for paper, board, and pulp drying machines, such as:

  • Guide rolls (paper guide rolls, wire guide rolls)
  • Shell rolls
  • Tambour (reel) rolls
  • Support rolls
  • Drive rolls
  • Breast rolls
  • Dryer cylinders
  • Press rolls

AP-Tela has two internal lathes that enable internal turning of roll shells within the following size ranges:

  • Ø 350–1500 mm, L = 11,400 mm
  • Ø 1140–1830 mm, L = 10,500 mm

Additionally, AP-Tela manufactures rolls or roll-like components for the following sectors:

  • Energy Industry: crushing rolls and rotors
  • Crane Industry: lifting drums
  • Mining Industry: heavy drive and tail rolls for conveyors, crushing rolls.

An example of our top-tier manufacturing quality is the dryer cylinder with a welded steel shell that we produce according to the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). This provides an alternative solution to a traditional cast dryer cylinder.

This welded steel dryer cylinder design includes straight ends, which prevent temperature variation at the edges of the shell. This ensures a uniform temperature across the entire width. Steel plate allows the use of thinner shell walls, thereby enhancing heat transfer efficiency and effectiveness.

Because a steel cylinder is made from steel plates, it requires less machining allowance compared to traditional cast iron dryers. The end result is a uniform-quality product achieved with reasonable investment costs. In addition, a steel cylinder requires less balancing compared to an equivalent cylinder made of cast iron.

Thanks to the dense structure of steel, the cylinder achieves a very smooth surface finish, which improves heat transfer and prevents dirt from adhering to the cylinder’s surface.

Roll Manufacturing Capacity:

  • Max. diameter 2300 mm; maximum turning length 14.4 m between centers; max. weight 60 tonnes
  • Dynamic balancing up to 2500 m/min; balancing quality grade Q = 1–6.3
  • Long experience in roll manufacturing
  • Production per customer drawings or partner-provided designs
  • Rolls for paper, energy, and crane industries
  • Dynamic balancing and internal machining capabilities