Precision, experience and maximum reliability
The manufacture of oil filter housings with M 110 × 2 and 108 × 2 threads demands the highest standards of dimensional accuracy, strength and process reliability. The process becomes particularly challenging when dealing with hollow components that are machined between centres using the plunge-rolling method.
Challenge: hollow housing and high rolling force
During thread rolling, considerable radial forces act on the component. If the blank is hollow, there is a risk that the housing will become deformed or crushed by the rolling force. This can lead to dimensional deviations, cracks or poorer thread quality.
Wall thickness plays a crucial role, particularly in the case of specialist components such as hollow tubes or oil filter housings. It must be of sufficient thickness to withstand the forces involved in cold forming. At the same time, however, the functional dimensions must not be exceeded.
The solution: A perfect match
The key to success lies in developing a specially adapted counterpart that reliably supports the housing during the rolling process. This counterpart prevents the component from deforming under the rolling force and ensures that the metric thread can be produced to the highest quality standards.
The design of the mating part placed high demands on engineering and process understanding. Through intensive fine-tuning between the housing, the mating part and the rolling parameters, a robust manufacturing process was ultimately established.
The result: a thread manufactured with process reliability that meets the customer’s high standards.
Oil filter housing with matching counterpart
Why thread rolling for oil filter housings?
Oil filter housings, which are used in military vehicles, among other applications, must be able to withstand extreme stresses. This is precisely where thread rolling comes into its own:
- Forming process (non-cutting): The thread is formed by plastic deformation of the material – without any material being removed.
- Greater thread strength: Cold forming does not disrupt the grain structure of the material, which significantly improves its tensile strength and fatigue strength.
- Excellent surface finish: the rolling process acts like a polishing process, producing smooth, compacted surfaces.
- Optimal use of material: No material loss, no waste: All the material remains in the component.
- High production efficiency: Fast, continuous forming with short cycle times.
- Extremely long service life: Rolled threads are more resistant to fatigue and wear, making them ideal for safety-critical applications.
Conclusion: Experience makes all the difference
Thread rolling of large-diameter hollow oil filter housings is not a standard process. It was only through the targeted development of a suitable die, an understanding of material behaviour and experience in the forming process that a dimensionally accurate, crack-free and robust solution could be achieved.
Such processes demonstrate that thread rolling has proven to be a technically and economically efficient solution, particularly for components subjected to high loads.
