Roll Change Servicesin Northwest Indiana
Quick overview
A roll change is the removal and installation of rolls in a rolling mill, paper machine or other roll-driven process line. SSI millwright crews handle planned roll changes during outages and urgent changes after a failure across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, including rigging, bearing chock handling, installation and alignment.
What does a roll change include?
| Stage | What we do | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | Scope, lift plan, tooling and crew lined up before the outage | A roll change that runs to schedule |
| Rigging & removal | Rig and pull rolls with chocks and bearings | Rolls out without damage |
| Chock & bearing handling | Remove, inspect and fit bearing chocks | Bearings set up right |
| Roll installation | Set new or reground rolls and secure chocks | Rolls in and ready |
| Alignment | Check roll alignment and level to the line | Even product and less wear |
| Startup support | Stay through restart and first run | Problems caught at startup |
- Outage-readyPlanned and staged ahead of time.
- Rigging crewsHeavy lifts planned and run in-house.
- 24/7 for failuresCall (219) 386-1506 any time.
How does a planned roll change work?
Step 1: Plan
Review the line, rolls, lifting and your outage window.
Step 2: Stage
Rolls, chocks, tooling and rigging on site before shutdown.
Step 3: Remove
Lock out, rig and pull the rolls and chocks.
Step 4: Install
Set the new rolls, fit chocks and secure them.
Step 5: Align & restart
Check alignment, then support restart with your operators.
When rolls need changing
When do you need a roll change crew?
Most roll changes are planned. Some aren't. We handle both.
- Scheduled outage or turnaround
- Roll surface worn or marked
- Bearing running hot in a chock
- Vibration or chatter in the stand
- Cracked or damaged roll
- In-house crew short for the outage
What is a roll change, and who does it?
A roll change is the planned removal and replacement of rolls in a rolling mill, paper machine or process line. Millwrights do the work because it is heavy rigging, bearing work and alignment in one job. SSI crews handle roll changes in steel and paper facilities across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.
Roll changes are one of the specialized services our crews handle for mills. The work is routine for a mill, but it is never casual. Rolls are heavy, chocks are precise, and the line is waiting.
What happens during a planned roll change?
A planned roll change follows the same sequence every time. What changes is the equipment and the size of the lift.
- Plan. We review the stand or machine, the rolls, the lifting path and your outage window.
- Stage. Replacement rolls, chocks, tooling and rigging are on site before the shutdown.
- Lock out and remove. The line is locked out. Our crew rigs and pulls the rolls with their chocks.
- Handle the chocks. Chocks come off, get inspected and are fitted to the replacement rolls.
- Install. New or reground rolls go in and are secured.
- Align and restart. We check roll alignment and level, then stay through restart.
Rolling mill vs. paper machine roll changes
The basic job is the same, but the details differ. Here is how they compare in general terms:
| Rolling mills | Paper machines | |
|---|---|---|
| Roll type | Work rolls and backup rolls | Press, dryer, calender and guide rolls |
| Main concern | Weight and chock fit | Length and surface damage |
| Bearings | Roll-neck bearings in chocks | Bearings in housings at each end |
| Alignment | Roll level and stand setup | Roll parallelism across the machine |
| Timing | Frequent, often planned into schedules | Usually during planned outages |
Why does chock handling matter?
Chock handling matters because the chock carries the bearing that carries the roll. A chock set down hard, fitted dirty or seated wrong can damage the bearing before the roll ever turns. Our crews handle chocks carefully, keep fits clean and check that everything seats as it should. Hot or noisy chock bearings after a change are a sign something went wrong.
How do we keep the outage short?
We keep outages short by doing the planning before the line stops. Most delays in a roll change come from things that should have been ready: a missing sling, a tool that doesn’t fit, a replacement roll that isn’t staged. We sort that out ahead of time.
Roll changes often share an outage with other work. Our crews can handle laser alignment, equipment rebuilds and structural repairs in the same window. Building roll checks into preventive maintenance helps you plan the next one.
What about an unplanned roll change?
A cracked roll or a failed chock bearing can force a change outside the schedule. Call (219) 386-1506 any time. Our emergency repair crews respond 24/7 from Portage, and our machine shop can make spacers, sleeves, keepers and other parts you might need to get running again.
We work in steel mills and paper mills across the Region. Every job starts with a job hazard analysis (JHA) and lockout/tagout. SSI is ISNetworld and Avetta prequalified. Learn more about what a millwright does at a steel mill.
Roll Changes across the Region
Tell us about the equipment
Send the make, model and what you're seeing. A crew lead will call you back with next steps.
Start a requestCertified & prequalified
ISNetworld
member contractor
Avetta
prequalified
AWS certified
welders
Roll Changes FAQs
What is a roll change?
A roll change is removing worn or damaged rolls from a rolling mill, paper machine or process line and installing new or reconditioned ones. It includes rigging the rolls out, handling the bearing chocks, setting the replacement rolls, securing them and checking alignment before restart. Most are done during planned outages.
Do you do roll changes in steel mills?
Yes. Roll changes in steel facilities are part of the specialized services SSI offers. Our millwrights work in the steel mills and processing lines along the lakefront and across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. We work inside your plant's safety and permit rules.
Do you change paper machine rolls?
Yes. Our crews change rolls on paper machines and converting lines, including rigging, removal, bearing housing work, installation and alignment. Paper machine rolls are long and easy to damage, so lift planning and handling matter as much as the installation itself.
What are bearing chocks?
Bearing chocks are the housings that hold the roll-neck bearings at each end of a mill roll. They locate the roll in the stand and carry the rolling load. During a roll change, chocks are removed, inspected and fitted to the new roll. Careful chock handling protects the bearings and helps the roll set correctly.
How do you keep a roll change on schedule?
Planning and staging. Before the outage we review the scope, the lifts and the tooling, and we get rolls, chocks and rigging on site. When the line stops, the crew already knows the sequence. That is how you avoid an outage that runs long because a sling or tool wasn't ready.
Can you handle an emergency roll change?
Yes. A cracked roll or a failed chock bearing doesn't wait for an outage. Call (219) 386-1506 any time. We'll tell you when a crew can be there, and our Portage machine shop can machine parts like spacers, sleeves and keepers if you need them to get the line back up.
Can you supply crew for roll changes during a larger outage?
Yes. Many plants bring us in to add millwright crews during outages and turnarounds so roll changes run alongside other work. We can also handle the alignment, rebuilds and structural repairs that tend to come up in the same window.
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