WO2014114963A2

WO2014114963A2 - Roller and apparatus for manufacturing thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2014114963A2
Application number: PCT/HU2014/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gyula László Roman
Original assignee: SÓLYÓMI, Zoltán
Priority date: 2013-01-25
Filing date: 2014-01-07
Publication date: 2014-07-31
Also published as: HU230640B1; WO2014114963A3; HUP1300038A2

Abstract

The invention is a roller, particularly for belt conveyors, comprising at least two radial bearings (12) of identical rotational axis, being mountable onto an axis (10), a roller body of cylinder shape attached to an outer racer (15) of the radial bearings (12), and at least one seal element (14, 16, 20, 27) preventing contamination of an inner space of the roller, wherein the roller body comprises a cylindrical roller mantle (25) made of plastic and a tube element (22) supporting the roller mantle (25) from inside. The tube element (22) is arranged along the rotational axis of the roller body, stiffening the roller body, and extending over the radial bearings (12) in both directions. Furthermore, the invention is an apparatus for manufacturing said roller, the apparatus comprises a press unit comprising a press element movable by means of a press apparatus and suitable for pressing a tube element having larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the roller mantle into a roller mantle. (Fig. 1)

Description

ROLLER AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a roller and to an apparatus for manufacturing thereof, which roller is particularly applicable to belt conveyors.

BACKGROUND ART

Rollers are known and widely applied in the industry, and are used by way of example in mines as well as for belt conveyors. Currently used rollers generally have steel roller body. Steel rollers have an unfavorably large mass. This causes a disadvantageous increase in the total mass of the apparatus fitted with the belt conveyor, thereby considerably reducing the field of applicability of the steel roller.

Rollers arranged with plastic roller bodies provide a solution to this problem, an example of which is disclosed in US 4,440,295. The manufacturing method of this roller and the apparatus implementing the method is disclosed in HU 225 861 B1. A disadvantage of the roller disclosed in US 4,440,295 is that a filling element is required to be used in the inner space of the plastic roller body for reinforcing the plastic roller body, which then causes an increase in the mass of the roller body. The disadvantage of the apparatus disclosed in HU 225 861 B1 for manufacturing of rollers is that it is suitable for manufacturing rollers of different dimensions only by the appropriate sizing of the individual elements, and its elements are neither adjustable nor quickly replaceable.

US 4,955,462 discloses a roller made of plastic material and arranged with a hollow roller body. The hollow inner space of the roller according to the document is bordered by a tube element in a cylinder mantle-like manner, which provides for conducting away the heat produced in the inner space, therefore it is made of a material of good thermal conductivity, such as metal. It is a disadvantage of the roller according to the document that the wall of the plastic roller body is required to have significant thickness as compared to the diameter of the roller in order to ensure appropriate stiffness for the roller.

It is the most frequent problem arising in connection with known rollers that damages arise on the bearing. Due to such damages of the bearings, the rollers may jam, thereby causing significant damage to the belt running on the rollers. Such damage may incur significant costs. Damages to the belt conveyor bearings are generally caused by impacts to the bearing as well as by contamination or moisture infiltrated into the bearing fittings. The rollers disclosed in US 4,440,295 and US 4,955,462 have a so-called labyrinth seal, which exploits the fact that contamination, moisture is to travel a significant way so as to reach the inner space of the roller body. The labyrinth seal has a disadvantage, namely that it is a singular seal, and that the contamination is blocked from getting inside solely by the length of the way it has to travel. Therefore, it is a common deficiency of all known rollers that they have no appropriate protection against bearing damages.

In light of the known solutions, there is a demand to provide a roller that has the highest possible protection against bearing damages. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a roller and an apparatus for manufacturing the roller which are free of the disadvantages of prior art solutions to the greatest possible extent.

It is another object of the invention to provide a roller, wherein the bearings have the most possible protection against any external impacts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a roller that is provided with protection against both radial and axial impacts.

It is an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing rollers that is suitable for manufacturing rollers of different dimensions in such a way that the elements of the apparatus can easily be adjusted to the different roller dimensions.

The objects of the invention can be achieved by a roller according to claim 1 and an apparatus according to claim 10 for manufacturing the roller. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the following drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a detail of the roller according to one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a detail of the roller according to a further embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a detail of the roller according to a yet further embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4A is a sectional view of the axial bearing applied in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3 with an adapter,

Fig. 4B is a sectional view of the axial bearing applied in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a side view of the roller according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a roller mantle according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the variations of surface elements arranged on the outer surface of the roller, according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of the press unit according to an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention,

Fig. 9 is a side view of the roller sealing unit according to one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, and

Figs. 10A and 10B are front and side views of the blocking device of the roller fixing unit according to one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 represents a sectional view of a detail of the roller according to one embodiment of the invention. The roller according to the invention in the present embodiment comprises at least two radial bearings 12 having identical rotational axis and being mountable onto axis 10. The axis 10 does not necessarily comprise part of the roller according to the invention. The elements shown in the figure are rotational symmetric around the mid-line of the axis 10 marked with a dot-and- dash line in every such case where not indicated to the contrary. The radial bearing 12 consists of an inner racer 13 mountable to the axis 10 and of an outer racer 15; moreover between the racers 13 and 15 there are bearing balls 11 in a known way. Appropriate positioning of the radial bearings 12 are ensured by a Seeger-ring 8 for each radial bearing 12, respectively.

The roller furthermore comprises a cylindrical roller body attached to the outer racers 15 of the radial bearings 12. The roller body comprises a plastic cylindrical roller mantle 25, and a tube element 22 supporting the roller mantle 25 from the inside. The tube element 22 is arranged so as to reinforce the roller body, extending along the rotational axis of the roller body, protruding in both directions above the radial bearings 12 as can be observed in Fig. 1.

The material of the tube element 22 is metal in the present embodiment, but in other embodiments it may be formed of such materials, other than metal, that strengthen the stiffening of the roller body, and promote the protection of the radial bearings 12 within the roller. Such arrangement of the tube element 22 will significantly improve the load bearing capacity and lifetime of the roller as compared to it being formed without the tube element 22. Such increase in the load bearing capacity is especially advantageous in those versions of the roller according to the invention which have relatively large diameter.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the roller furthermore comprises seal elements 14, 16, 20, and 27 preventing contamination of an inner space 29 of the roller. The seal elements 14, 16 and 27 joining each other constitute the sealing of the roller as a unit. Seal element 27 practicably constitutes the cover of the roller, together with the bearing housing 24. The parts of seal element 27 and bearing housing 24 that face the outer surface of the roller make up the roller cover in a ratio that may vary in the individual embodiments corresponding to the field of application of the roller. By changing this ratio, the roller can be made with enhanced protection from sideways, from the direction of the seal element 27 and the bearing housing 24. It is conceivable to have a seal element, or housing bearing as well, that closes the ends of the roller alone, thereby protecting the radial bearings 12 from contamination. The ring-like seal elements 14 are positioned between the seal element 16 connected to axis 10 and turning therewith and seal element 27 in a manner embedded in each other. Seal element 14 is a special rimmed shell, with its wall tapering along seal element 14 in a way as illustrated in the drawing. By way of example the material of the seal element 14 may be NYLON66. In other embodiments of the roller slightly different from the present embodiment, it is possible to use seal elements 14 in different number, if appropriate seal element 16' is used instead of seal element 16. Furthermore, in the present embodiment a seal element 20 supporting the side facing the inner space 29 of the radial bearing 12. According to the drawing, seal element 20 is arranged fittingly on axis 10 in a tapering, conical configuration. It is shown in Fig. 1 that the inner surface of bearing housing 24 has stepped form enabling the use of a conventional radial bearing 12.

In accordance with Fig. 1 , the roller of the present embodiment comprises bearing housings 24 attached to the outer racer 15 of the radial bearings 12, said housings having a cavity 30 to ensure vibration damping and thermal conduction from the radial bearings 12. Accordingly, the radial bearings 12 are attached to the roller body through the bearing housings 24. The cavity 30 starts from the direction of the inner space 29 of the roller, is parallel to the rotational axis of the roller and is positioned symmetrically. The cavity 30 may be understood as several individual cavities being arranged in a way as described above. The cavity 30 ensures that the dynamic forces arriving to the outer racer 15 of the radial bearings 12 are damped. Furthermore, in the present embodiment of the roller, the radial bearings 12 are embedded into flexible bearing nests 26 arranged with recess 28, and the radial bearings 12 attach to the bearing housings 24 via the bearing nests 26. Lighter impacts to the roller are absorbed by the bearing nest 26, while heavier impacts are absorbed by the bearing housing 24. Accordingly, the radial bearing 12 is provided with significant protection against various impacts arising during use. According to the figure, the seal element 20 in the present embodiment is inserted between the bearing housing 24 and the bearing nest 26, the use of said seal element promotes more efficient protection of the inner space 29 against any contaminations. The bearing housing 24 and the seal element 20 are arranged so as not to touch the inner racer 13 of the radial bearing 12, and to be able to rotate together with the other elements of the roller body. Out of the elements represented in the figure, when fitting the axis 10 to the roller, the inner racer 13 of the radial bearing 12, the Seeger-ring 18 and the seal element 16 will be attached thereto, all other elements of the roller will turn together with the roller body. Fig. 2 represents a further embodiment of the roller according to the invention. The most significant difference of this embodiment as compared to the embodiment represented in Fig. 1 is that it comprises an axial bearing 32 with a rotational axis identical to that of the radial bearing 12, and attached to the radial bearing 12 from the side, and inner bearing disk 36 of the axial bearing 32 is attached to the radial bearing 12 in a manner supporting the outer racer 15 of the radial bearing 12, and outer bearing disk 34 of the axial bearing 32 and the inner block racer 13 of the radial bearing 12 are arranged in a mountable manner to axis 10. Between the bearing disk 34 and 36 there are bearing balls 38 arranged in a known way. By this, it should be understood that in a case when the roller according to the invention is attached to the axis 0, the bearing disk 34 of the axial bearing 32 will turn together with the axis 10 in addition to the aforementioned elements. Accordingly, the bearing disk 36 of the axial bearing 32 is formed in such a manner so as not to touch the inner racer 13 of the radial bearing 12, i.e. having a gap between the bearing disk 36 and the racer 13, and the bearing disk 36 being attached to the outer racer 15 only. It is evident from the figure that the radial bearing 12 and the axial bearing 32 are being held in fixed positions by the Seeger-ring 18'. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, seal element 16' is used as opposed to the seal element 16 represented in Fig. 1 , and two seal elements 14 are placed between seal elements 16' and 27, as opposed to the four seal elements 14 arranged according to Fig. 1. Appropriate fitting between seal element 27 and the bearing housing 24 are ensured by the protrusion 23 arranged on seal element 27 and an indentation arranged on the bearing housing 24 for receiving the protrusion 23.

The embodiment of the roller according to the invention represented in Fig. 3 only slightly differs from the embodiment represented in Fig. 2. This embodiment comprises an axial bearing 40, and inner bearing disk 44 of the axial bearing 40 is attached to the outer racer 5 of the radial bearing 12 through an adapter 46. Such embodiment is advantageous as compared to the one in Fig. 2 in that its implementation does not require an axial bearing 40 to be arranged with a special bearing disk 36, but an axial bearing 32 of appropriate size needs only be selected which then can be put to use in the present embodiment with the help of an appropriate adapter 46.

It is the advantage of both embodiments, that the elements of the roller are required to be altered only as compared to the embodiment in Fig. 1 in such a way that seal element 16' is used instead of seal element 16, and instead of four seal elements 14 there are only two arranged at each end of the roller, respectively. According to our experiences by arranging two respective pairs of seal elements 14 according to the embodiments represented in Figs. 2 and 3 give enough protection against contamination.

The figure illustrates one end of the roller; generally both ends are of identical arrangement. Accordingly, in the embodiments according to Figs. 2 and 3, the roller comprises two radial bearings 12, and the axial bearings 32, 40 are attached to the two radial bearings 12 in a manner encasing the radial bearings 12 from the outer side. Such configuration of the roller may also be envisaged, wherein the arrangements of the two respective ends are not identical. By way of example, if the two ends of the roller are exposed to different side loads, such embodiment may be advantageous, wherein the end exposed to higher side load is arranged in a way as indicated in Figs. 2 or 3 , while the end exposed to lower side load is arranged in a way as seen in Fig. 1.

The application of axial bearing is advantageous in that the roller equipped with axial bearings become suitable for taking up high axial loads, i.e. loads arriving from the roller ends. By way of example, in trough belt conveyors, the rollers incorporated slantingly, in a manner joining the trough-shaped belts from its two sides are exposed to significant axial load. The radial bearings of the slantingly incorporated rollers, equipped with radial bearings supported by axial bearings, run optimally on ring centers as a result of axial bearing being applied. ln Figs. 4A and 4B the axial bearings 40 and 32 are shown in sectional view. The forming of the axial bearings 32 and 40 as well as the attachment of the bearing disk 44 into the adapter 46 can be seen in detail in the figures.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of a roller fitted with an axis 10, and having a roller mantle 25.

Fig. 6 shows a roller mantle 50 prior to machining and not yet fitted with a tube element, which can be applied in certain embodiments of the roller according to the invention. On its inner surface, the roller mantle 50 is formed with longitudinal corrugation 54. The corrugation 54 ensures that a, possibly standard, e.g. metal, tube element may be pressed to the inner surface of the mantle piece in a closely fitting manner so as to ensure rigidity and higher load capacity of the roller.

In Fig. 7 there are represented surface elements 52a-52g attachable to roller mantles of different sizes. The advantageously flexible surface elements 52a-52g are arranged on the outer surface of a roller mantle. By way of example, surface elements 52a-52g are mountable to the roller mantle by means of hydraulic pressing. Because of different application demands and user environments surface elements made of plastic by injection molding and having different rigidity and chemical parameters are used depending on the task to be solved.

By way of example, it is advantageous to use flexible surface elements 52a-52g in such applications, primarily in ports, loading stations, or at other loading points, where the conveyor line is exposed to large dynamic load when loose goods are put thereon. It is of great importance in terms of sparing all conveyor line elements to reduce dynamic loads by means of receiving elements having the most possible flexibility. This aim may be served by using flexible surface elements 52a-52g on the rollers.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic plan view of a press unit 62 of an apparatus suitable for processing the roller according to the invention described above. The press unit 62 comprises a press element 64 movable by means of a press apparatus 66 and suitable for pressing a tube element 60 having larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the roller mantle 58 into a roller mantle 58. It can be seen in the figure that the tube element 60 is braced within the press element 64 and the tube element 60 is pressed into the roller mantle 58 by means of the hydraulic press apparatus 66. The press unit 62 is arranged on a frame 56 to which support elements 57 are attached for supporting the roller mantle 58 and the tube element 60. The press unit 62 equipped with the hydraulic press apparatus 66 has to be robust enough so as to be able to press by way of example a steel tube element 60 into the plastic roller mantle 58. In accordance with the above, the tube element 60 has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the roller mantle 58, by e.g. 3- 6 mm. The length of the roller may also vary in a relatively large range, e.g. in the range of 250-2000 mm, besides the diameter of the roller mantle 58, e.g. in the range of 127-194 mm. In terms of stiffness and hydraulic press capacity, it is practicable to design the press unit 62 according to the highest expected load arising at the upper limit of the ranges. Pressure and speed of pressing may be adjusted on the press unit 66 for each given task by means of hydraulic valves.

The support unit made up of support elements 57 shown in the figure is adjustable lengthwise of the press unit 62 and is mechanically fixable. The press element 64 is actuated in the direction of the support elements 57 in guided and regulated movements by a hydraulic working cylinder 67 arranged on the hydraulic press apparatus 66 as seen in the figure. The tube element 60 is thus pressed by the press element 64 into the roller mantle 58 braced by means of the support elements 57. Having the tube element 60 pressed therein, the diameter of the roller mantle 58 increases. This increase indicates appropriate and rigid fitting of the tube element 60. The roller mantle 58 provided with the tube element 60 pressed therein will be suitably rigid so to be suitable for post-processing.

One embodiment of the apparatus for processing the roller comprises the roller sealing unit 70 shown in Fig. 9. The roller sealing unit 70 in the present embodiment comprises one single press head 72, therefore, in order to process both ends of the roller 68, the roller 68 needs to be turned around in the roller sealing unit 70. The press head 72 is movable along the longitudinal axis of the roller 68 braced within the roller sealing unit 70, and the press head 72 is arranged replaceably enabling the pressing of rollers 68 of various outer diameters. The roller sealing unit 70 is used for the machining, pressing of the ready made roller 68. The roller mantle and bearing housings of the roller 68 are made out of thermoplastic. After its assembly, the roller 68 is placed between heated press heads 72 or a press head 72 and a dolly element. By moving at least one press head 72, the end of the roller 68 is softened, then bent to a shape corresponding to the form of the heated press heads 72 and is ringwise welded. The press head 72 in the present embodiment can be actuated by means of hydraulic press unit 74.

Furthermore, the present embodiment comprises support devices 76 adjustable to rollers 68 of various outer diameters. The support devices 76 are arranged so as to hold the roller 68 braced therein centered as compared to the circle-symmetric press head 72, i.e. axes of symmetry of roller 68 and press head 72 are coincident.

In order to allow for quick replacement of various size press heads 72 suitable for processing rollers 68 with size different from each other, the press heads 72 need to be fixed in the roller sealing unit 70 by means of quick action clamps. Advantageously, for every existing different roller mantle 58 diameter, individual heatable press heads 72 are formulated, which are being fed by respective heating capacity required for the machining of a given roller 68. The machining of rollers 68 of various diameters is completed at different hydraulic pressures, welding temperatures and welding times, therefore the roller sealing unit 70 of the apparatus is equipped in this embodiment with such control by means of which the parameters necessary for the machining of the given roller 68 can be controlled and automatically selected.

In one embodiment of the apparatus for manufacturing the roller further comprises a roller fixing unit 78, which is indicated in Figs. 10A and 0B in front and side views, respectively. The roller fixing unit 78 is suitable for bracing the roller and enables finishing lathe works to be carried out on the outer surface of the roller mantle of the roller. The roller fixing unit 78 has a blocking device 80 to prevent any turning of the roller, as well as support elements 82 configured with a spring element 84 in an arrangement as seen in the figure for the appropriate bracing of the roller. In some embodiments of the roller according to the invention, the roller is configured to be made of fire-proof and anti-static material. Such embodiments will have a wider area of applicability as they satisfy by way of example mining industry standards as well. These properties can be achieved by the use of additives added to plastic, such as HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), making up certain elements of the roller. It is a criteria set for such additives, that their use may not interfere with the weldability or installation of the individual parts.

Note that due to its reinforcement, the roller according to the invention can be configured with that dimensions with which only steel rollers are known, e.g. for use in power plants, biomass plants, as the adequate reinforcement may be provided by them only.

It is to be noted, that the roller mantle is advantageously manufactured with a slight, e.g. 4-6 mm, allowance, which by way of example is removed by means of finishing lathe works in the final phase of manufacture by having the roller fixed in the roller fixing unit 78. This can provide an extremely outstanding uniaxialness and precise running properties. The finishing machining of the roller mantle in the last phase may ensure the roller mantle to have low, for example less than 0.1 mm runout. Such degree of accuracy is required by special applications of the rollers, such as scale belts. It is further to be noted that the manufacture of the rollers as described above will also result in significant decrease of noise as compared to known rollers. This closely corresponds with the severing environmental norms and is highly advantageous for use in outdoor conveyor lines.

The lifetime of the roller according to the invention may be as high as 2-3 times that of known rollers due to the use of the effective sealing system as described above and to the bearing housing being arranged with a cavity for promoting vibration dampening as well as to the recessed bearing nest.

The lifetime of the strap of a conveyor line arranged with the rollers according to the invention significantly increases as the running properties of the roller are substantially more favorable than those of known rollers. This advantage is very significant, as the costs of a strap replacement constitute the most significant cost item in conveyor line operation. Furthermore it is also a great advantage when designing the conveyor line elements that the roller according to the invention has significantly less weight than the former steel constructions, therefore the use of rollers of this type has a strong influence on the weight of the total frame structure. During operation and maintenance, it is also greatly advantageous that the individual parts are significantly easier to move and replace. The modular design of the roller ensures easy installation.

In such fields of application of the rollers, wherein bulk goods are loaded onto the conveyor line in great volumes in an uncontrolled manner, such as in the case of machine loading, larger lumps may often jam between the stationary framework and the rotating rollers at the edge of the line. This problem can be reduced or totally eliminated by the configuration of roller ends.

Note that the roller mantle and the bearing housings are made of the same material, for example HOPE material, preferably of type Tipelin 7700, by means of injection molding, which allows for problem-free welding of the elements to one another.

The material of the axis used for the roller may be steel, however, in seaside environments it is advisable that rustproof material be used. The invention is, of course, not limited to the preferred embodiments described in details above, but further versions, modifications and developments are possible within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

A roller, particularly for belt conveyors, comprising

- at least two radial bearings (12) of identical rotational axis, being mountable onto an axis (10),

- a roller body of cylinder shape attached to an outer racer ( 5) of the radial bearings (12)

- at least one seal element (14, 16, 16', 20, 27) preventing contamination of an inner space of the roller, wherein

the roller body comprises a cylindrical roller mantle (25, 50, 58) made of plastic and a tube element (22, 60) supporting the roller mantle (25, 50, 58) from inside,

characterized in that

- the tube element (22, 60) is arranged along the rotational axis of the roller body, stiffening the roller body, and extending over the radial bearings (12) in both directions.

The roller according to claim , characterized in that

- it comprises an axial bearing (32, 40) being attached to at least one of the radial bearings (12) at its side, and having a rotational axis identical to that of the radial bearing (12), and

- an inner bearing disk (36, 44) of the axial bearing (32, 40) is attached to the radial bearing (12) in a manner that it is supporting the outer racer (15) of the radial bearing (12)

- an outer bearing disk (34, 42) of the axial bearing (32, 40) and an inner racer (13) of the radial bearing (12) is arranged in a manner mountable to the axis (10).

The roller according to claim 2, characterized in that the roller comprises two radial bearings (12), and the axial bearings (32, 40) are attached to the two radial bearings (12) in a manner encasing the radial bearings (12) from the outer side.

4. The roller according to claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the inner bearing disk (44) of the axial bearing (40) is attached to the outer racer (15) of the radial bearing (12) through an adapter (46).

5. The roller according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising bearing housings (24) attached to the outer racers ( 5) of the radial bearings (12), provided with a cavity (30) to ensure vibration damping of the radial bearings (12) and thermal conduction from the radial bearings (12), and radial bearings (12) are attached to the roller body through the bearing housings (24).

6. The roller according to claim 5, characterized in that the radial bearings (12) are embedded into flexible, recessed bearing nests (26), and the radial bearings (12) join the bearing housings (24) through the bearing nests (26).

7. The roller according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inner surface of the roller mantle (25, 50, 58) is formed with a longitudinal corrugation (54).

8. The roller according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that flexible surface elements (52a-52g) are arranged on outer surface of the roller mantle (25, 50, 58).

9. The roller according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the material of the tube element (22, 60) is metal.

10. The roller according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is made of fire-proof and/or anti-static material.

11. An apparatus for the manufacture of the roller according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized by comprising a press unit (62) comprising a press element (64) movable by means of a press device (66) and being suitable for pressing a tube element (60) having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the roller mantle (25, 50, 58) into the roller mantle (25, 50, 58).

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , characterized by comprising a roller sealing unit (70) comprising a press head (72), the press head (72) being movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the roller (68) braced within the roller sealing unit (70), and the press head (72) being arranged in a replaceable manner allowing for the pressing of rollers (68) of different outer diameters.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the roller sealing unit (70) further comprises support devices (76) adjustable to rollers (68) of various outer diameters.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized by comprising a roller fixing unit (78) for bracing the roller (68) and allowing for finishing lathe works to be carried out on the outer surface of the roller mantle (25, 50, 58) of the roller (68), the roller fixing unit (78) having a blocking device (80) to prevent any turning of the roller (68).