A roller is a shaft with a surface that has to run true. A shaft is a roller with its work done at the ends. Both depend on journals that fit their bearings, keyways that hold their couplings and threads that take their nuts. Rollers and shafts are the part type behind the printing industry line on our services page.
At a glance
- Roller and shaft repair for the printing industry
- New machine parts from a sample or drawing
- Journals, keyways and threads
- Balancing arranged with an outside shop after machining
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Repair a roller or make a new one
A roller whose body is sound but whose journals are worn can be repaired. The journals are built up and turned to fit, and the body is turned so it runs concentric with them. When a roller is bent, pitted or cracked, a new one is made, using the old one as the pattern. We work from your specifications, drawings or samples, so a worn roller is enough.
Concentric is the point
Every surface on a roller must share the same axis. If the journals and the body are turned in one setup on the lathe, they do. That is the thinking behind every shaft job. Details of the terms are in the glossary entries on runout (TIR) and keyway and keyseat.
Balancing
A roller that turns fast may need balancing once the machining is finished. That is handled by an outside balancing shop that we arrange after machining, so your part comes back balanced.
What to send
The old roller or shaft, or a sketch with the diameters and lengths, the keyway size and the thread. If it is a press roller, say what coating or surface it carries. Attach photos to the quote request or call (775) 359-5570. Printing plants can read more at printing.
Sources
- Wolf Machine & Fabrication services list (2026-10-18)
- Key (engineering) (Wikipedia) (2026-10-18)
