Stretch rolling device and stretch rolling method

A stretch rolling device for providing a press-forming operation of workpieces by rolling, the stretch rolling device comprising:

• a pair of work-rolls, each rotatable about a roll axis and forming a roll gap between the pair of work rolls for receiving the workpieces, the pair of work-rolls having a plurality of stages in an axial direction, the plurality of stages being configured for a stepwise and contemporaneous deformation of the workpieces as the workpieces pass through the plurality of stages successively a feed/retraction direction which is normal to the roll axis of each of the pair of work-rolls, wherein the pair of work-rolls demarcate a working side of the stretch rolling device and a side opposite of the working side of the stretch rolling device;
• a manipulator having a plurality of gripping devices which is arranged only at and defines the working side of the pair of work-rolls and, wherein the side opposite of the working side of the stretch rolling device is without any manipulator and/or one or more gripping devices, each of the plurality of gripping devices being configured to grip the workpieces at only one end of the workpieces at an assigned one of the plurality of stages to guide the workpieces from the working side through the roll gap in the feed/retraction direction, wherein an opposing end of the workpieces on the side opposite the working side are not gripped by the plurality of gripping devices nor by any other manipulator with one or more gripping devices at the side opposite the working side of the stretch rolling device during a workpiece transferring operation and/or the press-forming operation, wherein the plurality of gripping devices of the manipulator are configured to extend and retract from the working side and enter or pass through the roll gap between the pair of work-rolls during the press-forming operation of the workpieces;
• and
• a support configured to temporarily support the workpieces and, in cooperation with the manipulator, to transfer the workpieces to another one of the plurality of gripping devices, wherein the support is arranged on the side opposite of the working side as viewed in a rolling direction.