GB2199274A

GB2199274A - Cold rolling mill

Info

Publication number: GB2199274A
Application number: GB08727301A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Erhard Witting
Original assignee: Andritz AG
Current assignee: Andritz AG
Priority date: 1986-11-24
Filing date: 1987-11-20
Publication date: 1988-07-06
Also published as: ATA313186A; SE8704637D0; AT390741B; SE8704637L; DE3737454A1; FR2607032A1; GB8727301D0

Description

2 1992/1 ROLLING MILL, IN PARTICULAR COLD-ROLLING MILL The invention

relates to a rolling mill, in particular a coldrolling mill, preferably for metallic materials, mainly steel and non-ferrous metals, conveniently for rolling, roughing (blooming) or skin-passing (rerolling) of strip or sheets, having at least two, conveniently four to ten, mainly essentially superimposed rolls, with an hydraulic medium, in particular at least one, conveniently at least two, hydrostatic bearing element(s) and/or hydraulic cylinders prefer- ably acting on conveniently hydrostatic bearing elements acting directly on the outer jackets of the roll barrels, namely on each roll barrel.

Roll stands are provided with one each roll housing on the operating and drive side for receiving the adjusting system, roll bearing sets and various means. Due to the position of the roll housings parallel and normal to the roll axes and transverse to the rolling stock, construction widths are required which up to now did not permit a short distance of the thickness measuring devices to the roll gap and are thus an obstacle for-conventional roll gap regulating systems in respect of thickness tolerance improvement.

This disadvantage is pre-rented according to the invention by providili in a rolling mill of the type initially mentioned for the in particular perpendicular or vertical plane of symmetry of the roll supporting structure or roll stand or roll housing, in particular their main suppor4i structure, which is composed of two supporting frames arranged- on both si.des of the rolls parallel to their axes and provided with a window a, 25 least in the areoof the roll barrels or the roll gap, to coincide wholly)r at least essentially with the in particular perpendicual or vertical plane of symmetry of the roll system or the roll arrangement, the supporting frames arranged immaadiately at both sides of the roll system and parallel to their roll axes and provided with a window conveniently being connected above or below the rolls by means of connections extending transversely to their axes, in particular largely rigidly.

By this arrangement of the roll supporting structure, in particular of the roll housings taking up the main load, turned by 90 degrees as compar to the known embodiments, the construction widths of roll stands can be considerably reduced without impairment of durability, strength or stability under load, at additional savings in material and weight. The advantages of the turning of the roll supporting structure by 90 degrees can be utilised particularly well if an hydraulic medium, in particular a least one, conveniently at least two hydrostatic bearing element(s) and/( hydraulic cylinders preferably acting on conveniently hydrostatic bearir elements act directly on the roll barrels, namely on each roll barrel.In roll stands for strip of medium width, the above-mentioned effect can be fully effective, as the back-up roll diameters of conventional four-hic roll stands approximately correspond to the width of the roll barrels. TI width of the housing window turned by 90 degrees can thus be maintained. This arrangement further results in a considerable reduction of the hei of the housing window, so that shorter housing copings contribute to the reduction of the springing of the stand.

The invention is distinguished from the known state of the art mainly by the turning of the housing by 90 degrees. According to AT-PS 339 854, for instance, the plane of symmetry of the frame composed of bearing stands and crossheads extending transversely to the roll axes extends normally in relation to the plane of symmetry of the roll system A particularly favourable practical embodiment can be achieved by providing for the roll supporting structure to consist of frame-like roll housin-sarranged laterally of the roll jackets or roll barrels and made of hot-rolled, appropriately cut steel slabs cut out for forming the window, with at least the upper, horizontal cross copings of these framelike steel slabs being largely rigidly connected by means of spacers. By this, the production expenditure for the roll supporting structure can be considerably reduced. This variant is not rendered obvious by the state of the art, either, all the more so since the DE-OS 31 32 339 shows only C-shaped lateral parts, but not frames as the roll housings.

The embodiment of the roll supporting structure according to the invention makes it possible to arrange a thickness measuring device which is conven iently provided with a signalling means for adjusting the roll gap, in particular for adjusting the hydrostatic bearing - elements and/or hydraulic cylinders, immediately or nearly immediately at- the discharge side of the rolled stock from the roll supporting structure, conveniently at a maximum distance of 125 to 150 percent of the diameter of the largest roll of the roll system from its axis of symmetry or close to the roll gap in the zone of the previously mentioned rolled stock discharge. The turning of the roll housings or the like according to the invention thus permits an arrangement of the thickness measuring devices closer to the roll gap, which allows a faster detectio of thickness tolerances and a more rapid regulation of the total tolerances deviating from a straight O-line than was possible before. Moreover, a reduction of the stand module results in an improved proportional basic thickness-tolerance in the rolling stock. According to the invention, a smaller and more compact roll stand can be provided for an identical rolling output. Smaller pinion drives and smaller articulated spindles can moreover be used in connection with the utilisation of the thin rolling effect,in particular in connection with multiple roll stands.A small main driving engine with less expenditure and investment costs can thus be used for electric drive and control. The width of the roll stand according to the invention can be reduced essentially, for instance by more than one third, as compared to the known embodiments, which allows for the previously mentioned location of the thickness measuring device particularly close to the roll gap.

EP-PS 0 152 810 shows a thickness measuring device, although the rolls shown there are of an entirely different type, namely deflection adjusting rolls in which, as is known, hydrostatic pressure elements do not act on the outer jackets of the rolls, but instead on the inner roll jackets. Moreover, the publication does not show the position of the thickness measuring device in relation to the roll stand. This modification is basically distinguished from the state of the art known from DE-OS 31 45 526.For these are deflection adjusting rolls having stationary roll support ends subjected to the action of cylinder thus not rotating roll bearing neck ends subjected to the action of lifting and traction (differential) cylinders. The remaining bending devices according to this state of the art do not act on back-up rolls but instead on work rolls.

The invention is explained in the following by means of exemplary embodiments under reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 to 4 show a ten-high cold-rolling stand of compact construction according to the invention, Fig. 1 showing a sectional view along line C-C of Fig. 3, Fig. 2 a partial representation of - 5 the sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a front view and Fig. 4 a partial view of a sectional view along line A-A in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 to 8 a four-high cold-rolling stand of compact construction according to the invention with corresponding sectional views as for the previously mentioned roll stand and Fig. 9, 9a and 10, 10a and 11 and 12 represent two-high cold-rol,ling stands of compact construction.

Fig, 13 shows a block diagram.

The ten-high rolling mill according to Fig. I to 4 shows thin work rolls 1, 2, lateral back-up rolls 3 to 6, intermediate rolls 7 and 8 and back-up rolls 9 and 10. The lateral back-up rolls 3 -to 6 are supporte, in a manner known per se by means of hydrostatic supporting elements. The large back-up rolls 9 and 10 are supported in this case by-four hydrostatic bearing elements 11 to 14 in the zone of their barrels 15,16.

The hydrostatic supporting oil gaps of these bEaring elements and for the hydrostatically supported thin rolls 1,2 and their insertion are conveniently formed by means of the available refrigerating medium rolling oil or rolling emulsion. The bearing elements 11, 12 are subjected to the action of computer-controlled hydraulic cylinders 17,18 positioned on the spacer 19 which connects the steel slabs 21, 22 to one another together with a second spacer 20 and thus forms the main supporting structu of the rolling mill. The conveniently computer-controlled hydraulic cylir; ders 17, 18 and the bearing elements, 11, 12 are adjusted by signals generated by signalling means integrated into a surface evenness measurii.

device andthickness measuring device 24 placed close tothe roll gap 23 in this case or in the hydrualic cylinders 17, 18. The computer used for the control compares the desired set values of thickness or surface evenness of the rolling stock to the actual values of the signals it - 6 receives from the various signal transmitters and then controls the supp of pressure medium or the actuators of the various hydraulic cylinders.

By changing the arrangement of the hydrostatic bearing elements 11, or the hydraulic cylinders 17,18 acting on the roll barrel from the conventional area of the bearing necks of the rolls into the area of the axes 25, 26 of the hydrostatic bearing elements 11, 12 or the hydraulic cylinders 17, 18, the force lines are also disp-laced towards the axes 25, 26 or transferred into these. This fact and the previously mentioned in particular indirect connection of the computer-controlled hydraulic cylinders with the previously mentioned signal transmitters permits a particularly convenient control of the elastic bending line(s) of the series of rolls, in particular of the back-up roll 9.

It is evident that the in particular perpendicular or vertical plane of symmetry S of the roll supporting structure or roll stand or roll housing, in particular their main supporting structure 19 to 22, of frame-like shape and provided with a window at least in the zone of the roll barrels or the roll gap, wholly or at least essentially coincides with the in particular perpendicular or vertical plane of symmetry S of the roll system 1 to 10 or the roll structure. 20 The previously mentioned computer control is connected to the signal liansmitters, on the one hand, and to the hydraulic cylinders 17, 18 and their hydraulic control means and optionally to the hydrostatic bearinG elements 11, 12, on the other hand. In this case, the roll bearing necks and the bearings 27,28 of the upper back-up roll 9 are additionally subjected to the action of hydraulic lifting or traction cylinders (differential cylinders) 29, 30 which are actuated by signals emitted by the surface evenness measurin( device for the control of the elastic bending line(s) of the series of 1 7 rolls, in particular the topmost back-up roll 9. These cylinders 29, 30 are arranged conveniently pivotally above the roll necks or bearings, conveniently simple journal bearings, advantageously spherical roller bearings 27, 28, of the upper or topmost roll(s), in particular the upper back-up roll 9, in the upper lateral area of the roll supporting structure, preferably on both _sides of the upper spacer 19, in- the free space between the steel slabs 21, 22 essentially forming the main supportin structure-, the piston rods 33, 34 of the cylinders being positively connected to the previously-mentioned roll necks or their housings via traction elements 35, 36 extending to the bearing necks of the upper or topmost roll(s) 9, in particular via a pivoting bearing conveniently a a located on an upwardly projecting extension 35, 36 of the journal bearing housing 27, 28.

In addition, a wedge adjustment 31 is provided. The wedge adjustment 15 is arranged underneath the two hydrostatic bearing elemens 13, 14 of - the lowermost back-up roll 10, a.o. also for compensating the wear of the lower set of rolls.2,8,10 or the lowermost roll 10. This wedge adjustment is-subjected to the action of an hydraulic actuating cylinder or lifting and lowering cylinder (differential cylinder) 32 which is actuable for the control of the elastic bending line(s) of the lower roll(s) 2,8,10 by signal transmitters, in particular indirectly via the previously mentioned computer control or aduators actuated thereby, whic signal transmitters are arranged in the previously mentioned- -surface e\ ness measuring device. A control of the hydraulic lifting or differenti cylinders 29, 30 can be combined therewith.

The-wedge adjustment 31 is provided with wedge plates 37,38 approxima exnenting in longitudinal direction of the rolls, the plane contacting W, faces 39,40 of the plates 37, 38 for an angle with the horizontal.

8 The above-mentioned actuating cylinder 32 is arranged centrally in relation to the said wedge plates and underneath and laterally of the series of rolls.The piston rod 41 of this cylinder is connected, in particular articulated, to the wedge base 42 of the displaceable, in particular upper wedge plate 38, the other wedge plate 37 being rigidly connected on the lower spacer 20 either directly or indirectly on the portion of the roll supporting structure on the foundation side, conveniently on its structure of two steel slabs 21, 22 and the spacers 19, 20 connecting these.

Fig. 5 to 8 show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention is in the form of a four-high cold-rolling stand of compact construction, Fig. 5 showing a sectional view along line C-C in Fig.7, Fig. 6 a parti. representation of a sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 a front'view and F,-ig. 8 a partial view of a sectional view along line A-A in Fig. 7. The four rolls of the rolling mill bear the reference numbers 43 to 46, the barrels of the upper and lower back-up rolls 45 and 46 bear the reference numbers 47, 48. The remaining parts of this rolling mill are formed and constructed like those shown in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 4. Their function is also the same, so that reference can be made to Fig. 1 to 4.

Similarly, Fig. 9,9a and 10,10a refer to a two-high cold-rolling mill stand of compact construction. Again, Fig. 9 shows a sectional view along line C-C in Fig. 10, Fig. 9a shows a partial representation of a sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 a front view of thi rolling mill and Fig. 10a a partial view of a sectional view along line A- A of Fig. 10. Only two rolls 49, 50 with bayrels 51, 52 are provided. For a supplementary description of the remaining parts, reference is made to the first exemplary embodiment.

The two-high rolling mill of compact construction according to Fig. 11 and 12 which again show in Fig. 11 a section along line A-A in Fig. 12 and a front view of the rolling mill in Fig. 12 differs from the previous. ly shown exemplary embodiments in that no hydraulic-bearing elements directly acting on the roll barrels 51, 52 and hydraulic cylinders acting on the bearings are provided in the area of the roll barrels 51, 52_.However, the set-up of the main supporting structure is similar to those of the previously shown embodiments, of steel slabs 21, 22 and spacers 19', 19" and 20', 20". The main supporting structure is again turned by 90 degrees as compared to the known embodiments of cold-rolling mills. The insert 53 for a combined radial and axial bearing and the insert 54 for a radial bearing support or bear-the roll necks of the roll 51. These inserts are connected to hydraulic cylinders 55, 56 which in turn may be pre-positioned, i.e. lifted and lowered, via spindles 57, 58.

The actuation of these spindles is effected via worm gears 59, 60.Moreover, an hydraulic cylinder 61 acting on the inserts 53, 54 via a suspensionmeans 62 and a crossbar 63 is provided. The wedge adjustment 31 functions in a manner similar to that of the previously described exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 13 shows a block diagram of the previously mentioned control of the hydraulic medium or the hydraulic cylinders 17, 18, 29, 30, 32 which act particularly on the hydrostatic bearing elements 11, 12 of the back up rolls, mainly in the area of their barrels. The actual values deter mined in the thickness measuring device 24 and/or the surface evenness measuring device 65 and/or the hydraulic cylinders 17, 18 are transmitted to the computer 64 by signal transmitters. The computer compares these actual values to the set values indicated by the operating'panel 66 and by means of signals emitted via hydraulic control means or pilot (relay) valves 67 actuates the various hydraulic cylinders 17, 18, 29, 30 and 32. The remaining parts I of the rolling mill as represented bear the same reference numbers as those shown in the previously described exemplary 5 embodiments.

Claims

Claims: 1. A rolling mill, in particular a cold-rolling mill, preferably

for metallic materials, mainly steel or non-ferrous metals, conveniently for rolling, rou'ghing(blooming) or skin-passing (rerolling) of strip or sheets, having at least two, conv.eniently four to ten, essentially mainly superimposed rolls, with an hydraulic medium, in particular at least one, conveniently at least two hydrostatic bearing element(s) and or hydraulic cylinders preferably acting on conveniently hydrostatic bearing elements acting directly on the outer jacket of the rollbarrels namely one on each roll barrel, characterized in that the in particular perpendicular plane of symmetry (S) of the roll supporting structure or roll stand or roll housing, in particular their main supporting structur (19 to 22), which is composed of two supporting frames (21, 22) arrange(: on bo th s ides of the rolls parallel to their axes and provide d with a window at least in the area of the roll barrels or the roll gap, coinci(' wholly or at least essentially with the in particular perpendicular plane of symmetry (S) of the roll system (1 to 10) or the roll arrangement, the supporting frames (21, 22) arranged immediately at both sides of the roll systems and parallel to their roll axes and provided with a window conveniently being connected above and/or below the rolls by means of connections (19,20) extending transversely to their axes, in particular largely rigidly.
2. The rolling mill according to claim 1, wherein the roll supporting structure consists of frame-like roll housings arranged laterally of the -roll jackets or rol I barrels (15,16) and is made of hot-rolled, appropriately cut steel slabs (21, 22) cut out for forming the window, with at least the upper horizontal crossbars of said frame-like steel slabs being largely rigidly connected by means of spacers (19,20).
3. The rolling mill according to claim I or 2, wherein immediately or nearly immediately at the discharge side of the rolled stock from the roll supporting structure, conveniently at a maximum distance of 125 to 150 percent of the diameter of the largest roll of the roll system from its axis of symmetry or close to the roll gap (23) in the zone of said rolled stock discharge, a thickness measuring device (24) conveinetly provided with a signal transmitter for adjusting the roll gap, in particular for adjusting the hydrostatic bearing elements (11,12) and/or the hydraulic cylinders (17,18) is providied.
4. The rolling mill according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, with an hydraulic medium, in particular at least one, conveniently at least two hydrostatic bearing elements and/or hydraulic cylinders preferably acting on conveniently hydrostatic bearing elements acting directly on the outer jacket of the roll barrels, namely on one each roll barre characterized in that for controlling the elastic bending line(s) of the series of rolls, in particular the roll(s) arranged above the roll gap, preferably the topmost back-up roll, the force lines of the rolling forces, in particular of the pressure forces acting on the rolls, in particular the topmost back-up roll, are displaced in particular wholly from the area of the bearings of the roll necks to the area of the roll barrels and the hydraulic medium directly actil on the outer jackets of the roll barrels is controlled as a function of the state of the rolling mill parts effective in respect of material fdeformation and the material treated, signal transmitters acting on the hydrostatic bearing element(s) and/or hydraulic cylinders acting on at least one, conveniently at least two, advantageously on convaniently hydrostatic bearing elements and and arranged above the topmost and optionally underneath the lowermost arranged above the topmost and optionally underneath the lowermost backup roll in-the are a of their roil barrels., said signal transmitters being integrated in a surface evenness measuring device and/ or thickness measuring device and/or in the particularly upper hydraulic cylinder(s), a computer control advantageously being connected to the signal transmitters, the computer comparing the set values for the rolling stock to the actual values of the signal transmitters or the incoming signals, on the one hand, and to the hydraulic cylinders (17, 18) or their pressure medium supply or actuators for said cylinders and optionally, in particular indirectly, to the hydrostatic bearing elements (11, 12), on the other hand, and that conveniently in addition, hydraulic lifting or traction (differential) cylinders (29, 30) actuable for the control of the elastic bending line (s) of the series of rol,ls, in particular the topmost back-up roll, by signals emitted by the surface evenness measuring device act IMMediately on the roll bearings (27, 28) or on the roll bearing necks at least of.the topmost roll, in particular the topmost back-up roll (9).

5. A rolling mill substantially as hereinbefore described under reference to the accompanying drawings.

j 14 6. A rolling mill having a frame supporting at least two superimposed rolls adapted to act on either side of material to be treated wherein the frame has window in the area of the roll gap between the rolls.

7. A rolling mill according to claim 6 wherein the window spans the vertical plane of symmetry of the rolls.

8. A rolling mill according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the frame comprises frame members arranged on both sides of the rolls parallel to the axis of the rolls.

- P5 - Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS:

1.A rolling mill, in particular a cold-rolling mill, preferably for metallic materials, mainly steel Or non-ferrous metals, conveniently for rolling, roughing (blooming) or skin-passing (rerolling) of strips or sheets, having at least two, conveniently four to ten, essentially mainly superimposed rolls, with an hydraulic medium, in particular at least one, conveniently at least two hydrostatic bearing element(s) and/or hydraulic cylinders preferably acting on conveniently hydrostatic bearing elements acting directly on the outer jacket Of' the roll barrels, namely on each roll barrel, characterized in that the in particular perpendicular plane of symmetry (5) of the roll supporting structure or roll stand or roll housing,. in particular their main supporting structure (19 to 22),which is- composed of two supporting frames (21, 22) arranged on both sides of the rolls at a distance from them and the in particular perpendicular plane (S) defined by the axes of said rolls and provided with a window at least in the area of the roll barrels-or the roll gap coincides wholly or at least essentially with the in particular perpendicular plane of symmetry (S) of the roll system (1 to 10) or the roll- arrangement.

to 2. The rolling mill according to claim 1, wherein the supporting frames (21, 22) arranged immediately at both sides of the roll systerns-at a distance from the rolls and parallel to the plane (5) defined by their -1 roll axes and provided with a window are connected above and/or below the rolls by means of connections (19,20) extending transversely to their axes, in particular largely rigidly..

3. The rolling mill according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the roll supporting structure consists of frame-like roll housings arranged laterally of the roll jackets or roll barrels (15, 16) and is made of hot-rolled, appropriately cut steel slabs (21, 22) cut out for forming the window, with at least the upper horizontal crossbars of said frame like steel slabs being largely rigidly connected by means of spacers (19,20). 1 4. The rolling mill according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein immediately or nearly immediately at the discharge side of the rolled stock from the roll supporting structure, conveniently at a distance of at the most 125 to 150 percent of the diameter of the largest roll of the roll system from its axis of symmetry or close to the roll gap (23) in the zone of said rolled stock discharge, a thickness measuring device (24) conveniently provided with a signal transmitter for adjusting the roll gap, in particular for adjusting the hydrostatic bearing elements (11, 12) and/or the hydraulic cylinders (17,18) is provided.
5. The rolling mill according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, with an hydraulic medium, in particular at least one, conveniently at least two hydrostatic bearing elements and/or hydraulic cylinders preferably acting on conveniently hydrostatic bearing elements acting directly on the outer jacket of the roll barrels, namely on each roll barrel, characterized in that for controlling the elastic bending line(s) of the series of rolls, in particular the roll(s) arranged above the rol 1 gap, preferably the topmost back-up roll, the force lines of the rolling forces, in particular of the pressure forces acting on the rolls, in particular the topmost back-up roll-, are displaced in particular wholly from the area of the bearings of the roll necks to the area of the roll barrel s and the hydraulic medium directly acting on the outer jackets of the roll barrels is controlled as a function of the state of the rolling mill parts effective in respect of material deformation and the material treated, signal transmitters acting on the hydrostatic bearing element(s) and/or hydraulic cylinders acting on at least one, conveniently at least two, advantageously on conveniently hydrostatic bearing elements and arranged above the topmost and optionally underneath the lowermost back- up roll in the area of their roll barrels, said signal transmitters being integrated in a surface evenness measuring device and/or thickness measuring device and/or in the particularly upper hydraulic cylinders.
6. The rolling mill according to claim 5, wherein a computer control is advantageously connected to the signal transmitters, the computer comparing the set values for the rolling stock to the actual values of the signal transmitters or the incoming signals, on the one hand, and to the hydraulic cylinders (17,18) or their pressure medium supply or actuators for said cylinders and optionally, in particular indirectly, to the hydrostatic bearing elements (11, 12), on the other hand.
7.The rolling mill according to claim 5 or 6, wherein conveniently in - 1 g - addition, hydraulic lifting or traction (differential) cylinders (29,30) actuable for the control of the elastic bending line(s) of the series of rolls, in particular the topmost back-up roll, by signals emitted by the surface evenness measuring device act immediately on the roll bearings (27, 28) or on the roll bearing necks at least of the topmost roll, in particular the topmost back-up roll (9).
8. A rolling mill having two frames supporting at least two superimposed rolls adapted to act on either side of material to be treated Wherein each frame is arranged on both sides of said rolls parallel to the plane defined by the axes of the rolls and the frames have a window in the area of the roll gap between the rolls.
9. A rolling mill according to claim 9 wherein the window spans the vertical plane of symmetry of the rolls.
10. A rolling mill substantially as hereinbefore described under reference to the accompanying drawings.