TOMAT, Claudio (Via San Giusto, 1B/3, Premariacco, I-33040, IT)
PAOLONE, Rolando (Via Cividale 54, Buttrio, I-33042, IT)
TOMAT, Claudio (Via San Giusto, 1B/3, Premariacco, I-33040, IT)
| CLAIMS 1. Support frame for a rolling stand, in which at least a first horizontal rolling roll (22) and a second horizontal rolling roll (23) are provided, opposite each other with respect to a nominal rolling axis (X), said first horizontal roll (22) being supported at its opposite ends by two first chocks (22a, 22b) and said second horizontal roll (23) being supported at its opposite ends by two second chocks (23a, 23b), characterized in that it comprises a first shoulder (1 1) disposed on a first side with respect to said nominal rolling axis (X) and able to maintain in a determinate position one of said first chocks (22a) and one of said second chocks (23a), and a second shoulder (12) disposed on a second side opposite said first side with respect to said nominal rolling axis (X), and able to maintain, in coordinated positions with respect to said first shoulder (1 1), the other of said first chocks (22b) and the other of said second chocks (23b), and in that it also comprises at least a spacer element (19) of the replaceable type interposed between said first shoulder (1 1) and said second shoulder (12) so as to define a desired and modifiable reciprocal distance between the two shoulders (1 1 , 12). 2. Support frame as in claim 1, characterized in that each shoulder (1 1, 12) comprises a pair of support uprights (13, 15, 16, 17) disposed specular with respect to each other and on opposite sides with respect to the horizontal rolls (22, 23). 3. Support frame as in claim 2, characterized in that each support upright (13, 15, 16, 17) comprises a relative support profile (13a, 15a, 16a, 17a) to which the chocks (22a, 22b, 23a, 23b) of the horizontal rolls (22, 23) are able to be attached. 4. Support frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises two spacer elements (19) interposed between the support uprights (13, 15, 16, 17) of the two shoulders (1 1, 12). 5. Support frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each shoulder (1 1, 12) comprises a sliding constraint (30) able to allow a sliding assembly of a relative chock (26a, 27a) on the uprights (13, 15, 16, 17). 6. Rolling stand comprising at least a first horizontal rolling roll (22) and a second horizontal rolling roll (23), opposite each other with respect to a nominal rolling axis (X), said first horizontal roll (22) being supported by two first chocks (22a, 22b) and said second horizontal roll (23) being supported by two second chocks (23a, 23b), characterized in that it also comprises a support frame (10) comprising a first shoulder (1 1) disposed on a first side with respect to said nominal rolling axis (X) and able to support in a determinate position one of said first chocks (22a) and one of said second chocks (23a), and a second shoulder (12) disposed on a second side opposite said first side with respect to said nominal rolling axis (X), and able to support, in coordinated positions with respect to said first shoulder (1 1), the other of said first chocks (22b) and the other of said second chocks (23b), and in that it also comprises at least a spacer element (19) of the replaceable type interposed between said first shoulder (1 1) and said second shoulder (12) so as to define a desired and modifiable reciprocal distance between the two shoulders (1 1, 12). 7. Rolling stand as in claim 6, characterized in that both said first horizontal roll (22) and said second horizontal roll (23) are mounted on a mobile slider (21), so as to be selectively aligned and dis-aligned with respect to the rolling axis (X). 8. Rolling stand as in claim 6 or 7, wherein at least a pair of vertical rolling rolls (26, 27) are provided, interposed between the horizontal rolls (22, 23), characterized in that both the shoulders (1 1, 12) of the support frame (10) are conformed to support, in a determinate position, relative chocks (26a, 27a) of each vertical roll (26, 27). 9. Rolling stand as in claim 8, characterized in that each shoulder (1 1 , 12) comprises a sliding constraint (30) and each chock (26a, 27a) comprises a lateral groove (31) in which said sliding constraint (30) is able to slide, so as to allow the relative chock (26a, 27a) to slide with respect to said shoulders (1 1, 12). |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a support frame for rolling rolls, whether they are horizontal and/or vertical, of a rolling stand, in particular but not only for a stand used to make flat or long products. In particular, the present invention concerns a support frame that allows to optimize the steps of equipping the stand, the replacement and/or movement of the rolls so as to pass with the same rolling stand from one series of products to another, to replace or maintain worn rolls, to modify the gap between the rolls and/or for any other operation connected to the functionality of the stand.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rolling stands are known, in particular rolling stands with rolls for the production of flat products or long products, which comprise two or more horizontal rolls and optional vertical rolls, configured in a combination together to define a gap functional to the rolling operation of the metal product to be achieved.
Known rolling stands are normally provided with an upper horizontal rolling roll, a lower horizontal rolling roll and two vertical rolling rolls, possibly interposed between the two horizontal rolls.
Supporting rolls are also possibly provided, in the case of four- or six-high rolling stands, in a manner known to the person of skill.
The rolling stand also comprises relative lateral support chocks for each of the upper and lower horizontal rolls, and for the vertical rolls.
So-called universal rolling stands are also known, in which the horizontal rolls and the vertical rolls are positioned on a mobile slider that facilitates their movement, for example in the event of replacement.
In this type of rolling stand, the chocks of each roll are independent of each other and are positioned and adjusted on each occasion reciprocally on board the rolling line, to define a desired disposition in height of the rolls, that is, with respect to a plane substantially orthogonal to a rolling axis, and also a reciprocal distance between the chocks according to the sizes and disposition of the rolls. Moreover, the reciprocal adjustment of the chocks is achieved in cascade, that is, the positions of the chocks of the lower horizontal roll are positioned and adjusted first, with respect to the mobile slider. Then the positions of the chocks of the vertical rolls are positioned and adjusted, with respect to the chocks of the lower horizontal roll. Finally, the positions of the chocks of the upper horizontal roll are positioned and adjusted with respect to the chocks of the vertical rolls.
This known operating model not only entails long and complex operating and equipping conditions, but also may lead to a sum of errors in the reciprocal positioning of the chocks, with a consequent reduced accuracy in the rolling and in the quality of the rolled metal product.
Furthermore, this known technique does not guarantee a repeatability of positioning of the chocks, particularly in the case of a simple replacement of the rolls due to wear, or in the case where the stand passes from one production series to another and then later returns to the original production series.
Moreover, since the chocks of the vertical rolls are positioned and adjusted on the chocks of the lower horizontal roll, and since the chocks of the upper horizontal roll are positioned and adjusted on the chocks of the vertical rolls, if it is necessary to adjust the reciprocal distance between the two vertical rolls, the references of the reciprocal positioning between all the chocks have to be moved, as the positioning previously set may be accidentally modified.
One purpose of the present invention is to obviate the shortcomings of the state of the art by providing a support frame that allows a simplified, precise and repeatable equipping of the chocks in the event that the rolling rolls are moved and changed, for the movement and replacement of the rolls and/or a change in the production series.
Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a universal stand which guarantees a high quality standard of the rolled products made.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention is applied to a rolling stand, possibly of the universal type, in which at least a first horizontal rolling roll and a second horizontal rolling roll are provided, opposite to each other with respect to a rolling axis.
The first horizontal rolling roll is supported at the sides by two first chocks and the second horizontal rolling roll is supported at the sides by two second chocks.
Advantageously, the two rolling rolls and the relative chocks are mounted on a mobile slider, so that they can be selectively aligned and dis-aligned with respect to the rolling axis.
According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, a support frame is provided, comprising a first shoulder and a second shoulder.
The first shoulder is disposed on one side with respect to a nominal rolling axis and is conformed to maintain one of the first chocks and one of the second chocks in a determinate position.
The second shoulder is disposed on the side opposite the first shoulder with respect to the rolling axis and is conformed to maintain, in coordinated positions with respect to the first shoulder, the other of the first chocks and the other one of the second chocks.
The support frame also comprises at least a spacer element of the replaceable type, interposed between the first and second shoulder.
The spacer element, since it is replaceable, has the function of guaranteeing the desired reciprocal distance between the two shoulders and, since it is mounted on board the mobile slider it does not need replacing with other further equipping steps to be carried out on the rolling line.
The spacer element has a length that is predetermined during the equipping step, and is such as to define a desired reciprocal distance between the two shoulders and therefore between each of the two first chocks and each of the two second chocks.
In this way, the position of each of the chocks is defined both in height and as reciprocal distance from the shoulders of the frame and not, as happens in the state of the art, by means of a cascade adjustment, in which every chock functions as a reference for the one above.
With the present invention it is therefore possible to define - simply, quickly and repeatably - the specific position of each of the chocks and hence of the relative horizontal rolling rolls, according to the specific rolling operations to be carried out.
These positionings can thus be standardized and achieved with substantially automatic operations, thus reducing both the times and the costs of the intervention to equip the stands during the roll-change operations.
Furthermore, with the solution according to the present invention, the support frame can be prepared and equipped out-of-line, and can then be disposed in-line already equipped for the specific rolling operations.
According to a variant, each shoulder comprises a pair of support uprights, disposed on opposite sides to the relative chocks, with respect to a rolling axis of the relative horizontal rolling roll. This variant solution allows a greater flexibility in positioning the chocks.
According to a variant, two spacer elements are provided, interposed between the support uprights of the two shoulders. In this solution the stability and solidity of the frame is guaranteed better.
According to another variant, in which the rolling stand provides at least a pair of vertical rolling rolls interposed between the horizontal rolling rolls, both the shoulders are conformed to support, at a determinate height, the chocks of each vertical rolling roll too.
Advantageously, the shoulders of the support frame are conformed to support the chocks of each vertical roll in an intermediate position between the two first chocks and the two second chocks of the first horizontal rolling roll and the second horizontal rolling roll.
In this way, apart from providing the above advantages of positioning and equipping for the vertical rolling rolls as well, there is also the possibility of adjusting individually and independently the distance between the vertical rolling rolls, without any risk of modifying the position of the chocks of the horizontal rolling rolls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:
- fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a support frame for rolling stands according to the present invention;
- fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of a first rolling stand provided with the support frame according to the present invention;
- fig. 3 is a front view of the rolling stand in fig. 2;
- fig. 4 is a lateral view of the rolling stand in fig. 2;
- fig. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a second rolling stand provided with the support frame according to the present invention;
- fig. 6 is a front view of the rolling stand in fig. 5;
- fig. 7 is a lateral view of the rolling stand in fig. 5.
To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify common elements in the drawings that are substantially identical. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one form of embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other forms of embodiment without further clarifications.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF
EMBODIMENT
With reference to fig. 1, a support frame 10 according to the present invention is shown in its entirety, and is able to be installed in a rolling stand 20 for the production of flat or long metal products.
In this case, the support frame 10 is mounted on a mobile slider 21 of the rolling stand 20.
The support frame 10 comprises a first lateral shoulder 1 1 and a second lateral shoulder 12, opposite and specular to the first lateral shoulder 1 1, with respect to a nominal rolling axis X.
The first lateral shoulder 1 1 comprises a first upright 13 and a second upright 15, disposed specular with respect to each other and each provided with a relative support profile 13a and 15a.
In particular the two support profiles 13a and 15a face each other and are conformed so as to support relative operating parts of the rolling stand 20 at a desired height, as will be described in more detail hereafter. The second lateral shoulder 12 comprises a first upright 16 and a second upright 17, disposed specular with respect to each other and each provided with a relative support profile 16a and 17a.
In particular the two support profiles 16a and 17a face each other and are conformed in coordination with the two support profiles 13a and 15a so as to support said operating parts of the rolling stand 20.
Each upright 13, 15, 16 and 17 is welded to the mobile slider 21.
The support frame 10 also comprises four spacer bars 19, interposed between the two lateral shoulders 1 1 and 12, to define the distance between the shoulders in a univocal and predetermined manner.
The spacer bars 19 also define a mechanical connection between the two shoulders 1 1 and 12, astride the rolling axis X, so as to determine a structural and mechanical rigidity and strength of the support frame 10.
Each spacer bar 19 is mounted with its ends on the uprights 13, 15 and 16, 17. In particular, the spacer bars 19 connect the two first uprights 13 and 16, and the two second uprights 15 and 17.
In this case, two spacer bars 19 are provided to connect the two first uprights 13 and 16, and two spacer bars to connect the two second uprights 15 and 17.
Each spacer bar 19 is attached to the respective uprights 13, 15, 16 and 17 by means of a same-shape coupling of its ends with the uprights 13, 15, 16 and 17, and also by means of a mechanical attachment, for example screws, nuts or other.
It is clear that each spacer bar 19 can be constrained and released selectively to/from one or the other upright 13, 15, 16 and 17, so as to define different constraint or release conditions of the shoulder 1 1 and 12 with respect to each other.
The spacer bars 19 can be selectively removed or replaced, according to the different operating modes of the support frame 10.
Each of the spacer bars 19 comprises a pair of eyebolts 18 suitable for lifting the spacer bars 19, by means of a gantry, during the steps of positioning of the latter, or for lifting the whole support frame 10.
As said, the support frame 10 according to the present invention is particularly suitable to be installed in a rolling stand 10 of the universal type.
With particular reference to figs. 2, 3 and 4, a rolling stand 20 is shown in its entirety for rolling flat metal products.
In particular, the rolling stand 20 comprises, as well as the mobile slider 21 and obviously the frame 10, a first horizontal rolling roll 22 and a second horizontal rolling roll 23, disposed parallel to each other at a desired distance, according to the thickness to be obtained for the flat metal product.
The first horizontal roll 22 is supported laterally by two first chocks, respectively right 22a and left 22b, with respect to the rolling axis X and with reference to the drawings.
Similarly to the first horizontal roll 22, the second horizontal roll 23 is also supported laterally by two first chocks, respectively right 23a and left 23b, with respect to the rolling axis X and with reference to the drawings.
On the side of the left chocks 22b and 23b, relative motors 25 are provided to move the horizontal rolls 22 and 23. In particular, the motors 25 are mounted by means of sleeves, not shown, by means of coupling on the horizontal rolls 22 and 23.
In this case, the support profiles 13a and 15a of the first shoulder 1 1 are reciprocally conformed to cooperate with the two right chocks 22a and 23a of both horizontal rolls 22 and 23.
The support profiles 16a and 17a of the second shoulder 12 are reciprocally conformed to cooperate with the two left chocks 22b and 23b of both horizontal rolls 22 and 23.
In this way, each horizontal roll 22 and 23 is supported and kept at the change height by the shoulders 1 1 and 12 of the support frame 10.
In this case, the four spacer bars 19 have a length commensurate to the length of the horizontal rolls 22 and 23, so that the distance of the shoulders 1 1 and 12 is predetermined and prefixed, to allow the correct and precise positioning and support of the right chocks 22a, 23a and the left chocks 22b, 23b.
With particular reference to figs. 5, 6 and 7, a rolling stand 20 for rolling long metal products is shown in its entirety.
In particular, as well as the mobile slider 21 , the frame 10, the first horizontal rolling roll 22 and the second horizontal rolling roll 23, the rolling stand 20 also comprises two vertical rolling rolls 26 and 27, which are disposed substantially parallel to each other and substantially orthogonal to the two horizontal rolls 22 and 23.
In particular, the two vertical rolls 26 and 27 are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the rolling axis X, respective on the right and on the left with reference to the drawings.
The vertical rolls 26 and 27, in cooperation with the horizontal rolls 22 and 23, determine the shape of the cross section of the long product rolled, for example H, T, U or other.
In this case, the support profiles 13a and 15a of the first shoulder 1 1 are reciprocally conformed to cooperate both with the two right chocks 22a and 23a of both horizontal rolls 22 and 23, and also with the chock 26a of the right vertical roll 26.
The support profiles 16a and 17a of the second shoulder 12 are reciprocally conformed to cooperate both with the two left chocks 22b and 23b of both horizontal rolls 22 and 23, and also with the chock 27a of the left vertical roll 27. In this way, each vertical roll 26 and 27 is supported and kept at the change height by the shoulders 1 1 and 12 of the support frame 10, in an intermediate position between the two horizontal rolls 22 and 23.
In particular, each chock 26a and 27a is mounted on the relative uprights 13, 15 and 16, 17 of the shoulders 1 1 and 12 in sliding fashion, so as to allow to adjust the reciprocal distance between the two vertical rolls 26 and 27.
In this case, on each of the support profiles 13a, 15a, 16a and 17a, a sliding constraint 30 is mounted , whereas each of the chocks 26a and 27a comprises relative lateral sliding grooves 31.
With this solution, since the sliding references are mounted on the uprights 13, 15, 16 and 17 of the shoulders 1 1 and 12, and directly on the chocks 26a and 27a, the adjustment, if any, of the distance between the two vertical rolls 26 and 27 is completely independent of the position of the chocks 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b of the two horizontal rolls 22 and 23.
In this case, the mobile slider 21 has four support bars 29, which extend vertically to support the chocks 26a and 27a at the rear.
It is clear that modifications and/ or additions of parts may be made to the support frame 10 and the rolling stand 20 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention. It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of support frame for rolls in a rolling stand, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.
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