Roll-changing device for changing the working and/or intermediate rolls of a rolling mill stand

Abstract

A roll-changing device (1) for changing the working and/or intermediate rolls (2) of a rolling mill stand includes a roll-changing carriage (3), with which rolls (2) to be changed out or in can be transported. In order to further develop such a roll-changing device in such a way that it is possible to ensure simplified and safe loading and unloading of a roll-changing carriage, the roll-changing device (1) includes a cartridge (4) that can be detachably arranged in the roll-changing carriage (3). The cartridge (4) is provided with receiving spaces (5) for the rolls (2).

Description

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a roll-changing device for changing the working and/or intermediate rolls of a rolling mill stand, wherein the roll-changing device comprises a roll-changing carriage with which rolls to be changed out or in can be transported.

A roll-changing device of this type is disclosed, for example, in EP 0 911 089 B1. The device described there is used to rapidly change rolls on a six-high rolling mill stand, wherein a roll-changing carriage is used. Similar and other solutions are shown in EP 1 136 143 B1, EP 2 150 361 B1, EP 3 167 975 B1 and JP H07 108 305 A.

Up to now, when changing working rolls/intermediate rolls, the individual rolls have been transported separately between the rolling mill stand and the roll-changing carriage/between the roll-changing carriage and the roll workshop.

The disadvantage here is that the process of changing the rolls is difficult to automate. Furthermore, a high level of activity of the crane system, which is located at the rolling line, is required to transport the individual rolls.

Due to the correspondingly large number of manual interventions in the vicinity of the rolling line when changing the rolls, there is also a certain safety problem, such that a relatively high level of effort must be made to ensure safe working. One particular problem is that the personnel who load and unload the roll-changing carriage are sometimes not adequately protected against the escape of rolls during crane activities.

Thus, changing the rolls and, in particular, loading and unloading the roll-changing carriage is time-consuming and labor-intensive and correspondingly expensive.

SUMMARY

The disclosure improves a roll-changing device of the type mentioned above in such a manner that it is possible to ensure simplified and safe loading and unloading of a roll-changing carriage. Furthermore, this process should be accomplished more rapidly, such that more economical operations are possible. Finally, it should be possible to improve safety conditions.

This is achieved in that the roll-changing device comprises a cartridge that can be detachably arranged in the roll-changing carriage, wherein the cartridge is provided with receiving spaces for the rolls.

Preferably, the cartridge has a plurality of receiving spaces for rolls arranged one above the other.

It can be fitted with load attachment means for the engagement of a crane hook.

A preferred embodiment provides that the cartridge consists of two basic components, specifically a base body, which has the receiving spaces for the rolls, and a crane crossbeam, which can be detachably connected to the base body. Preferably, the crane crossbeam is fitted with the load attachment means for the engagement of a crane hook.

Thereby, the crane crossbeam can surround the base body of the cartridge at least on part of the outer sides of the base body if the base body and the crane crossbeam are connected to one another. The crane crossbeam preferably has a number of vertically extending columns; thereby, between four and eight, preferably six, vertically extending columns can be provided.

It is particularly advantageous for the purpose of producing a transport securing device if, in accordance with a further development, it is provided that the base body has a longitudinal extension that corresponds to the axis of the rolls received, wherein, in each case, at least one column is arranged in the axial end region of the base body in relation to the longitudinal extension if the base body and the crane crossbeam are connected to one another.

The roll-changing device is preferably a component of a cold or hot flat rolling mill.

Thus, the proposed concept is based on providing a transportable (separate) cartridge for loading and unloading the roll-changing carriage, which can be placed in the roll-changing carriage after equipping with rolls to be changed out or in and transported by it.

When changing the working and/or intermediate rolls, the cartridge is equipped with the individual rolls and the equipped cartridge is then lifted into the roll-changing carriage by means of the overhead crane. Preferably, but not necessarily, all the receiving spaces for rolls that are provided in the cartridge are used.

With a suitable crane system (overhead crane), the changeable cartridge can be automatically placed on and removed from the changing carriage. With suitable devices, the cartridge can be loaded and unloaded automatically in the roll workshop.

Thus, the preferred mode of operation for the use of the roll-changing device described provides for the cartridge (in the state removed from the roll-changing carriage) to be equipped with the rolls at the rolling mill stand/in the roll workshop/or for the rolls to be removed from the cartridge. When the cartridge is equipped, it is placed on the roll-changing carriage (by means of a crane). Therefore, the rolls are replaced between the rolling mill stand and the cartridge/between the cartridge and the roll workshop, wherein the cartridge is not located on the roll-changing carriage.

As explained, the cartridge can be designed in one or two parts (consisting of a base body and crane crossbeam). In the latter case, the base body of the cartridge is thus enclosed by a custom-made crane crossbeam (load suspension).

In such a case, the crane crossbeam can take over the transport securing of the rolls in the cartridge, i.e. the rolls are then secured in the base body of the cartridge against displacement in the direction of their longitudinal axis. This is also highly advantageous when transporting new/reconditioned rolls, since it prevents damage during transportation to the rolling mill stand.

It is further advantageous that the rolls can be quarantined without interruption, i.e. the escape of rolls due to thermal stresses cannot endanger the operating personnel.

Due to a simple and inexpensive structure of the cartridge (which applies in particular to the above-mentioned two-part embodiment), the proposed cartridge can be realized cost-effectively.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the proposed concept allows for a rapid readiness for another roll change after the replacement of a roll.

The equipping of the cartridge can also take place automatically in the roll workshop; i.e., manual equipping of the cartridge in the roll workshop can be avoided, which is advantageous in terms of time, accuracy and safety.

The cartridges can also be used as roll storage places in the roll workshop.

This results in greater overall safety on the rolling line, less crane activity when loading and unloading the rolls and the possibility of saving on operating personnel during the roll change.

With regard to the general procedure for changing rolls in a rolling mill stand, explicit reference is made to the above-mentioned EP 0 911 089 B1 of the patent applicant. In particular, it describes how the rolls to be changed are handled with a “side shifter” using a gripper carriage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of the invention. The following are shown:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a roll-changing device for changing the working and/or intermediate rolls of a rolling mill stand, wherein a roll-changing carriage is shown in which a cartridge is inserted for receiving the rolls to be changed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 1, wherein the cartridge is lifted out of the roll-changing carriage.

FIG. 3 is a perspective representation of the cartridge with received rolls.

FIG. 4 is a perspective representation of the base body of the cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the base body of the cartridge in accordance with FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective representation of two stacked base bodies of the cartridge arranged one above the other.

FIG. 7 shows the cartridge equipped with rolls during transportation with a crane, wherein a position of the cartridge pivoted about a horizontal axis is shown.

FIG. 8 is a perspective representation of an arrangement analogous to FIG. 2, wherein, here, the cartridge is realized in a different embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows schematically the process of loading/unloading the cartridge with rolls, for which a shifting device (“gripper carriage”) is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a roll-changing device 1, which substantially consists of a roll-changing carriage 3 and at least one cartridge 4, which is used to receive the rolls 2 to be loaded/unloaded. The rolls 2 are the working rolls or intermediate rolls that are required in a rolling mill stand. Thus, the roll-changing device 1 comprises at least one cartridge 4, which can be detachably arranged in the roll-changing carriage 3. The cartridge 4 is provided with receiving spaces 5 (see FIG. 5) for the rolls 2.

Thus, it is possible to initially load the cartridge 4 with the rolls 2 on the rolling mill stand (not shown) and then insert the loaded cartridge into the roll-changing carriage 3 by means of an overhead crane. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, where it can be seen that the cartridge 4 is not yet in its receiving space in the roll-changing carriage 3. The cartridge can be handled/transported by the overhead crane by means of the load attachment means 6, which are arranged on the cartridge 4.

A preferred embodiment (in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 7) provides for the cartridge 4 to be designed substantially in two parts. It comprises a base body 7 on the one hand and a crane crossbeam 8 on the other hand; this is best illustrated in FIG. 3. Here, it can be seen, particularly when viewed in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5, that the base body 7 with a substantially cuboid base geometry has a longitudinal extension L that corresponds to the axis of rotation of the rolls 2 to be received. This results in axial end regions 13 and 14 of the base body 7.

The crane crossbeam 8 is then placed on the base body 7 loaded with rolls 2 and anchored to the base body 7. For this purpose, engaging hooks (not shown) of the crane crossbeam, which engage in corresponding recesses in the base body 7, can be used. The cartridge 7 equipped with rolls can then be transported by the overhead crane by means of the load attachment means 6 and moved to the roll-changing carriage 3.

It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the crane crossbeam 8 has a plurality of columns 10, 11, 12, which extend in a vertical direction (this is to be understood as the vertical when the device is used as intended), wherein the columns 10, 11, 12 come into position on the outer side 9 (see in particular FIG. 5) of the base body 7 if the crane crossbeam 8 is placed on the base body 7 and connected to it. Thereby, the columns 10, 11, 12 extend in the vertical direction downwards from an upper part of the crossbeam and are free here so that they can be easily placed on the base body 7. This makes it particularly easy to couple the base body 7 equipped with rolls 2 to the crane crossbeam 8 and thus prepare it for transportation.

In this connection, it should be noted that a column 10 is located in one axial end region 13 and a column 12 in the other axial end region 14. Thereby, in an advantageous manner, a transport securing device, as shown in FIG. 7, is produced. Here, one position of the cartridge 4 during transportation is shown, wherein the cartridge comes to rest at an unfavorable angle to the vertical V during transportation. Accordingly, the rolls 2 can move in the direction of the longitudinal extension L in the cartridge 4. However, such movement is limited by the columns 10/12, preventing the rolls 2 from falling out of the cartridge 4.

FIG. 5 shows the various receiving spaces 5 for the rolls 2. FIG. 6 shows that a plurality of base bodies 7 can be stacked, which is advantageous in terms of storage.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the cartridge 4, wherein a different design is provided here. The crane crossbeam 8 provided here also engages in the upper end region of the base body 7. This figure also shows a protective cover 15, which can be provided for all design variants and which offers protection in the event of roll misplacements.

FIG. 9 illustrates how the cartridge 4 is handled if rolls 2 are loaded into or unloaded from the cartridge 4. A pulling/pushing device 16 is provided for this purpose, with which the individual rolls 2 can be pushed out of or pulled into the cartridge 4 in the longitudinal extension L one after the other. A lifting device 17 brings the cartridge into position in the vertical position, in which the pulling/pushing device 16 can engage in the corresponding receiving space 5 for the roll 2. The handling shown in FIG. 9 can be used both on the rolling mill stand and in the roll workshop.

The proposed concept can be supplemented by the following configuration, which enables improved tracking of the individual rolls:

Roll tracking is possible during automatic loading of cartridge 4 in the roll workshop. For this purpose, each roll 2 is fitted with an identification element, for example an RFID chip. The chip is read when loading the cartridge 4 by using a suitable reading device on the loading unit in the roll workshop. In addition, each cartridge 4 has such an identification element, for example an RFID chip. This ensures that each roll 2 and its position in the changeable cartridge 4 are known.

The roll-changing carriage 3 also has reading devices at the ejection positions of the cartridge 4, which detect the cartridges 4. This means that it is known which roll 2 is in which position and which position it occupies in the stand after the roll change.

Roll selection can be carried out through the connection to a roll shop management system, which also receives data/information from a digital maintenance system (system for managing maintenance measures), for example. Depending on the production planning, the cartridge 4 can be equipped in a manner configured to suit the situation.

While only a small number of rolls can be received in a cartridge 4 (at least two), it is also possible to design a cartridge 4 to receive a complete set of rolls in the case of a quarto or sexto stand.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 1 Roll-changing device
  • 2 Working roll/intermediate roll
  • 3 Roll-changing carriages
  • 4 Cartridge
  • 5 Receiving space for the roll
  • 6 Load attachments means
  • 7 Base body of the cartridge
  • 8 Crane crossbeam of the cartridge
  • 9 Outer side of the main body
  • 10 Column
  • 11 Column
  • 12 Column
  • 13 Axial end region of the base body
  • 14 Axial end region of the base body
  • 15 Protective cover
  • 16 Pulling/pushing device
  • 17 Lifting device
  • L Longitudinal extension of the base body
  • V Vertical

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A roll-changing device (1) for changing working and/or intermediate rolls (2) of a rolling mill stand, comprising: a roll-changing carriage (3), with which the rolls (2) to be changed out or in can be transported; anda cartridge (4), comprising a base body (7) including receiving spaces (5) for the rolls (2), anda crane crossbeam (8), which can be detachably connected to the base body (7),wherein the cartridge (4) can be detachably arranged in the roll-changing carriage (3),wherein the cartridge (4) is fitted with a load attachment (6) for engaging a crane hook.

12. The roll-changing device according to claim 11, wherein the receiving spaces (5) for the rolls (2) are arranged one above another.

13. The roll-changing device according to claim 11, wherein the crane crossbeam (8) is fitted with the load attachment (6) for engaging the crane hook.

14. The roll-changing device according to claim 11, wherein the crane crossbeam (8) surrounds the base body (7) at least on part of outer sides (9) of the base body (7) when the base body (7) and the crane crossbeam (8) are connected to one another.

15. The roll-changing device according to claim 14, wherein the crane crossbeam (8) includes a number of vertically extending columns (10, 11, 12).

16. The roll-changing device according to claim 15, wherein the crane crossbeam (8) has between four and eight vertically extending columns (10, 11, 12).

17. The roll-changing device according to claim 15, wherein the crane crossbeam (8) has six vertically extending columns (10, 11, 12).

18. The roll-changing device according to claim 15, wherein the base body (7) has a longitudinal extension (L) that corresponds to an axis of the rolls (2),wherein at least one of the vertically extending columns (10, 12) is arranged in each axial end region (13, 14) of the base body (7) in relation to the longitudinal extension (L) when the base body (7) and the crane crossbeam (8) are connected to one another.

19. A cold or hot flat rolling mill comprising the roll-changing device according to claim 11.