Rolling mill for rolling metal, wire or tube along rolling axis

Abstract

The present application relates to a rolling mill for rolling metal, wire or tube along a rolling axis, in which the rolling mill comprises two or more stands arranged one after the other along the rolling axis and received in each case in a stand base, wherein each of the stands comprises three rollers, which are positioned in each case on a roller shaft, surround the rolling axis in a star-shaped manner and together form an aperture, wherein at least two of the three roll shafts of each of the stands are operatively connected in each case to a drive unit. The drive unit includes: a motor having a motor shaft; and a gearbox having a Z-shaped gearbox housing and having a drive shaft coupled to the motor shaft, and having an output shaft offset parallel to the drive shaft and coupled to the roll shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rolling mill for rolling metal bars, wires or tubes along a rolling axis, the rolling mill comprising a plurality of stands arranged one after another along the rolling axis and each stand being received in a stand base, each stand comprising three rolls, the three rolls being positioned on a roll shaft in each case and surrounding the rolling axis in a star shape, and the three rolls together forming a diameter. Background Technology

[0002] In principle, rolling mills for rolling bar-shaped materials are known in the production of metal tubes, bars, or wires. In this case, the material to be rolled can be rolled to the desired diameter by setting the caliper accordingly. Stands for such mills are known, for example, from DE 100 15 340A1.

[0003] Generally, multiple stands are arranged consecutively in a rolling mill. Therefore, the material to be rolled can be stretched and rolled into a smaller diameter by means of the difference in the roll speeds between the individual stands.

[0004] Furthermore, the roundness of the material to be rolled after passing through a single stand is often insufficient because the cross-section is polygonal due to the star-shaped arrangement and relatively small number of rolls. The number of sides of the polygon corresponds to the number of rolls in the stand. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the material to be rolled by a single three-roll stand is not an ideal circle, but rather approximates a triangle.

[0005] To improve the roundness of the material to be rolled, the successive stands are preferably arranged such that, in each case, the corner of the cross-section of the material to be rolled leaving the stand contacts the rolls of the next stand at the center position, and thus the cross-section of the material to be rolled becomes rounder.

[0006] Therefore, in each case (e.g., the first and third stands of a four-stand rolling mill), the three rolls are typically positioned in a so-called "Y-shaped arrangement," while in each case, the rolls of the stands located behind the first and third stands (e.g., the second and fourth stands) are arranged in a so-called "inverse Y-shaped arrangement" (or "inverted Y-shaped arrangement"). Because the rolls and stands are arranged alternately in Y-shaped and inverse Y-shaped arrangements, in each case, the corners of the cross-section of the material to be rolled are rolled by the rolls of the next stand, and thus the cross-section of the material to be rolled becomes rounded.

[0007] In a Y-shaped arrangement, the lower roll is oriented such that its roll axis is horizontally positioned when viewed from the rolling axis, meaning the diameter of the lower roll extends vertically. In contrast, in an inverted Y-shaped arrangement, the roll axis of the upper roll is horizontally positioned when viewed from the rolling axis, meaning the diameter of the upper roll extends vertically. In both cases, the roll axes of the two additional rolls are positioned at an angle of 120° relative to the horizontal roll axis. Of course, the arrangement relative to the horizontal direction is generally arbitrary, as only the relative arrangement of the rolls to adjacent stands is important for the effects described here.

[0008] A rolling mill is typically formed by arranging the stands one after another using a stand base. The stands are placed in and secured by the stand base. This allows for the replacement of stands in the rolling mill, for example, for routine maintenance purposes.

[0009] Rolls are typically arranged on a roll shaft in a press-fit manner and driven by a drive for the roll shaft. Therefore, there are concepts of driving each roll shaft separately by means of an independent drive, or driving multiple roll shafts together via a single drive through a corresponding gearbox. This invention relates to the concept of driving the roll shafts separately by means of a single drive in each case.

[0010] The challenge with this concept lies in the need for a very large installation space to accommodate multiple drive motors and corresponding reduction gears. In this case, the problem is particularly acute because the motors must be positioned quite far from the rolling axis to ensure sufficient spacing between them. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Against this backdrop, the object of the present invention is to construct a rolling mill for rolling metal bars, wires, or tubes along a rolling axis, the mill body being constructed in a manner that saves as much space as possible. Specifically, the object of the present invention is also to construct the rolling mill in a manner that minimizes the resources required for its production and installation without compromising its performance (particularly in terms of rolling performance during mill operation).

[0012] This objective is achieved by the rolling mill according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims.

[0013] A preferred rolling mill for rolling metal bars, wires, or tubes along a rolling axis comprises two or more stands arranged one after another along the rolling axis and each received in a stand base. In this case, each of the three stands includes three rolls, each positioned on a roll shaft and arranged in a star configuration around the rolling axis, and the three rolls together forming a diameter. At least two of the three roll shafts of each stand are operatively connected to a drive unit in each case. The drive unit includes a motor with a motor shaft and a gearbox having a Z-shaped gearbox housing, a drive shaft preferably flush with and connected to the motor shaft, and an output shaft offset parallel to the drive shaft and preferably flush with and connected to the roll shaft.

[0014] In this configuration, in each case, the drive unit of at least one of the roll shafts of the frame is configured in a first configuration, in which a portion of the drive shaft or motor shaft protruding outward from the gearbox housing and a portion of the output shaft or roll shaft protruding outward from the gearbox housing are arranged to axially overlap with a portion of the gearbox housing. Additionally, in each case, the drive unit of at least another roll shaft of the frame is configured in a second configuration, in which a portion of the drive shaft and motor shaft protruding outward from the gearbox housing, and a portion of the output shaft and roll shaft protruding outward from the gearbox housing, are arranged not to axially overlap with respect to the gearbox housing.

[0015] In each case, the gearbox of the drive unit includes a Z-shaped gearbox housing that allows the drive shaft and output shaft to be offset both radially relative to the axes of the two parallel shafts and along the axes of the two parallel shafts.

[0016] The Z-shaped design of the gearbox housing allows for different configurations of the gearbox, enabling, depending on requirements, a particularly small gap between the motor shaft connected to the drive shaft of the gearbox and therefore also to the motor itself, and the roll shaft connected to the output shaft of the gearbox and therefore also to the frame. This is the case in the first configuration, where the gearbox housing and the corresponding connecting portions of the shafts connected to the gearbox or the drive and output shafts are arranged with axial overlap. Due to this axial overlap, the gearbox is connected such that, in the axial direction viewed along the axis of the roll shaft and therefore also the motor shaft, there is almost no increase in installation space requirements (if any).

[0017] However, in the second configuration, the Z-shaped housing can also be arranged such that the gearbox is arranged in its axially extended state between the roll shaft and the motor shaft, thus resulting in a relatively large distance between the motor shaft (and therefore the motor) and the roll shaft on the one hand, and between the motor shaft and the frame on the other hand.

[0018] The fact that the output shaft is flush with the roll shaft makes this part of the torque gearbox less susceptible to disturbance and achieves high stability. However, non-flush alignment of the universal joint, the roll shaft and its associated output shaft, and the motor shaft and its associated drive shaft is also possible.

[0019] Preferably, the third of the three roll shafts in each of the frames is also operatively connected to such a drive unit, which includes a motor with a motor shaft and a gearbox having a Z-shaped gearbox housing, a drive shaft flush with and connected to the motor shaft, and an output shaft offset parallel to and connected to the drive shaft. In this case, the drive unit is preferably configured in a first configuration or a second configuration, as defined and described above.

[0020] Preferably, the roll shafts of adjacent stands are oriented parallel to each other and arranged perpendicular to the rolling axis and offset relative to each other. In this case, all drive units operatively connected to these roll shafts oriented parallel to each other are configured in either a first configuration or a second configuration in each case.

[0021] Specifically, when adjacent stands change between a Y-shaped and an inverse Y-shaped arrangement, the roll shafts can be arranged in a parallel switching manner, allowing the rolls positioned on the corresponding shafts to alternately roll the material to be rolled from opposite sides and in opposite directions. The drive units for the parallel roll shafts are configured in the same way, either in the first configuration or the second configuration, thus making efficient use of space. Furthermore, this allows for a relatively low overall installation height for the entire mill, not just above a single stand, while maintaining the same high clearance height alongside the stand when the drive units are arranged above the stand. When the drive units are arranged below the stand, a more uniform and relatively large distance between the gearbox housing and the motor and the stand housing is possible, providing sufficient space for peripheral devices, such as the track system, particularly for changing carriages on the stand, or other devices and machines laterally approaching the stand. The same gearbox housing can satisfy these two seemingly contradictory requirements, and therefore, due to the multi-functional use of each component, the mill can be used very flexibly and is highly cost-effective in production.

[0022] In this case, it is particularly preferred that the drive units operably connected to the parallel-oriented roll shafts of adjacent stands are oriented in each case such that the output shafts are alternately offset in opposite directions relative to the drive shafts. Therefore, the aforementioned efficient use of space can be achieved simultaneously, and the motors of the drive units can be spaced far apart, even close to the rolling axis, allowing the motors to be relatively large and arranged relatively close to the rolling axis.

[0023] Preferably, in each case, the first of the three roll shafts in each of the stands is oriented such that the drive unit operably connected to the first roll shaft is located above the stand. In this case, the drive unit operably connected to the first roll shaft of the three roll shafts is configured in a first configuration to achieve a smaller installation height of the mill above the rolling axis, and in this case, to simultaneously achieve a considerably large clearance height on the sides of the mill for personnel or peripheral devices.

[0024] In this configuration, it is particularly advantageous that the motor of the drive unit operably connected to the first of the three roll shafts is mounted on the gearbox housing of the corresponding drive unit by means of a bracket. Since the gearbox housing has a Z-shaped design and is angled above the mill, it may not require any additional crossbeams for support, but rather at least partially supports the gearbox itself, and preferably also the associated motor.

[0025] The gearbox housing can together form an unsupported bridge for accommodating side-by-side gearboxes. In other words, the gearbox housing does not require its own steel crossbeams. At least some of the weight load of the corresponding motor can also be absorbed by the gearbox housing. Preferably, the motor can be supported both by the gearbox housing and by one or more additional support members.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, in each case, the second of the three roll shafts of each frame is oriented such that the drive unit operably connected to it is located below the frame. In this case, the drive unit operably connected to the second of the three roll shafts is configured in a second configuration to achieve a relatively large clearance below the frame for peripheral components.

[0027] Peripheral components may be used, in particular, as a track system for the stand-changing carriage. The stand-changing carriage is used to simultaneously change multiple stands, for example, for use or rapid adjustment to another material to be rolled. Therefore, the stand-changing carriage places a very high load on the ground and is thus preferably moved on a track system. This track system requires ground mounting space and can be smoothly bridged with the arrangement of the drive units in the second configuration.

[0028] In the case of the preferred mill, in each case the third of the three roll shafts of each stand is horizontally oriented such that the drive unit operably connected to the third roll shaft is located next to the stand.

[0029] In this configuration, the drive unit operably connected to the third roll shaft can be configured in a second configuration to achieve a larger spacing between the motors of the drive units of adjacent frames.

[0030] Alternatively, the drive unit operatively connected to the third roll shaft can be configured in the first configuration to achieve a small installation space next to the frame. Therefore, depending on the installation conditions, various advantages of both the first and second configurations of the drive unit can be utilized. This highlights the high degree of flexibility achieved through the specific Z-shaped gearbox housing and the preferred arrangement and orientation of the drive unit.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the drive shaft and the output shaft, the gearbox housing also includes at least one intermediate shaft. The particularly pronounced Z-shaped shape of the gearbox housing can be achieved through the intermediate shaft, a shape that allows the gearbox housing to be provided, in the manner described above, with a particularly flexible configuration for the rolling mill.

[0032] In addition to the drive shaft and the output shaft, the gearbox preferably also includes an intermediate shaft and a switching shaft.

[0033] The mill stand, or the stand housing of all stands, preferably has a hexagonal shape as seen along the rolling axis. Therefore, the stand can be easily received in the stand base in a Y-shaped or inverse Y-shaped arrangement, its position and orientation conforming to the position and orientation of the roll shaft drive units, which can be arranged in a particularly advantageous manner. This is especially applicable to additional peripheral devices, such as remote adjustment components for the rolls, where the arrangement and orientation of the rolls can be maintained or substantially maintained if the hexagonal shape of the stand is cleverly selected for different arrangements and configurations of the stand.

[0034] Further advantages and developments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the drawings and all claims. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a preferred rolling mill including a drive unit, viewed along the rolling axis.

[0036] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a Y-shaped frame for a rolling mill, including the drive unit.

[0037] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a rolling mill frame with a reverse Y-shaped arrangement, including the drive unit.

[0038] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the frame. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a preferred rolling mill 100 including drive units 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3, viewed along the rolling axis. Therefore, it can be seen from the view in this figure that the rolling axis extends perpendicular to the image plane.

[0040] At the center of the figure, a frame 1 is shown, comprising a frame housing 10 having a hexagonal shape. The shape represents a regular hexagon, and the frame 1 is positioned on one side of the hexagon's horizontal orientation. The frame 1 includes three rolls 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3, each defining a rolling plane in which the periphery of roll 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3 extends. Each of rolls 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3 is positioned on roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 extending substantially perpendicular to the rolling plane. Rolls 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3 are arranged in a star-shaped configuration around the rolling axis, thus forming a gauge 21 through which the material to be rolled is guided during rolling.

[0041] The star-shaped arrangement of rolls 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3 is arranged in a so-called inverted Y-shape. Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. The name derives from the fact that the rolling planes of rolls 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3 are positioned as vertical planes above the diameter 21, with two planes in each case tilted at a 120° angle relative to the vertical plane, forming a shape resembling an inverted letter Y when viewed along the rolling axis. In contrast, Figure 2 The frame 1 shown is arranged in a so-called Y-shape because the vertical rolling plane is located below the caliber 21, and the arrangement of the rolling planes observed along the rolling axis is therefore shaped like the letter Y.

[0042] Figure 1 The visible frame 1 and the rows arranged flush along the rolling axis, and therefore in Figure 1 Each of the hidden racks 1 is received in a rack base 70, the rack base being from... Figure 1 The left side of the perspective view partially surrounds the associated rack 1. The lower edge, side edges, and upper edge of rack 1 are received by rack bases. In this case, four of the six side surfaces 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, and 14.6 of the regular hexagon described by the shape of the corresponding rack 1 are surrounded by the associated rack base 70, and the side surfaces are side-by-side.

[0043] Rolls 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3 are attached to roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 in a gapless manner, for example, by being pushed or retracted onto roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 by press-fit, and are driven by driving roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3. The rolling mill 100 has drive units 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3 for driving roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3.

[0044] Each of the drive units 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3 drives the roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3, and thus drives the rolls 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3. For this purpose, each drive unit 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3 includes: a motor 81.1, 81.2, and 81.3 having a motor shaft; and gearboxes 82.1, 82.2, and 82.3 having Z-shaped gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, and 83.3; drive shafts 84.1, 84.2, and 84.3 flush with and connected to the motor shafts; and output shafts 86.1, 86.2, and 86.3 offset parallel to the drive shafts 84.1, 84.2, and 84.3 and flush with and connected to the roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3.

[0045] Connectors 88.1, 88.2, and 88.3 are located on frame 1, and the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, and 86.3 of drive units 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3 can be connected to roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 via these connectors. In this case, roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 or output shafts 86.1, 86.2, and 86.3 can also be composed of multiple partial shafts. The fact that output shafts 86.1, 86.2, and 86.3 are flush with roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 makes this part of the torque gearbox less susceptible to interference and improves stability. However, it is also conceivable to provide a universal joint.

[0046] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, and 86.3 are formed by two portions and include a first portion extending between the frame 1, which includes the couplings 88.1, 88.2, and 88.3 comprising the roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3, and the Z-shaped gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, and 83.3. Furthermore, the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, and 86.3 include a second portion extending from the first portion of the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, and 86.3 into the gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, and 83.3.

[0047] Corresponding to the number of three roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 in each frame 1, the three drive units 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3 are arranged in each case such that the roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, and 22.3 are flush around the frame 1. In this case, Figure 1 In the perspective view, for each rack 1, the first drive unit 80.1 is arranged at the upper right of the rack, the second drive unit 80.2 is arranged at the lower right of the rack, and the third drive unit 80.3 is arranged at approximately the same height on the left side of the rack.

[0048] The first drive unit 80.1 is configured in a first configuration. In this configuration, a second portion of the output shaft 86.1 extends at least partially adjacent to a portion of the gearbox housing 83.1 before entering it. Therefore, the output shaft 86.1 enters a portion of the gearbox housing 83.1 at a distance from the rolling axis, and thus extends at least partially in a manner that axially overlaps with a portion of the gearbox housing 83.1. This configuration of the Z-shaped gearbox housing 83.1 causes an offset between the output shaft 86.1 and the drive shaft 84.1, resulting in a smaller distance between the motor 81.1 of the first drive unit 80.1 and the rolling axis. Due to this offset, in the first configuration, the gearbox housing 83.1 reduces the distance between the motor 81.1 of the drive unit 80.1 and the frame 1 or the rolling axis.

[0049] The second drive unit 80.2 is configured in a second configuration. In this configuration, the second portion of the output shaft 86.2 does not extend alongside the gearbox housing 83.2 before entering it. In this respect, the second configuration is oriented opposite to the Z-shaped shape of the gearbox housing 83.2, resulting in a larger distance between the motor 81.2 of the second drive unit 80.2 and the rolling axis. Due to this offset, in the second configuration, the gearbox housing 83.2 increases the distance between the motor 81.2 of the drive unit 80.2 and the frame 1 or the rolling axis.

[0050] Although the Z-shaped shape of the gearbox housing 83.2 of the second drive unit 80.2 implies an assumed compact structure, i.e., when the length of the first portion of the output shaft 84.2 is the same as the length in the second configuration, the motor of the second drive unit 80.2 is arranged relatively close to the rolling axis and the frame 1, the Z-shaped shape of the gearbox housing 83.2 of the second drive unit 80.2 also results in a space-consuming structure, wherein when the length of the first portion of the output shaft 86.2 is the same as the length in the first configuration, the motor 81.2 of the second drive unit 80.2 is arranged relatively far from the rolling axis and the frame 1.

[0051] For the second drive unit 80.2, a larger spacing is advantageous because it allows for smooth bridging of the installation space of the track system 90 for the stand-changing carriage 92 in the ground without extending the shaft and thus increasing dynamic instability. For the first drive unit 80.1, a smaller spacing is advantageous because it keeps the upward installation height of the mill 100 relatively low.

[0052] Similar to these cases with the second drive unit 80.2, in Figure 1In the embodiment shown, the gearbox housing 83.3 of the third drive unit 80.3 is configured in a second configuration such that when the output shaft 86.3 has the same length, the distance between the motor 81.3 of the third drive unit 80.3 and the corresponding frame 1 and rolling axis is increased by the gearbox housing 83.3.

[0053] The first configuration of the Z-shaped gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 (with a portion of the output shafts 84.1, 84.2, 84.3 axially overlapping with the gearbox housing 83.1) and the second configuration of the Z-shaped gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 (with the output shafts 84.1, 84.2, 84.3 non-overlapping with the gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3) cause the gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 to either increase the distance between the corresponding motors 81.1, 81.2 and the frame 1, or cause the directional extension of the gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 along the roll shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 to be almost or completely compensated by the Z-shaped shape.

[0054] Furthermore, the orientation of the first drive unit 80.1 and the second drive unit 80.2 of the consecutive frames 1 (i.e., frames 1 positioned one after another along the rolling axis) is different from the orientation of the third drive unit 80.3.

[0055] The gearbox housings 83.1 and 83.2 of the first drive unit 80.1 and the second drive unit 80.2 of adjacent frames 1 are oriented such that the motor 81.1 of the first drive unit 80.1 of the adjacent frame 1 is positioned close to each other. In other words, the gearbox housings 83.1 are guided toward each other along the periphery of the rolling axis. The same applies to the second drive unit 80.2 of the adjacent frame 1. As a result, at the height of the motors 81.1 and 81.2, the spacing between the motors 81.1 and 81.2 along the periphery of the rolling axis is relatively small, which is advantageous, for example, for the installation of the motor 81.1 of the first drive unit 80.1 and the installation space requirements of the second drive unit 80.2.

[0056] With the help of Figure 1 The Z-shaped gearbox housing 83.1 shown is configured such that the first drive unit 80.1 forms a self-supporting bridge so that it can be placed on both sides of the support without requiring any additional steel crossbeams. In this case, the gearbox housing 83.1 is preferably self-supporting and can further absorb at least a portion of the weight of the motor 81.1.

[0057] In contrast, the gearbox housings 83.3 of the third drive units 80.3 of the adjacent frames 1 are arranged such that they are guided away from each other in the peripheral direction of the rolling axis, resulting in a larger spacing between adjacent motors 81.3. This allows the upper motor 81.3 of the mill 100 to be mounted on a solid support that does not affect the lower motor 91.3. Alternatively, however, the third drive unit 80.3 can also be configured in a similar manner to the first drive unit 80.1 or the second drive unit 80.2.

[0058] Figure 1 The diagram shows a gearbox change carriage 92 and a track system 90 for the gearbox change carriage 92. The gearbox change carriage 92 is known in principle. The track system 90 for the gearbox change carriage 92 requires considerable installation space because it must be designed to absorb the weight of the gearbox change carriage 92 itself and the four or more frames 1 on the gearbox change carriage 92. Therefore, the second configuration is particularly advantageous for the second drive unit 80.2, as it allows for a larger distance between the motor 81.2 and the frame 1 without the need for a longer shaft for this purpose.

[0059] Figure 2 schematically shown Figure 1 The rolling mill 100 has Y-shaped stands 1 containing drive units 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3. In a typical case where the rolling mill 100 has four stands 1, two of the stands 1 are oriented in the Y-shaped arrangement.

[0060] Figure 3 schematically shown Figure 1 The rolling mill 100 has a stand 1 containing drive units 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3 arranged in an inverted Y-shape. In a typical case where the rolling mill 100 has four stands 1, two of the stands 1 are oriented in the aforementioned inverted Y-shape arrangement.

[0061] In a typical rolling mill 100 Figure 2 Y-shaped arrangement and Figure 3 The reverse Y-shaped arrangement alternates along the rolling axis.

[0062] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the frame 1 illustrates schematic diagrams of gearboxes 82.1, 82.2, and 82.1 for drive units 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3. This illustration shows that, in addition to drive shafts 84.1, 84.2, and 84.3 and output shafts 86.1, 86.2, and 86.3, intermediate shafts and switching shafts are also provided in gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, and 83.3.

[0063] Gearboxes 82.1, 82.2, and 82.3 are configured such that the first two shafts, counting from motors 81.1, 81.2, and 81.3, contain a switching gearbox. At the third gear on the second shaft, a two-stage reduction stage begins, offset around a plane, to achieve the desired torque. In the embodiment shown here, the third shaft achieves a Z-shaped offset, and also causes a greater extension of gearboxes 82.1, 82.2, and 82.3 laterally to the shaft orientation. This allows for a larger clearance between motors 81.1, 81.2, and 81.3 in adjacent frames 1, providing corresponding mounting space.

[0064] List of reference numerals

[0065] 1 rack

[0066] 10. Rack housing

[0067] 12 External

[0068] Side surfaces 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6

[0069] Rolls 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3

[0070] 21 caliber

[0071] 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 Roll shafts

[0072] 70 rack base

[0073] Drive units 80.1, 80.2, and 80.3

[0074] Motors 81.1, 81.2, and 81.3

[0075] Gearboxes 82.1, 82.2, and 82.3

[0076] 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 Gearbox housing

[0077] Drive shafts 84.1, 84.2, and 84.3

[0078] Output shafts 86.1, 86.2, and 86.3

[0079] 88.1, 88.2, 88.3 Connecting parts

[0080] 90 orbital system

[0081] 92. Replace the carriage on the rack.

[0082] 100 Rolling Mill.

Claims

1. A rolling mill (100) for rolling metal bars, wires, or tubes along a rolling axis, The rolling mill (100) includes two or more stands (1), which are arranged one after another along the rolling axis and each is received in a stand base (70). Each of the frames (1) comprises three rolls (20.1, 20.2, 20.3), which in each case are positioned on a roll shaft (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) in a star-shaped arrangement around the rolling axis and together form a diameter (21). In each of the frames (1), at least two of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are operatively connected to the drive unit (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) in each case. The drive units (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) include: Motors (81.1, 81.2, 81.3), which have motor shafts; And gearboxes (82.1, 82.2, 82.3) having Z-shaped gearbox housings (83.1, 83.2, 83.3) and drive shafts (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) connected to the motor shaft, and output shafts (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) offset parallel to the drive shafts (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) and connected to the roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), wherein the drive unit (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) of at least one of the roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of the frame (1) is configured in a first configuration in each case. In the first configuration, a portion of the drive shaft (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) or a portion of the motor shaft, which protrudes outward from the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3), and a portion of the output shaft (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) or a portion of the roll shaft (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which also protrudes outward from the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3), are arranged in each case to axially overlap with a portion of the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3), and In each case, the drive unit (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) of at least one of the roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of the frame (1) is configured in a second configuration. In the second configuration, a portion of the drive shaft (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) and the motor shaft, which protrude outward from the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3), as well as a portion of the output shaft (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) and the roll shaft (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which protrude outward from the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3), are arranged so as not to overlap with respect to the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3).

2. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1, wherein the third roll shaft of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of each of the stands (1) is also operatively connected to the drive unit (80.1, 80.2, 80.3). The drive units (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) include: Motors (81.1, 81.2, 81.3), which have motor shafts; And gearboxes (82.1, 82.2, 82.3) having Z-shaped gearbox housings (83.1, 83.2, 83.3) and drive shafts (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) connected to the motor shaft, and output shafts (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) offset parallel to the drive shafts (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) and connected to the roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), wherein the drive units (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) are configured in either the first configuration or the second configuration.

3. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the drive shaft (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) connected to the motor shaft is flush with the motor shaft.

4. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output shaft (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) connected to the roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is flush with the roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

5. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of adjacent stands (1) are oriented parallel to each other and arranged to be offset from each other perpendicular to the roll axis. All the drive units (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) operably connected to the roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) oriented parallel to each other are configured in either the first configuration or the second configuration in each case.

6. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 5, wherein the drive units (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) of adjacent stands (1) are oriented in each case such that the output shafts (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) are alternately offset in opposite directions relative to the drive shafts (84.1, 84.2, 84.3), the drive units being operatively connected to the roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) oriented parallel to each other.

7. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first roll shaft of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of each of the stands (1) is oriented in each case such that the drive unit (80.1) operably connected to the first roll shaft is located above the stand (1). The drive unit (80.1) of the first roll shaft, which is operatively connected to one of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), is configured in the first configuration.

8. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 7, wherein the motor (81.1) of the drive unit (80.1) operably connected to the first roll shaft of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is mounted on the gearbox housing (83.1) of the respective drive unit (80.1) by means of a bracket.

9. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second roll shaft of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of each of the stands (1) is oriented in each case such that the drive unit (80.2) operably connected to the second roll shaft is located below the stand (1). The drive unit (80.2) operably connected to the second roll shaft of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is configured in the second configuration.

10. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third roll shaft of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of each of the stands (1) is horizontally oriented in each case such that the drive unit (80.3) operably connected to the third roll shaft is located beside the stand (1). The drive unit (80.3) operably connected to the third roll shaft of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is configured in the second configuration. Alternatively, the drive unit (80.3) operably connected to the third roll shaft of the three roll shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) may be configured in the first configuration.

11. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in addition to the drive shafts (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) and the output shafts (86.1, 86.2, 86.3), the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3) further includes at least one intermediate shaft.

12. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 11, wherein, in addition to the drive shafts (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) and the output shafts (86.1, 86.2, 86.3), the gearboxes (82.1, 82.2, 82.3) further include the intermediate shaft and the switching shaft.

13. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stand (1) has a hexagonal external shape as observed along the rolling axis.

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