Rack replacement carriage

Abstract

The present application relates to a stand change carriage (10) for simultaneously receiving and transporting a plurality of stands (12) of a rolling mill (14) for rolling metal bars, wires or pipes, the stand change carriage (10) comprising a plurality of stand locations (16), one of the stands (12) being individually receivable in each of the stand locations (16), and the rack replacement carriage (10) comprises a lifting mechanism (18) designed to individually raise and lower each of the racks (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a frame replacement carriage for simultaneously receiving and transporting a plurality of frames of a rolling mill for rolling metal rods, wires or pipes. Background Art

[0002] For rolling metal rods, wires or pipes, a rolling mill including a plurality of frames arranged one behind the other in the rolling direction is conventionally used. The frames in turn accommodate the actual rolls, which apply a rolling force to the material to be rolled in order to form metal rods, wires or pipes from the material.

[0003] During operation, the rolls wear and must therefore be refurbished regularly. For this purpose, the frame including the rolls to be refurbished must be removed from the rolling mill and transported to the frame shop. After refurbishing the rolls, the corresponding frame must then be transported back from the frame shop to the rolling mill and inserted into the rolling mill. In addition, different frames are required for rolled products of different thicknesses, and the calibers of these frames are preset to the desired thickness of the corresponding rolled products.

[0004] In order to be able to carry out frame replacement in the rolling mill efficiently and safely, a frame replacement carriage is used in a known manner. For example, the frame replacement carriage known from CN 215 089 793U can simultaneously receive a plurality of frames and reliably transport these frames between the rolling mill and the frame shop.

[0005] However, a disadvantage of the frame replacement carriage is that it requires a complex frame base of the rolling mill, which must be designed to push the frame onto the frame replacement carriage and pull the frame from the carriage into the frame base. To make this possible, not only a corresponding moving mechanism is required, but the structure must also be prepared such that the frame replacement carriage can be brought close enough to the frame base so that the moving mechanism can move the frame between the frame base and the frame replacement carriage. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] In view of this background, the object of the present utility model is to provide a frame replacement carriage in the above technical field that requires less of a frame base. Specifically, the object of the present utility model is to provide a frame replacement carriage by means of which the frame can be moved into the frame base particularly safely, quickly and reliably.

[0007] This object is achieved by the frame replacement carriage according to Technical Solution 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present utility model are known from the dependent technical solutions.

[0008] A stand replacement carriage for simultaneously receiving and transporting a plurality of stands of a rolling mill for rolling metal bars, wires or pipes, the stand replacement carriage including a plurality of stand positions in which one of the stands can be individually received in each of the stand positions. The stand replacement carriage further includes a lifting mechanism designed to individually raise and lower each of the stands.

[0009] The stand positions of the stand replacement carriage are designed such that each of the stand positions can accurately receive one stand. Thus, the individual stand positions enable the selective reception and transport of any number (up to the number of stand positions on the stand replacement carriage) of stands.

[0010] The stand positions are arranged in such a way that the arrangement of the stand positions is the same as the stand receiving positions of the stand base, in particular the arrangement of the receiving modules. Thus, the stand replacement carriage can approach the stand base transversely with respect to the rolling direction in which the stands are received one behind the other in the stand base, and can receive or place the stands individually or simultaneously.

[0011] All possible mechanisms suitable for and designed to individually raise and lower stands can be used as the lifting mechanism. Examples of such mechanisms are hydraulic mechanisms, electrically driven mechanical mechanisms or manually actuated cranks.

[0012] By means of the lifting mechanism, the stand replacement carriage can also raise the stand independently of the moving mechanism of the stand base in order to then move the stand in such a way that it is moved into the stand base, and place the stand in its intended position by lowering the stand. Conversely, the stand replacement carriage can use the lifting mechanism to grip the desired stand, lift the stand in the stand base, and then directly transport the stand, while the stands not being transported are not lifted and remain in the stand base.

[0013] The lifting mechanism enables the selective selection and lifting of stands for transport. In addition, the lifting mechanism also places very few requirements on the stand base. In particular, no mechanism is required for pushing the stand out of the stand base or pulling the stand into the stand base. In addition, the lifting mechanism may also have other advantages, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0014] Preferably, the stand replacement carriage includes a plurality of wheels for transporting the stands on tracks or along a trackless substrate. The plurality of wheels allows stable and at the same time flexible transport, and can be designed such that the wheels are suitable for both tracks and trackless substrates. Thus, different boundary conditions on the stand base and in the stand workshop can be responded to. Alternatively, the stand replacement carriage can also be transported in a different manner, for example using a tracked travel device.

[0015] In this case, preferably, the wheels are arranged outside the surface where the frame positions are located, such that the frame positions are all located within the surface spanned by the wheels. This ensures that the heavy frames are also arranged between the wheels, such that the center of gravity of the loaded frame-changing carriage is firmly located between the wheels, and the frame-changing carriage can thus convey the frames stably and safely and also receive and place the frames stably and safely. As an alternative, the wheels can also be arranged inside the surface where the frame positions are located, i.e., the frame positions can also be located outside the surface spanned by the wheels.

[0016] Advantageously, the lifting mechanism comprises a spindle mechanism for raising or lowering the frame. The spindle mechanism is a particularly preferred lifting mechanism because the spindle mechanism can apply a strong force very precisely over a long distance. Thus, the frame can be raised and lowered safely and very accurately. As an alternative and additionally, a hydraulic mechanism or a manual crank can also be used.

[0017] Preferably, the lifting mechanism comprises lifting pins for gripping the frame, and two lifting pins are arranged at each of the frame positions. In this case, the lifting pins are designed in such a way that the lifting pins grip the frame since the lifting pins can engage in openings of the frame corresponding to the lifting pins. As an alternative, other devices (such as forks or clamping members) can also be used to grip and lift the frame.

[0018] The lifting pins are an effective way to grip and raise or lower the frame. This results in a reliable and at the same time simple and thus low-maintenance and cost-effective connection of the lifting mechanism to the frame.

[0019] Preferably, the frame-changing carriage comprises an energy source for supplying energy to the lifting mechanism. However, as an alternative, the frame-changing carriage can also be provided with an external energy supply at the location where the lifting mechanism is intended to be actuated, for example via an electric cable or an induction field.

[0020] An energy source of the frame-changing carriage itself makes the frame-changing carriage particularly advantageous because it can be operated independently and is not restricted by cables etc. and has a larger operating radius. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the frame-changing carriage, its own energy source can also move the frame-changing carriage, i.e., not only independently actuating the lifting mechanism.

[0021] Preferably, the frame-changing carriage comprises at least four frame positions, and the lifting mechanism is designed to raise and lower the at least four frames individually. As an alternative, fewer or more frame positions can also be provided, and the lifting mechanism can be designed to raise and lower a plurality of frames only together.

[0022] Accordingly, many stand bases are designed such that the stand base includes four stands arranged one behind the other in the rolling direction. Accordingly, it is also particularly advantageous to provide four stand positions for the stand changing carriage so that, in the case of such a stand base, the stand changing carriage can be used to simultaneously replace all stands.

[0023] Preferably, a protective barrier is arranged between pairs of stand positions in order to cover the intermediate space between the stand positions. Alternatively, the protective barrier can also be omitted, especially when the stand base already includes a protection device for the intermediate space between adjacent stands.

[0024] The protective barrier enables the stand changing carriage to make an additional contribution to machine safety and thus particularly effectively assists the operation of the rolling mill when the stand changing carriage is held in the stand base during operation. This is optional. The protective barrier of the stand changing carriage makes it possible to prevent the material to be rolled from escaping from the intermediate space between adjacent stands in the event of a fault. The protective barrier can also reliably prevent personnel from reaching into the intermediate space. Correspondingly, such protection can also be omitted from the stand base.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the protective barrier is provided with inflatable sealing lips on both sides facing the stand positions. Alternatively, such sealing lips can also be omitted or designed differently, especially designed to be purely elastic, in which case there is no need for them to be inflatable.

[0026] With the aid of the sealing lips, the protective barrier can also particularly reliably prevent the splashing water that occurs in large quantities in the intermediate space between adjacent stands during the operation of the rolling mill from escaping. The water is used for cooling at the intermediate space. If the stand changing carriage includes a protective barrier between adjacent stand positions, then the protective barrier can be further improved by the sealing lips. If the sealing lips are inflatable and not only elastically deformable, then the sealing lips can cover a particularly large gap between the protective barrier and the stand, the receiving module in the stand base or the stand receiving position and establish a particularly firm seal.

[0027] Preferably, the stand positions are designed to receive the stands having a hexagonal outer shape when viewed in the rolling direction of the stand. However, alternatively, the stand positions can also be designed to receive stands of different shapes, such as conventional stands having a square outer shape.

[0028] Such stands having a hexagonal outer shape are particularly suitable for being received by the stand changing carriage described above because, in such stands, there are protrusions to the side surfaces if the stand is positioned on the side surface that can be successfully gripped by a lifting mechanism (especially a lifting pin).

[0029] Especially in the case of a hexagonal housing, but in principle also in the case of a square housing, the coupling of the roll shafts (through which the rolling torque is introduced into the roll shafts) extends obliquely downwards and extends to the side from which the housing is exchanged. For this arrangement, the housing change carriage described above can make an additional contribution to machine safety, because if the housing base remains in the housing base during operation, the housing change carriage covers these couplings during the operation of the rolling mill.

[0030] Other advantages and developments of the present utility model can be known from the following description of the various figures and all technical solutions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 Showing a preferred housing change carriage that receives a housing above.

[0032] Figure 2 Showing the preferred housing change carriage in a position retracted into the housing base.

[0033] Figure 3 Is a cross-sectional view of the preferred housing change carriage in the rolling mill along the rolling direction.

[0034] Figure 4 Is an enlarged detail of a part of the preferred housing change carriage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Figure 1 Showing a preferred housing change carriage 10 for receiving four housings 12. For this purpose, the housing change carriage is provided with four housing positions 16, all of which are designed to individually receive the housing 12. In the Figure 1 case shown, one housing 12 is received in one of the housing positions 16, while the three remaining housing positions 16 are empty. Viewed from the left, the second housing position 16 of the housing change carriage 10 is occupied by the housing 12, and the first housing position, the third housing position and the fourth housing position 16 are empty.

[0036] Figure 1 Further showing a rolling mill 14, which includes four housing receiving positions 34 of a housing base 32, and the housing receiving positions are arranged one behind the other along the rolling direction W. Three housings 12 are received in the housing receiving positions 34, specifically, viewed from the left, received in the first housing receiving position, the third housing receiving position and the fourth housing receiving position 34. One of the housing receiving positions 34, viewed from the left as the second housing receiving position 34, is not occupied. In the Figure 1In the [description], the stand replacement carriage 10 is positioned such that it can enter the stand base 32 transversely in order to transport the stand 12 in the second stand position 16 to a second stand receiving position 34 in the stand base 32 where no stand 12 has yet been received, or to receive one or more (in particular, all) of the stands 12 located in the stand base 32 in order to completely convey the set of four stands 12. Viewed from the right-hand side along the rolling direction W, the rolling mill 14 can be accessed by the stand replacement carriage 10 or by a worker in order to replace the stands 12 or to perform settings on the stands 12 or other parts of the rolling mill 14.

[0037] Viewed along the rolling direction, in Figure 1 the embodiment shown, the stand 12 has a hexagonal outer shape, and the stand is positioned on the side surfaces of the hexagon formed by the outer shape such that the corners of the hexagon at half the height of the stand 12 can be reached on the accessible side.

[0038] The stand replacement carriage 10 includes a base frame 36 which can be moved on wheels 20 via the Figure 1 rail system indicated. The base frame 36 includes a crossbar 38 and two legs 40 extending transversely at its two ends, and the wheels 20 are arranged at the two ends of the two legs 40. Thus, the base frame 36 spans a rectangular surface, and the base frame surrounds the rectangular surface in a C-shape on three sides, and wheels 20 are arranged at each of the corners of the base frame. Thus, a large load can be received inside the area spanned by the base frame 36 and reliably conveyed on the wheels 20.

[0039] Along the crossbar 38, the stand replacement carriage 10 includes a four-part lifting mechanism 18. Each part of the lifting mechanism 18 belongs to one of the stand positions 16 and is designed to individually raise and lower the stand 12.

[0040] For this purpose, the lifting mechanism 18 includes two lifting pins 24 at each of the stand positions in order to interact with corresponding openings in the stand 12. The openings are provided in the corners of the above-mentioned hexagon at half the height of the stand 12. However, other arrangements of the openings and other components for the interaction between the lifting mechanism 18 and the stand 12 are also possible.

[0041] The lifting pins 24 are attached to slidable members 42 which can be displaced vertically, and the slidable members are guided via vertical rails 44. Thus, each stand 12 can be grasped by the lifting pins 24 and individually raised and lowered by moving the corresponding slidable members 42 vertically along the vertical rails 44.

[0042] A main spindle mechanism 22 is provided for operating the lifting mechanism 18. For this purpose, each part of the lifting mechanism 18, i.e., each slide 42 of each of the frame positions 16, is equipped with an individually driven main spindle 46 that extends from the crossbar 38 to the slide 42 and interacts with a thread there.

[0043] A protective barrier 26 is arranged between each pair of adjacent frame positions 16 so as to cover the intermediate space 28 between the frame positions 16. The protective barrier 26 extends substantially vertically and is shaped and dimensioned so as to extend parallel to the outer shape of the frame 12. In addition, in each case, each of the protective barriers 26 includes two sealing lips 30 that extend along the outer shape of the frame 12 on the side adjacent to the protective barrier 26.

[0044] The sealing lips 30 are inflatable and thus a sealed contact can be established between the protective barrier 26 and the frame 12. If the stand changing carriage 10 remains in the stand base 32 during the operation of the rolling mill 14, the protective barrier 26 can ensure that no metal and sprayed water escape from the area between adjacent stands 12 and no metal and sprayed water reach the area.

[0045] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The stand changing carriage 10 in the stand is in a position retracted into the stand base 32. Viewed from the left, the part of the lifting mechanism 18 belonging to the second frame position 16 is not fully raised, while the other three parts of the lifting mechanism are fully raised.

[0046] In Figure 2 it can be seen that in this retracted position, the base frame 36 makes an additional contribution to machine safety as the base frame also covers the rotating parts of the rolls that project from the bottom surface for driving the stand.

[0047] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the stand changing carriage 10 in the rolling mill 14 along the rolling direction W. As shown here, the stand changing carriage 10 can enter the rolling mill 14 and remain there, while the stand 12 conveyed by the stand changing carriage 10 is received in the stand receiving position 34 of the stand base 32.

[0048] In this arrangement, the protective barrier 26 can be used during operation to protect the intermediate space 28 between adjacent stands 12. Thus, the protective barrier 26 can prevent the material to be rolled from escaping from the intermediate space 28 or prevent personnel from reaching into the intermediate space 28.

[0049] The sealing lip 30 on the protective barrier 26 can be inflated in the retracted setting of the stand replacement carriage 10 and thus also closes the intermediate space 28 in a way that seals against splashing water. Thus, during operation, the large amount of cooling water released between the stands 12 can be kept within the intermediate space 28 and discharged in a controlled manner.

[0050] Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of the stand replacement carriage 10 to more clearly show the sealing lip 30. The sealing lip 30 is located on both sides of the protective barrier 26 so as to establish a splash - proof water - tight connection with the stands 12 ( Figure 4 not shown in) located on these two sides, and keeps the cooling water released between adjacent stands 12 within the mill 14 in the intermediate space 28 and protects the area in front of the mill 14 from the influence of said water.

[0051] Figure 4 Also shown Figure 1 and 2 the lift pins 24 shown in, which pins are not engaged with the stand 12 to raise or lower the stand.

[0052] Symbol Explanation

[0053] 10 Stand replacement carriage

[0054] 12 Stand

[0055] 14 Mill

[0056] 16 Stand position

[0057] 18 Lifting mechanism

[0058] 20 Wheel

[0059] 22 Spindle mechanism

[0060] 24 Lift pin

[0061] 26 Protective barrier

[0062] 28 Intermediate space

[0063] 30 Sealing lip

[0064] 32 Stand base

[0065] 34 Stand receiving position

[0066] 36 Base frame

[0067] 38 Crossbar

[0068] 40 Limb

[0069] 42 Slide

[0070] 44 Orbit

[0071] 46 Spindle

[0072] W Rolling direction.

Claims

1. A stand replacement carriage (10) for simultaneously receiving and transporting a plurality of stands (12) of a rolling mill (14) for rolling metal bars, wires or pipes, characterized in that: The stand replacement carriage (10) includes a plurality of stand positions (16), wherein one of the stands (12) can be individually received in each of the stand positions (16), and The stand replacement carriage (10) includes a lifting mechanism (18) designed to individually raise and lower each of the stands (12).

2. The stand replacement carriage (10) according to claim 1, Characterized in that The stand replacement carriage (10) includes a plurality of wheels (20) for transporting the stand (12) on a track or along a trackless substrate.

3. The stand replacement carriage (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, Characterized in that The lifting mechanism (18) includes a main shaft mechanism (22) for raising or lowering the stand (12).

4. The stand replacement carriage (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The lifting mechanism (18) includes lifting pins (24) for gripping the stand (12), wherein two lifting pins (24) are arranged on each of the stand positions (16).

5. The stand replacement carriage (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The stand replacement carriage (10) includes an energy source for supplying energy to the lifting mechanism (18).

6. The stand replacement carriage (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The stand replacement carriage (10) includes at least four stand positions (16), and The lifting mechanism (18) is designed to individually raise and lower the at least four stands (12).

7. The stand replacement carriage (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that A protective barrier (26) is arranged between pairs of the stand positions (16) to cover the intermediate space (28) between the stand positions (16).

8. The stand replacement carriage (10) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The protective barrier (26) is provided with inflatable sealing lips (30) on both sides facing the stand positions (16).

9. The stand replacement carriage (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The stand positions (16) are designed to receive the stand (12) having a hexagonal outer shape when viewed along the rolling direction of the stand (12).

Images