DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING TAPE MATERIAL, IN PARTICULAR WARM TAPE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for transporting strip material, in particular hot strip, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The production of metal strips and their transport by conveyors in a predetermined direction over a predetermined distance are well known. The roller conveyors transport the metal strips to processing machines for further processing or to coiling devices for intermediate storage. To prevent the strips from slipping sideways off the roller conveyors, lateral guides are provided on the roller conveyors to hold the metal strips in place. Particularly during winding, it is necessary to precisely align the metal strips, including laterally, in order to keep the offset of the individual turns of the metal strip on the coiler as small as possible and to achieve a uniform lateral surface. Therefore, the lateral guides must guide the metal strips relatively tightly.

[0003] Devices for the lateral guidance of metal strips on roller conveyors are typically half-height side walls, also known as side guides. These side guides are equipped with fixed wear plates. The wear plates are subject to high wear, as the edges of the moving metal strips on the roller conveyors dig grooves of varying depth into the wear plates. Wear on the fixed wear plates essentially always occurs in the same place, and the wear plates must therefore be replaced repeatedly depending on the level of use. However, replacing the guides is only possible during a plant shutdown, and the maintenance effort is correspondingly high.

[0004] As a further development, it was therefore proposed in DE 20 2014 011 026 U1 to provide at least one wear body with a wear surface that can be rotated in a controlled manner into several defined rotational positions in a device for the lateral guidance of a metal strip running over a metal strip conveyor device, wherein the wear surface is essentially flat and parallel to a guide plane in all defined rotational positions.

[0005] However, regardless of when the wear part is rotated, component wear is not completely eliminated, and the wear parts are ultimately subjected to uneven loading. Furthermore, this setup has the disadvantage that rotation of the wear parts is only possible when no belt is pressing against the wear part: rotation can therefore only occur between two consecutive belts or when the system is at a standstill.

[0006] WO 2015 / 043 926 A1 discloses a disc lateral guide in which wear discs are also rotated in steps. The rotation of the wear discs occurs exclusively during rolling breaks.

[0007] To prevent damage to the metal strip, JPH05161917 proposes using umbrella-shaped rollers for guiding the strip along a side guide. These rollers are kept in constant rotation by a fluid flow. Upon contact with the rolled material, these guides immediately assume the rolling material speed due to frictional force.

[0008] JPS60195106 shows continuously rotating discs which are driven at the rolling stock speed, whereby the peripheral speed at the contact surface is equal to the transport speed of the rolling stock.

[0009] JPS5350039 A describes a disc lateral guide whose discs are each driven by a motor synchronously with the transport speed of the strip material. WO 2018 / 219946 A1 describes a device for guiding metal strips with wear elements in a finishing train. The wear element can be rotated into several rotational positions. The wear element successively assumes a plurality of rotational positions while being rotated. The wear element can be fixed in a desired rotational position, which it has reached by rotation, or can be rotated to another rotational position by further rotation. This rotation can also occur very slowly, for example, one rotation every 12 hours.

[0010] In all of these known state-of-the-art solutions, the fixed, adjustable wear elements wear exclusively in the limited contact area between the rolling stock and the guide. This uneven wear of the guide surface leads to functional impairment. The wear elements must be replaced at short intervals. System availability is reduced due to the changeover times. Disc side guides, which are adjusted mechanically or with a stepper motor during production breaks, wear out locally in the same area until the next adjustment. In the known solutions with continuously rotating discs, the discs assume the transport speed of the rolled stock through friction at the latest upon contact with the rolled stock. Although this reduces wear, the quality of the strip guidance suffers because the frictional force between the rolled stock and the tension-generating machine, namely the driver or coiler, is missing.This condition always occurs in hot rolling mills when the strip ends leave the last finishing stand. This negatively impacts the coil's coil quality due to increased telescopicity and misaligned coils.

[0011] Based on the above-mentioned prior art, the invention aims to further minimize the wear of guide elements during the transport of hot strips and thereby increase the maintenance intervals.

[0012] This object is achieved by a device for transporting strip material according to claim 1 and a method for transporting strip material according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the respective subclaims.

[0013] Transport devices include, for example, transfer plates or roller conveyors, which are used to transport the metal strips over a specific distance. Metal sheets are transported over a specific distance in the same way. The invention also relates to the transport of sheet metal, although for the sake of simplicity, the term "strip material" is used exclusively below, without any limitation.

[0014] The invention is based on the idea that the lateral guide elements are equipped with rotating wear elements. The wear elements rotate continuously while the strips are guided to the coiler. This results in less and even wear on the contact surfaces. At the same time, the usable wear surface at the contact points between the rolling stock and the guide is increased compared to wear elements that are not adjustable or rotatable. The rotation of the wear elements creates a frictional force at the contact surface, which counteracts the transport direction of the strip. The rotation speed of the wear elements is adjustable.

[0015] According to a first alternative of the invention, the rotational speed of the rotating wear elements is controlled as a function of the rolling speed, but always in such a way that the peripheral speed of the wear elements is lower than the transport speed of the rolled material. In particular, the angular speed of the wear element discs is in the range of 0.5 to 10 revolutions per minute, preferably 0.5 to 5 revolutions per minute.

[0016] In an embodiment not according to the invention, the angular velocity of the wear elements is regulated according to the strip tension. In particular, if the strip tension falls below a threshold value, e.g., after the strip leaves the roll gap, the angular velocity can be adjusted in a special way so that friction results in improved guidance and a reduced centerline deviation of the strip. The peripheral speed is then lower than during normal operation.

[0017] According to a second alternative of the invention, the contact time per surface can be influenced by the adjustable rotational speed depending on the rolling stock speed. As the wear elements rotate, the contact surface changes continuously, and thus also the wear area, so that the wear elements are used more efficiently over the guide time.

[0018] The wear bodies can be extended laterally, i.e. in and against the direction of their rotation axis, so that the guidance of the rolling stock can be influenced by position and force control of the extension device.

[0019] The term "extendable" refers to the lateral positioning as a whole. This includes both the individual positioning of at least one wear element and the positioning of at least one wear element in operative connection with the lateral guide element.

[0020] Compared to the prior art, the solution according to the invention can be expected to have continuous and lower wear without the disadvantageous guiding properties due to a lack of retraction force, as is the case with the known devices in the prior art that rotate continuously at the speed of the rolling stock.

[0021] The size of the wear bodies depends in particular on the space conditions between the transport device, in particular the roller conveyor, and side guide elements.

[0022] Further developments of the invention include cooling of the rulers by a ruler cooling system, wetting of the rotating wear body discs with emulsion, additional force measurement directly on the ruler and intelligent software for predicting the next change of the wear body discs by analyzing the previous course of the current rolling program.

[0023] The invention has the advantage, among other things, that by selecting the angular velocity of the wear discs, the contact time between the wear disc and the strip can be adjusted to a desired value. Furthermore, the relative speed between the wear disc and the rolling stock is lower in the proposed solution than in the prior art, which has a positive effect on wear.

[0024] Further advantages of the invention include increased guide service life and thus increased system availability, also because more even wear on the wear elements results in less repair work for installing replacement parts. Furthermore, the winding quality is improved by the retraction force, especially at the strip end. This also contributes to a reduction in strip edge damage.

[0025] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows a device for producing and in particular transporting strip material according to an embodiment of the invention in plan view. Fig. 2 shows the block diagram of a control of the speed of the wear bodies according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in perspective view. Fig. 4 shows the block diagram of a control of the pressure generation for extending the wear bodies according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] The drawing is not to scale, and in some areas, elements are highlighted to emphasize functions. The same reference drawings are used for identical or equivalent elements unless otherwise stated.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a roller conveyor 1 with rollers 2, over which a strip material 4 is transported. The rollers 2 are driven by motors 3, so that the strip material is moved from left to right in the illustration.

[0028] To prevent the strip material 4 from falling sideways from the roller table 1, the roller table is provided with lateral guide elements 5, which are preferably arranged on both sides of the strip material 4, in particular at the level of the roller table 1 with its multiple rollers 2. As described in the introduction, however, these lateral guide elements 5 are subject to increased wear. In order to distribute the wear caused by the strip material 4 over a larger area, several rotating wear bodies 6 are arranged on the lateral guide elements 5 on both sides of the roller table 1. Each of the wear bodies 6 is rotatably mounted about its axis of symmetry, which lies parallel to the rollers of the roller table, and is set in a rotary movement about its axis of symmetry by a rotary drive 13. Each wear body can have its own rotary drive, or one rotary drive can drive several or all of the wear bodies.

[0029] According to the invention, the rotational speed of the wear body 6 is controlled to a predetermined target speed depending on the advance speed of the strip material 4 on the roller table 1. For this purpose, the device comprises a sensor 8 for the roller rotational speed. Its output signal, which represents the roller rotational speed, serves as a reference variable for a speed control device 7 for the wear body.

[0030] Alternatively, the rotational speed of the wear body 6 is controlled to a predetermined target speed depending on the contact time per surface with the strip material. In this case, the device comprises a sensor (not shown) for the contact time between the wear body and the strip material. The speed of the wear body is selected depending on this contact time, i.e., the contact time is used as the reference variable of the speed control device.

[0031] In both cases, however, the rotational speed of the wear body is controlled so that the peripheral speed of the wear body is less than or equal to the advance speed of the strip material on the roller table. In particular, an angular speed of the wear bodies in the range of 0.5 to 10 revolutions per minute, preferably 0.5 to 5 revolutions per minute, has proven optimal.

[0032] The control of the rotation speed of the wear elements is in Fig. 2 summarized. The controller 7 reads the output signal of a sensor 8 for the roller speed of the roller table 1 as a reference variable. Depending on the roller speed, the controller 7 outputs a manipulated variable signal to a power supply 11 for the rotational drive of the wear body. Depending on the disturbance variable or the actual roller speed of the roller table 1, a speed change results for the drive of the wear body, so that the speed of the wear body is always adapted to the roller speed of the roller table. Preferably, the rotational drive for the at least one wear body is an electric motor.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the rotational speed of the wear elements 6 is regulated to a predetermined, preferably reduced, target speed depending on a measured strip tension. If the strip tension falls below a defined threshold value, e.g., when the strip leaves the last rolling stand, the target speed is reduced so that friction causes the strip tension to increase.

[0034] This provision may be linked to or superimposed on one or both of the above provisions.

[0035] In addition to the adjustable adjustment of the rotational speed of the wear elements 4, the lateral position of the strip material 4 on the roller table 1 is also controlled to a predetermined target position. For this purpose, the device comprises a position control device 9 for controlling an extended position of at least one wear element. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a roller table 1 with a control system for centering the strip material 4 on the roller table 1. The centering of the strip material 4 is achieved by the wear bodies 6, which can be extended laterally, i.e. transversely to the transport direction of the strip material 4. Since the strip material 4 rests loosely on the rollers 2, the strip material can be easily displaced laterally by extending the wear bodies and, in particular, can be centered on the roller table 1. For this purpose, the device has a positioning drive 14 for extending the at least one wear body to an extended position. In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the reference variable is a force with which the wear body 6 is pressed against the strip material 4 on the roller table 1. By detecting the force, the strip material 4 can be held in a predetermined position on the roller table 1.

[0036] In a preferred, particularly practical embodiment, the at least one wear body is moved into the extended position in operative connection together with the lateral guide elements.

[0037] Alternatively, the positioning control device 9 can read in the specification of a lateral position as a reference variable. For this purpose, the device comprises a sensor 10 for a lateral position of the strip material on the roller table.

[0038] A hydraulic drive is preferably used as the positioning drive.

[0039] The control of the lateral position of the strip material 4 on the roller table 1 is in Fig. 4The controller 9 determines the hydraulic pressure of a pressure sensor 12 for the hydraulic drive. The pressure sensor 12 thus represents the actuator or the controlled system of the control loop for controlling the position of the rotating wear body 6 transversely to the transport direction of the strip material on the transport device. The actual lateral position of the strip on the roller table is taken into account by the pressure sensor 12. Depending on this strip position, the pressure sensor 12 outputs a correction signal for the pressure change.

[0040] The controls of the device are preferably extended by a maintenance prognosis device (not shown) which indicates an expected next maintenance date depending on a previous maintenance date and events since the previous maintenance date.

[0041] The method according to the invention for transporting strip material is described in more detail below with reference to the figures: The method initially provides for the transport of the strip material via the transport device 1 with lateral guide elements 5 on the sides of the transport device. The lateral guide elements are preferably arranged on both sides of the transport device, but at least on one side of the transport device. The strip material is transported on the transport device over a predetermined distance, for example, to the reel.

[0042] To reduce wear on the lateral guide elements caused by the friction of the belt material, wear elements 6 are provided on each lateral guide element 5, which are rotated about an axis perpendicular to the transport direction. For this purpose, the wear elements on the lateral guide element are each equipped with a rotary drive 13. The target speed of the rotary drive 13 is adjustable and is specified by the speed control device 7. Instead of directly specifying the target speed, the speed control device 7 can also determine the speed change required to reach the target speed. The calculated target speed or the change in the current speed is set on the rotary drive 13.

[0043] The target speed of the closing bodies depends on the advance speed of the strip material on the transport device. When setting the target speed of the rotary drive 13 by the speed controller 7, the advance speed of the strip material or the roller rotation speed of the roller table can serve as the reference variable of the speed controller 7. Alternatively, the contact time per surface with the strip material can serve as the reference variable of the speed controller 7. This ensures that the wear bodies 6 are not overheated by the strip material. As a further alternative, the retraction in the strip material can also serve as the reference variable of the speed controller 7. This allows, in particular, the winding quality at the strip end on the reel to be monitored.

[0044] By controlling the target speed of the wear elements, strip edge damage during transport of the strip material can also be minimized. To this end, the peripheral speed of the wear element or wear elements 6 is adjusted depending on the advance speed of the strip material on the transport device 1 such that the peripheral speed is less than or equal to the advance speed of the strip material on the transport device 1. With the peripheral speed of the wear elements dependent on the advance speed of the strip material, the angular velocity of the wear elements results in a speed in the order of 0.5 to 10 revolutions per minute. The speed is preferably adjusted to 0.5 to 5 revolutions per minute.

[0045] Since, according to the invention, the wear bodies 6 are extendable in and against the direction of their rotational axis, their extended position can be adjusted to a predetermined target position by a position control device 9. The extension of the wear body transversely to the transport direction into the target position is carried out by the positioning drive 14 of the wear body 6. When regulating the target position of the wear body, the force with which the at least one wear body 6 is pressed against the strip material on the transport device 1 is detected as the reference variable of the position control device. Alternatively, the lateral position of the strip material 10 can be detected by a sensor, so that a target position for the strip material on the transport device serves as the reference variable of the position control device. Reference symbol

[0046] 1Roller table 2Roller 3Roller drive 4Strip material 5Side guide element 6Rotating wear body 7Speed ​​controller wear body 8Sensor roller speed 9Position controller wear body 10Sensor target position of strip material 11Power supply roller drive 12Pressure sensor hydraulic drive 13Rotation drive 14Positioning drive

Claims

1. Device for transporting strip material, particularly hot strip, comprising: - a transport device (1) for transporting the strip material in a predetermined transport direction over a predetermined path, wherein the transport device (1) for the strip material comprises a roller path with rollers (2), - lateral guide elements (5) arranged at at least at one side of the transport device (1), - at least one rotating wear body (6) at each lateral guide element (5), wherein the wear body (6) is mounted to be rotatable about an axis transverse to the transport direction, and - a rotation drive (13) for rotating the at least one wear body about the axis, characterised by a rotational speed regulator device (7) for regulating the rotational speed of the at least one wear body to a predetermined target rotational speed, wherein the rotational speed regulator device (7) is so arranged that the at least one wear body (6) is rotated continuously and the circumferential speed of the at least one wear body (6) is less than the speed of advance of the strip material on the transport device (1), wherein a sensor for the speed of advance of the strip material on the roller path or for the roller rotational speed proportional thereto is provided and the reference variable of the rotational speed regulator device (7) is the speed of advance or speed of roller rotation, or the rotational speed regulator device (7) is so arranged that the reference variable thereof is a contact time per area with the strip material.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the rotational speed regulator device (7) is so arranged that the angular speed of the wear body (6) lies in the order of magnitude of 0.5 to 10 revolutions per minute, preferably in the order of magnitude of 0.5 to 5 revolutions per minute.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims with - a position regulator device (9) for regulating the move-out position of the at least one wear body (6) to a predetermined target position and - a positioning drive (14) for moving the at least one wear body transversely to the transport direction out into the target position.

4. Device according to claim 3, in which the position regulator device (9) is so arranged that the reference variable thereof is a force by which the at least one wear body (6) is urged against the strip material on the transport device (1).

5. Device according to claim 3, which comprises a sensor for a lateral position of the strip material and in which the reference variable of the position regulator device is a target position for the strip material on the transport device.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the rotation drive for the at least one wear body is an electric motor.

7. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, in which the positioning drive is a hydraulic drive.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a maintenance prognosis device indicates an expected next maintenance term in dependence on a previous maintenance term and on events since the previous maintenance term.

9. Method of transporting strip material, comprising the steps: - transporting the strip material by way of a transport device (1) with lateral guide elements (5) at at least one side of the transport device over a predetermined path, wherein the transport device (1) comprises for the strip material a roller path with rollers (2), - rotation of at least one wear body (6) at each lateral guide element (5) about an axis, which is transverse to the transport direction, by a rotation drive (13), - calculation of a target rotational speed or a rotational speed change to a defined target rotational speed of the at least one wear body (6) by a rotational speed regulator device (7), - setting the calculated target rotational speed or the change thereof at the rotation drive (13), wherein the at least one wear body (6) is rotated continuously and the circumferential speed of the at least one wear body (6) is less than the speed of advance of the strip material on the transport device (1), wherein a reference variable of the rotational speed regulator device (7) is the speed of advance of the strip material or the roller rotational speed of the roller path or the reference variable of the of the rotational speed regulator device (7) is a contact time per area with the strip material.

10. Method according to claim 9, in which the angular speed of the wear body (6) lies in the order of magnitude of 0.5 to 10 revolutions per minute, preferably in the order of magnitude of 0.5 to 5 revolutions per minute.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, comprising the steps - regulating the move-out position of the at least one wear body (6) to a predetermined target position by a position regulator device (9) and - moving the at least one wear body transversely to the transport direction out into the target position by a positioning drive (14).

12. Method according to claim 11, in which the reference variable of the position regulator device is a force by which the at least one wear body (6) is urged against the strip material on the transport device (1).

13. Method according to claim 11, in which a lateral position of the strip material is detected by a sensor and the reference variable of the position regulator device is a target position for the strip material on the transport device.

14. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, in which a maintenance prognosis device indicates an expected next maintenance term in dependence on a previous maintenance term and on events since the previous maintenance term.