Profile rolling mill and method for rolling rolling stock in a profile rolling mill

Abstract

Process reliability can be increased during profile rolling if the condition of a profile rolling mill and / or a current rolling process in a profile rolling mill is used to adjust a rolling stock guide of the profile rolling mill, or associated guide bodies or similarly acting assemblies.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a profile rolling mill comprising at least one profile roll arrangement arranged along a pass line, as well as an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the pass line. The invention also relates to a method for rolling rolled stock in a profile rolling mill comprising at least one profile roll arrangement arranged along a pass line, as well as an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the pass line.

[0002] Section rolling mills are known, for example, from DE 101 03 683 B4, from DE 15 27 630 A, from DE 15 27 699 A, from DE 38 05 475 A1 and from EP 1 232 807 A2 with guide fittings attached to chocks or roller mills as rolling stock guides as well as from US 5 195 347, from JP 47 - 38 762, from DE 942 389 C, from JP 11 / 290 926, from JP 9 / 262 617, from JP 9 / 29 319, from JP 64 / 34 510, from JP 9 / 155 430 and from US 3 513 680 with adjustable guide bodies known as rolling stock guides.

[0003] The object of this invention is to increase process reliability during profile rolling.

[0004] The object of the invention is achieved by profile rolling mills and methods for rolling rolled stock in a profile rolling mill having the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments, possibly independent of these, can be found in the subclaims and the following description.

[0005] The invention is based on the fundamental insight that process reliability during profile rolling can be increased if the condition of the profile rolling mill and / or the current rolling process is used to adjust a rolling stock guide or associated guide bodies or similarly acting assemblies.

[0006] In the present context, the term "profile rolling mill" refers in particular to an arrangement comprising at least one profile rolling arrangement arranged along a pass line. Depending on the specific design, the profile rolling mill may also have rolling stock guides for guiding a rolling stock passing through the profile rolling mill along the pass line and being rolled by it. These guides are or can be arranged on the input side or output side, or, if at least two profile rolling arrangements are arranged successively along the pass line, between the rolling stations.

[0007] Appropriate rolling stock feeds, such as an input roller conveyor or an output roller conveyor, can also be provided on the input side or output side.

[0008] Depending on the specific design, the profile rolling mill may also comprise a changing system for exchanging the profile roller arrangements and other units, such as the rolling stock guides, which may in particular have one or more changing carriages and the like.

[0009] In the present context, the term profile rolling mill therefore preferably refers to the mechanical unit of at least one profile rolling arrangement, by means of which a rolling stock can be rolled into a profile and which preferably has a rolling stock feed and a rolling stock removal, so that the profile rolling mill can be integrated into an overall plant or a rolling plant.

[0010] In this case, the profile rolling mill often acts on the rolled stock in a single operation, i.e., solely with the profile roll arrangement or with additional profile roll arrangements arranged along the pass line. It is also conceivable that two or more profile rolling mills act on the rolled stock successively, but simultaneously, or at least in a continuous operation. Alternatively or cumulatively, in this context, a "profile rolling mill" can be understood as an arrangement of one or more profile roll arrangements arranged along a pass line, as long as the corresponding rolling mill is suitable and intended for rolling rolled stock into profiles or at least one of the rolls is a profile roll.

[0011] In practice, it can be assumed that profile rolling mills are preferably operated with at least one forward and backward pass, i.e., preferably reversing, as this represents a very economical method of rolling profiles. Accordingly, it appears advantageous if the profile rolling mill can be operated, or rolls, in a reversing manner. In particular, an even number of direction changes allows the rolled stock to be discharged in the same direction in which it is fed in, which often leads to consistent process control throughout the entire plant. On the other hand, a second change of direction or further changes of direction are not absolutely necessary.

[0012] In this case, a different rolling caliber can be provided for each pass by using identical profile roll arrangements, as the respective rolls are individually adjusted for each pass. For example, a significant elongation and profile change can occur in the first two passes, while the third pass has a more smoothing effect on the rolled stock.

[0013] Accordingly, section rolling mills can be particularly distinguished by the technical capability of rolling the rolled stock in both directions along the pass line, i.e., reversibly or reversing, even if this capability may not be utilized in specific applications. In this respect, this capability distinguishes section rolling mills from other rolling mills for long products, such as billet mills, wire rod mills, sizing or groove mills, continuous rolling mills, or PQF rolling mills.

[0014] As a rule, a profile rolling operation or a profile rolling mill can also be characterized by the fact that solid material or rolled stock with a solid cross-section is rolled into a profile, since the rolling speeds generally do not allow for the use of a rolling mandrel to enable hollow profiles or, given the rolling forces and rolling speeds applied, the reliable maintenance of cavities aligned along the length of the rolled stock cannot generally be guaranteed.

[0015] Profiles, unlike wire in particular, are generally inherently rigid and therefore should not, are not, or cannot be rolled up or spooled after rolling. Such rolled and inherently rigid profiles can generally ultimately be assigned a load-bearing function, for example if they are to be used as beams, stiffeners or rails. In this respect, we speak of inherently rigid rolled stock or inherently rigid profiles if the corresponding rolled stock or profile only yields to a small extent to bending forces over its longitudinal extent and, in particular, cannot be bent back on itself without changing the material structure. Section rolling mills can, in particular, be suitable and intended to roll inherently rigid rolled stock or inherently rigid profiles, whereby this can have an impact on the design of the inlet and outlet sides, in particular.discharge units, such as correspondingly long roller conveyors without the possibility of unwinding or winding the rolled material or profiles.

[0016] In particular, in section rolling mills, the rolled stock can be hot-rolled if necessary, which allows for correspondingly deep interventions in the material structure to impart the desired properties to the rolled sections. Accordingly, it can be advantageous if the section rolling mill is designed for hot rolling or if hot rolling is used.

[0017] Ultimately, any material that can be rolled into a profile can be considered as rolled stock in this case. Such profiles can in particular be profile steels, also known as section steels. Accordingly, however, other rollable materials can also serve as starting materials for correspondingly rolled shaped bodies, such as non-ferrous metals such as copper or aluminum, or sintered materials, although the risk of accidents affecting operational safety is not expected to be too serious, particularly with relatively soft materials. In this respect, all rollable materials can serve as starting materials for the respective section rolling mills and thus as the rolling stock fed to the section rolling arrangements, which can then be rolled into corresponding profiles by the section rolling mill. In particular, slabs, blocks, billets, hollows or other semi-finished products, preferably made of metals, can be used as starting materials oras rolled stock fed to the respective profile rolling arrangements and profile rolling mills. Accordingly, the products produced by a corresponding profile rolling process are profiles, i.e., long products with a corresponding profile cross-section, which are well-known on the market both as semi-finished products and as finished products, for example, as H-, B-, or I-beams, angle profiles, U-, L-, or T-irons, or as sheet piling, rails, or other long or flat products or special profiles. Accordingly, sectional steels and profile steels, in particular, are well-known on the market as products of such profile rolling processes.

[0018] In this context, profiles can be characterized by a longitudinal extension that is significantly longer than the extension of the profile perpendicular to it, whereby the profile cross-section preferably deviates from a round profile cross-section and is constant over the longitudinal extension within specified limits. It is not absolutely necessary for the profile to extend along a straight line along its longitudinal extension. Rather, it is conceivable for the longitudinal extension to follow a curved line, which can be achieved, for example, by a suitably adjusted offset of the rolls of a profile roll arrangement along the pass line or by a suitable offset of the roll passes of successive profile roll arrangements.Under certain circumstances, it is also conceivable that the profile cross-section can vary with a periodicity along the longitudinal direction if rolls with a surface that changes over the circumference of the roll are used. It should be taken into account that if the rolled stock is elongated during the use of such profile rolls, this may cause problems if several passes are to be rolled.

[0019] The profile cross-section of the sections rolled by the profile rolling mills or profile rolling arrangements is determined by the respective rolling calibers, which essentially represent the clearance between the corresponding profile rollers of the respective profile rolling arrangements, which these leave for the rolled stock as it passes along the pass line. If this rolling caliber deviates from the cross-section of the incoming rolled stock and parts of the profile rollers are in the way of the rolled stock, the material is displaced. The extent to which this displacement occurs along the pass line—and thus at least partially as elongation—or perpendicular to the pass line—and thus as a profile change—depends on the associated rolling conditions.

[0020] Accordingly, the term "profile roll arrangement" in this context refers in particular to any arrangement of at least two rolls suitable and intended for rolling profiles. It is understood that the rolls are generally profiled rolls, which can then provide a corresponding rolling pass that forms the rolled stock into a profile. Depending on the specific desired profile, however, it is conceivable that at least one roll of an associated roll arrangement is a universal roll, which is not profiled as such but has a cylindrical roll surface.

[0021] The number of rolls in a profile roll arrangement is not limited to two. Ultimately, three or more rolls can also form a roll pass and thus constitute a profile roll arrangement. In this case, it is particularly common to combine vertical rolls and horizontal rolls. The horizontal rolls generally have horizontally aligned roll axes and are often profiled, while the vertical rolls have vertical roll axes and are often designed as universal rolls and are therefore unprofiled or have cylindrical roll surfaces. However, vertical rolls with conical roll surfaces are also available on the market.

[0022] In this context, the term "profile roll arrangement" preferably refers in particular to a roll arrangement comprising rolls that form a common rolling pass, so that the rolls interact together on the rolled stock, and which is suitable and intended for forming the rolled stock into a profile. In this case, the profile rolls of a rolling pass often interact at least during one pass in such a way that not only individual areas of the rolled stock are bent, but also material is displaced. This material displacement can occur along the pass line and / or perpendicular to it, depending on the specific requirements.

[0023] It is understood that, if necessary, several such profile roll assemblies can be combined one behind the other by arranging them along the fitting line. At least two profile roll assemblies arranged along a fitting line are often referred to as a profile roll tandem, even if the profile roll tandem comprises, for example, three or more profile roll assemblies arranged along the fitting line. This applies in particular if the profile roll assemblies arranged one behind the other along the fitting line are arranged in a common staggered stand, which then provides corresponding rolling stations for these profile roll assemblies. Such a staggered stand is accordingly often or possibly referred to as a tandem stand.Insofar as all of these profile roll arrangements are suitable and intended to ultimately form the rolled stock into a profile, in the present context all of these roll arrangements are referred to as profile roll arrangements and all of these rolls as profile rolls, even if individual rolls or individual roll arrangements are merely universal rolls. In this respect, it is preferably sufficient in cases of doubt if only one roll of the entire profile roll tandem or of the profile rolling mill is a profiled roll in order to refer to the overall arrangement as a profile rolling mill comprising at least one profile roll arrangement made up of profile rolls arranged along the pass line. Insofar as in special cases profiles with a purely rectangular cross-section are to be produced by a profile rolling mill or insofar as in special cases a purely rectangular roll pass is sufficient to produce an already pre-profiled orIn order to process rolled stock that is to be further profiled, all of the profile rollers can even be designed as universal rollers.

[0024] Profiled rolls, in particular, are referred to as "profile rolls" in this context. As a rule, the profiling of the respective roll is limited to a change in the roll radius along the roll axis, so that the corresponding roll makes an identical contribution to the respective roll pass, regardless of its angular position around the roll axis. It is understood that in special cases, the profiling of the roll can also vary in the circumferential direction, which then results in a corresponding periodic variation in the contribution of the corresponding profile roll to the respective roll pass. This, however, can potentially lead to problems in the case of elongation or rolling in multiple passes.On the other hand, in the present context, all rolls of a profile rolling mill or a profile rolling arrangement, regardless of their surface design, can be referred to as profile rolls, so that universal rolls, as long as they are used in profile rolling mills or in profile rolling arrangements, can represent a special form of a profile roll.

[0025] As a rule, the profile rollers will each have roller axes that are essentially aligned perpendicular to the pass line or have their largest directional component perpendicular to the pass line. It is understood that these roller axes do not necessarily have to be physical, but rather indicate the axis around which the components of the respective profile roller rotate.

[0026] In this context, the term "pass line" preferably refers to an idealized line through the respective section rolling mill or the associated staggered stand, along which the rolled stock passes the rolls or profile rolls. Depending on the specific design of the associated section rolling mill or the specific definition of the pass line, the pass line can, for example, represent approximately the center of the rolling stock passing through.

[0027] On the other hand, it is also common practice, for example, to standardize the fitting line to an inlet or outlet roller row or to align its height to the running surface of the respective roller conveyor(s). Ultimately, the fitting line is a defined or imaginary line through the respective profile rolling mill, which often serves as a reference for assemblies that are to be positioned or adjusted relative to the rolling stock passing through. Since these are relative specifications, these relative values can simply be converted accordingly by a parallel offset if a different fitting line is selected.

[0028] In the present context, it is assumed that in a stacked stand or in a profile rolling mill with profile roll arrangements at multiple rolling stations, a profile roll arrangement consisting of profile rolls is generally located at each rolling station arranged along the pass line to provide a profile rolling mill. It is understood that in special cases, when very specific profiles must be rolled, only one of the two rolling stations may be equipped with a profile roll arrangement if this allows the desired forming work on the rolled stock to be carried out with sufficient operational reliability. Accordingly, the term "rolling station" refers to any device in a stacked stand that is suitable and intended to accommodate a profile roll arrangement.

[0029] In particular, the rolling stations can be provided on a common staggered stand or on separate rolling stands arranged along the pass line.

[0030] The profile rolls are preferably supported by two roll necks arranged on a roll axis. Depending on the specific design, the two roll necks may be part of a common roll shaft and, in particular, may serve to rotatably support the respective profile roll such that the profile roll can exert a forming effect on the rolled stock. Accordingly, the roll necks and the associated bearings are preferably designed to counteract the rolling forces accordingly. As a rule, the roll necks are then supported in a rolling stand, via which the profile rolling mill can counteract the rolling forces or apply the rolling forces.

[0031] The rolling stand can, depending on the specific design of the section rolling mill, extend over several stand positions. Preferably, the rolling stand is at least designed in such a way that it can absorb all the rolling forces of at least one rolling position of the section rolling mill. For example, a rotating stand body can serve for this purpose, although, on the other hand, multi-part rolling stands can also be provided. In particular, the rolling stand can comprise longitudinal beams which are connected to one another by corresponding belts. Depending on the specific implementation, the rolling stand can comprise a vertical post system for absorbing horizontally directed rolling forces and / or a horizontal post system for absorbing vertically directed rolling forces, whereby these post systems can be provided individually or jointly for several rolling positions. In particular, between the rolling positions, and in particular also on the input side orOn the output side, rolling stock guides with corresponding guide stands may also be provided, which may also be operatively connected to the rolling stands or formed together with them.

[0032] It is conceivable that individual profile rolls simply rotate as the rolling stock passes through them, yet still exert a forming or rolling effect on the rolling stock. In profile rolling mills, at least two profile rolls are usually driven per rolling station. If necessary, even all profile rolls in a profile rolling mill can be driven.

[0033] The corresponding drive is provided by at least one of the roll necks, which can then be assigned the function of a drive shaft. To distinguish the term "roll axis" from a physical assembly that merely rotates, the term "roll shaft" is also used in this context for rotating, axle-like assemblies when they penetrate a profile roll and thus support this profile roll. In such arrangements, the roll necks are often integrally connected to the roll shaft, regardless of whether one or both roll necks are driven or not. The roll necks can be attached to the roll shaft or even formed integrally with it to form part of a common roll shaft.

[0034] The "roll axis," however, in this context, simply refers to the geometric rotation axis of a profile roll, around which it rotates during rolling, i.e., the forming process. This applies regardless of whether the respective profile roll is driven or not.

[0035] In order to transfer the rolling forces from the roll necks to the rolling stand so that the necks can withstand the rolling forces, it is advantageous if the roll necks are mounted in chocks, which in turn are directly or indirectly supported on the rolling stand or guided by it. The chocks are preferably designed in particular to support the roll necks in a rotatable manner, which can be achieved, for example, by suitable rolling or plain bearings. Accordingly, the bearings are also preferably designed in such a way that they can withstand the rolling forces during a rotary movement of the profile rolls and the roll necks.

[0036] In profile rolling mills, it is particularly known to design at least one of the profile rolls, possibly several or even all of the profile rolls, to be displaceable perpendicular to the axial plane. This makes it possible, in particular, to change the roll caliber of the associated profile roll arrangement, which appears to be particularly advantageous in reversing rolling processes, or to react to deviations of the rolled profiles from the target specifications. Insofar as the roll caliber can generally be defined essentially by the rotating surface of a profile roll or several profile rolls that comes into contact with the rolling stock, a displacement of the roll neck perpendicular to the axial plane results in a corresponding displacement of the surface of the associated profile roll towards or away from the fitting line, which accordingly directly influences the roll caliber.

[0037] This displacement, which essentially influences the roll pass, can preferably be driven by a main drive, which in profile rolling mills is often implemented as a hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement. Depending on the specific implementation, it is also conceivable for the main drive to comprise mechanical components, such as screw threads, roller threads and / or associated recirculating ball nuts, recirculating roller nuts, or similar devices, which can optionally also be combined with hydraulic drives. Preferably, the respective main drive is designed in such a way that the roll neck or the roll axis of the associated profile roll can be displaced even during rolling, so that current conditions or changes in specified parameters can be responded to as immediately as possible.

[0038] Specification parameters can be entered manually or via interfaces. These can be existing parameters, such as setting values or settings of the profile rolling mill, or information about the rolled stock. Likewise, direct measured values that provide information about the condition of the profile rolling mill and the associated equipment can serve as specification parameters. Likewise, measurements taken directly on the rolled stock, such as geometric measurements, temperature measurements, or similar, can serve as specification parameters. Specification parameters can also be defined from process data and specifications for such process data, which can then form the basis for corresponding reactions. However, corresponding specification parameters can also originate from one or more configuration memories and / or parameter memories or be obtained from data stored there.In particular, default parameters can be all parameters that are specified as parameters for a control or regulation.

[0039] In the present context, the term "rolled stock guide," which has already been used several times above, preferably refers to the actual arrangement by which the rolled stock is guided at the inlet and outlet sides, or between the rolling stations or between the profile roll arrangements, if applicable, and which serves in particular to guide the rolled stock into the subsequent rolling pass with as little damage as possible. Irregularities, burrs, or bends, in particular, can lead to rolled stock being fed at the inlet or outlet sides, for example, via roller conveyors, protruding beyond the rolling pass on one side and striking the rolls upon insertion.This is intended to be counteracted by rolling stock guides, which are well known in the art. In particular, rolling stock guides can generally also be provided on the output side, which are intended to serve as rolling stock guides in the case of reversing rolling during a reversing pass. In the present context, the term "rolling stock guide" is therefore used objectively. With regard to the term "guide," depending on the context, this refers to the process or a correspondingly effective guiding arrangement.

[0040] The rolling stock guide will generally only have a guiding effect on the rolling stock, unlike the profile rolls, whose intended purpose is generally to have a forming effect on the rolling stock, at least during one pass. Depending on the specific process situation, it is conceivable that the rolling stock guide can nevertheless have a bending effect on the rolling stock, preferably only in the elastic range, in order to have a corresponding guiding effect, especially if the rolling stock deviates too significantly from the pass line. If necessary, the rolling stock guide can even have a forming effect on the rolling stock to such an extent that it has a bending effect on the rolling stock in the plastic range, although the rolling stock guide will generally not have a material-displacing effect on the rolling stock, as this is generally reserved for profile rolls.

[0041] The rolling stock guide typically comprises at least one guide body, which is designed and intended to come into guiding contact with the rolling stock as it passes through the profile rolling mill along the pass line. However, the rolling stock guide will typically comprise several such guide bodies, which can and should accordingly come into guiding contact with the rolling stock.

[0042] The respective guide bodies are usually carried by guide beams, adjustment devices or additional beams of the respective rolling stock guide, which can then accommodate the guides and divert them in a suitable manner.

[0043] It is not absolutely necessary for the rolling stock to be in constant contact with at least one guide element of the rolling stock guide during rolling, which ultimately leads to significant wear. Depending on the specific process, the profile rolling mill can be operated in such a way that contact between the rolling stock and the guide element(s) is minimized or avoided as much as possible.

[0044] Each guide body can be assigned a main guide direction, which ultimately represents the vectorial sum of the guide forces introduced into the rolling stock on the guide body and / or can be defined in particular by the surface design of the respective guide body, its orientation in relation to the guide caliber or in relation to the fitting line and / or by the arrangement of the guide body in relation to its supports, adjustment devices or guide supports.

[0045] As already explained above, the section rolling mill can be operated with a changing rolling direction in multiple passes. Accordingly, the definition of "entry side" or "exit side" may be ambiguous if only individual passes are considered. In this context, the terms "entry side" and "exit side" are therefore preferably defined such that the entry side is the side of the staggered stand or section rolling mill to which the rolled stock is fed during the first pass. The side of the staggered stand or section rolling mill opposite the pass line is then the exit side, regardless of whether the rolled stock exits the section rolling mill to this side or to the entry side after rolling.

[0046] Thus, a profile rolling mill which comprises at least one profile roller arrangement arranged along a fitting line and an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the fitting line can be characterized in that a measuring device for measuring the radial position of the rolling stock running through the profile rolling mill along the fitting line with respect to the fitting line is arranged on the profile rolling mill in order to increase the process reliability during profile rolling independently of the other feature combinations described here as advantageous.

[0047] Such a measuring device for measuring the radial positions of rolled stock located between the rolling stations makes it possible, in particular, to detect any deviations as quickly and reliably as possible. With suitable process control, it is also conceivable for a targeted deflection of the rolled stock to occur, for example by a rolled stock guide or by guide bodies of the rolled stock guide, in which corresponding guide bodies or rolled stock guides are deflected accordingly. If necessary, in addition or alternatively for such a deflection, a targeted control of the associated profile rolls, for example their rotational speed or also their adjustment, for example with a slight offset from one another, is also carried out by appropriately offsetting the rolling axes of the profile rolls.

[0048] Ultrasonic measuring devices, microwave measuring devices, radar measuring devices, and / or optical measuring devices, such as laser light section sensors, or similar, can be used as measuring devices. Depending on the specific design, these measuring devices can also provide specific information about the respective cross-section of the rolling stock, which can also be used to intervene in the rolling process, for example, to adjust the leading profile roller arrangement.

[0049] In this respect, any measuring device that can measure the radial position of rolling stock running along the pass line can be used as a measuring device, whereby in the present context the term “radial position of the rolling stock” refers to any deviation of the rolling stock from the pass line.

[0050] In particular, the measuring device can additionally or alternatively comprise a mechanical measuring sensor, by means of which the radial position of the rolled stock running along the pass line relative to the pass line can be measured. Finally, such a measuring sensor can be designed in any suitable manner and, for example, can comprise a pre-tensioned guide wire that rubs against the rolled stock as it runs along the pass line, or, for example, a traveling roller that rolls along the rolled stock running along the pass lines. These rollers can then provide information about the radial position of the rolled stock via their respective positions, which can be measured, for example, via a distance sensor or similar devices.

[0051] In particular, the measuring sensor can comprise a guide body that comes into contact with the rolling stock, which can therefore also be used for measuring purposes in addition to its purely guiding function. Suitable position measuring devices or distance sensors can also be used to determine the position of the guide body if necessary. It is understood that guide bodies already provided for other purposes can also be used as corresponding mechanical measuring sensors if appropriate measures, such as the aforementioned distance or position sensors, force sensors, or contact sensors, are combined with the corresponding guide body.

[0052] In particular, the guide body can be part of a guide or safety funnel, which can be arranged between the rolling stations, surrounding the pass line, for guidance and / or safety purposes.

[0053] Such a guide or safety funnel does not necessarily have to continuously physically surround the fitting line and thus completely physically enclose the rolled stock. Although the rolled stock will be more plastic and free-flowing than in the cooled state due to preheating or the energy introduced by rolling, it will nevertheless have a certain inherent rigidity, so that a continuous physical guide surrounding the fitting line does not appear necessary. Rather, it will be sufficient for guidance to occur in discrete areas of the cross-section viewed perpendicular to the fitting line, preferably acting on the rolled stock at suitable points that are particularly relevant for guidance. Appropriate guidance can be achieved here by the guide bodies already explained above, which then form a guide funnel in a selected cross-section perpendicular to the fitting line.

[0054] Furthermore, due to the inherent rigidity of the rolled stock mentioned above, it is not absolutely necessary for all guide elements to be located in a common cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the pass line in order to provide a guide groove that sufficiently acts on the rolled stock from all sides. Within the limits of the inherent rigidity of the rolled stock, corresponding guide elements can also be spaced axially from one another along the pass line and still ensure sufficient all-round guidance of the rolled stock to provide, as a whole, a guide groove that can be described as a guide groove.

[0055] The above considerations regarding a guide hopper also apply to a safety hopper, which does not necessarily have to fulfill a guiding function; however, it can. In this context, a safety hopper essentially serves to detect accidents or plugs, i.e., the detection of possible rolling artifacts that could severely disrupt the rolling process or the section rolling mill. Since section rolling takes place at relatively high speeds and with relatively heavy rolled stock, uncontrolled breakaway of the rolled stock, for example, if it strikes components of the section rolling mill, can lead to serious damage, especially significant personal injury, which should be avoided if possible.A safety hopper serves precisely this purpose and is designed to detect and report any deviations in the rolled stock that exceed a tolerable level as early and reliably as possible, for example, by sending an electrical or electronic signal to a control unit, thus making them accessible for a response. Such a response can, for example, result in a change in the control systems selected for the profile rolls or the rolling stock guide, such as their positioning relative to the pass line or to each other, or a change in the rotation speed of the profile rolls relative to each other. In particular, an emergency stop can also be initiated as an appropriate response in cases of doubt.

[0056] Even with a safety hopper, it is not absolutely necessary for it to physically continuously surround the pass line around the rolled stock. Rather, discrete contact surfaces, which are provided in particular by guide elements or by appropriate measuring devices, such as mechanical sensors or load cells, are sufficient to ensure the appropriate safety function.

[0057] In particular, the guide body can define a guide pass, which is usually done together with other guide bodies, and a guide pass is determined by the sum of the guide bodies that come into contact with the rolling stock between the two rolling stations. In this respect, a guide pass can be composed of guide funnels arranged along the pass line.

[0058] Preferably, the measuring device can comprise a contact, position, and / or force sensor operatively connected to the sensor, as already explained above. This allows a force acting on the sensor or, for example, contact with the rolling stock to be measured and used for control or regulation purposes. A position sensor can also be advantageously used to control or regulate components of the rolling stock guide or other components of the profile rolling mill, such as, in particular, the adjustment of the rolls.

[0059] Electromechanical sensors, in particular, can be used as contact sensors. Depending on the specific design and properties of the rolling stock, another property of the rolling stock that emits a detectable signal when in contact with the rolling stock can also be used as a contact sensor. For example, a discontinuous displacement of a guide body, which is detected by a position sensor or a force sensor, can also be evaluated as a contact signal, so that a position or force sensor can also be used as a contact sensor.

[0060] Suitable position sensors are, in particular, known distance sensors or adjustable sliding resistors, which are operatively connected to suitable measuring sensors, for example, to guide bodies for the rolling stock, or digital position detection devices can be used accordingly.

[0061] Force sensors can be implemented, for example, using piezoelectric or strain gauge technology. To the extent that hydraulic or fluidic assemblies are or can be used in the profile rolling mill, hydraulic pressure sensors or sensors for determining volume flow can also be used as position or force sensors.

[0062] Cumulatively or alternatively to the other feature combinations presented here as advantageous, a profile rolling mill which comprises at least one profile roller arrangement arranged along a fitting line and an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the fitting line can be characterized in that at least one guide body which comes into contact with the rolling stock is physically connected to a safety device in order to increase the process reliability during profile rolling.

[0063] Ultimately, any device that, for safety reasons, is suitable and intended to yield to a pressure or force that exceeds a certain level can be used as a corresponding safety device. This yielding can, on the one hand, generate a signal indicating that the force or pressure has been exceeded. On the other hand, with a suitable design, it can enable immediate release of tension, which can mitigate the consequences of increased pressure or force until the corresponding signal, whether from the safety device or from another source, can be responded to.

[0064] Accordingly, such a safety device, particularly if it is physically connected to a guide body that comes into contact with rolled stock, can be used for failure or plug detection. The safety device can preferably be provided by predetermined breaking points or by locking or overload connections that open when a certain pressure or force is exceeded and can then be mechanically closed again if necessary. Rupture discs or other coupling elements that can be destroyed by force or pressure can also be used accordingly. It is also conceivable that, if the safety device comprises fluidic assemblies or if fluidic assemblies are operatively connected to the guide body, hydraulic bursting discs or pressure relief valves can be correspondingly incorporated into the safety device.

[0065] In this respect, the physical connection between the guide body and the safety device can also be implemented mechanically and / or fluidically, so that the safety device can react accordingly in the event of increased pressure or increased force. It is understood that another physical connection of any kind can also be implemented between the guide body and the safety device to transmit a force or pressure to the safety device, so that it can react accordingly when certain limit values are exceeded.

[0066] The safety device can, for example, comprise an electrical contact or emit an electrical signal in some other way when a safety incident occurs, i.e. when the corresponding pressure or force is exceeded. This signal can then be used as an input signal for a control system so that the profile rolling mill can react appropriately to the situation. As already indicated above, this can be done, for example, by an emergency stop. If necessary, it may also be sufficient to react to a safety incident by appropriately intervening in the profile roll adjustment, for example in the adjustment of the axis angles of the profile rolls to one another or in the adjustment of the arrangement of the profile roll along the fitting line or in the rotation speeds of the profile roll, in order to intervene quickly and accordingly in the rolling process and possibly avoid an accident or plug situation.

[0067] Accordingly, it can be advantageous if the locking connection then re-engages automatically or, for example, if a pressure relief valve closes automatically, so that the profile rolling mill can continue operating once an appropriate response to the safety event has been made. In this respect, the safety device can be designed in such a way that it returns to its normal operating position when the pressure or force decreases.

[0068] The safety device can, in particular, act in the guide or safety funnel, if necessary, for example by providing a guide frame common to the guide bodies, which accordingly stabilizes the guide or safety funnel, with a corresponding safety device.

[0069] Likewise, for example, guide supports or adjustment devices can have components of the safety device, such as snap-in connections, pressure relief valves, bursting discs and the like, in order to implement a safety device in a guide or safety funnel in this way, insofar as the associated guide bodies are part of the guide or safety funnel.

[0070] A corresponding assembly of the guide or safety hopper can then also have an electrical contact that electrically indicates an impact of the safety device, i.e. an exceedance of the safety-relevant values or a safety incident, so that a corresponding signal can be provided for a reaction of the profile rolling mill, as already explained above.

[0071] A profile rolling mill which comprises at least one profile roller arrangement arranged along a fitting line as well as an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the fitting line can be characterized in that at least one guide body which comes into contact with the rolling stock and whose contact surface has at least one turning point in a cross-section lying perpendicular to the fitting line and / or follows the cross-sectional shape of the rolling stock in order to increase process reliability during profile rolling cumulatively or alternatively to the other feature combinations presented here as being advantageous. By a guide body having a contact surface which follows the cross-sectional shape of the rolling stock with a cross-section lying perpendicular to the fitting line orhas a turning point, with suitable adaptation of the guide body, the guide body can also guide the rolling stock at several points at the same time, even in the case of rolled goods with a complex cross-section - and this in particular, for example, from different directions if the corresponding contact surface comes into contact with the rolling stock at different angles of inclination, which enables particularly close guidance of the rolling stock.

[0072] While it is conceivable that several narrower guide elements arranged side by side could also adapt the rolling stock guidance to complex cross-sections, individual adjustment of a guide element with regard to its contact surface to the rolling stock enables significantly more stable guidance, which accordingly increases process reliability.

[0073] In contrast to guide bodies known from the prior art, for example in contrast to cylindrical or truncated cone-shaped guide rollers, the complex shape of the guide body explained here enables a much more intimate guidance of the rolling stock.

[0074] A contact surface of a guide body will usually penetrate a surface perpendicular to the fitting line in a linear manner, whereby a cross-section perpendicular to the fitting line can be defined accordingly.

[0075] Such a line, which can be defined by the intersection of the contact surface with a plane oriented perpendicular to the fitting line, can then be defined accordingly as a cross-section of the contact surface of the guide body lying perpendicular to the fitting line.

[0076] According to mathematical rules, inflection points or other extreme points, such as minima or maxima, can be assigned to corresponding cross-sections or cross-sectional lines, which depend on the respective curvature behavior of the corresponding line. These extreme points or inflection points are preferably defined in the plane perpendicular to the fitting line, in which the cross-section or cross-sectional line of the contact surface of the corresponding guide body is also defined.

[0077] In particular, the contact surface or its cross-section perpendicular to the fitting line can have at least two turning points, which allows for corresponding adaptability to the cross-section of the rolling stock or its cross-sectional shape. Accordingly, it can also be advantageous if the contact surface or its cross-section perpendicular to the fitting line has at least one extreme point, which can preferably be flanked by the two turning points. This also enables the closest possible adaptation to the cross-sectional shape of the respective rolling stock, thus ensuring the tightest and most reliable guidance of the rolling stock.

[0078] In particular, the contact surface can be formed on a guide body designed as a guide roller, so that the corresponding rolling material guidance takes place in a rolling manner, and particularly close guidance can be achieved by rolling. Depending on the specific implementation, the contact surface or the cross-section of the contact surface perpendicular to the fitting line can have a straight-line section or angular transitions, so that the changes in the gradient of this line or cross-section can, in case of doubt, be zero or even discontinuous.

[0079] A profile rolling mill comprising at least one profile roller arrangement arranged along a fitting line and an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the fitting line can be characterized cumulatively or alternatively to the other feature combinations presented here as advantageous in that at least one cleaning device is arranged along the fitting line in order to increase the process reliability during profile rolling.

[0080] Such a cleaning system can be used to clean any measuring devices, but also any safety devices, or even components of the rolling stock guide, such as guide elements, if necessary. This seems particularly useful before or after a rolling process or before or after a pass. Depending on the specific conditions, it is also conceivable that a corresponding cleaning process could be carried out between the rolling stations during rolling.

[0081] In particular, the profile rolling mill can preferably comprise at least two rolling stations arranged along a pass line, at which corresponding profile roll arrangements can then preferably be arranged. The measuring device and / or the cleaning device can preferably be arranged between the two rolling stations in order to then be able to operate accordingly between the rolling stations. In particular, the measuring device can then, if necessary, measure the radial position of the rolled stock located between the rolling stations.

[0082] Accordingly, a method for rolling rolled stock in a profile rolling mill comprising at least one profile roll arrangement arranged along a pass line, as well as an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the pass line, can also be characterized in that contaminant cleaning takes place along the pass line, in particular on the input side of one of the rolling stations, on the output side of one of the rolling stations, or between the rolling stations, during, before, and / or after the rolling of the rolled stock, in order to increase process reliability during profile rolling cumulatively or alternatively to the other feature combinations presented here as advantageous. By means of such contaminant cleaning, any contaminants such as dust, water vapor, soot, scale, or other mist- or smoke-like substances that may be found before, after, or between the rolling stations can be removed or reduced.

[0083] Contaminants can be removed, for example, by introducing water and / or air between the rolling stations. If necessary, binding agents or cleaning agents can also be introduced, as long as they do not adversely affect the rolling process or only to a manageable extent.

[0084] The cleaning device can, for example, comprise a water nozzle, a blower and / or a multi-component nozzle, whereby the final measure by which a cleaning agent, such as water, air or other, can be brought between the rolling stations can be used advantageously accordingly.

[0085] In particular, cleaning agents such as water, air or other cleaning agents can be injected or blown into the inlet side of the rolling stations (31), the outlet side of the rolling stations (31) and / or between the rolling stations or in the direction of the pass line, which enables intensive cleaning.

[0086] If necessary, even mechanical cleaning devices such as brushes or similar can be used to carry out mechanical cleaning processes, which can be done in particular on measuring devices or the guide body.

[0087] In this respect, the cleaning device can be directed into a measuring area of the measuring device or onto the measuring device in order to, in particular, free the measuring area or the measuring device from any foreign matter, which can even be done during rolling if necessary.

[0088] Accordingly, it is advantageous if the cleaning device, such as a nozzle or a blower, is directed into the guide caliber of the rolling stock guide or between the rolling stations, so that a targeted cleaning process, for example a cleaning of contaminants, can be carried out there.

[0089] With suitable process control, process reliability during profile rolling can be increased cumulatively or alternatively to the other present combinations of features explained as advantageous by a method for rolling rolled stock in a profile rolling mill comprising at least one profile roller arrangement arranged along a fitting line as well as an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the fitting line, if this is characterized in that the rolled stock is guided with radial deflection between two rolling stations, each of which has at least one profile roller arrangement provided. Although such deflection, i.e. a targeted deflection of the rolled stock perpendicular to the fitting line, initially appears relatively complex and laborious, such targeted deflection, on the other hand, means that the entire rolling process is influenced in an extremely delicate manner, which accordingly leads to high process reliability.Such a radial deflection can potentially increase the rolling speed, for example, through minimum tension control. Likewise, such a radial deflection can potentially detect a potential failure or plug failure relatively early, which can also increase process reliability.

[0090] The radially deflected positioning can be initialized or controlled by controlling a rolling stock guide, which enables direct control of the radial deflection. The radially deflected positioning can be initialized and / or controlled indirectly by controlling the rotation speed and / or the position of the rotation axes of the profile rolls provided at the rolling stations, since a radial deviation of the rolling stock leaving the respective profile rolls is possible by leading or lagging individual profile rolls. This can also be achieved, if necessary, by adjusting the rotation axes of the profile rolls of a rolling station relative to each other so that they deviate from their ideal target position.For example, a profile roll's rotation axis offset parallel to the pass line can also lead to a radial deflection of the rolled stock, as a lagging profile roll, for example, pushes the rolled stock away from itself after it has already left the leading profile roll(s). A skewed arrangement of a rotation axis or an inclination of rotation axes can also lead to a corresponding radial displacement, possibly even parallel to a plane containing the rotation axes and the pass line.

[0091] A corresponding displacement of the rotational axis of the profile rollers can be implemented if necessary by suitable adjustment options, such as eccentrics, additional hydraulic cylinders or similar displacement devices.

[0092] The process reliability during profile rolling can also be increased if a method for rolling rolled stock in a profile rolling mill comprising at least one profile roller arrangement arranged along a fitting line as well as an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the fitting line is cumulatively orAs an alternative to the combinations of features listed here, the radial position of the rolling stock, in particular on the input side or output side of the profile roller arrangement and / or between rolling stations of the profile rolling mill comprising respective profile roller arrangements, a force exerted by the rolling stock on a guide body coming into contact with the rolling stock or its contact with the rolling stock, the speed of movement of the rolling stock and / or the shape of the rolling stock are measured and the measured value is used to control the rotation speed and / or the adjustment of at least one profile roller provided at one of the rolling stations, the adjustment of a guide body coming into contact with the rolling stock and / or for accident or plug detection.

[0093] In this case, the guide body whose force exerted on it by the rolling stock or whose contact is measured can be the adjusted guide body, so that the guide body can be adjusted in a control loop with respect to the rolling stock.

[0094] Depending on the specific process, it can be ensured, for example, that the corresponding guide body or a corresponding guide or safety funnel is moved away from the rolled stock when the rolled stock comes into contact with the guide body(s) so that contact is no longer possible. If an opposite guide body then comes into contact with the rolled stock, the direction of movement can be reversed accordingly. The guide body or the guide or safety funnel then reflects the radial position of the rolled stock between the rolling stations. In the event of extreme deflection, a different reaction can be provided, such as intervention in the rolling process by adjusting the profile rolls or changing their rotation speeds, or even an emergency stop, in order to prevent damage in the event of extreme deflection.

[0095] Such control is also conceivable on a force-dependent basis, so that the respective guide body or a guide or safety hopper can be adjusted in a specific way depending on the force exerted on it. This can be done, for example, by maintaining a constant force until a certain deflection is reached, in order to then intervene in the rolling process by changing the rotation speed of the rolls or the rotation axes or, if necessary, to carry out an emergency stop. On the other hand, it is also conceivable that the force to which the respective guide body is controlled increases with increasing deflection, so that the guide body successively performs more and more guiding work the further the rolled stock is deflected radially.

[0096] It is clear that with such a regulation, a multitude of options remain for appointing the management bodies accordingly.

[0097] In particular, it is conceivable that the corresponding guide body be adjusted radially. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the guide body be adjusted parallel to the fitting line or in a plane perpendicular to the fitting line, with a component located in this plane and oriented perpendicular to the fitting line, if this appears advantageous for control reasons.

[0098] It is particularly conceivable that the radially deflected guidance of the rolling stock is initialized and / or controlled by the guide body as part of the rolling stock guidance, which - as already explained above - enables direct intervention on the deflection.

[0099] If a method for rolling rolled stock in a profile rolling mill comprising at least one profile roller arrangement arranged along a pass line and an input side and an output side opposite the input side with respect to the pass line is characterized in that process data are stored in a process data memory during rolling, the process reliability during profile rolling can be increased cumulatively or alternatively to the other feature combinations presented here as advantageous.

[0100] Storing process data in this way can, in particular, make it possible to use it for subsequent testing or training purposes. In particular, the reasons for a possible malfunction or a faulty connector can be identified. It is also conceivable that this process data could then be compared with the quality of the rolled profiles in order to optimize future rolling processes.

[0101] The corresponding information, which can be obtained from the process data stored in the process data memory, can be used in particular to optimize the control and regulation processes explained above, in particular to optimally adapt the control of the profile roller and the rolling stock guides to the respective rolling situation.

[0102] Depending on the specific implementation, the control or regulation system can rely on or include neural networks or other technologies similar to artificial intelligence. The process data can be further enhanced, if necessary, to include measurement data and information about the finished rolled profiles and / or used as training data for training the neural networks or artificial intelligence. This also allows the rolling results of subsequent rolling processes to be successively improved and, in particular, process reliability during profile rolling to be increased.

[0103] In particular, any data supplied by the measuring devices can be considered as process data. In particular, for example, the radial position of the rolling stock, particularly at the inlet or outlet side of the profile roll arrangement and / or between the rolling stations of the profile rolling mill comprising respective profile roll arrangements, a force exerted by the rolling stock on a guide body coming into contact with the rolling stock or its contact with the rolling stock, the movement speed of the rolling stock, and / or the shape of the rolling stock can be measured or otherwise recorded as process data, preferably via measuring devices.However, measurement results from other sensors, such as force sensors that interact with the profile rollers, speed measurements of the profile rollers, the rolling stock or guide rollers as well as the shape of the rolling stock and / or its radial position in relation to the pass line can also be stored as process data in the process memory.

[0104] In addition, a configuration memory can be provided in which information on the current configuration of the profile rolling mill, also called roll setup data, can be saved, which can also be used for control or even regulation or for subsequent testing or training purposes.

[0105] It is also conceivable, either cumulatively or alternatively, to use corresponding data from a parameter memory in which additional parameters have been or are being entered. Such data can, for example, be supplementary temperature data or bypass data. Likewise, precise material data of the rolling stock used or its production history, as well as other data, can be used as additional parameters. These can then also be used for control, in particular for closed-loop control, and / or for subsequent testing or training purposes.

[0106] These additional parameters can be entered manually or automatically, depending on specific requirements. Automatic input can be achieved, for example, via appropriate sensors, interfaces, or one of the measuring devices described here. However, additional measuring devices, such as measurements of the preheating process or storage times of the rolled stock, and similar, can also be used as additional parameters.

[0107] It is understood that the features of the solutions described above or in the claims may also be combined if necessary in order to be able to implement the advantages cumulatively.

[0108] Further advantages, objects, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are particularly illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1a first profile rolling mill in schematic side view; Figure 2the profile rolling mill according to Fig. 1 in a schematic section perpendicular to the pass line; Figure 3 a second profile rolling mill in a schematic section along the line III-III in Fig. 4 ; Figure 4 the profile rolling mill according to Fig. 3 in a schematic section perpendicular to the fitting line along the line IV-IV Figure 5 a detailed enlargement from Figure 4 with a first measuring device; Figure 6 a schematic detailed representation of a guide body from Fig. 5 with a second measuring device; Figure 7 a to the arrangement according to Fig. 6 alternative arrangement with a third measuring device; Figure 8 an alternative rolling stock guide to the rolling stock guides according to Figs. 6 and 7 in a similar representation as Figs. 6 and 7with a fourth measuring device; Figure 9 shows a further alternative rolling stock guide in a view parallel to the pass line; and Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of a control system used to control an adjustment device or a displacement means for guide bodies.

[0109] The two profile rolling mills 10 shown as examples in the drawing comprise at least two profile roller arrangements or rolling stations 31 arranged along a pass line 30, at which the profile roller arrangements 20 are provided.

[0110] Here, profile rollers 21 are arranged on the profile roller arrangements 20, each of which is designed, for example, as a top roller 22 or bottom roller 23, i.e., as horizontal rollers, or as vertical rollers 24. It is understood that, in different embodiments, differently aligned profile rollers 21 can also be used for each rolling station 31, if this appears necessary.

[0111] The horizontal rolls, i.e., the upper rolls 22 and the lower rolls 23, exert rolling forces directed essentially in the vertical direction 37 on the rolled stock 11, which passes through the respective profile rolling mills 10 along the pass line 30 during rolling. The vertical rolls 24, on the other hand, exert rolling forces directed essentially in the horizontal direction 36 on the rolled stock 11 as it passes through the respective profile rolling mills 10 along the pass line 30 during rolling.

[0112] The profile rolling mills 10 can each be assigned an input side 33 and an output side 34 opposite the input side 33 along the pass line 30. The profile rolling mill 10 accordingly has an input roller conveyor 48 on the input side 33 and an output roller conveyor 49 on the output side 34, via which rolled stock 11 can be fed to and removed from the profile rolling mill 10. It is understood that in different embodiments, other feed and discharge devices for the profile rolling mill 10 can be provided instead of the input and output roller conveyors 48, 49.

[0113] Section rolling mills, and therefore also the section rolling mills 10, are generally designed to allow the rolling stock 11 to be rolled in more than one pass. For efficiency reasons, this is usually achieved by reversing the rolling stock 11 after each pass by reversing the direction of movement. Thus, if rolling stock enters the section rolling mill 10 via the entry side 33 and is rolled there in a first pass, the rolling direction can be reversed after the pass or shortly before the pass is completely completed, and the rolling stock can be rolled from the exit side 34 to the entry side 33 in a second pass.

[0114] Depending on the specific implementation, the profile rollers 21 are adjusted differently for the different passes.

[0115] Depending on the number of passes or the number of reversals, the rolling stock 11 can also leave the profile rolling mill 10 towards the input side 33, so that the input side 33 and the output side 34 are preferably defined accordingly only by the first entry of the rolling stock into the profile rolling mill 10.

[0116] To absorb the rolling forces, the profile rolling mills 10 each comprise a staggered stand 40.

[0117] In the present embodiments, the staggered stands 40 each have two column walls 41, which essentially support a horizontal column structure 47, which serves to absorb the rolling forces of the horizontal rolls, i.e., the upper rolls 22 and the lower rolls 23, directed in the vertical direction 37. The two column walls 41 are held spaced apart from one another and clamped together by tie rods 44 and intermediate cross members 43.

[0118] In addition, the staggered stands 40 also comprise a vertical support structure 46, which essentially serves to absorb the rolling forces of the vertical rolls 24 pointing in the horizontal direction 36.

[0119] The vertical support structure 46 comprises vertical support halves 45 opposite one another with respect to the fitting line 30, each of which carries a crosshead crossbeam 42, against which the vertical rollers 24 can be supported in a known manner. The vertical support halves 45 opposite one another with respect to the fitting line 30 are held spaced apart and braced together by the two support walls 41 and the tie rods 44 and intermediate crossbeams 43.

[0120] Furthermore, the profile rolling mill 10 can be assigned a drive side 38 and an operating side 39, wherein the drive side 38 serves to connect drive units, in particular for the profile rollers 21.

[0121] Of the two stud walls 41, one stud wall 41 is arranged on the drive side 38 and the second stud wall is arranged on the operating side 39, so that the stud walls 41 are located on both sides of the fitting line 30.

[0122] For setup and maintenance work, the stud wall 41 on the operating side 39 can be moved away from the fitting line by loosening the tie rods 44.

[0123] In this way, as is known per se, space is created for maintenance and setup activities. In particular, the profile rollers 21 and, if applicable, any rolling stock guides 60, as well as other units and fittings, can be serviced and replaced in this way, for example by also relocating them to the operating side 39 and then replacing them accordingly. Following this, they can be repositioned toward the drive side 38, in order to subsequently relocate and position the frame wall 41, which is located on the operating side 39, toward the fitting line 30. After this, the tie rods 44 are reconnected so that the respective profile rolling mills 10 are again available for rolling operations.

[0124] During these activities, access to the drive side 38 is not or hardly necessary, so that in particular the connections provided there can remain, which considerably facilitates maintenance and setup activities.

[0125] Rolling stock guides 60 and measuring devices 50 can be provided between the rolling stations 31, as shown by way of example in Figures 1 , 3 and 4 In particular, such devices can also be provided on the input side 33 or the output side 34 of the profile rolling mills 10 or all profile rolling arrangements 20 or rolling stations 31.

[0126] In particular, the rolling stock guides 60 may introduce forces into the section rolling mill 10, for example, via the inlet and outlet roller conveyors 48, 49, which the staggered stand 40 cannot easily accommodate. For this reason, the staggered stand 40 is preferably connected to a building 12 surrounding the section rolling mill 10, so that such forces or excessive rolling forces can be accommodated via the building 12.

[0127] As can be seen in particular from Figure 5 As explained, the rolling stock guides 60 can each have guide bodies 61, which can provide a guide or safety funnel 66 or a corresponding guide caliber 67 on the input side 31, on the output side 33, and / or between the rolling stations 31.

[0128] The guide bodies 61 each have contact surfaces 68, which can come into contact with the rolling stock 11 as intended. Depending on the specific design of the guide or control or regulation system provided for the rolling stock guide 60, it is conceivable that the contact surfaces 68 of a guide body 61 only come into contact with the rolling stock in the event of an accident or plug connection, which can be regulated accordingly, for example, by a suitable adjustment of the guide bodies 61 depending on any measuring device 50.

[0129] In different embodiments, it is on the other hand conceivable that the guide bodies 61, or selected guide bodies 61, with their contact surfaces 68 come into contact frequently, regularly or continuously with the rolling stock 11, which passes the respective guide bodies 61 along the pass line, and in doing so exert leading guiding forces.

[0130] In this embodiment, the guide bodies 61 are each carried on guide supports 61 and adjustment devices 63, which in turn are arranged on a guide frame 80, so that the respective guide caliber 67 or the respective guide or safety funnel 66 is stabilized accordingly.

[0131] It is understood that in different embodiments, the guide body(s) 61 can also be held and, if necessary, displaced in a different manner with respect to the fitting line 30 and the profile rolling mill 10.

[0132] Due to their shape, their mounting on the guide supports 62 and / or on the guide frame 80, the guide bodies 61 each require a main guide direction 32, which in the present embodiment is aligned in the vertical direction 37 or in the horizontal direction 36.

[0133] In this embodiment, the guide frame 80 can be adjusted to the staggered frame 40 via horizontal displacement means 81 and vertical displacement means 82. These displacement means 81, 82 are hydraulic in this embodiment. In alternative embodiments, they can certainly also be piezoelectric, electromechanical, or otherwise configured, as long as they are capable of displacing the guide frame 80 in the desired manner.

[0134] In order to carry out a corresponding displacement in a stable manner, the vertical displacement means 82 are supported on intermediate supports 84 which are each aligned in the horizontal direction 36 and which, in turn, can support the guide frame 80 in the vertical direction 37 against guides pointing in this direction, which are directed opposite to the associated main guide directions 32, via frame bearings 83 aligned in the horizontal direction 36.

[0135] In the horizontal direction 36, the guide frame 80 is supported by intermediate supports 84 arranged in the vertical direction 37, which in turn carry the horizontal displacement means 81 which enable displacement in the horizontal direction 36 directly on the guide frame 80, wherein these intermediate supports 84 aligned in the vertical direction 37 are in turn mounted on the staggered frame 40 by frame bearings 83 aligned in the vertical direction 37.

[0136] The frame bearings 83 are secured accordingly by return springs 35, so that the entire arrangement comprising guide frame 80, horizontal displacement means 81, frame bearings 83, intermediate supports 84 and return springs 85 is or can be replaced if necessary.

[0137] Safety devices 90 are provided in the guide frame 80, each of which comprises guide rails 91 and associated pre-tensioned locking connections 92, so that the guide frame 80, if any guide forces exceed certain limit values provided by the locking connections 92, can yield to these forces, whereby correspondingly loaded parts of the guide frame 80 can then move along the associated guide rails 91 when these forces have correspondingly overcome the forces of the pre-tensioned locking connections 92.In this case, for a corresponding reaction to forces directed in the vertical direction 37, corresponding safety devices 90 are also provided in the intermediate supports 84 pointing in the horizontal direction 36, wherein the associated frame bearings 83, which are also aligned in the horizontal direction 36, comprise a spring connection 94 in the center, so that an evasion of the associated assemblies is also possible in this regard.

[0138] Via an electrical contact 93, as exemplified by a single safety device 90 in Figure 5 As outlined, an electrical signal can be output when the safety device 90 is activated and a displacement occurs along the associated guide rail 91. Such an electrical signal can then be used for an emergency stop or for other reactions of the profile rolling mill 10.

[0139] The vertical and horizontal displacement means 81, 82 of this exemplary embodiment each interact, by way of example, with load cells 56 as measuring devices 50, so that the force acting on the guide frame 80 and thus on the entire rolling stock guide 60 can be measured accordingly. Such load cells 56 can, in particular, measure a force acting on the guide bodies 61, whereby the corresponding measurement result can be used for control or regulation purposes, if necessary, but also for subsequent testing or training purposes.

[0140] This embodiment also includes a position sensor 86, via which the exact position of the guide frame 80 can be detected by an electrical position sensor 57 and which can also serve as a measuring device 50, so that a position measurement can also be fed to a control or regulation system for control and regulation purposes. Position regulation can also be carried out directly via such a position sensor 86, for example, by adjusting the displacement means 81, 82 accordingly.

[0141] Cumulatively or alternatively to the measuring devices 50 explained with reference to this embodiment, microwave measuring means 51 can also be arranged on the guide frame 80, as shown by way of example in Figure 6In particular, such an arrangement enables a direct control loop with which the distance of the associated guide bodies 61 or contact surface 68 to the rolling stock can be controlled via the microwave measuring means 51, which can also be done, for example, by laser light section sensors 52, as shown by way of example in Figure 7 Corresponding microwave measuring means 51 can optionally also be provided independently of a guide frame 80 or even of a rolling stock guide 60 in order to measure the position of the rolling stock 11 and, if necessary, to be able to control the profile rollers 21 in their position or rotation speed, as exemplified by the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 especially in Figure 1 shown.

[0142] A mechanical sensor 55 can, as shown in the example in Figure 8represented, can also be represented by a guide body 61 which can close an electrical closing contact 58 as a measuring device 50 via a return spring 65 in relation to its guide carrier 62, wherein in this embodiment the guide body 61 is guided easily movable via guide rails 64, in particular perpendicular to its main guide direction 32.

[0143] Such a configuration also makes it possible to position the guide body 61 appropriately with respect to the rolling stock 11, if necessary, by moving the guide body 61 away from the rolling stock 11 when the electrical closing contact 58 is closed. A counter-directed guide body 65, which may be configured similarly to a mechanical sensor 55 with an electrical closing contact 58, can then realize a corresponding displacement of the rolling stock guide 60 back with respect to the rolling stock 11, thereby forming a corresponding control loop.

[0144] Corresponding measuring devices 50 can also be provided independently of a rolling stock guide 60, as shown for example in Figure 1for microwave measuring means 51, although other measuring devices 50 may also be used in this regard if necessary. Such measuring devices 50 can measure the position of the rolling stock 11 with respect to the pass line 30, in particular also between the rolling stations 31, which can then be used for adjusting the profile roller assemblies 21 or their rotation speeds in a corresponding control or regulation system.

[0145] The arrangement according to Figure 1 Furthermore, it has cleaning devices 70 in the form of water nozzles 71 and blowers 72, by means of which, if necessary, particularly by means of the blower 72, impurities can be removed even during rolling. For example, water from the water nozzles 71 can also bind dust, which can, if necessary, allow any measuring devices 50 to retain their measuring capability.

[0146] If necessary, a corresponding cleaning device 70 can be used directly for cleaning a measuring device 50, as shown by way of example in Figure 1, according to which a multi-component nozzle 73 as a cleaning device 70 is directed directly onto the laser light section sensor 52 provided there and its measuring field in order to be able to remove any contaminants in a targeted manner.

[0147] It is understood that corresponding cleaning devices 70 can be used and modified as needed. In particular, other types of cleaning devices 70, such as mechanical cleaning devices, can also be used accordingly.

[0148] As in Figure 9By means of horizontal guide bodies 61, which act essentially in a vertical direction, the guide bodies 61 can have a contact surface 68 which follows the cross-sectional shape of the rolling stock 11 and in particular comprises a turning point, here the oblique cross-sectional line between the two horizontal areas with different radii, so that the oblique line can optionally act in a supporting manner to the vertical, cylindrical guide bodies 61.

[0149] As in Figure 10As already explained above, a control unit 13 for one of the rolling stock guides 60 can receive measurement signals from a measuring device 50 for the position of an associated guide body 61 or the force on the guide body 61 and, in a controlling manner, respond to an adjusting device 63 or to displacement means 81, 82 with which the position of the guide body 61 or the force on the guide body 61 can be changed, which accordingly, as shown by the dashed arrow, influences the measurement signal of the measuring device 50. In this way, for example, a corresponding control loop can be formed.

[0150] It is understood that such a control loop can also be designed more complexly and, in particular, can measure, control, or regulate multiple guide bodies 61 of a rolling stock guide 60, or even all of them. Likewise, signals from additional control loops, such as a control unit 14 for a profile roller arrangement 20, can be taken into account if necessary, whereby signals can also be output from the control unit 13 for the rolling stock guide 60 to the control unit 14 for the profile roller arrangement 20.

[0151] Data from a configuration memory 15, in which information on a current configuration of the respective profile rolling mill 10 is or can be stored, or from a parameter memory 16, in which additional parameters have been or are entered or are otherwise stored, can also be used by the control unit 13 for the rolling stock guidance 60.

[0152] In particular, several such control loops of the profile rolling mill 10, if necessary even control loops, can be combined accordingly and linked with each other or mapped together, which can also be done, for example, by artificial intelligence or neural networks.

[0153] The process data exchanged by the control loop(s) and other process data can then be stored in a process data memory 17 for testing or training purposes or for other reasons. List of reference symbols:

[0154] 10Profile rolling mill 11Rolling stock 12Building 13Control unit for rolling stock guidance 60 14Control unit for profile roll arrangement 20 15Configuration memory 16Parameter memory 17Process data memory 20Profile roller arrangement 21Profile roller 22Top roller 23Bottom roller 24Vertical roller 30Pass line 31Rolling yard 32Main guide direction 33Input side 34Output side 36Horizontal direction 37Vertical direction 38Drive side 39Operating side 40Stacked scaffold 41Stud wall 42Crosshead traverse 43Intermediate traverse 44Tension anchor 45Vertical post half 46Vertical stud frame 47Horizontal stud frame 48Entrance roller conveyor 49Exit roller conveyor 50Measuring device 51Microwave measuring device 52Laser light section sensor 55Mechanical measuring sensor 56Load cell 57Electrical position sensor 58Electrical closing contact 60Rolling stock guide 61Guide body 62Guide carrier 63Adjustment device 64Guide rail 65Return spring 66Guide or safety funnel 67Guide caliber 68Contact surface 70Cleaning device 71Water nozzle 72Blower 73Multi-component nozzle 80Guide frame 81Horizontal displacement means 82Vertical displacement means 83Frame bearing 84Intermediate support 85Return spring 86Position sensor 90Safety device 91Guide rail 92Pre-tensioned locking connection 93Electrical contact 94Spring connection

Claims

1. Profile rolling mill (10) comprising at least one profile roller arrangement (20) arranged along a fitting line (30) and an input side (31) and an output side (32) opposite the input side (31) with respect to the fitting line (30), characterized by (i) that a measuring device (50) for measuring the radial position of the rolling stock (11) running through the profile rolling mill (10) along the fitting line with respect to the fitting line (30) is arranged on the profile rolling mill; and / or (ii) that at least one guide body (61) coming into contact with the rolling stock (11) is physically connected to a safety device (90); and / or (iii) that at least one guide body (61) coming into contact with the rolling stock (11), the contact surface (68) of which has at least one turning point in a cross-section perpendicular to the fitting line (30) and / or follows the cross-sectional shape of the rolling stock (11); and / or (iv) thatat least one cleaning device (70) is arranged along the fitting line (30).

2. Profile rolling mill (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device (50) comprises ultrasonic measuring means, microwave measuring means (51), radar measuring means and / or optical measuring means.

3. Profile rolling mill (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measuring device (50) comprises at least one mechanical measuring sensor (55), wherein the mechanical measuring sensor (55) preferably comprises at least one guide body (61) coming into contact with the rolling stock (11) or the guide body (61), wherein the guide body (61) is preferably part of a guide or safety funnel (66) and / or delimits a guide caliber (67).

4. Profile rolling mill (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the measuring device (50) comprises a contact, position and / or force sensor operatively connected to the measuring sensor (55).

5. Profile rolling mill (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the physical operative connection of the guide body (61) to the safety device (90) is realized mechanically and / or fluidically and / or that the safety device (90) comprises a latching connection (92) and / or an electrical contact (93), which preferably act in the or a guide or safety funnel (66).

6. Profile rolling mill (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact surface (68) or the cross-section perpendicular to the fitting line (30) has at least one extreme point and / or at least two turning points.

7. Profile rolling mill (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the contact surface (68) is formed on a guide body (61) designed as a guide roller.

8. Profile rolling mill (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthe cleaning device (70) comprises a water nozzle (71), a blower (72) and / or a multi-component nozzle (73) and / or that the cleaning device (70) is directed into a guide caliber (67) and / or into a measuring area of the measuring device (50) and / or onto the measuring device (50).

9. Profile rolling mill (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the profile rolling mill (10) comprises at least two rolling stations (31) arranged along a pass line (30), wherein the measuring device (50) is arranged between the two rolling stations (31) in order to measure the radial position of rolling stock (11) located between the rolling stations, and / or wherein the cleaning device (70) is arranged between the rolling stations (31).

10. Method for rolling rolled stock (11) in a profile rolling mill (10) comprising at least one profile roller arrangement (20) arranged along a pass line (30) and an input side (31) and an output side (32) opposite the input side (31) with respect to the pass line (30), characterized by (i) that (a) the radial position of the rolling stock (11), (b) a force exerted by the rolling stock (11) on a guide body (61) coming into contact with the rolling stock (11) or its contact with the rolling stock (11), (c) the movement speed of the rolling stock (11) and / or (d) the shape of the rolling stock (11) are measured and the measured value (r) is used to control the rotation speed and / or the adjustment of at least one profile roll (21) provided at one of the rolling stations (31), (s) the adjustment of a guide body (61) coming into contact with the rolling stock (11) and / or (t) for fault or plug detection; and / or (ii) thatthe rolling stock (11) is guided radially deflected between two rolling stations (31) of the profile rolling mill (10); and / or (iii) that during rolling, process data are stored in a process data memory (17); and / or (iv) that cleaning of impurities takes place along the pass line (30) during, before and / or after rolling of the rolling stock (11).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that precisely the guide body (61) whose force exerted on it by the rolling stock (11) or whose contact with the rolling stock (11) is measured is the adjusted guide body (61).

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the guide body (61) is arranged between the two rolling stations (31).

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in thatthe guide body (61), in particular the guide body (61) whose force exerted on it by the rolling stock (11) or whose contact with the rolling stock (11) is measured, is adjusted radially.

14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the guide body (61) is part of a guide or safety funnel (66).

15. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the radially deflected guide is initialized and / or controlled by the guide body (61).

16. Method according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the radially deflected guide is initialized and / or controlled by controlling the rotational speed and / or by controlling the position of the rotational axes of profile rollers (21) provided at the rolling stations (61) and / or by controlling a rolling stock guide (60).

17. Method according to one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in thatthe cleaning of impurities is carried out by introducing, for example by injecting or blowing in, water and / or air on the inlet side of one of the rolling stations (31), on the outlet side of one of the rolling stations (31) and / or between two rolling stations (31).

18. Method according to one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the process data from the process data memory (17) are used for subsequent testing or training purposes.

19. Method according to one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in thatData from a configuration memory (15), in which information on a current configuration of the profile rolling mill (10) is stored, and / or from a parameter memory (16), in which additional parameters have been or are entered manually or automatically, preferably via an interface, via measuring sensors and / or via at least one measuring device (50), are used for controlling, in particular for regulating, the adjustment of the guide body (61) coming into contact with the rolling stock (11) and / or for subsequent testing or training purposes.

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