Three-stage rotationally-symmetric stand having roller loaded on eccentric bushing

Abstract

To provide a stand that enables both of a position in a rolling machine and a configuration for adjustment to be selected more flexibly at the same time with designing for downsizing the rolling machine.SOLUTION: A stand 1 rolls a metal rod, a wire, and a pipe along a rolling shaft. The stand includes: a stand housing 10 whose outside includes at least six side surfaces 14.1-14.6 having equal lengths which are arranged rotationally symmetrically with the rolling shaft as a center, when viewed along the rolling shaft, where the two side surfaces respectively form a pair of side surfaces arranged in parallel to each other; and three rollers 20.1-20.3 each arranged on one roller shaft, and surrounding the rolling shaft in a star shape to jointly form a caliber 21. The three rollers are loaded by an eccentric bushing, in a bearing hole of the stand housing, by a method in which an interval in a radial direction of the rollers from the rolling shaft can be adjusted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stand for rolling metal rods, wires or pipes along a rolling axis, the stand comprising a stand housing and three rollers each arranged on a roller shaft, surrounding the rolling axis in a star shape and together forming a caliber, the three roller shafts being mounted by eccentric bushings in bearing holes of the stand housing in such a way that the radial spacing of the rollers from the rolling axis is adjustable. [Background technology]

[0002] Rolling stands for rolling rod-shaped materials containing three or more rollers are known in principle in the production of metal pipes, rods, or wire. The caliber is set accordingly, allowing the material to be rolled to the desired diameter. To set the stand's caliber, the rollers' distance from the rolling axis is typically adjusted. The technical solution for adjusting the roller position relative to the rolling axis is an eccentric adjustment mechanism.

[0003] For example, a stand from the above technical field with an eccentric adjustment means is known from JP 2004-102262 A. In the stand described in JP 2004-102262 A, the rollers are each arranged on a roller shaft which is rotatably mounted on two eccentric bushings via rolling bearings. The rollers are radially adjustable relative to the rolling axis by rotating the eccentric bushings, allowing the caliber of the stand to be infinitely adjusted and enabling the production of rolled materials with different diameters. In JP 2004-102262 A, the synchronized adjustment of all roller shafts, and therefore all rollers, is achieved by driving only one eccentric bushing. This adjustment is carried out via an adjustment connector provided on the side of the stand housing.

[0004] Generally, several stands are arranged in succession in a rolling mill, so that the material to be rolled can be stretched and rolled to smaller diameters, in particular due to the difference between the roller speeds of the individual stands.

[0005] Furthermore, the material to be rolled is generally not sufficiently round after passing through one stand because the star-shaped arrangement of the rollers and their relatively small number results in a polygonal cross-section, the number of sides of the polygon corresponding to the number of rollers in the stand. For example, a material to be rolled through a single three-roller stand will not ideally be round, but rather will have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately triangular.

[0006] Successive stands are preferably arranged so that, in order to improve the roundness of the material to be rolled, the corners of the cross section of the material to be rolled leaving each stand are contacted in the middle by the rollers of the next stand, resulting in a rounded cross section of the material to be rolled.

[0007] Thus, for example, the three rollers of the first and third stands of a rolling mill having four stands are typically arranged in what is known as a "Y configuration," while the rollers of the second and fourth stands located behind them, for example, are arranged in what is known as an "inverted-Y configuration" (λ). Due to the alternating arrangement of rollers and stands in the Y and inverted-Y configurations, the corners of the cross section of the material to be rolled are rolled by the rollers of each succeeding stand, resulting in a rounded cross section of the material to be rolled.

[0008] In the Y configuration, the lower roller is oriented so that its roller shaft is horizontal in the direction of view of the rolling axis, i.e., its diameter extends vertically. In contrast, in the inverted Y configuration, it is the upper roller whose roller shaft is horizontal in the direction of view of the rolling axis, i.e., its diameter extends vertically. In both cases, the roller shafts of the two further rollers are each inclined at 120° to the horizontal roller shaft. Of course, the orientation relative to the horizontal is entirely arbitrary, since for the effects described here, only the relative orientation of the rollers to the adjacent stands is important.

[0009] The arrangement of stands one behind the other to form a rolling mill is typically done using stand bases, on which the stands are introduced and held, which allow the stands to be replaced from the rolling mill, for example for periodically required maintenance.

[0010] The stand known from DE 10 200 09 14 56 A1 allows switching between Y and inverted Y configurations by a rotation about a horizontal axis of 180°, allowing insertion into the stand base in both orientations. The upper and lower sides of the rectangular stand housing serve as contact surfaces in the stand base.

[0011] The location of the stand for the Y and reverse Y configurations can be selected in such a way that the adjusting connector of the eccentric adjusting means, provided on the side of the stand housing, remains on the same side when that side is the side defining the stand horizontally, i.e., vertically oriented. The motor for driving the roller with the horizontally oriented roller shaft and, if required, the coupling for the force introduction of the drive train with the gearbox, are then located on the opposite side.

[0012] While the above-described arrangement of the adjustment connector allows good accessibility for manual operation of the adjustment connector from this side, it does not allow the adjustment connector to be easily operated and actuated automatically, i.e. by what is known as remote adjustment, since the motor required for this cannot be provided on this side so as not to block access to the stand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] DE 10015340 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a stand from the above technical field which allows for more flexible use in a rolling mill and in particular a more flexible choice of both the position in the rolling mill and also the adjustment configuration at the same time as a compact design of the rolling mill.

[0015] In other words, the aim is to develop a stand in the above technical field that can be arranged modularly in the rolling mill in as versatile a manner as possible, at different positions on the stand base, in different locations, and in such a way that the radial spacing, i.e. the adjustment, between the rollers and the rolling axis can be adjusted in a number of different ways, in different adjustment configurations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] This object is achieved by a stand according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0017] A stand for rolling metal rods, wires, or pipes along a rolling axis includes a stand housing, the exterior of which, as viewed along the rolling axis, has at least six sides of equal length and arranged rotationally symmetrically around the rolling axis, with each pair of two sides forming a pair of sides arranged parallel to each other, and three rollers, each arranged on a roller shaft, surrounding the rolling axis in a star shape and together forming a caliber, the three roller shafts being mounted by eccentric bushings in bearing holes in the stand housing in such a way that the radial spacing of the rollers from the rolling axis is adjustable.

[0018] In this context, the side faces are the surfaces of the stand housing that laterally define the front and rear faces along which the rolling axis extends. Viewed along the rolling axis, these together form the lateral outer surface of the stand housing. Because the side faces are arranged in pairs, parallel to each other, and rotationally symmetrical about the rolling axis, the projection of the stand housing along the rolling axis can define a polygon with at least six sides and angles.

[0019] The side surfaces of the stand housing may function as contact surfaces, may include contact surfaces or may extend parallel to a contact surface or surfaces, for example formed by slide rails, on which the stand, in particular the stand base, can stand stably. The side surfaces may not be flat, but may instead include steps, protrusions or recesses, as well as openings, and may be formed in multiple sections.

[0020] In the present context, sides of equal length mean that they are of the same length in the circumferential direction, in which case it is also possible that there are no sharp corners, but rather radii, chamfered extensions, etc. between adjacent sides.

[0021] The fact that the rollers are each arranged on one roller shaft also refers to rollers that are axially fixed between two partial shafts of an axially split roller shaft. In particular, the rollers are arranged on the roller shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, for example, frictionally connected, i.e., not mounted on the roller shaft by bearings. This also means that the rollers can be driven by their roller shafts. For this purpose, each roller shaft can have its own drive connection and an end protruding outside the stand. Using a suitable coupling, one motor can then apply a rotational force to each roller shaft and thus to the associated rollers. It is also possible to couple multiple roller shafts together via a gearbox outside the stand and drive them from a common motor. Because the rolling forces acting in stands in this technical field amount to several kilotons, the roll motors must be powerful and therefore large. The roll motors and their surroundings should not obstruct access to the rolling mill and stands, so as not to interfere with regular stand replacement for maintenance reasons.

[0022] It is therefore important for the entire rolling mill that the replaced stand be connected to the roller drive as quickly and reliably as possible, and that the drive connections of the roller shafts be located in the same place, in the same orientation at a specific position in the rolling mill, so as to prevent as much as possible access to the mill, and in particular to the stand, in these respects and orientations.

[0023] The star arrangement of the rollers around the rolling axis means that each roller or its plane of rotation is at an angle of 120° to the two adjacent rollers or their planes of rotation. This also applies to the roller shafts, whose axes intersect outside the plane of rotation of the rollers, but not at the caliber. However, within the stand, each roller shaft is at an angle of 120° to the other two roller shafts.

[0024] In this context, caliber refers to the opening between the three rollers through which the material to be rolled is introduced and rolled in the process. It extends across the cross-sectional surface, perpendicular to the rolling axis of the passage formed in the roll surface by the star-shaped arrangement of the three rollers. Because the stands are stretched by the material to be rolled and do not elastically deform during the rolling process, and because the material to be rolled is not only influenced by the rollers themselves, but rather its diameter is also elastically and plastically influenced, for example, by the forces between adjacent stands, the caliber is not the same as the target or production diameter of the material to be rolled. However, the caliber significantly influences the production diameter.

[0025] In the case of the present stand, the distance of the rollers from the rolling axis can be set to set the caliber by rotating an eccentric bushing, i.e. by eccentric adjustment, as known for example from DE 10 200 04 133 A1.

[0026] The number and arrangement of the sides of the present stand offers the advantage, compared to the four-sided rectangular stand housings known from the prior art, of being able to use the stand in a modular manner at different locations in the rolling mill and in different configurations with regard to the adjustability of the radial spacing of the rollers from the rolling axis. This reduces the number of stands that must be kept available to the rolling mill operator, since the same stands can be used throughout the entire rolling mill, even after modifications to the rolling mill with regard to the adjustability of the radial spacing of the rollers from the rolling axis. The present invention therefore achieves more flexible use within the rolling mill, and in particular more flexible selection of both the location in the rolling mill and also the adjustment configuration, while at the same time achieving a compact design of the rolling mill.

[0027] The invention also allows for flexible mounting of additional components arranged on or in the stand housing. Such components can be, in addition to the connections of the eccentricity adjustment means, for example, operational connections, guides such as funnel or roller guides as inlet or outlet guides, sliding elements, bearing elements and fixing elements. However, in this respect too, the invention allows for a very significant modularization of the rolling mill.

[0028] The limitation of the complexity of the roller arrangement is advantageous insofar as it results in a simplified arrangement of the drives for the roller shafts in the rolling mill. In particular, three different arrangements of the stands result, which always result in three identical angles of rotation of the roller shaft axis, as viewed along the rolling axis. When substantially identical rollers and roller shafts are used that can be driven by any of the provided drives, it is therefore only necessary to provide translational displacement of the drives or gearboxes and coupling components, for example, that can compensate for the translational deviation of the roller shafts. This reduces the complexity of the rolling mill and the associated design effort.

[0029] Preferably, at least one further of the side surfaces is oriented at an angle of 120° relative to the other side surface, as viewed from the rolling axis. In this case, this angle should be understood as an internal angle, i.e., the side surface in question defines an angle of the stand housing that spans 120° overall. To move from a direction along one side surface to a direction along the other side surface, a 60° change in circumferential direction is required. This allows the stand to be stably positioned in at least six different positions, each inclined by 60° relative to one of the side surfaces, either on or parallel to one of the side surfaces. This preferred angle between the side surfaces, combined with the fact that the stand includes exactly three rollers, leads to the particularly advantageous effect of constantly switching the roller orientation between a Y orientation and a reverse Y orientation, or corresponding orientations that compensate for each other. This helps to achieve particularly good quality in terms of the roundness of the rolled product.

[0030] This results in the advantage that the stand housing can be accommodated and used in a particularly large number of useful positions with the same stand base configuration, which can therefore be used in a flexible manner by arranging the same stand base for all stands, while at the same time ensuring the high quality of the material to be rolled.

[0031] Preferably, each of the three roller shafts extends parallel to one of the pair of parallel side surfaces. In other words, each roller has a rotation plane that is orthogonal to the pair of side surfaces. Preferably, the rotation plane that is orthogonal to the pair of side surfaces is centered along the length of the side surface in the peripheral direction, in the sense of a perpendicular bisector.

[0032] This advantageous feature further contributes to improving the flexibility and modularity of the stands in the rolling mill: a stand designed in this way allows a particularly space-saving and stable arrangement of at least one of the motors for driving the rollers by means of a horizontal drive shaft when the stand is arranged on or parallel to one of its sides.

[0033] In the case of an exemplary stand base which carries a stand according to the invention in such a way that one side surface is oriented horizontally, six different configurations of the stand are therefore possible in principle, in which the rollers are arranged either in a Y configuration or in an inverted Y configuration, with one roller having a horizontal roller shaft, i.e. a vertical rotation plane.

[0034] The exterior of the stand housing preferably has exactly six sides, which form a regular hexagon. This particularly preferred embodiment of the stand housing allows for particularly flexible use of the stand housing. The symmetry of the stand housing relative to the regular hexagon is particularly well suited to a star-shaped arrangement of three rollers and roller shafts. The three rollers and roller shafts in the stand housing can therefore be particularly symmetrically arranged in the stand housing, so that the stand can be fitted to the stand base in several different orientations, and the rollers can be coupled to the rolling mill motor in each of said orientations.

[0035] The stand preferably further includes an adjustment connector for introducing an adjustment torque to adjust the radial position of the roller shafts relative to the rolling axis to set the caliber. In this case, at least two adjustment configurations are possible: remote adjustment via an external motor and manual adjustment. For this purpose, an external motor or a suitable tool, such as a wrench, must be engaged with the adjustment connector to activate, i.e., rotate, the adjustment connector. The rotational movement can be transmitted to one of the stand's eccentric bushings, for example, via a gearbox. From the eccentric bushing, the rotational movement can be transmitted to the other eccentric bushings of the roller shafts in a manner known in principle. In this way, all roller shafts can be synchronously adjusted via a single adjustment connector, and the caliber can be set accordingly.

[0036] The adjustment connectors are preferably located on the outside, i.e., laterally outside, of the stand housing, at the corners of the regular hexagon. In this context, "at the corners of the regular hexagon" means that the adjustment connectors are located closer to the corners than to the center of the sides, i.e., closer to the transition between two adjacent sides. This location of the adjustment connectors allows for more flexible use of the stand. The stand can therefore be rotated approximately 180° around an axis extending through the corners and the rolling axis, thereby switching between a Y-configuration and an inverted Y-configuration without substantially changing the position of the adjustment connectors.

[0037] There are thus multiple locations on the stand where the stand can be introduced into the stand base, and the orientation of the drive coupling of the roller shaft remains the same in all these locations, with only slight deviations in the position of the drive coupling of the roller shaft. This allows for flexible switching between various adjustment configurations, e.g., a location on the stand where the adjustment connector can be easily reached from the front for manual actuation of the adjustment connector, and one or more other locations where, e.g., an external motor can engage the adjustment connector, thereby not blocking or obstructing access from the front.

[0038] The adjustment connector is preferably operable both manually and automatically via an external motor. "Manually operable" in this context means that the adjustment connector can be operated by an operator by hand using a suitable tool. "Operable via an external motor," in contrast, means that the adjustment connector can be operated, e.g., rotated, without manual operation and without the aid of a tool, but rather, for example, using a suitable coupling connected to a motor. This means that the adjustment connector must be arranged and designed to be compatible with both configurations of the drive for roller adjustment. In this way, the stand can be used directly in both configurations, without having to modify the adjustment connector for one or the other configuration, i.e., manual adjustment or automatic adjustment by a motor. However, it is also possible to design the adjustment connector only for automatic adjustment or only for manual adjustment. In this case, the adjustment connector still has to be modified to change the adjustment configuration, which means increased complexity compared to the preferred embodiment, but does not substantially impair the high flexibility of the stand overall.

[0039] Preferably, the stand housing is closed and undivided, in particular manufactured from a monoblock, in other words, it is preferably manufactured in one piece and can therefore be manufactured, for example, by casting, resulting in advantageous mechanical properties for absorbing the loads acting in the rolling process and also an efficient manufacturing.

[0040] Preferably, each of the three roller shafts or rollers can be driven separately by its own associated motor. Thus, for example, three relatively small motors can be used, since they only need to apply one-third of the rolling torque. This allows the motors to be designed smaller, thereby significantly reducing the overall size of the rolling mill.

[0041] In this case, each of the three roller shafts preferably includes a drive end for separate drive, which protrudes outward from one of the side surfaces of the stand housing, thus ensuring that the roller shafts are driven through the side surface and that the corners of the stand housing are not occupied by the drive ends of the roller shafts.

[0042] Further advantages and developments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the figures and from the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a view along the rolling axis of a preferred stand in an inverted Y arrangement in a first adjustment configuration. [Figure 1B] 1B is a view along the rolling axis of the stand from FIG. 1A in a Y arrangement, in a first adjustment configuration. [Figure 1C] 1B is a view along the rolling axis of the stand from FIG. 1A in an inverted Y arrangement in a second adjustment configuration. [Figure 1D] 1B is a view along the rolling axis of the stand from FIG. 1A in a Y arrangement, in a second adjustment configuration. [Figure 2A] 1B is a perspective view of the stand from FIG. 1A from a first perspective. [Figure 2B] 1B is another perspective view of the stand from FIG. 1A from a second perspective. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1B is a side view of the stand from FIG. 1A showing the adjustment connector. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1B is another side view of the stand from FIG. 1A showing the opposite side of the adjustment connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In the following description of the figures, identical or corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals and repeated description is largely avoided.

[0045] FIG. 1A shows a view of a preferred stand 1 for rolling metal rod, wire, or pipe along a rolling axis 19 extending in the Z direction. The stand 1 includes a stand housing 10, which, in the illustrated embodiment, has the shape of a regular hexagon when viewed along the rolling axis 19. The exterior 12 of the stand housing 10 is provided with six side surfaces 14.1-14.6 of equal length, which are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the rolling axis 19. Adjacent side surfaces 14.1-14.6 merge into one another at areas referred to as corners 16.1-16.6. In this case, the corners 16.1-16.6 can be marked differently. These corners include abutting edges between adjacent side surfaces 14.1-14.6 that merge into one another at the corners 16.1-16.6, which can be sharp edges but are preferably chamfered or rounded. Small intermediate surfaces between adjacent side surfaces 14.1-14.6 in the sense of pronounced, relatively wide chamfers are also possible and are still understood in the present context as angles 16.1-16.6. The inlet side 15 (not shown in FIG. 1A but shown in FIG. 1B) of the stand housing 10, as well as the outlet side 13 shown in FIG. 1A, therefore, like the stand housing 10 in this embodiment, have an overall regular hexagonal shape, which is characterized, inter alia, by the fact that it has three pairs of side surfaces 14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, 14.6, each of which is arranged parallel to one another. The stand housing 10 is manufactured as a monoblock.

[0046] The preferred stand 1 is designed so that the entry side 15 (not shown in FIG. 1A) resembles the exit side 13 shown in FIG. 1A, and all features described below for the exit side 13 are found on the opposite side of the stand housing 10 in the same or corresponding locations, as will also be shown below with reference to other figures.

[0047] The stand 1 further comprises three rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, which surround the rolling axis 19 in a star shape. The rollers 20.1 to 20.3 each define a plane of rotation which is at an angle of 120° to one another and which intersect at the rolling axis 19. The planes of rotation of the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are respectively arranged perpendicular to a pair of side surfaces 14.1 to 14.6 of the stand housing 10. In the region of the rolling axis 19, the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 form a caliber 21 between them. The caliber 21 is in particular surrounded by the roll surface 22 of each of the rollers 20.1 to 20.3, which is formed centrally along the periphery of each roller 20.1 to 20.3 as a concave groove in order to provide the material to be rolled with the roundest possible outer contour. However, depending on the material to be rolled, the roll surfaces 22 can also be designed differently, in particular as flat or convex. In Figure 1A it can be seen that the upper roller 20.1 is arranged vertically and the two remaining lower rollers 20.2, 20.3 are each arranged at an angle of 120° to the vertical orientation of the upper roller 20.1, so that the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are arranged in an inverted Y configuration.

[0048] Each of the rollers 20.1-20.3 is fixedly mounted on a roller shaft, via which the rollers 20.1-20.3 are driven. The axes of rotation of the roller shafts extend parallel to a pair of side surfaces 14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, and 14.6, respectively. The axes of rotation are also transverse to the rolling axis 19 and are arranged rotationally symmetrically or star-shaped around said axis. The axis of rotation of the roller shaft of the upper roller 20.1 in FIG. 1A is oriented in the X direction. The axes of rotation of the two other roller shafts are therefore inclined at angles of 120° and 240°, respectively, to the axis of rotation of the upper roller shaft. Only the drive ends 24.1, 24.2, and 24.3 of the roller shafts are shown in FIG. 1A; these ends protrude outward from one of the side surfaces 14.2, 14.4, and 14.6 of the stand housing 10. As a result, the roller shafts can each be adjacent to an external drive which can thus transmit its rolling torque via the coupling to the roller shafts and thus to the rollers 20.1 to 20.3.

[0049] The roller shafts extend inside the stand housing 10, and eccentric adjustment means (not shown) for adjusting the rollers 20.1-20.3 via the roller shafts are also arranged in the stand housing 10. The eccentric adjustment means make it possible to change the distance in the XY plane of FIG. 1A between the roller shafts and thus the rollers 20.1-20.3 on the one hand and the rolling axis 19 on the other hand. As a result, different sizes of the caliber 21 can be set and, for a constant caliber 21, wear of the rollers 20.1-20.3 can also be compensated for. The eccentric adjustment means form an adjustment mechanism for the rollers 20.1-20.3.

[0050] The adjustment mechanism for rollers 20.1-20.3 can be externally actuated by rotating the adjusting connector 30, which protrudes outward near corner 16.1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the adjusting connector 30 is designed to be both manually and automatically actuated by a motor. The adjusting connector 30 is preferably connected to a rotatably mounted gear shaft extending inside the stand housing 10 and to a bevel gear that engages with tooth segments of an eccentric bushing of the eccentric adjustment means. The eccentric bushing, in turn, can transmit the rotational movement transmitted to it via the bevel gear to two other eccentric bushings, thus enabling synchronous adjustment of the rollers. The adjustment mechanism is not shown in detail in FIG. 1A beyond the adjusting connector 30.

[0051] The adjustment connector 30 is located near the corner 16.1, and the gear shaft connected to it extends parallel to the upper roller shaft, i.e., in the X direction in FIG. 1A, with its drive end 24.1 protruding from the stand housing 10 on the opposite side. The adjustment connector 30 is thus located substantially opposite the drive end 24.1 of the roller shaft, which extends parallel to the gear shaft. This relative location suggests that the adjustment connector 30 is not covered by the roll motor, which is located flush with the drive end 24.1 of one of the roller shafts. This is because the drive ends 24.2, 24.3 of the roller shafts adjacent to the adjustment connector 30 are oriented approximately 60° upward and downward relative to the adjustment connector 30 and its gear shaft, respectively, so that the motors coupled thereto form a large free space between them, allowing the adjustment connector 30 to be freely accessible.

[0052] In Fig. 1A, the adjustment connector 30 is positioned near the corner 16.1 and slightly offset upward relative to an imaginary horizontal mid-plane of the stand housing 10. In this case, the distance along the Y axis in Fig. 1A between the adjustment connector 30 and the mid-plane extending parallel to the gear shaft, i.e., in the X direction in Fig. 1A, is less than 10% of the extension of the stand housing 10 in the Y direction, i.e., the distance between the two opposing side surfaces 14.2, 14.5 of the stand housing 10.

[0053] Figure 1A shows three mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 for guides for the material to be rolled (not shown in Figure 1A). The guides can be mounted on the outlet side 13 of the stand housing 10, which is shown in Figure 1A. The mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 can also be arranged on the inlet side 15 (not visible in Figure 1A) so that guides for the material to be rolled can be mounted there.

[0054] The guide for the material to be rolled can be, for example, a roller guide, in particular a roller guide 60, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1B, or a funnel guide. The mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 are arranged in a star shape around the rolling axis 19 and opposite one of the rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 relative to the rolling axis 19. The three mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 are each arranged at an angular interval of 120° around the rolling axis 19.

[0055] Additionally, three coupling clamping areas 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 are located at adjacent corners 16.1, 16.2, 16.6 of the stand housing 10 on the exit side 13 of the stand housing 10, as shown in FIG. 1A. Each of the coupling clamping areas 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 is separated by two clamp rails 52. The three adjacent corners 16.1, 16.2, 16.6 at which the coupling clamping areas 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 are located are corner 16.1, where the adjustment connector 30 is also located, and the two adjacent corners 16.2, 16.6. The coupling clamping areas 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 function to securely fasten a roller guide adjustment connector 64 (not shown in FIG. 1A but shown in FIG. 1B) onto the stand housing 10. This relative arrangement of the coupling clamp areas 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 at corner 16.1 of the adjustment connector 30 and the two surrounding corners 16.2, 16.6 makes it possible to combine certain flexibility in the arrangement and configuration of the stand 1 with the roller guide and thus transfer it to the entire system consisting of the stand 1 and the roller guide.

[0056] 1A shows that stand housing 10 includes four sliding rails 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, and 40.5 at exit side 13, which are arranged parallel to four adjacent side surfaces 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, and 14.5. Slide rails 40.2-40.5 are adjacent to one another and extend along the periphery of hexagonal stand housing 10 from corner 16.2, which includes coupling clamp area 50.2, to corner 16.6, which includes coupling clamp area 50.6. In the view of FIG. 1A, slide rails 40.2-40.5 are not arranged on side surfaces 14.2-14.5, but rather are offset inward toward rolling axis 19. The sliding rails 40.2-40.5 form sliding surfaces that, on the one hand, extend circumferentially along the side surfaces 14.2-14.5, and, on the other hand, extend parallel to the rolling axis 19 and the side surfaces 14.1-14.6, i.e., in the Z direction in FIG. 1A, from the sheet plane. In this way, the sliding rails 40.2-40.5 can function as contact surfaces in all four orientations of the stand 1 and are intended to facilitate the reception of the stand 1 in the stand base, in that the stand 1 can be pressed onto the sliding rails 40.2-40.5 into the stand base (not shown), in which case the sliding rails 40.2-40.5 can also be used as sealing elements. On the opposite inlet side 15 (not shown in FIG. 1A), four sliding rails 40.2-40.5 are also arranged opposite the sliding rails 40.2-40.5 shown, so that a pair of sliding rails 40.2-40.5 on each opposite side can be used to stably mount the stand 1 on the stand base.

[0057] The stand 1 further comprises three water outlet openings 42.1, 42.2, 42.3 at the outlet side 13 shown in Figure 1A. Cooling water, intended to be used for example for the roller guides, can thus be introduced into the stand housing 10 at one of the sides 14.1, 14.3, 14.5 through a water supply opening (not shown in Figure 1A), guided through the stand housing 10 and guided out through one of the water outlet openings 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, from where it is supplied to the roller guides.

[0058] Furthermore, at the exit side 13 shown in FIG. 1A and also at the entrance side 15 (not shown in this figure), a total of five clamping points 44.2, 44.3, 44.4, 44.5, 44.6 are arranged at the corners 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6 that define the side 14 on which the sliding rails 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, 40.5 are arranged, and these clamping points can absorb the clamping force from the stand base for fixing the stand 1.

[0059] Figure 1B shows the stand 1 from Figure 1A in a position that can be assumed by tilting the stand 1 by approximately 180° about an axis K that is horizontal, i.e., extends in the X direction, relative to the orientation of Figure 1A. Figure 1B is therefore a rear view of the stand 1 according to Figure 1A, i.e., showing the inlet side 15. In this position of the stand 1, in contrast to the position shown in Figure 1A, the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are arranged in a Y configuration.

[0060] The roller shafts are displaced parallel to the stand 1 position from FIG. 1A, so that their drive ends 24.1-24.3 project from the stand housing 10 in the same direction but at different positions, specifically mirrored by the respective angles 16.2, 16.4, and 16.6. Therefore, due to the above-mentioned inclination, the illustrated stand 1 can be used in rolling mills having both Y and inverted-Y configurations of rollers 20.1-20.3 in the same stand base, with the drive ends 24.1-24.3 of the roller shafts simply moving in translation. This allows for a high degree of flexibility in the use of the stand 1 in compact rolling mills. The roll drives coupled to the drive ends 24.1-24.3 of the roller shafts in the two positions of the stand 1 can be located on the same side of the rolling axis 19 for each stand position that alternates between Y and inverted-Y configurations, thereby keeping the overall mill space requirements relatively small.

[0061] Due to the tilt about axis K, the adjustment connector 30 is still arranged near corner 16.1 of the stand housing 10. It is arranged slightly offset downwards with respect to the horizontal mid-plane of the stand housing 10, specifically in a mirrored manner at corner 16.1. Nevertheless, even in this position of the stand 1, i.e. in the Y-configuration, the adjustment connector 30 is easily accessible from the same side, which is therefore suitable for efficient manual operation of the stand 1, particularly adjacent to the eccentric adjustment means.

[0062] Figure 1B further shows roller guide 60 fastened to stand housing 10 via mounting elements 26.1-26.3, described above with reference to Figure 1A and also present on inlet side 15 of stand housing 10 shown in Figure 1B. Roller guide 60 is also adjustable in that a roller adjustment mechanism allows the rollers of roller guide 60 to be positioned closer to or farther from rolling axis 19. In the roller adjustment mechanism, roller guide 60 is connected via universal shaft 62 to roller adjustment connector 64, via which a rotational force can be applied to roller adjustment mechanism.

[0063] The roller adjustment connector 64 is attached to the coupling clamping area 50.1 and associated clamping rail 52 on the stand 1. Due to the arrangement of the mounting elements 26.1-26.3 and the coupling clamping areas 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 on the stand housing 10, the roller guide 60 can be attached to the stand housing 10 securely, accurately, and quickly.

[0064] Furthermore, a water line 66 of the roller guide 60 can be seen in Figure 1B. The water line 66 is connected to a water outlet opening 42.3 through which cooling water for the guide rollers of the roller guide 60 leaves the stand 10 and is supplied to the stand 10 by a water supply opening 43.3 (not shown in Figure 1B) when said stand is received in a stand base and connected to a water connection in the stand base.

[0065] Figure 1C shows the preferred stand 1 from Figure 1A in a position rotated clockwise about rolling axis 19 by approximately 120° relative to its position from Figure 1A. Due to the configuration of stand 1, rollers 20.1-20.3 are oriented in the same inverted Y configuration as in the position shown in Figure 1A, and the three drive ends 24.1-24.3 also extend in the same direction and are positioned in the same locations, allowing these drive ends 24.1-24.3 to be coupled to an external motor to apply rolling torque in the same manner as in the position from Figure 1A. However, adjustment connector 30 is positioned rotated clockwise by approximately 120° compared to Figure 1A.

[0066] This arrangement preferably functions to implement remote adjustment of the adjustment mechanism of rollers 20.1-20.3 by an external motor. The position of adjustment connector 30 in the stand 1 location shown in Figure 1C allows an external adjustment coupling of an external adjustment motor to engage and actuate adjustment connector 30 in the stand base (not shown) to adjust rollers 20.1-20.3. This is different from the location shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0067] The stand 1 must be able to be pushed into and out of the stand base transversely to the rolling axis 19 so that it can be quickly serviced. This requirement in turn means that the stand in Figures 1A-1D must be pushed to the right into the stand base so that the roll motors driving vertical roller 20.1 in Figures 1A and 1B or vertical roller 20.2 in Figures 1C and 1D can engage with their respective drive ends 24.1 and 24.2, because the roll motor for roller 20.1 is located to the right, beside the rolling axis 19 in Figures 1A and 1B, and for roller 20.2, it is located to the right, beside the rolling axis 19 in Figures 1C and 1D, and is coupled to drive ends 24.1 and 24.2, respectively.

[0068] 1A-1D, this means that an external adjustment motor cannot be arranged to the left of the rolling axis 19 and thus also next to the stand 1, i.e., in front of the rolling axis 19 in the insertion direction. The locations from FIGS. 1A and 1B are therefore configured for manual adjustment, i.e., actuation of the adjustment connector 30 by a person; in this configuration, the adjustment connector 30 cannot be actuated by automatic remote adjustment means, or can only be actuated with excessive effort. The locations from FIGS. 1C and 1D, in which the adjustment connector is arranged behind the rolling axis 19 in the insertion direction, are configured for remote adjustment, i.e., actuation of the adjustment connector 30 by an external motor.

[0069] In the location of stand 1 shown in FIG. 1C, the stand is arranged on sliding rails 40.4, while rollers 20.2 are rollers with a vertical plane of rotation and coupling clamping area 50.6 is arranged horizontally beside the rolling axis 19.

[0070] FIG. 1D shows the preferred stand in the configuration from FIG. 1C, i.e., in a configuration for remote adjustment with the adjustment connector 30 at the top right. The location of stand 1 in FIG. 1D can be assumed relative to the location in FIG. 1C by tilting stand 1 approximately 180° about axis K, which is tilted approximately 120°, and thus also 60°, relative to the horizontal, and which extends through angles 16.1 and 16.4. Similar to the transition between the location of stand 1 from FIG. 1A and that from FIG. 1B, the transition between the location of stand 1 from FIG. 1C and that from FIG. 1D also involves tilting approximately 180° about axis K, which extends substantially parallel to the gear shaft of adjustment connector 30. As a result, the orientation of adjustment connector 30 remains unchanged during this tilt, and rollers 20.1-20.3 transition from the inverted-Y configuration shown in FIG. 1C to the Y configuration shown in FIG. 1D, and vice versa.

[0071] Figure 1D, like Figure 1B, shows the inlet side 15 of the stand 1. As in Figure 1B, a roller guide 60 including a universal shaft 62 and a roller adjustment connector 64 is attached to the stand housing 10 using clamp rails 52 via mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 and coupling clamp area 50.2.

[0072] In the location of stand 1 shown in FIG. 1D, the stand is arranged on sliding rails 40.3, while rollers 20.3 are rollers with a vertical plane of rotation and coupling clamping area 50.2 is arranged horizontally next to the rolling axis 19.

[0073] Due to the hexagonal shape of the stand housing 10, the stand 1 can be positioned in four locations, as shown in Figures 1A-1D, all of which are compatible with similar placement of the roll motor in a rolling mill equipped with a stand base. As a result, both Y and inverted Y placement of the rollers are possible, as well as two different configurations in terms of different orientations and placements of the adjustment connector 30, once for manual adjustment and once for remote adjustment. This flexibility is not achieved in the case of known square stand housings, because these stands are rigid and can only be translated or displaced on or along one of the sides of the stand housing, which fixes the orientation of the adjustment connector for a given orientation of the roll motor.

[0074] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the inlet side 15 of a preferred stand 1, in which the three rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 are arranged in an inverted Y configuration, with the adjustment connector 30 of the eccentricity adjustment means oriented horizontally.

[0075] Along the exterior 12 of stand housing 10, recesses and drilled holes are visible, provided to receive roller shafts and adjustment connectors 30; in FIG. 2A, only the drive end 24.2 of the roller shaft belonging to roller 20.2 is directly visible. It can further be seen that clamping point 44.6 on the inlet side 15 facing the viewer is connected by a bolt to the opposite clamping point 44.6 on the outlet side 13, so that the clamping force applied to clamping points 44.6 can be introduced directly and stably between them to secure stand 1 in its stand housing without seriously deforming or even damaging delicate parts of stand housing 10 due to the local introduction of too much force. Clamping points 44.2 to 44.5 are designed and connected to each other in the same way.

[0076] FIG. 2B, like FIG. 2A, shows the inlet side 15 of the stand 1 from a different perspective than in FIG. 2A, in which the drive end 24.1 of the roller shaft of roller 20.1 can be seen.

[0077] Figures 3A and 3B are side views of the stand, each showing the three rollers oriented in an inverted Y configuration. Figure 3A shows corner 16.1 and sides 14.1 and 14.6, as well as adjustment connector 30 and drive ends 24.2 and 24.3 of the roller shafts of rollers 20.2 and 20.3.

[0078] Figure 3A further shows two water supply openings 43.2 which can be connected to a water connection in the stand base in order to receive water in the stand housing 10 and direct it out via the water outlet opening 42.2, for example to supply water to the water line 66 of the roller guide 60. In Figure 3A next to the drive end 24.2 an air connection 41.2 is also visible, via which compressed air can be supplied to the stand housing 10 in order to protect the interior of the stand housing 10, and in particular the gearbox parts arranged therein, such as the eccentricity adjusting means, against water seeping in due to excessive pressure.

[0079] Figure 3B shows corner 16.4 opposite corner 16.1 from Figure 3A, as well as sides 14.3 and 14.4 opposite sides 14.1 and 14.6. Additionally, slide rails 40.3 and 40.4 are visible on both inlet side 15 and outlet side 13. In the perspective view of Figure 3B, drive end 42.1 of the roller shaft of roller 20.1 is visible in end view, as are air connection 41.1 and two water supply openings 43.3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Stand 10 Stand housing 12 Outside 13 Exit side 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6 Side 15 Entrance side 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6 angle 19 Rolling shaft 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 Roller 21 Caliber 22 Roll surface 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 Drive end 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 Mounting elements 30 Adjustment Connector 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, 40.5 slide rails 41.1, 41.2, 41.3 Air connections 42.1, 42.2, 42.3 Water outlet opening 43.1, 43.2, 43.3 Water supply opening 44.2, 44.3, 44.4, 44.5, 44.6 Clamp points 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 Coupling clamp area 52 Clamp rail 60 Roller guide 62 Universal shaft 64 Roller adjustment connector 66 Water Line Tilt axis for transitioning between KY and inverted Y configurations

Claims

1. A stand (1) for rolling metal rods, wires or pipes along a rolling axis, comprising: a stand housing (10), wherein, as viewed along the rolling axis (19), the outer side (12) of the stand housing (10) comprises at least six side surfaces (14.1 to 14.6) of equal length and arranged rotationally symmetrically around the rolling axis (19), with each pair of two side surfaces (14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, 14.6) forming a pair of side surfaces (14.1 to 14.6) arranged parallel to each other; three rollers (20.1 to 20.3) each arranged on one roller shaft and surrounding the rolling axis (19) in a star shape, and together forming a caliber (21); Including, the three roller shafts are mounted by eccentric bushings in bearing holes of the stand housing (10) in such a way that the radial spacing of the rollers (20.1-20.3) from the rolling axis (19) is adjustable; Stand (1).

2. 2. The stand (1) according to claim 1, wherein, viewed from the rolling axis (19), at least one further of the side surfaces (14.1-14.6) is oriented at an angle of 120° relative to each of the side surfaces (14.1-14.6).

3. 3. A stand (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the three roller shafts extends parallel to one of the pairs of mutually parallel sides (14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, 14.6).

4. A stand (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer side (12) of the stand (1) comprises exactly six sides (14.1 to 14.6) forming a regular hexagon.

5. 5. The stand (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an adjustment connector (30), in particular a remote adjustment connector, for introducing an adjustment torque to adjust the radial position of the roller shaft to set the caliber (21).

6. A stand (1) according to claim 5, dependent on claim 4, wherein the adjustment connectors (30) are arranged on the outer side (12) of the stand housing (10) at the corners (16.1) of the regular hexagon.

7. A stand (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the adjustment connector (30) is manually actuatable or the remote adjustment connector is automatically actuatable by a motor.

8. A stand (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the stand housing (10) is closed and undivided, in particular manufactured from a monoblock.

9. A stand (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the three roller shafts or rollers (20.1 to 20.3) can be driven separately by its own associated motor.

10. 10. The stand (1) according to claim 9, wherein each of the three roller shafts includes a drive end (24.1-24.3) for separate drive, the drive end (24.1-24.3) protruding toward the outside at one of the side surfaces (14.2, 14.4, 14.6) of the stand housing (10).

Images