Rolling mill

Abstract

To provide a novel rolling mill for rolling metal rods and the like.SOLUTION: A rolling mill 100 includes stands 1 which are arranged along an axis and are received in a stand base 70. The stands includes three rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 which are above shafts to surround the axis and form a caliber 21, wherein two of the shafts are connected to a drive unit 80.1, 80.2, 80.3. The unit includes a gearbox 82.1, 82.2, 82.3 having a motor 81.1, 81.2, 81.3 and a housing 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 and having a shaft 84.1, 84.2, 84.3 which is coupled to the motor shaft, and having an output shaft 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 which is offset in parallel with the shaft and is coupled to the shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rolling mill for rolling metal rods, wires or pipes along a rolling axis, the rolling mill comprising a plurality of stands arranged one behind the other along the rolling axis and each received in a stand base, each of which comprises in each case three rollers located on roller shafts and surrounding the rolling axis in a star shape and together forming a caliber. [Background technology]

[0002] Rolling mills for rolling rod-shaped material are known in principle for the production of metal pipes, rods, or wire. In this case, the material to be rolled can be rolled to a desired diameter and the caliber is set accordingly. Stands for such rolling mills are known, for example, from DE 100 15 340 A1.

[0003] Generally, several stands are arranged in succession in the rolling mill, so that the material being rolled can be elongated and rolled to smaller diameters, in particular due to the difference between the roller speeds of the individual stands.

[0004] Furthermore, the roundness of the rolled material is generally not sufficient after passing through one stand because the cross section takes on a polygonal or other shape due to the typically star-shaped configuration of the rollers and the relatively small number of sides of the polygon, i.e., the number of rollers corresponding to the number of rollers in the stand. For example, a rolled material rolled by one three-roller stand will have a roughly triangular cross section rather than an ideal circle.

[0005] In order to improve the roundness of the rolled material, successive stands are preferably arranged in such a way that in each case the corners of the cross section of the rolled material, and of the rolled material leaving a stand, are centrally contacted by the rollers of the succeeding stand, as a result of which the cross section of the rolled material becomes round.

[0006] Thus, in each case, for example, the three rollers of the first and third stands of a rolling mill having four stands are usually in a position known as a "Y configuration," and in each case, the rollers of the subsequent stands, for example, the second and fourth, are arranged in a position known as an "anti-Y configuration." By alternately arranging the rollers and stands in a Y configuration and an anti-Y configuration, in each case, the corners of the cross section of the material being rolled are rolled by the rollers with the subsequent stands, so that the cross section of the material being rolled becomes round.

[0007] In the Y configuration, the lower roller is oriented so that its roller shaft lies horizontally, i.e., so that its diameter extends perpendicular to the viewing direction of the rolling axis. In contrast, in the anti-Y configuration, it is the upper roller that has its roller shaft lying horizontally, i.e., so that its diameter extends perpendicular to the viewing direction of the rolling axis. In both cases, the roller shafts of the two further rollers are arranged inclined by 120° in each case relative to the horizontal roller shaft. Of course, the configuration relative to the horizontal is entirely arbitrary, since it is merely the relative positioning of the rollers with respect to the adjacent stands that is important for the effects described herein.

[0008] The arrangement of the stands one behind the other to form a rolling mill is usually done by means of stand bases into which the stands are introduced and thereby held, so that the stands can be replaced from the rolling mill, for example to carry out regularly required maintenance.

[0009] The rollers are usually arranged with a force fit on the roller shafts and are driven by driving the roller shafts. For this purpose, there exist concepts of driving each of the roller shafts separately by an independent drive, or of driving several roller shafts together by a single drive via corresponding gearboxes. The present invention relates to the concept of separately driving the roller shafts in each case by individual drives.

[0010] This concept has the difficulty of requiring a very large mounting space to accommodate the multiple drive motors and corresponding reduction gears, particularly since the motors must be located at a sufficient distance from the rolling axis so that they have sufficient space from each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] DE 10015340 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to configure a rolling mill for rolling metal rods, wires or pipes, whose blocks are assembled in the most space-saving manner possible along the rolling axis. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to configure the rolling mill in such a way that the minimum possible resources are required for its production and installation, without having to compromise the performance of the rolling mill, in particular its rolling performance during operation of the rolling mill. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] This object is achieved by a rolling mill according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0014] A preferred rolling mill for rolling metal rods, wires, or pipes along a rolling axis comprises two or more stands arranged one behind the other along the rolling axis, each received in a stand base. In this case, each of the three stands comprises three rollers, each located on a roller shaft, surrounding the rolling axis in a star shape and forming a bore together. At least two of the three roller shafts of each stand are in each case operatively connected to a drive unit. The drive unit comprises a motor having a motor shaft, and a Z-shaped gearbox housing, preferably having a drive shaft coupled to and coplanar with the motor shaft, and a gearbox with an output shaft offset parallel to the drive shaft and coupled to and coplanar with the roller shaft.

[0015] In this case, in each case, at least one drive unit of the roller shafts of the stand is configured in a first configuration, in which the part of the drive shaft or the part of the motor shaft protruding out of the gearbox housing and the part of the output shaft or the part of the roller shaft protruding out of the gearbox housing are in each case arranged to axially overlap with a part of the gearbox housing, and in addition, in each case, at least one other drive unit of the roller shafts of the stand is configured in a second configuration, in which the part of the drive shaft or the motor shaft protruding out of the gearbox housing and the part of the output shaft protruding out of the gearbox housing and the roller shaft are in each case arranged not to overlap with the gearbox housing in the axial direction.

[0016] In each case, the gearbox of the drive unit comprises a Z-shaped gearbox housing, which allows for radial offset between the drive shaft and the output shaft both with respect to and along the axes of the two parallel shafts.

[0017] The Z-shaped design of the gearbox housing allows the gearbox to be arranged in different configurations, so that, depending on the requirements, a particularly small distance can be achieved between the motor shaft, which is connected to the drive shaft of the gearbox and therefore also to the motor itself, and the roller shaft, which is connected to the output shaft of the gearbox and therefore also to the stand. This is the case in a first configuration, in which an axial overlap of the gearbox housing and the shafts connected to the gearbox or the corresponding connected parts of the drive shaft and output shaft is provided. Due to the axial overlap, the gearbox is connected in such a way that, when viewed axially along the axis of the roller shaft and therefore also along the axis of the motor shaft, it adds only a small amount to the installation space requirements in any case.

[0018] However, in the second configuration, the Z-shaped housing can also be arranged so that the gearbox, in its axial extension, is located between the roller shaft and the motor shaft, thus leading to a relatively large spacing between the motor shaft, i.e. the motor, on the one hand, and the roller shaft, i.e. the stand, on the other hand.

[0019] Having the output shafts flush with the roller shafts allows for a high degree of stability and less susceptibility to interference with this portion of the torque gearbox, however, general shaft and non-flush alignment of the roller shafts and associated output shafts, as well as the motor shaft and associated drive shaft, are also possible.

[0020] Preferably, the third of the three roller shafts of each of the stands is also operatively coupled to such a drive unit, the drive unit comprising a motor having a motor shaft, and a gearbox having a Z-shaped gearbox housing, a drive shaft coplanar with and coupled to the motor shaft, and an output shaft offset parallel to and coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the drive unit is preferably configured in the first or second configuration defined and described above.

[0021] The roller shafts of adjacent stands are preferably arranged so that they are oriented parallel to one another and offset from one another perpendicular to the rolling axis, in which case all drive units operably connected to these parallel-oriented roller shafts in each case are configured in the first or second configuration.

[0022] In particular, when adjacent stands change between a Y-shaped and a counter-Y-shaped configuration, the roller shafts can be arranged to shift in parallel, so that the rollers on each shaft alternately roll the material from the opposite side in opposite directions. The fact that the drive units for the parallel roller shafts are identical, i.e., configured in either the first or second configuration, leads to efficient use of space. Furthermore, in the case of drive units located above the stands, this allows for an overall relatively low installation height for the entire rolling mill, allowing for the same high clearance height to exist not only for a single stand, but also for the stands beside them. In the case of drive units located below the stands, a more uniform and relatively large spacing of the gearbox housing and motor from the stand housing is possible, thus providing sufficient space for peripheral devices, particularly rail systems for stand exchange carriages, or other devices and machines that approach the stands from the side. The same gearbox housing can be used for these two seemingly contradictory requirements. Therefore, the rolling mill can be used very flexibly, yet, due to the versatile use of individual elements, can be produced very cost-effectively in the process.

[0023] In this case, it is particularly preferred that the drive units of adjacent stands are in each case operatively connected to roller shafts oriented parallel to one another, with the output shafts oriented so that they are alternately offset in opposite directions relative to the drive shaft. Thus, the above-mentioned efficient use of space can be achieved at the same time, and the motors of the drive units can be spaced apart from one another by a large distance, even near the rolling axis, which allows the motors to be made relatively large and to be arranged relatively close to the rolling axis.

[0024] Preferably, in each case, a first of the three roller shafts of each of the stands is oriented so that the drive unit operably coupled thereto is located above the stand, in which case the drive unit operably connected to the first of the three roller shafts is configured in a first configuration to allow a small mounting height of the rolling mill above the rolling axis, in which case at the same time a significant clearance height can be achieved to the side of the rolling mill for personnel or peripheral devices.

[0025] In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the motor of the drive unit operatively connected to the first of the three roller shafts is mounted on the gearbox housing of each drive unit by means of a bracket. Due to its Z-shape and its diagonal arrangement above the rolling mill, the gearbox housing does not require any additional cross beams to support itself, but is able to at least partially support the gearbox, and preferably the associated motor, itself.

[0026] The gearbox housings can together form an unsupported bridge for arranging the side-by-side gearboxes. In other words, they do not require their own steel cross beams. At least some of the weight load of each motor can also be absorbed by the gearbox housing. Preferably, the motors can be supported by the gearbox housing and by one or more additional supports.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, in each case, a second of the three roller shafts of each of the stands is oriented to be located below the stand with its operably connected drive unit, where the drive unit operably connected to the second of the three roller shafts is configured in a second configuration to allow significant clearance below the stand relative to surrounding elements.

[0028] The peripheral element may in particular be a rail system for a stand exchange carriage. The stand exchange carriage is a carriage for simultaneously exchanging multiple stands, for example for repairs or for quick adjustments to different rolled materials. Therefore, since the stand exchange carriage exerts a very high load on the ground, it is preferable for it to move on a rail system. The rail system requires mounting space on the ground, which can be effectively bridged using the drive unit configuration in the second configuration.

[0029] In the case of the preferred rolling mill, in each case the third of the three roller shafts of each of the stands is oriented horizontally, so that the drive unit operatively connected thereto is located at the side of the stand.

[0030] In this case, the drive unit operably connected to the third roller shaft may be configured in the second configuration to allow for greater spacing between the motors of the drive units of adjacent stands.

[0031] Alternatively, the drive unit operably connected to the third roller shaft can be configured in the first configuration to allow for a small amount of mounting space beside the stand. Thus, depending on the mounting situation, various advantages of the first and second configurations of the drive unit can be utilized. This enhances the great flexibility achieved by the particular Z-shaped gearbox housing and the preferred configuration and orientation of the drive unit.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the gearbox housing comprises, in addition to the drive shaft and the output shaft, at least one intermediate shaft, by means of which a particularly pronounced Z-shape of the gearbox housing can be achieved, which shape particularly easily allows the gearbox housing to contribute to a particularly flexibly configurable rolling mill, as previously mentioned.

[0033] In addition to the drive shaft and the output shaft, the gearbox preferably comprises an intermediate shaft and a shift shaft.

[0034] The stand housing of the rolling mill stand, or all of its stands, preferably has a hexagonal outer shape when viewed along the rolling axis. As a result, the stand can be easily accommodated in the stand base in Y and anti-Y configurations, and the position and orientation of the drive unit, which must follow the position and orientation of the roller shaft, can be arranged in a specific and preferred way. This applies in particular to further peripheral devices, such as remote adjustment means for the rollers, whose position and orientation can be maintained or largely maintained for various stand arrangements and configurations if the hexagonal outer shape of the stand is skillfully selected.

[0035] Further advantages and developments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the drawings and from all of the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred rolling mill including a drive unit as viewed along the rolling axis. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of a stand including a drive unit of the rolling mill from FIG. 1 in a Y configuration. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of a stand including a drive unit of the rolling mill from FIG. 1 in an anti-Y configuration. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the stand of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred rolling mill 100 including drive units 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 as viewed along the rolling axis, which therefore extends perpendicular to the plane of the view in this illustration.

[0038] In the center of the figure, a stand 1 is shown, which comprises a stand housing 10 having a hexagonal external shape. The external shape is a regular hexagon, with the stand 1 located on a horizontal side of the hexagon. The stand 1 comprises three rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, which define a plane of rotation extending around the circumference of the rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, respectively. Each of the rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 is located on a roller shaft 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, which extends primarily perpendicular to the plane of rotation. The rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 surround the rolling axis in a star shape and form a bore 21 through which the material to be rolled is guided during the rolling process.

[0039] The star-shaped configuration of rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 shown in Figure 1 is known as an inverted Y configuration. This name derives from the fact that the planes of rotation of rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 lie in vertical planes above the bore 21, and that the two planes in each case inclined at an angle of 120° to the vertical resemble an inverted Y when viewed along the rolling axis. In contrast, stand 1 shown in Figure 2 is shown in what is known as a Y configuration, because in this case the vertical planes of rotation lie below the bore 21, and the arrangement of the planes of rotation resembles the letter Y when viewed along the rolling axis.

[0040] The stands 1 visible in Fig. 1 and the stands 1 arranged side by side along the rolling axis, on the same plane and therefore hidden in Fig. 1, are received from the left in the perspective view of Fig. 1 in a stand base 70 that partially surrounds the associated stand 1. The lower edge, side edges and upper edge of the stand 1 are received in the stand base. In this case, four of the six side surfaces 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5 and 14.6 of the regular hexagonal shape shown by the outline of each stand 1 have adjacent surfaces and are surrounded by the associated stand base 70.

[0041] The rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 are mounted without clearance on the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, e.g., pressed or shrink-fitted onto the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 by a press fit, and are driven by driving the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3. To drive the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, the rolling mill 100 is provided with drive units 80.1, 80.2, 80.3.

[0042] Each of the drive units 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 drives a roller shaft 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 and thus a roller 20.1, 20.2, 20.3. To this end, each drive unit 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 comprises a motor 81.1, 81.2, 81.3 having a motor shaft, and a gearbox 82.1, 82.2, 83.2 having a Z-shaped gearbox housing 83.1, 83.2, 83.3, a drive shaft 84.1, 84.2, 84.3 that is flush with and connected to the motor shaft, and an output shaft 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 that is offset parallel to the drive shaft 84.1, 84.2, 84.3 and that is flush with and connected to the roller shaft 22.1, 22.2, 22.3.

[0043] Couplings 88.1, 88.2, 88.3 are located on the stand 1, and via these couplings, the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 of the drive units 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 can be coupled to the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3. In this case, it is also possible for the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 or the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 to consist of several partial shafts. The fact that the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 are flush with the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 makes this part of the torque gearbox free from interference and increases its stability. However, it is also conceivable to provide a universal shaft.

[0044] 1, the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 are formed in two parts, with a first part extending between the stand 1 with the couplings 88.1, 88.2, 88.3 of the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 and the Z-shaped gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3. Furthermore, the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 comprise a second part extending from the first part of the output shaft 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 into the gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3.

[0045] Depending on the number of three roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 per stand 1, three drive units 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 are arranged in each case with the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 lying in the same plane around the periphery of the stand 1. In this case, in the perspective view of Figure 1, per stand 1 the first drive unit 80.1 is arranged at the top right, the second drive unit 80.2 at the bottom right and the third drive unit 80.3 at approximately the same height to the left of the stand.

[0046] The first drive unit 80.1 is configured in a first configuration. In this configuration, the second portion of the output shaft 86.1 extends at least partially adjacent to a portion of the gearbox housing 83.1 before entering the gearbox housing 83.1. The output shaft 86.1 thus enters a portion of the gearbox housing 83.1 that is recessed from the rolling axis and thus extends at least partially axially overlapping the portion of the gearbox housing 83.1. This Z-shaped configuration of the gearbox housing 83.1 creates an offset between the output shaft 86.1 and the drive shaft 84.1, thereby reducing the spacing between the motor 81.1 of the first drive unit 80.1 and the rolling axis. Due to the offset, in the first configuration, the gearbox housing 83.1 reduces the spacing between the motor 81.1 of the drive unit 80.1 and the stand 1 or rolling axis.

[0047] The second drive unit 80.2 is configured in a second configuration. In this configuration, the second portion of the output shaft 86.2 does not extend laterally beyond the gearbox housing 83.2 before entering the gearbox housing 83.2. In this regard, the second configuration is a Z-shaped opposite orientation of the gearbox housing 83.2, and therefore the spacing between the motor 81.2 of the second drive unit 80.2 and the rolling axis is large. Due to the offset, in the second configuration, the gearbox housing 83.2 increases the spacing between the motor 81.2 of the drive unit 80.2 and the stand 1 or rolling axis.

[0048] The Z-shape of the gearbox housing 83.2 of the second drive unit 80.2 means that a compact construction is achieved, i.e. the motor of the second drive unit 80.2 is arranged relatively close to the rolling axis and stand 1, but in the case where the first part of the output shaft 86.2 has the same length as in the second configuration, the Z-shape of the gearbox housing 83.2 of the second drive unit 80.2 means that a space-consuming construction is achieved, i.e. the motor 81.2 of the second drive unit 80.2 is arranged relatively far from the rolling axis and stand 1, but in the case where the first part of the output shaft 86.2 has the same length as in the first configuration.

[0049] In the case of the second drive unit 80.2, a large spacing is advantageous because in this way the mounting space of the rail system 90 relative to the stand exchange carriage 92 on the ground can be effectively bridged without extending the shaft and increasing dynamic instability. In the case of the first drive unit 80.1, a small spacing is advantageous because in this way the mounting height of the rolling mill 100 above can be kept small.

[0050] Similar to that of the second drive unit 80.2, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the gearbox housing 83.3 of the third drive unit 80.3 is configured in a second configuration, so that the spacing between the motor 81.3 of the third drive unit 80.3 and each stand 1 and rolling axis is extended by the gearbox housing 83.3, but in that case the output shafts 86.3 are of the same length.

[0051] The first configuration of the Z-shaped gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 having an axially overlapping configuration of portions of the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 and the gearbox housing 83.1, and the second configuration of the Z-shaped gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 having a non-overlapping, i.e. non-overlapping, configuration of the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 and the gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 result in the gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 resulting in an increased spacing between each motor 81.1, 81.2 and the stand 1, or an extension of the gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 along the direction of the roller shafts 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 being substantially or completely compensated for by the Z-shape.

[0052] In addition, the orientation of the first and second drive units 80.1, 80.2 of successive stands 1, ie stands 1 located one behind the other along the rolling axis, is different from that of the third drive unit 80.3.

[0053] The gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2 of the first and second drive units 80.1, 80.2 of adjacent stands 1 are oriented so that the motors 81.1 of the first drive units 80.1 of adjacent stands 1 are located close to each other. In other words, the gearbox housings 83.1 are oriented towards each other along the circumferential direction of the rolling axis. This is also the case for the second drive unit 80.2 of adjacent stands 1. A relatively small spacing between the motors 81.1, 81.2 along the periphery of the rolling axis at the height of the motors 81.1, 81.2 is thereby achieved, which is advantageous, for example, for the space requirements for mounting the motor 81.1 of the first drive unit 80.1 and for the installation of the second drive unit 80.2.

[0054] 1, the first drive unit 80.1 forms a self-supporting bridge that can rest on two sides on supports, without the need for any additional steel cross beams. In this case, the gearbox housing 83.1 is preferably self-supporting and can also absorb at least part of the weight of the motor 81.1.

[0055] In contrast, the gearbox housings 83.3 of the third drive units 80.3 of successive stands 1 are arranged to face away from each other in the circumferential direction of the rolling axis, thus achieving a large spacing between adjacent motors 81.3 and allowing the upper motor 81.3 of the rolling mill 100 to be mounted on a solid support that does not damage the lower motor 81.3. However, alternatively, the third drive unit 80.3 can also be configured similarly to the first or second drive units 80.1, 80.2.

[0056] 1 shows a gearbox exchange carriage 92 and a rail system 90 for the gearbox exchange carriage 92. Gearbox exchange carriages 92 are known in principle. The rail system 90 for the gearbox exchange carriage 92 requires a significant amount of mounting space, since it must be designed to accommodate the weight of the gearbox exchange carriage 92 itself and the weight of four or more stands 1 on the gearbox exchange carriage 92. The second configuration is therefore particularly advantageous for the second drive unit 80.2, since it does not require the use of a long shaft for this purpose and allows for a large spacing of the motor 81.2 from the stands 1.

[0057] Figure 2 shows diagrammatically the stands 1 including the drive units 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 of the rolling mill 100 from Figure 1 in a Y configuration. In the case of a typical rolling mill 100 having four stands 1, two of the stands 1 are oriented in said Y configuration.

[0058] Figure 3 shows diagrammatically the stands 1 including the drive units 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 of the rolling mill 100 from Figure 1 in an anti-Y configuration. In the case of a typical rolling mill 100 having four stands 1, two of the stands 1 are oriented in said anti-Y configuration.

[0059] In a typical rolling mill 100, the Y configuration from FIG. 2 and the anti-Y configuration from FIG. 3 alternate along the rolling axis.

[0060] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the stand 1 from Figure 3 showing a schematic view of the gearboxes 82.1, 82.2, 82.3 of the drive units 80.1, 80.2, 80.3. In this view it can be seen that in addition to the drive shafts 84.1, 84.2, 84.3 and the output shafts 86.1, 86.2, 86.3, intermediate shafts and switching shafts are provided in the gearbox housings 83.1, 83.2, 83.3.

[0061] The gearboxes 82.1, 82.2, 82.3 are configured such that the first two shafts, counting from the motors 81.1, 81.2, 81.3, contain the switching gearboxes. In the third gear of the second shaft, two reduction stages offset in relation to the plane begin to achieve the required torque. In the embodiment shown here, the third shaft achieves the Z offset and also results in a large spread of the gearboxes 82.1, 82.2, 82.3 transversely to the shaft orientation. This allows a large clearance between the motors 81.1, 81.2, 81.3 of adjacent stands 1 and provides a corresponding mounting space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Stand 10 Stand housing 12 Outside 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6 Side 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 Roller 21 caliber 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 roller shaft 70 Stand Base 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 drive units 81.1, 81.2, 81.3 motors 82.1, 82.2, 82.3 Gearbox 83.1, 83.2, 83.3 gearbox housing 84.1, 84.2, 84.3 drive shaft 86.1, 86.2, 86.3 output shaft 88.1, 88.2, 88.3 Coupling 90 Rail System 92 Stand exchange carriage 100 Rolling Mill

Claims

1. A rolling mill (100) for rolling metal rod, wire, or pipe along a rolling axis, comprising: The rolling mill (100) includes two or more stands (1) arranged in a row along the rolling axis and each stand is received in a stand base (70), Each of the stands (1) comprises three rollers (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) located in each case on one roller shaft (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), surrounding the rolling axis in a star shape and together forming a bore (21), at least two of the three roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of each of the stands (1) are in each case operatively connected to a drive unit (80.1, 80.2, 80.3), the drive units (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) each comprise a motor (81.1, 81.2, 81.3) having a motor shaft, and a gearbox (82.1, 82.2, 82.3) having a Z-shaped gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3), a drive shaft (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) coupled to the motor shaft, and an output shaft (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) offset parallel to the drive shaft (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) and coupled to the roller shaft (22.1, 22.2, 22.3); in each case, at least one of the drive units (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) of the roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of the stand (1) is configured in a first configuration, in the first configuration, the part of the drive shaft (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) or the part of the motor shaft protruding out of the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3) and the part of the output shaft (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) or the part of the roller shaft (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) protruding out of the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3) are in each case arranged so as to axially overlap a part of the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3), in each case, the drive units (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) of at least other of the roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of the stand (1) are configured in a second configuration, In the second configuration, the rolling mill (100) has a configuration in which the portions of the drive shafts (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) protruding outward from the gearbox housings (83.1, 83.2, 83.3), the motor shaft, the portions of the output shafts (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) protruding outward from the gearbox housings (83.1, 83.2, 83.3), and the roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged without overlapping with the gearbox housings (83.1, 83.2, 83.3).

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

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

4. 4. The rolling mill (100) according to claim 1, wherein the output shafts (86.1, 86.2, 86.3) coupled to the roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are flush with the roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).

5. the roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of adjacent stands (1) are oriented parallel to one another and are offset from one another perpendicular to the rolling axis; 5. The rolling mill (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in each case all of the drive units (80.1, 80.2, 80.3) operatively connected to the roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) oriented parallel to one another are configured in the first configuration or in the second configuration.

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

7. in each case, the first of the three roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of each of the stands (1) is oriented so that the drive unit (80.1) operatively connected thereto is located above the stand (1); 7. The rolling mill (100) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the drive unit (80.1) operably connected to the first of the three roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is configured in the first configuration.

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

9. in each case, the second of the three roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of each of the stands (1) is oriented so that the drive unit (80.2) operatively connected thereto is located below the stand (1); 9. The rolling mill (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the drive unit (80.2) operatively connected to the second of the three roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is configured in the second configuration.

10. in each case, the third of the three roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) of each of the stands (1) is oriented horizontally so that the drive unit (80.3) operatively connected thereto is located next to the stand (1); the drive unit (80.3) operably connected to the third of the three roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is configured in the second configuration; or 10. The rolling mill (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the drive unit (80.3) operatively connected to the third of the three roller shafts (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) is configured in the first configuration.

11. 11. The rolling mill (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gearbox housing (83.1, 83.2, 83.3) comprises at least one intermediate shaft in addition to the drive shafts (84.1, 84.2, 84.3) and the output shafts (86.1, 86.2, 86.3).

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

13. 13. The rolling mill (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the stand (1) has a hexagonal outer shape when viewed along the rolling axis.

Images