Apparatus and method for cutting edges of cast pieces

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for machining the edges of a cast strip, comprising a machining tool capable of contacting the longitudinal edge of the cast strip and at least one guide for adjusting said machining tool perpendicular to said longitudinal edge, and means for moving said machining tool parallel to said longitudinal edge are provided for varying the relative speed between said longitudinal edge of the cast strip and said machining tool.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for cutting the edges of a strand, the device comprising a cutting tool that can be brought into contact with the longitudinal edge of the strand and at least one guide for adjusting the cutting tool perpendicular to the longitudinal edge. The invention also relates to a system comprising such a device and a strand, preferably a continuously cast strand. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for cutting the edges of a strand by means of a device provided for cutting the edges of the strand.

[0002] 2. Background technology Conventional edge planers for machining the longitudinal edges of hot cast ingots machine the longitudinal edges of the cast strip at a cutting speed that corresponds to the casting speed of the cast strip, rather than a cutting speed that can be influenced for chamfering. In this case, the adjustment of the cutting tool to the longitudinal edge is usually performed via two pneumatically preloaded, linearly guided carriages. Such a prior art device is shown below in FIG. 1.

[0003] These prior art devices have the disadvantage that the cutting speed of the cutting tool is limited and preset by the casting speed of the strand. This results in continuous chips that can lead to quality problems. These continuous chips can potentially reach the downstream rolling mechanism and lead to quality problems in the finished product. Furthermore, the following problem frequently occurs with linear, pneumatically preloaded guides: the guides compensate for the lateral movement of the ingot and thus maintain a constant cutting depth. Prior art solutions are subject to defects due to contamination and the so-called stick-slip phenomenon.

[0004] Conventional edge planers do not have the ability to influence the cutting speed of a continuously cast strand and are therefore dependent on the casting speed of the strand. However, this casting speed is insufficient to achieve the required cutting speed, which is necessary for chip removal. This results in continuous chips, which lead to quality issues in the downstream rolling process and result in insufficient quality of the final product. The resulting continuous chips cannot be safely guided into a collection container, preventing smooth operation. Continuous chips necessitate temporary manual intervention in the process. The cutting tools, preferably four cutting tools, are adjusted via two pneumatically preloaded, linearly guided carriages. Preferably, one carriage, each equipped with two cutting tools, is located on the drive side and another carriage is located on the operator side of the strand to chamfer all four edges. The casting may undergo lateral displacement due to the process. This displacement is preferably compensated for by linearly guided adjustment elements. However, due to the casting environment (e.g. heat, dirt and water), the guides no longer function properly in the shortest possible time, and therefore the lateral movements of the strand can no longer be sufficiently compensated, resulting in different cutting depths which are reflected in the final product.

[0005] 3. Problem of the invention The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus and a method that can improve the removal of chips on the four longitudinal edges of a continuously cast strand. This object is achieved according to the invention by an apparatus having the features of claim 1, a system having the features of claim 11 and a method having the features of claim 12. Advantageous configurations of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and in the following detailed description of the invention.

[0006] 4. Detailed Description of the Invention According to the present invention, a device for machining the edges of a cast strip includes a machining tool that can be brought into contact with the longitudinal edge of the cast strip and at least one guide for adjusting the machining tool perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the cast strip. The invention is characterized in that a means for moving the machining tool parallel to the longitudinal edge of the cast strip is provided to vary the relative speed between the longitudinal edge of the cast strip and the machining tool. This allows the machining tool to move relative to the speed of the cast strip, thereby ensuring that machining of the longitudinal edge of the cast strip does not depend solely on the casting speed of the cast strip. This reliably prevents continuous chips and ensures that the machining process can be carried out smoothly, in particular without adverse effects on the finished product.

[0007] Preferably, the strand is a slab or plate, especially a continuously cast strand.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tool for cutting is a cutting tool, preferably an edge planer.

[0009] The perpendicular guidance of the cutting tool relative to the longitudinal edge of the cast piece preferably comprises a carriage equipped with means for applying a force to the cutting tool pneumatically or hydrostatically.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferred that the carriage is coupled to a roll that can contact at least one surface of the cast strip, preferably two opposite surfaces, to allow the carriage to follow laterally changes in the position of the cast strip inside the machine. Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the carriage is supported on at least one vertically arranged support, preferably two vertically arranged support, so that it can slide horizontally. This arrangement of the carriage inside the machine ensures that lateral displacements of the cast strip are compensated for. The adjustment is preferably performed via a pneumatic cylinder whose parameters are adjusted accordingly. The cutting depth can also preferably be adjusted relative to the carriage. Maintaining a constant cutting depth is ensured via roll guides.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the parallel movement means can reciprocate the tool relative to the longitudinal edge. Furthermore, it is preferred that the parallel movement means include an eccentric drive, preferably an eccentric motor, which can reciprocate the cutting tool, preferably each cutting tool, relative to the longitudinal edge of the cast strip. This motor-based eccentric drive converts the rotational movement of the eccentric body into a translational movement of the cutting tool relative to the longitudinal edge of the cast strip. This allows each tool to be periodically moved relative to the longitudinal edge of the cast strip by particularly simple and easily controllable means. In this case, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotational speed and / or eccentricity of the eccentric drive can be variably adjusted. This eccentric drive regularly and periodically changes the relative speed of the cutting tool relative to the longitudinal edge of the cast strip to be machined. This ensures reliable chip breaking.

[0012] The oscillation of the cutting tool and the resulting change in direction result in precise chip breaking and thus defined cutting parameters. This allows the chips to be safely guided into the chip collection tank, minimizing the risk of the chips becoming entangled in the subsequent rolling mechanism. The cutting depth is preferably optimized by means of adapted guides. This results in higher quality of the strand and, ultimately, in a higher quality of the final product. Additional manual intervention by the operator is avoided.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cutting speed is tracked via feedback of the casting speed to a closed loop control module, thereby ensuring optimal cutting conditions at all times.

[0014] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, tool wear, in particular tool cutting tools, can be evaluated via parameters of the motorized drive, preferably the eccentric drive. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the exceeding of parameter limits is evaluated by software provided for the evaluation. Preferably, after the evaluation, this software signals the exceeding of the limit values, thus completely avoiding unscheduled machine shutdowns. This condition monitoring ensures a higher availability of the device according to the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a prior art edge planer for a continuously cast strand. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of an apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to the present invention;

[0016] 5. Detailed description of the drawings 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a prior art apparatus 1 for machining the edges of a strand 2. The strand 2 is guided through the apparatus 1 from left to right at the casting speed, passing four edge planers (not shown). These four edge planers are fed towards the longitudinal edges of the strand 2 by linear adjustment elements 4. No means are provided for varying the relative speed between the edge planers (not shown) and the longitudinal edges of the strand 2; the speed of edge machining is simply predetermined by the speed of the strand 2 through the apparatus 1.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the present invention. A strand (not shown) passes through the apparatus 1 from the lower left to the upper right in the figure, passing through four turning tools 3. These turning tools 3 are fed vertically toward the strand (not shown) by pneumatic adjustment elements and reciprocate in the direction and amplitude indicated by the movement arrows 11. This achieves a regular change in the relative speed between the turning tools 3 and the longitudinal edge of the strand (not shown). As the strand (not shown) enters the apparatus 1, it passes through several rolls 10. These rolls 10 contact the strand (not shown) and can therefore follow the lateral movement of the strand (not shown). The rolls 10 are connected to a carriage 8, so that the movement of each roll 10 toward or away from the strand (not shown) is directly transmitted to the carriage 8. The carriage 8 is supported on the strand outlet side of the casting so as to be pivotable about a fixed point. This ensures that the carriage 8 and the tool 3 guided in it are permanently and uniformly adjusted to the strand (not shown). Finally, the vertical column guides 6 allow the carriage 8 to slide horizontally in the plane in which the strand (not shown) passes through the device 1.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The side view shows an eccentric drive 7 that periodically displaces a carriage 8 relative to the direction of movement of a strand (not shown) through the apparatus 1. The eccentric drive 7 provides the carriage 8 with vibrations that correspond to its rotational speed and vibration amplitude that correspond to its eccentricity, causing it to oscillate from side to side in the figure. The carriage 8 is supported between two leaf springs 9. The two leaf springs 9 provide a desired damping and elastic support for the oscillating movement provided to the carriage 8 by the eccentric drive 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0019] 1 device 2. Castings 3 tools 4 Vertical Guides 5. Means of parallel movement 6 Vertical Support 7 Eccentric drive 8 Leaf spring guided carriage 9 Springs / Leaf Springs 10 Roll Guide 11 Movement Arrow

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for cutting the edge of a cast piece (2), comprising: a cutting tool (3) that can be brought into contact with the longitudinal edge of the cast piece (2); and at least one guide (4) for adjusting the cutting tool (3) perpendicular to the longitudinal edge, 1. The apparatus (1), characterized in that it comprises means (5) for reciprocating the cutting tool (3) parallel to the longitudinal edge of the cast piece (2) in order to vary the relative speed between the longitudinal edge of the cast piece (2) and the cutting tool (3).

2. 2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the strand (2) is a slab or a plate.

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tool (3) is a cutting tool.

4. 3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vertical guide (4) is a carriage.

5. 5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the carriage is coupled to a roll that can be brought into contact with at least one surface of the strand (2) in order to enable the carriage to follow laterally changes in the position of the strand (2) inside the apparatus (1).

6. 5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the carriage is supported in a sliding manner on at least one vertically arranged support (6).

7. 3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (5) for parallel movement make it possible to move the tool (3) in a reciprocating manner relative to the longitudinal edge.

8. 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (5) for parallel movement comprise an eccentric drive (7) capable of reciprocating the cutting tool (3).

9. 9. The device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the rotational speed and / or the eccentricity of the eccentric drive (7) are variably adjustable.

10. 3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (5) for parallel movement comprise a spring (9) arranged between the drive and the tool.

11. 10. A system comprising the device (1) according to claim 1 and a cast piece (2) having a longitudinal edge.

12. A method for cutting an edge of a cast piece (2) by means of an apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or a system according to claim 11, comprising one cutting tool (3) capable of contacting the edge of the cast piece (2) and at least one guide (4) for adjusting the cutting tool (3) perpendicular to the edge, 1. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting tool (3) is moved parallel to the longitudinal edge of the cast piece (2) in order to vary the relative speed between the longitudinal edge and the cutting tool (3).

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the cutting tool (3) is reciprocated parallel to the longitudinal edge of the cast piece (2).

Images