Three-stage symmetrical stand with adjustable connector

Abstract

To provide a stand that enables rolling torque to be uniformly absorbed and can be switched between different orientations, and is used by a modular method at different positions with respect to different configurations in a stand block.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 12 includes six side surfaces 14.1-14.6 arranged to deviate at a 60° rotation angle with the rolling shaft as a center, where the side surfaces form a pair of side surfaces arranged in parallel to each other. The stand includes three rollers 20.1-20.3 arranged on a roller shaft to surround the rolling shaft in a star-shape to form a caliber 21. Positions in a radial direction of the three rollers can be set to set the caliber. The stand further includes an adjustment connector 30 arranged outside and introducing adjustment torque. The adjustment connector includes a gear shaft which is in parallel to a pair of side surfaces which are parallel to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stand for rolling a metal rod, wire, or pipe along a rolling axis. The stand includes three rollers, each of which is arranged on a roller shaft and surrounds the rolling axis in a star shape, together forming a caliber. The radial positions of the three rollers based on the rolling axis can be set to set the caliber by an adjustment connector arranged outside to introduce an adjustment torque.

Background Art

[0002] Stands for rolling rod-shaped materials to be rolled, including three or more rollers, are generally known in the manufacture of metal pipes, rods, or wires. In this case, the material to be rolled can be rolled to a desired diameter in terms of appropriately setting the caliber. Conventionally, to set the caliber of the stand, the distance between the rollers from the rolling axis is changed. A technical solution for setting the roller position with respect to the rolling axis is an eccentric adjustment means.

[0003] For example, the stand in the above technical field is known from Patent Document 1. With this known stand, it is possible to set the caliber by an eccentric mechanism that can be operated by an adjustment connector arranged outside to introduce an adjustment torque. The rollers are radially adjustable with respect to the rolling axis by rotating an eccentric bushing, and the caliber of the stand can be set steplessly, enabling the production of materials to be rolled having different diameters. In Patent Document 1, by driving only one eccentric bushing, synchronous adjustment of all roller shafts, and thus all rollers, is possible, and this adjustment is performed via an adjustment connector provided on the side of the stand housing.

[0004] Generally, multiple stands are arranged in sequence in a rolling mill. As a result, the material to be rolled stretches, particularly due to the difference in roller speeds between individual stands, allowing it to be rolled to a smaller diameter.

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

[0006] The successive stands are preferably arranged such 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 as it leaves the stand are in contact in the center with the rollers of the next stand, resulting in a rounded cross-section of the material to be rolled.

[0007] Therefore, in a rolling mill having, for example, four stands, the three rollers of the first and third stands are typically arranged in what is known as a "Y configuration," while the rollers of the second and fourth stands, respectively, which are positioned behind them, 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 rounded by the rollers using the next stand, respectively, and the cross-section of the material to be rolled becomes rounded as a result.

[0008] In the Y configuration, the lower roller is oriented such that its roller shaft is horizontal in the line of sight of the rolling axis, i.e., its diameter extends vertically. In contrast, in the inverse Y configuration, it is the upper roller whose roller shaft is horizontal in the line of sight of the rolling axis, i.e., its diameter extends vertically. In both cases, the roller shafts of the two additional rollers are each positioned at an angle of 120° to the horizontal roller shaft. Of course, the orientation relative to the horizontal is entirely arbitrary, as only the relative position of the rollers to adjacent stands is important for the effect described here.

[0009] The formation of a rolling mill by arranging stands at the front and rear is typically done using stand bases, into which the stands are introduced and held. This allows for the replacement of stands from the rolling mill, for example, for periodic maintenance.

[0010] The stand known from Patent Document 1 allows switching between a Y configuration and an inverted Y configuration by a 180° rotation around the horizontal axis, enabling insertion into the stand base in both orientations. The upper and lower sides of the rectangular stand housing function as contact surfaces on the stand base.

[0011] The location of the stand for Y-configuration and inverted Y-configuration can be selected in such a way that the adjustment connector of the eccentricity adjustment means, provided on the side of the stand housing, remains on the same side when that side defines the stand horizontally, i.e., the side that is vertically oriented. The motor for driving the rollers together with the horizontally oriented roller shaft and, if required, the coupling for torque introduction of the drivetrain having a gearbox are then located on the opposite side.

[0012] The aforementioned arrangement of the adjustment connector allows for good accessibility for manual operation of the adjustment connector from this side, but it does not allow for easy operation and activation of the adjustment connector automatically, i.e., by remote adjustment, because the motor required for this cannot be located on this side without obstructing access to the stand. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 10015340 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0014] Against this backdrop, an object of the present invention is to provide a stand of the art above that enables particularly favorable, uniform absorption of rolling torque, is easily switchable between different orientations in the process, and can be used modularly in different positions for different configurations in the stand block.

[0015] In other words, the objective is to develop a stand in the above technical field that can be modularly arranged in the rolling mill in the most versatile way possible, at different positions and locations on the stand base, and that allows the radial spacing between the rollers and the rolling shaft to be adjusted in multiple different ways with different adjustment configurations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] This objective is achieved by the stand described in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

[0017] This stand for rolling a metal rod, wire, or pipe along a rolling axis includes a stand housing, and when viewed along the rolling axis, the outside of the stand housing includes at least six sides, each offset by 60° around the rolling axis, with two sides forming a pair of sides that are parallel to each other. The stand further includes three rollers, each positioned on a roller shaft to surround the rolling axis in a star shape and together form a caliber, and the radial positions of the three rollers, based on the rolling axis, can be set to set the caliber. Furthermore, the stand includes an adjustment connector located on the outside and intended to introduce an adjustment torque to set the caliber, and the adjustment connector includes a gear shaft parallel to a pair of mutually parallel sides.

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

[0019] The sides of the stand housing may extend parallel to a contact surface, including or formed by, for example, a sliding rail, which functions as a contact surface, on which the stand can stand stably, particularly on the stand base. The sides do not have to be flat, but may rather include steps, protrusions, or recesses, as well as openings, which may be formed by multiple parts.

[0020] In this context, the fact that the sides are positioned so as to be offset by 60° around the rolling axis also means that these offset sides enclose angles of 60° and 120° relative to each other. The sides offset by 60° are preferably adjacent, but do not have to be. Rather than sharp corners, rounded edges, extended chamfers, etc., may be provided between adjacent sides.

[0021] The fact that each roller is positioned on a single roller shaft also means, for example, that a roller is axially fixed between two partial shafts of a roller shaft that is axially divided. In particular, the rollers are positioned on the roller shaft in a manner that fixes them in the rotational direction, and are, for example, frictionally connected, i.e., not mounted on the roller shaft by bearings. This is also related to the possibility that the rollers can be driven by their roller shafts. For this purpose, each roller shaft may have its own drive connection and an end that protrudes outside the stand. In this case, a single motor can apply torque to each of the roller shafts and thus to the associated rollers, respectively, by a suitable coupling. It is also possible to couple multiple roller shafts together via a gearbox outside the stand and drive them by a common motor. Since the rolling force acting on the stand in this art is several kilotonns, the roll motors must be powerful and therefore large. The roll motors and their surroundings should not obstruct access to the rolling mill and stand so as not to hinder the periodic replacement of the stand for maintenance reasons.

[0022] Therefore, it is important for the rolling mill as a whole that the replaced stand be connected to the roller drive unit as quickly and reliably as possible, and that the drive connection of the roller shaft be positioned in the same location and orientation at a specific position in the rolling mill, so as not to obstruct access to the rolling mill, especially the stand, as much as possible in terms of these points and orientation.

[0023] The star-shaped arrangement of the rollers around the rolling axis means that the rollers or their planes of rotation are each arranged at an angle of 120° with respect to two adjacent rollers or their planes of rotation. This also applies to the roller shafts, which intersect outside the planes of rotation of the rollers but not in the calibre. However, within the stand, each roller shaft is at an angle of 120° with respect to the other two roller shafts.

[0024] In this context, the calibre means the opening between three rollers through which the material to be rolled is guided and rolled in the process. This extends across the cross-sectional surface orthogonally to the rolling axis of the passage formed within the roll surface by the star-shaped arrangement of the three rollers. The stand is widened by the material to be rolled and does not deform elastically during the rolling process, and the material to be rolled is not affected only by the rollers themselves, rather its diameter is elastically and plastically affected, for example, by the forces between adjacent stands, so the calibre is not the same as the target or manufacturing diameter of the material to be rolled. However, the calibre has a significant influence on the manufacturing diameter.

[0025] In the case of this stand, the spacing of the rollers from the rolling axis can be set via the adjustment torque to set the calibre via the externally arranged adjustment connectors.

[0026] Due to the fact that the gear shaft is parallel to a pair of mutually parallel sides, optimal use of the space in the stand housing for the adjustment mechanism of the rollers via the externally arranged adjustment connectors becomes possible. This in turn enables a particularly advantageous flexibility of the stand in different arrangements and with different configurations on the stand base, which is particularly superior to that of a rectangular stand housing.

[0027] As a result of the number and arrangement of the sides of this stand, compared to a rectangular stand housing having four sides as known from the prior art, there is an advantage that the stand can be used in a modular manner at different locations at different positions in the rolling mill and in different configurations with respect to the adjustability of the radial spacing of the rollers from the rolling axis. The number of stands to be kept available to the operator of the rolling mill is thereby reduced because, even after modification of the rolling mill with respect to the adjustability of the radial spacing of the rollers from the rolling axis, substantially the same stands can be used throughout the rolling mill. Thus, the present invention achieves, at the same time as a compact design of the rolling mill, a more flexible use within the rolling mill and, in particular, a more flexible selection of both the position in the rolling mill and also the adjustment configuration.

[0028] According to the present invention, flexible attachment of additional parts arranged on or within the stand housing is also made possible. Such parts can be, in addition to the connection parts of the adjusting means, for example operating material connection parts, guides such as funnel guides or roller guides as inlet guides or outlet guides, sliding elements, bearing elements, and fixing elements. However, also in this regard, the present invention enables a very significant modularization of the rolling mill.

[0029] The limitation of the complexity of the roller arrangement is advantageous insofar as the arrangement of the drive device for the roller shafts within the rolling mill is thereby simplified. In particular, three different arrangements of the stands result, and three identical angles of the axes of rotation of the roller shafts always result when viewed along the rolling axis. When substantially structurally identical rollers and roller shafts that can be driven by any one of the provided drive devices are used, it is only necessary to provide translational displacement of, for example, the drive device or the gearbox and coupling parts that can compensate for the translational misalignment of the roller shafts. This reduces the complexity of the rolling mill and the design effort therefor.

[0030] Preferably, the distance of the gear shaft from the rolling axis, when viewed perpendicular to the rolling axis, is no more than 10 percent of the perpendicular distance of the rolling axis from the side. In other words, the gear shaft is located approximately in the center of the stand housing between the parallel sides, more precisely, within 10 percent of the extending range of the stand housing between the sides, around the center of the stand housing where the rolling axis is located.

[0031] For example, by tilting the stand housing around a tilt axis parallel to the gear shaft and passing through the rolling axis, which is used to switch between a Y configuration and an inverted Y configuration, there is virtually no translational shift in the position of the adjustment connector. This arrangement of the gear shaft means that the stand housing can be used with particular flexibility. Thus, a high level of symmetry, and in connection with this, a high degree of modularity can be achieved.

[0032] Preferably, the three rollers and three roller shafts are arranged so as to be rotationally symmetrically offset by 120° around the rolling axis, with one roller shaft extending parallel to the gear shaft. In this context, “parallel” means that, when viewed along the rolling axis, the gear shaft, i.e., its projection on a plane perpendicular to the rolling axis, extends parallel to one of the roller shafts or its projection on a plane perpendicular to the rolling axis. Inclination along the rolling axis may also exist. Particularly preferably, the gear shaft and roller shafts are arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the rolling axis, with one of the gear shaft and roller shafts parallel to each other in this plane.

[0033] The fact that one of the roller shafts extends parallel to the gear shaft is a further advantageous embodiment of the stand, because this allows for a smaller design of the stand housing, in that the symmetry of the rollers and roller shafts matches the shape of the stand housing, particularly in that the relative arrangement of the sides coincides with each other. This enables high strength, uniform load distribution, and a high degree of flexibility in the use of the stand in the rolling mill.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the stand includes only one adjustment connector for introducing an adjustment torque to set the caliber. This has the advantage of greater flexibility in the use of the stand. In this preferred embodiment, in a configuration with remote adjustment, only one drive unit of the adjustment connector is required, thereby simplifying the overall configuration. In a configuration with manual adjustment, a single point is sufficient, where all rollers can be actuated simultaneously and in a coordinated manner with each other. Thus, in both configurations, a simple external design of the stand can be achieved with high flexibility and high precision in adjustment.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the adjustment connector is operably connected to an eccentric mechanism having an eccentric bushing on which a roller shaft is mounted, the eccentric bushing being rotatably mounted in a stand housing, and the rotational position of the eccentric bushing being set by a gearbox. This implementation of an adjustment mechanism known from the prior art is particularly suitable in conjunction with the shape of the stand housing, as it achieves roller adjustment via a single adjustment connector. The eccentric mechanism can absorb high forces and achieve a high degree of precision without occupying considerable installation space in its process.

[0036] Advantageously, when viewed in the direction of the rolling axis, the outside of the stand housing preferably has exactly six sides, and these sides 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 related to the regular hexagon is particularly well suited to a star arrangement of three rollers and roller shafts. Thus, the three rollers and roller shafts within the stand housing can be arranged particularly symmetrically within the stand housing, and as a result the stand can be fitted into the stand base in several different orientations, in each of the orientations the rollers can be coupled to the motor of the rolling mill. However, the stand housing can also have a different shape. For example, one short outer side can be provided between each of the six long outer sides, so that a dodecagon is formed from the sides when viewed in the direction of the rolling axis.

[0037] Advantageously, the adjustment connector can be actuated both manually and automatically by a motor. In this case, "manually actuated" means, in relation to this, that the adjustment connector can be actuated by an operator by hand using a suitable tool. "Actually actuated via an external motor" means, in contrast, that the adjustment connector can be actuated, for example, by rotating it, without manual operation or the assistance of tools, rather than by using a suitable coupling, for example. This means that the adjustment connector must be positioned and designed to be compatible with both configurations of the drive unit for roller adjustment. Thus, the stand can be used directly in both configurations without having to modify the adjustment connector for one or the other configuration, namely manual adjustment or automatic adjustment by a motor. However, it is also possible to design the adjustment connector for automatic adjustment only or for manual adjustment only. In this case, the adjustment connector would still have to be modified to change the adjustment configuration, which means increased complexity compared to the preferred embodiment, but does not substantially impair the overall high flexibility of the stand.

[0038] Advantageously, the stand housing is closed and not divided, and is manufactured from a monoblock. In other words, the stand housing is preferably manufactured integrally, and can therefore be manufactured by, for example, a casting method, which results in advantageous mechanical properties for absorbing the loads acting in the rolling process, and also allows for efficient manufacturing.

[0039] Preferably, each of the three roller shafts or rollers can be driven separately by its own associated motor. Therefore, for example, three relatively small motors can be used, since they only need to apply one-third of the rolling torque. This allows for smaller motor designs, which in turn significantly reduces the overall size of the rolling mill.

[0040] In this case, each of the three roller shafts preferably includes a drive-side end for separate drive, the drive-side end projecting outward from one of the sides of the stand housing. In this way, drive of the roller shafts through the side can be ensured, and the corners of the stand housing are not occupied by the drive-side ends of the roller shafts.

[0041] Further advantages and developments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the figures and all of the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1A] This is a diagram showing the preferred stand along the rolling axis in the inverted Y configuration of the first adjustment configuration. [Figure 1B] This is a diagram of the stand along the rolling axis in the Y configuration of the first adjustment configuration, as seen from Figure 1A. [Figure 1C] This is a diagram of the stand along the rolling axis from Figure 1A in the inverted Y configuration of the second adjustment configuration. [Figure 1D]This is a diagram of the stand along the rolling axis in the Y configuration of the second adjustment configuration, as seen from Figure 1A. [Figure 2A] This is a perspective view of the stand from the first viewpoint, as shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 2B] This is a second perspective view of the stand from Figure 1A. [Figure 3A] This is a side view of the stand from Figure 1A, showing the adjustment connector. [Figure 3B] This is another side view of the stand from Figure 1A, showing the opposite side of the adjustment connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] In the following diagram descriptions, the same reference number is provided for identical or corresponding elements, and redundant descriptions are largely avoided.

[0044] Figure 1A is a view of a preferred stand 1 for rolling a metal rod, wire, or pipe, extending in the Z direction along a rolling axis 19. In the embodiment shown herein, the stand 1 includes a stand housing 10, which has a regular hexagonal shape when viewed along the rolling axis 19. The outer surface 12 of the stand housing 10 is provided with six sides 14.1–14.6 of equal length, which are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the rolling axis 19. Adjacent sides 14.1–14.6 merge with each other in a region called an angle 16.1–16.6. In this case, the angles 16.1–16.6 can be marked differently. These angles include abutment edges between the adjacent sides 14.1–14.6 that merge with each other at angles 16.1–16.6, which can be acute edges but are preferably chamfered or rounded. Small intermediate surfaces between adjacent sides 14.1–14.6 are also possible in the sense of a distinct, relatively wide chamfer, and in this context are still understood as corners 16.1–16.6. The inlet side 15 of the stand housing 10 (not shown in Figure 1A but shown in Figure 1B), and the outlet side 13 shown in Figure 1A, thus have an overall regular hexagonal shape, as in the stand housing 10 of this embodiment, which is characterized in particular by the fact that it has three pairs of sides 14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, and 14.6, respectively, which are arranged parallel to each other. The stand housing 10 is manufactured as a monoblock.

[0045] A preferred stand 1 is designed such that the inlet side 15 (not shown in Figure 1A) resembles the outlet side 13 shown in Figure 1A, and all the features described below for the outlet side 13 are found on the opposite side of the stand housing 10 in the same or corresponding locations, as also shown below with reference to other figures.

[0046] Stand 1 further includes three rollers 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3 that surround the rolling axis 19 in a star shape. Rollers 20.1 to 20.3 each define a plane of rotation, which is at a 120° angle to each other and intersects at the rolling axis 19. The planes of rotation of rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are respectively positioned perpendicular to a pair of sides 14.1 to 14.6 of the stand housing 10. In the region of the rolling axis 19, rollers 20.1 to 20.3 form a caliber 21 between them. The caliber 21 is surrounded in particular by the respective roll surfaces 22 of rollers 20.1 to 20.3, the roll surfaces 22 of rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are formed centrally along the periphery of each roller 20.1 to 20.3 as concave grooves to provide the material to be rolled with the roundest possible outer contour. However, depending on the material to be rolled, the roll surface 22 can be designed differently, in particular as a flat surface or a convex surface. In Figure 1A, it can be seen that the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are arranged in an inverted Y configuration, with the upper roller 20.1 positioned vertically and the two remaining lower rollers 20.2 and 20.3 positioned at an angle of 120° to the vertical orientation of the upper roller 20.1.

[0047] Rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are each fixed and positioned on a roller shaft, and are driven via the roller shaft. The axis of rotation of each roller shaft extends parallel to a pair of sides 14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, and 14.6. The axis of rotation is further positioned laterally with respect to the rolling axis 19 and is arranged rotationally symmetrically or in a star shape around the axis. In Figure 1A, the axis of rotation of the roller shaft of the upper roller 20.1 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, with respect to the axis of rotation of the upper roller shaft. For the roller shafts, only the drive-side ends 24.1, 24.2, and 24.3 are shown in Figure 1A, which project outward from one of the sides 14.2, 14.4, and 14.6 of the stand housing 10. As a result, each roller shaft can be adjacent to an external drive unit, which can then transmit its rolling torque to the roller shaft and thus to the rollers 20.1-20.3 via a coupling.

[0048] The roller shaft extends within the stand housing 10, and eccentricity adjustment means (not shown) for adjusting rollers 20.1-20.3 via the roller shaft is also located within the stand housing 10. The eccentricity adjustment means makes it possible to change the distance between the roller shaft and thus rollers 20.1-20.3 on the one hand and the rolling shaft 19 on the other hand in the XY plane of Figure 1A. As a result, different sizes of caliber 21 can be set, and wear on rollers 20.1-20.3 can also be compensated for for a constant caliber 21. The eccentricity adjustment means forms an adjustment mechanism for rollers 20.1-20.3.

[0049] The adjustment mechanism for rollers 20.1-20.3 can be operated from the outside by rotating the adjustment connector 30 which protrudes outward near angle 16.1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1A, the adjustment connector 30 is designed to be both manually operable and automatically operated by a motor. The adjustment 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 the tooth segment of the eccentric bushing of the eccentric adjustment means, which in turn can transmit the rotational motion transmitted to it via the bevel gear to two other eccentric bushings, thus enabling synchronous adjustment of the rollers. The adjustment mechanism beyond the adjustment connector 30 is not shown in detail in Figure 1A.

[0050] The adjustment connector 30 is located near corner 16.1, and the gear shaft connected to the adjustment connector 30 extends parallel to the upper roller shaft in Figure 1A, i.e., in the X direction, with its drive end 24.1 protruding from the stand housing 10 on the opposite side. The adjustment connector 30 is thus positioned substantially opposite the drive end 24.1 of the roller shaft that extends parallel to the gear shaft. This relative positioning suggests that the adjustment connector 30 is not covered by the roll motor which is coplanar with one of the drive end 24.1 of the roller shaft, because the drive end 24.2 and 24.3 of the roller shaft adjacent to the adjustment connector 30 are oriented approximately 60° upward and downward, respectively, relative to the adjustment connector 30 and its gear shaft, so that the motor coupled to them forms a large free space between them, thereby allowing the adjustment connector 30 to be freely accessed.

[0051] In Figure 1A, the adjustment connector 30 is positioned near corner 16.1 and slightly offset upward with respect to the imaginary horizontal central plane of the stand housing 10. In this case, the distance along the Y-axis in Figure 1A between the adjustment connector 30 and the central plane extending parallel to the gear shaft, i.e., in the X-direction in Figure 1A, is less than 10% of the extending range of the stand housing 10 in the Y-direction, i.e., between the two opposing sides 14.2, 14.5 of the stand housing 10.

[0052] Figure 1A shows three mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, and 26.3 for a guide (not shown in Figure 1A) for the material to be rolled. The guide can be mounted on the exit side 13 of the stand housing 10, which is shown in Figure 1A. Mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, and 26.3 can also be positioned on the inlet side 15 (not visible in Figure 1A), where a guide for the material to be rolled can be mounted.

[0053] Guides for the material to be rolled can be, for example, roller guides, in particular roller guide 60, as shown as an example in Figure 1B, or funnel guides. The mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, and 26.3 are arranged in a star shape around the rolling axis 19, and opposite one of the rollers 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3 with respect to the rolling axis 19. The three mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, and 26.3 are each spaced at an angle of 120° around the rolling axis 19.

[0054] Furthermore, at adjacent corners 16.1, 16.2, and 16.6 of the stand housing 10, three coupling clamp areas 50.1, 50.2, and 50.6 are located on the exit side 13 of the stand housing 10, as shown in Figure 1A. Each of the coupling clamp areas 50.1, 50.2, and 50.6 is separated by two clamp rails 52. The three adjacent corners 16.1, 16.2, and 16.6 where the coupling clamp areas 50.1, 50.2, and 50.6 are located are corner 16.1, and the two adjacent corners 16.2 and 16.6, where the adjustment connector 30 is also located. The coupling clamp areas 50.1, 50.2, and 50.6 function to securely fasten the roller guide adjustment connector 64 (not shown in Figure 1A, but shown in Figure 1B) onto the stand housing 10. This relative arrangement of the coupling clamp areas 50.1, 50.2, and 50.6 at corner 16.1 of the adjustment connector 30 and the two surrounding corners 16.2 and 16.6 allows for a certain degree of flexibility in the arrangement and configuration of the stand 1 to be combined with the roller guide, and thus transferred to the entire system consisting of the stand 1 and the roller guide.

[0055] Figure 1A shows that the stand housing 10 includes four sliding rails 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, and 40.5 on the exit side 13, and these rails are arranged parallel to four adjacent sides 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, and 14.5. The sliding rails 40.2 to 40.5 are adjacent to each other and extend along the perimeter of the hexagonal stand housing 10 from corner 16.2, which includes the coupling clamp area 50.2, to corner 16.6, which includes the coupling clamp area 50.6. In the diagram of Figure 1A, the sliding rails 40.2 to 40.5 are not positioned on the sides 14.2 to 14.5, but rather are offset inward in the direction of the rolling axis 19. The sliding rails 40.2 to 40.5 extend peripherally along the sides 14.2 to 14.5 on one side, and on the other side, form a sliding surface that extends parallel to the rolling axis 19 and the sides 14.1 to 14.6, i.e., in the Z direction in Figure 1A, from the sheet plane. In this way, the stand 1 can be pushed onto the stand base (not shown) on the sliding rails 40.2 to 40.5, and in this case the sliding rails 40.2 to 40.5 can also be used as sealing elements. Thus, the sliding rails 40.2 to 40.5 can function as contact surfaces in four orientations of the stand 1, and are particularly intended to facilitate the reception of the stand 1 on the stand base. On the opposite entrance side 15 (not shown in Figure 1A), four sliding rails 40.2 to 40.5 are also arranged opposite to the illustrated sliding rails 40.2 to 40.5, so that a pair of sliding rails 40.2 to 40.5 on each opposing side can be used to stably mount the stand 1 onto the stand base.

[0056] Stand 1 further includes three water outlet openings 42.1, 42.2, and 42.3 on the outlet side 13 shown in Figure 1A. Cooling water intended for use, for example, for roller guides can therefore be introduced into the stand housing 10 through a water supply opening (not shown in Figure 1A) at one of the sides 14.1, 14.3, and 14.5, guided through the stand housing 10, and guided out through one of the water outlet openings 42.1, 42.2, and 42.3, from which it can be supplied to the roller guides.

[0057] Furthermore, on the exit side 13 shown in Figure 1A and also on the inlet side 15 (not shown in this figure), a total of five clamping points 44.2, 44.3, 44.4, 44.5, and 44.6 are located at the corners 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, and 16.6 that define the side 14 where the sliding rails 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, and 40.5 are located, and these clamping points can absorb the clamping force from the stand base for fixing the stand 1.

[0058] Figure 1B shows the stand 1 from Figure 1A in a position that can be achieved by tilting the stand 1 by approximately 180° around an axis K that is horizontal, i.e., extends in the X direction, relative to the orientation of Figure 1A. Therefore, Figure 1B is a rear view of the stand 1 from Figure 1A, i.e., showing the entrance 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.

[0059] The roller shafts are displaced parallel to the position of stand 1 from Figure 1A, and therefore their drive-side ends 24.1-24.3 protrude from the stand housing 10 in the same direction, but in different positions, specifically mirrored at their respective corners 16.2, 16.4, and 16.6. Thus, due to the aforementioned inclination, the illustrated stand 1 can be used in a rolling mill having both Y-configuration and inverted Y-configuration of rollers 20.1-20.3 on the same stand base, with the drive-side ends 24.1-24.3 of the roller shafts simply undergoing translational transition. This allows for a high degree of flexibility in the use of stand 1 in small rolling mills. The roll drive units coupled to the drive-side ends 24.1-24.3 of the roller shafts at the two positions of stand 1 can be positioned on the same side of the rolling axis 19 for each stand position where Y-configuration and inverted Y-configuration alternate, thereby keeping the overall spatial requirements of the rolling mill relatively small.

[0060] Due to the inclination around axis K, the adjustment connector 30 is still located near corner 16.1 of the stand housing 10. It is positioned slightly downward with respect to the horizontal central 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., the Y configuration, the adjustment connector 30 is easily accessible from the same side, making it particularly suitable for efficient manual operation of the stand 1 adjacent to the eccentricity adjustment means.

[0061] Figure 1B further illustrates the roller guide 60, which is described above with reference to Figure 1A and is also present on the inlet side 15 of the stand housing 10 shown in Figure 1B, and is secured to the stand housing 10 via mounting elements 26.1 to 26.3. The roller guide 60 is also adjustable by a roller adjustment mechanism, which allows the rollers of the roller guide 60 to be positioned closer to or further away from the rolling shaft 19. In the roller adjustment mechanism, the roller guide 60 is connected to a roller adjustment connector 64 via a universal shaft 62, and torque can be applied to the roller adjustment mechanism via the roller adjustment connector 64.

[0062] The roller adjustment connector 64 is mounted on the stand 1 to the coupling clamp area 50.1 and the associated clamp rail 52. Due to the arrangement of the mounting elements 26.1-26.3 and the coupling clamp areas 50.1, 50.2, and 50.6 on the stand housing 10, the roller guide 60 can be mounted to the stand housing 10 securely, accurately, and quickly.

[0063] Furthermore, the water line 66 of the roller guide 60 is shown in Figure 1B. The water line 66 is connected to a water outlet opening 42.3, and cooling water for the guide rollers of the roller guide 60 leaves the stand 10 through the water outlet opening 42.3. When the stand is received by the stand base and connected to the water connection part of the stand base, the cooling water is supplied to the stand 10 by a water supply opening 43.3 (not shown in Figure 1B).

[0064] Figure 1C shows a preferred stand 1 from Figure 1A, rotated approximately 120° clockwise around the rolling axis 19 compared to the position in Figure 1A. Due to the shape of the stand 1, the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are oriented in the same inverted Y configuration as shown in Figure 1A, and the three drive-side ends 24.1 to 24.3 extend in the same direction and are positioned in the same location. These drive-side ends 24.1 to 24.3 can be coupled to an external motor to apply rolling torque in the same manner as in Figure 1A. However, the adjustment connector 30 is positioned rotated approximately 120° clockwise compared to Figure 1A.

[0065] This arrangement preferably functions to implement remote adjustment of the adjustment mechanism for rollers 20.1-20.3 by an external motor. The position of the adjustment connector 30 at the location of stand 1 shown in Figure 1C allows the external adjustment coupling of the external adjustment motor to engage with the adjustment connector 30 at the stand base (not shown) and to actuate the adjustment connector 30 in order to actuate the rollers 20.1-20.3. This is different from the case at the locations shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0066] Stand 1 must be able to be pushed into and pulled out of the stand base laterally relative to the rolling shaft 19, so that it can be quickly serviced. This requirement means that the stand in Figures 1A to 1D must be pushed to the right into the stand base so that the roll motors driving the vertical roller 20.1 in Figures 1A and 1B or the vertical roller 20.2 in Figures 1C and 1D can engage with their respective drive-side ends 24.1 and 24.2, respectively, because the roll motor for roller 20.1 is positioned to the right, next to the rolling shaft 19, in Figures 1A and 1B, and for roller 20.2, it is positioned to the right, next to the rolling shaft 19, in Figures 1C and 1D, and is coupled to the respective drive-side ends 24.1 and 24.2.

[0067] This consequently means that, in Figures 1A to 1D, the external adjustment motor cannot be positioned to the left of the rolling shaft 19 and therefore also next to the stand 1, i.e., in front of the rolling shaft 19 in the insertion direction. The locations from Figures 1A and 1B are therefore configured for manual adjustment, i.e., operation of the adjustment connector 30 by a person, in which the adjustment connector 30 cannot be operated by an automatic remote adjustment means, or can only be operated with excessive effort. The locations from Figures 1C and 1D, where the adjustment connector is located behind the rolling shaft 19 in the insertion direction, are configured for remote adjustment, i.e., operation of the adjustment connector 30 by an external motor.

[0068] At the location of stand 1 shown in Figure 1C, the stand is positioned on a sliding rail 40.4, while the roller 20.2 is a roller having a vertical rotation plane, and the coupling clamp area 50.6 is positioned horizontally next to the rolling shaft 19.

[0069] Figure 1D shows a preferred stand in the configuration from Figure 1C, i.e., a configuration for remote adjustment with an adjustment connector 30 in the upper right. The position of stand 1 in Figure 1D can be assumed relative to the position in Figure 1C by tilting stand 1 by approximately 180° around axis K, which is tilted by approximately 120° and therefore also 60° with respect to the horizontal, and this axis extends through angles 16.1 and 16.4. Similar to the transition between the position of stand 1 from Figure 1A and its position in Figure 1B, the transition between the position of stand 1 from Figure 1C and its position in Figure 1D also involves tilting by approximately 180° around axis K, and this axis extends substantially parallel to the gear shaft of the adjustment connector 30. As a result, the orientation of the adjustment connector 30 remains unchanged during this tilt, and rollers 20.1-20.3 transition from the inverted Y configuration shown in Figure 1C to the Y configuration shown in Figure 1D, and vice versa.

[0070] Figure 1D shows the entrance side 15 of the stand 1, as in Figure 1B. As in Figure 1B, the roller guide 60, including the universal shaft 62 and roller adjustment connector 64, is attached to the stand housing 10 via mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 and coupling clamp area 50.2 using clamp rails 52.

[0071] At the location of stand 1 shown in Figure 1D, the stand is positioned on a sliding rail 40.3, while the roller 20.3 is a roller having a vertical rotation plane, and the coupling clamp area 50.2 is positioned horizontally beside the rolling shaft 19.

[0072] Due to the hexagonal shape of the stand housing 10, the stand 1 can be positioned in four locations as shown in Figures 1A to 1D, all of which are compatible with similar arrangements of roll motors in a rolling mill equipped with a stand base. As a result, both Y and inverted Y configurations of the rollers are possible, as are two different configurations in the sense of different orientations and arrangements 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 stand firmly and can only be moved and displaced on or along one of the sides of the stand housing, thereby fixing the orientation of the adjustment connector in a certain orientation of the roll motor.

[0073] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the entrance side 15 of a preferred stand 1, in which three rollers 20.1, 20.2, and 20.3 are arranged in an inverted Y configuration, and the adjustment connector 30 of the eccentricity adjustment means is oriented horizontally.

[0074] Recesses and drilled holes are visible along the outer surface 12 of the stand housing 10, which are provided for receiving the roller shaft and adjustment connector 30, and in Figure 2A only the drive-side end 24.2 of the roller shaft belonging to roller 20.2 is directly identifiable. A clamp point 44.6 on the inlet side 15 facing the viewer is bolted to the opposite clamp point 44.6 on the outlet side 13, and it can be seen that the clamping force applied to the clamp points 44.6 can be directly and stably guided between the clamp points 44.6 in order to secure the stand 1 in the stand housing without severely deforming or even damaging the delicate parts of the stand housing 10 by the local introduction of excessive force. Clamp points 44.2 to 44.5 are designed and connected to each other in the same manner.

[0075] Figure 2B shows the entrance side 15 of stand 1 from a different perspective than Figure 2A, and the drive end 24.1 of the roller shaft of roller 20.1 can be seen.

[0076] Figures 3A and 3B are side views of the stand, respectively, with 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 the drive-side ends 24.2 and 24.3 of the roller shafts of the adjustment connector 30 and rollers 20.2 and 20.3.

[0077] Figure 3A further shows two water supply openings 43.2, which can be connected to a water connection in the stand base to receive water in the stand housing 10 and guide it out through a water outlet opening 42.2, for example, to supply water to the water line 66 of the roller guide 60. In Figure 3A, an air connection 41.2 is further visible next to the drive-side end 24.2, through which compressed air can be supplied to the stand housing 10 to protect the inside of the stand housing 10, in particular the gearbox components located inside, such as the eccentricity adjustment means, from penetrating water due to excessive pressure.

[0078] Figure 3B shows the opposite corner 16.4 from corner 16.1 in Figure 3A, as well as the opposite sides 14.3 and 14.4 from sides 14.1 and 14.6. Furthermore, sliding rails 40.3 and 40.4 are visible on both the inlet side 15 and the outlet side 13. In the perspective view of Figure 3B, the drive-side end 42.1 of the roller shaft of roller 20.1 is visible at the end face, and the air connection 41.1 and two water supply openings 43.3 are also shown. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1 Stand 10 Stand Housing 12 Outside 13 Exit side 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6 Side view 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 Laura 21 Caliber 22 Roll surface 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 Drive side end Features included in 26.1, 26.2, and 26.3. 30 Adjustment Connectors 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, 40.5 Sliding rails 41.1, 41.2, 41.3 Air connection section 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 Clamping points 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 Coupling clamp area 52 Clamp Rails 60 Roller Guide 62 Universal Shaft 64 Roller adjustment connector 66 Water Line An inclined axis for transitioning between KY configuration and inverted Y configuration.

Claims

1. A stand (1) for rolling a metal rod, wire, or pipe along a rolling shaft (19), A stand housing (10), wherein, viewed along the rolling axis (19), the outer surface (12) of the stand housing (10) includes at least six sides (14.1 to 14.6) that are offset by 60° around the rolling axis, and two sides (14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, 14.6) form a pair of sides (14.1 to 14.6) that are arranged parallel to each other, and the stand housing (10), Three rollers (20.1 to 20.3) each positioned on a single roller shaft, surrounding the rolling shaft (19) in a star shape and together forming a caliber (21), wherein the radial positions of the three rollers (20.1 to 20.3) relative to the rolling shaft (19) can be set to configure the caliber (21), and An adjustment connector (30) located on the outside (12) for introducing an adjustment torque to set the caliber (21), Includes, The adjustment connector (30) includes a gear shaft that is parallel to the pair of mutually parallel sides, The outer surface (12) of the stand housing (10) includes exactly six sides (14.1 to 14.6) that form a regular hexagon. The rollers are positioned at an angle of 120°. Stand (1).

2. The stand (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distance of the gear shaft from the rolling shaft (19) that is perpendicular when viewed along the rolling shaft (19) is 10 percent or less of the vertical distance of the rolling shaft (19) from the side (14.1 to 14.6).

3. The stand (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the three rollers (20.1 to 20.3) and the three roller shafts are arranged so as to be rotationally symmetrically offset by 120° around the rolling axis (19), and the roller shafts extend parallel to the gear shaft.

4. The stand (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stand (1) includes only one adjustment connector (30) for introducing the adjustment torque to set the caliber (21).

5. The stand (1) according to claim 4, wherein the adjustment connector (30) is operably connected to an eccentric mechanism having an eccentric bushing on which the roller shaft is mounted, the eccentric bushing is rotatably mounted on the stand housing (10), and the rotational position of the eccentric bushing can be set by a gearbox.

6. The stand (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment connector (30) can be operated manually and automatically by a motor.

7. The stand (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stand housing (10) is closed and not divided, and is manufactured in particular from a monoblock.

8. The stand (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the three roller shafts or rollers (20.1 to 20.3) can be driven separately, in particular by its own associated motor.

9. The stand (1) according to claim 8, wherein each of the three roller shafts includes a drive-side end (24.1 to 24.3) for separate drives, the drive-side end (24.1 to 24.3) protruding toward the outside (12) of the stand housing (10) at one of the sides (14.2, 14.4, 14.6) of the regular hexagon.

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