Rolling cassette for rolling a metal wire and corresponding method

Abstract

A rolling cassette (10) for rolling a metal wire (100) comprises a body (11) equipped with a structural frame (12) and defining a cavity inside it to house a plurality of rolling rolls cooperating with each other to deform the metal wire (100). The rolling cassette (10) comprises a lubrication system to lubricate both the metal wire (100) and also the mechanical members on which the rolling rolls are mounted with a lubricating agent.

Description

[0001] “ROLLING CASSETTE FOR ROLLING A METAL WIRE AND CORRESPONDING METHOD”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention concerns a rolling cassette and a corresponding method for rolling wire rods or wire products in order to obtain a metal wire, usable in a variety of technical sectors, specifically in the aeronautical, medical, automotive, industrial, agricultural or construction sectors, in the latter sector to produce reinforcements for reinforced concrete, for example.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Apparatuses configured to work a metal product in the form of wire rods, typically wound into coils and disposed on special feeding reels, to obtain metal wires having a different and desired size and section are known.

[0006] In the present description, the term “metal product” refers to the metal product being worked, which is initially in the form of a wire rod or wire product and at the end of the process is in the form of a metal wire.

[0007] A first technology known in the state of the art to obtain a metal wire is drawing.

[0008] Drawing apparatuses known in the art comprise a cold drawing unit, having a plurality of plates which the wire rods pass through in succession and each having a hole which the metal wire passes through, and a plurality of drawing members, each disposed downstream of the corresponding plate to draw the metal product and determine its advance through the plates. Due to the fact that the wire, as it gradually advances, passes through plates with holes of gradually decreasing diameters, the sizes of the metal product’s section are reduced. An exit winding device can be provided at exit from the drawing unit to collect the drawn metal product.

[0009] A second technology known in the art to obtain the metal wire is rolling, in which the metal product to be rolled passes through rolling plants provided with a plurality of rolling cassettes having pairs of rolls cooperating with each other to deform the wire transiting through a passage channel coaxial to a rolling axis. The distance between the rolls of the pairs is decreasing from the beginning to the end of the rolling line, so as to gradually obtain the desired reduction in section and size of the wire. When the metal products are made with certain types of materials, very hard and resistant, the most suitable technology to obtain metal wires with a small size and section is drawing, because the characteristics of the material would damage the rolling rolls, which are not able to operate correctly and would have to be replaced too frequently.

[0010] Such materials include, for example, high-carbon steels having high hardness and strength characteristics.

[0011] In any case, working metal products with a high carbon content through drawing requires lubrication, in order to prevent the prolonged contact with the plates that deform it from causing breakages or damage to the work line, with a consequent increase in costs, linked both to the frequent replacement of damaged and no longer usable components, and also to frequent production downtime.

[0012] In particular, it is known to lubricate such metal products with powdered lubricants, such as calcium stearate, sodium stearate or suchlike.

[0013] Powdered lubricants are harmful to the environment and require the use of suction, purification and disposal plants, which make prior art apparatuses expensive and complex and do not completely eliminate the risks of environmental contamination.

[0014] Powdered lubricants impose limitations on temperature and consequently on the speed of advance of the metal product. In fact, the strong friction between the surface of the metal product and the plates causes high temperatures, which are higher the greater the speed of advance of the metal product. If temperatures are too high, these lubricants can char and detach from the metal product.

[0015] To facilitate the adhesion of the powdered lubricants to the surface of the metal product, known apparatuses comprise a phosphating line to phosphatize the surface of the metal product so that phosphate granules, generally zinc and calcium, deposit on the wire rod at entry. Phosphating gives the wire rod resistance to corrosion and increases its surface roughness, promoting the anchoring of the powdered lubricants that deposit on the wire.

[0016] A phosphating line is complex, cumbersome and expensive, and has to comply with stringent environmental regulations to prevent airborne dispersion of polluting chemical agents.

[0017] Phosphating lines known in the art comprise at least one (mechanical and / or chemical) pickling unit and at least one washing unit, both configured to clean the metal product entering the phosphating line so as to guarantee a good adhesion of the powdered lubricant onto the surface of the product. In the event that the pickling unit is chemical, it provides for the use of a strong acid, such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. Chemical pickling is expensive and involves safety and environmental risks, both during the process and also for the disposal of its waste products.

[0018] In some cases, the phosphating line also comprises a pre-lubrication device, configured to treat the phosphatized metal product with lime (calcium carbonate), borax (sodium tetraborate pentahydrate) or similar substances, so as to prepare an external surface of the metal product for the subsequent lubrication described above. Lime adheres to the metal product more easily thanks to the previous phosphating treatment that increased its surface roughness, while also providing a base that improves the adhesion of the aforementioned powdered lubricant.

[0019] There is therefore the need to develop a rolling method, in particular for rolling metal products made of high-carbon steel, and to perfect a rolling cassette for rolling such metal products, which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0020] One purpose of the present invention is to develop a rolling method and to provide a rolling cassette for rolling a metal product with high hardness and strength characteristics, in particular made of high-carbon steel or other metal alloys.

[0021] Another purpose of the present invention is to develop a rolling method and to provide a rolling cassette in which a lubrication system is provided which has a lower environmental impact compared to the powder lubrication used in prior art wire drawing plants.

[0022] Another purpose of the present invention is to develop a rolling method and to provide a rolling cassette in which a lubrication system is provided which does not require expensive and bulky plants for its operation, such as for example suction plants, pre-lubrication plants, or even the aforementioned phosphating line.

[0023] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0025] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a rolling cassette for rolling a metal wire according to the present invention comprises a body equipped with a structural frame and defining a cavity inside it to house a plurality of rolling rolls cooperating with each other to deform the metal wire.

[0026] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the rolling rolls are organized so that two or more rolls simultaneously contact the metal wire in transit inside the cavity to exert a pressure on it which is radial with respect to a rolling axis, wherein each rolling roll is mounted on a respective member rotatable around a rotation axis thereof and supported on the frame by means of mechanical frictionreduction elements.

[0027] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the rolling cassette comprises a lubrication system provided with a first lubrication circuit and at least one second lubrication circuit which are configured to make a lubricating agent circulate in the body, comprising at least one component in the liquid state with which to lubricate the metal wire and the mechanical friction-reduction elements, respectively, of each respective mechanical member.

[0028] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the rolling cassette comprises at least one pair of wire-guiding holes created in the body and through which the metal wire respectively enters, and exits, the body to pass through the cavity along the rolling axis.

[0029] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the first lubrication circuit comprises a first feeding duct to feed the lubricating agent and one or more first delivery nozzles disposed in proximity to each of the wire-guiding holes to deliver the lubricating agent onto the metal wire.

[0030] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the at least one second lubrication circuit comprises one or more ducts integrated into the frame and / or extending inside the cavity to feed the lubricating agent to each respective mechanical member.

[0031] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the lubrication system comprises a tank for the lubricating agent, possibly a manifold associated with the unit, wherein the first and second lubrication circuit are fluidically connected to the tank, possibly by means of the manifold, if present.

[0032] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the body comprises a base disposed underneath the frame and to which the latter is attached, in which a tray is obtained to collect the lubricating agent and any processing waste.

[0033] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of rolling rolls comprises two groups of three rolling rolls each, angularly offset with respect to each other with reference to the rolling axis, wherein the rotation axes of two adjacent mechanical members are inclined with respect to each other by an angle of 60° so that the rolling rolls of the same group are angled with respect to each other by another angle of 120°.

[0034] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of rolling rolls comprises four rolls organized into pairs, wherein one pair of rolling rolls is mounted on two mechanical members which are parallel and rotatable around a vertical axis, and another pair of rolling rolls is mounted on two mechanical members which are parallel and rotatable around a horizontal axis, wherein the vertical and horizontal axes are perpendicular to each other and also perpendicular to the rolling axis.

[0035] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for rolling a metal wire by means of a rolling cassette as defined above, which method comprises the steps of:

[0036] - making the metal wire pass through the cavity along a rolling axis;

[0037] - exerting a pressure on the metal wire which is radial with respect to the rolling axis, by means of rolling rolls which contact the metal wire in transit inside the cavity, and which are mounted on mechanical members which are rotatable around a rotation axis thereof and supported on the frame by means of mechanical frictionreduction elements.

[0038] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the method also comprises the steps of:

[0039] - lubricating at least the metal wire with a lubricating agent comprising at least one component in the liquid state;

[0040] - making the lubricating agent circulate in the body by means of a first lubrication circuit and at least one second lubrication circuit;

[0041] - lubricating both the metal wire and also the mechanical friction-reduction elements of each respective mechanical member with the lubricating agent.

[0042] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the lubricating step provides to deliver the lubricating agent in proximity to wire-guiding holes created in the body, and through which the metal wire respectively enters, and exits, the body itself to lubricate the metal wire in correspondence with the entrance and exit of the cavity, and also provides to feed the lubricating agent to each mechanical member in order to lubricate the mechanical friction-reduction elements.

[0043] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the nebulizing agent is an air-lubricating oil mixture, possibly diluted in an emulsion fluid, for example water.

[0044] The rolling cassette and rolling method according to the present invention advantageously allow to roll even metal wires made of very hard and resistant materials, such as high-carbon steels for example.

[0045] Thanks to the present invention, it is therefore possible to roll metal wires made of materials that, in the prior art, could only be worked by drawing. This entails several advantages related to the different working technology, such as for example the fact that the rolled metal wire has a better micrographic structure than a drawn metal wire and is subjected to significantly lower temperatures than those to which a metal wire is subjected during a wire drawing process known in the art.

[0046] Thanks to the rolling cassettes and the rolling method according to the present invention, the plant’s hourly productivity is higher than that of a wire drawing plant, thanks to the fact that the metal wire is much less prone to breakage, and therefore any plant downtime for wire replacement is shorter compared to wire drawing plants.

[0047] Another advantage of the present invention is reducing maintenance costs for the work line, given that the useful life of the rolling rolls is significantly longer than that of the drawing plates.

[0048] Another advantage of the present invention is overcoming the use of powdered lubricants, which are replaced by a lubricating agent having at least one liquid component, preferably consisting of an air-lubricating oil mixture so that the lubricating agent is delivered in a nebulized form.

[0049] This results in significant cost savings, due to the lower cost and lower consumption of the lubricating agent of the present invention compared to powdered lubricants.

[0050] Moreover, the fact that a powdered lubricant is not used, as instead is the case in wire drawing processes known in the art, makes the work environment healthier for operators and the process less polluting. Furthermore, thanks to the use of a non-powdered lubricant, it is no longer necessary to provide the treatment plants that are instead required in the prior art, such as the various units and devices of the phosphating line, which in this case is absent, resulting in considerable cost and space savings.

[0051] Another advantage of the present invention is that, by using a single lubricant, both the metal wire and also the friction-reduction elements (bearings) that support the mechanical parts are lubricated, whereas in the prior art two different lubricants are used: the powdered lubricant for the wire and grease for the bearings. Having a single lubricating agent simplifies both the lubrication system and also its management. Moreover, the use of a lubricating agent comprising a liquid component offers, compared to grease, the advantages related to oil lubrication, for example in terms of lubrication effectiveness and duration, and operating temperature.

[0052] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0054] - fig. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a rolling cassette for rolling a metal wire, according to the present invention;

[0055] - fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the rolling cassette of fig. 1, in which a tank for the lubricating agent and the feeding ducts to feed the latter toward the rolling cassette are schematized;

[0056] - figs. 3 and 4 are schematic front views of rolling units comprised in the rolling cassette of fig. 1 ;

[0057] - fig. 5 is a schematic lateral view of another embodiment of a rolling cassette according to the present invention, in which a tank for the lubricating agent and the lubrication circuits toward the rolling cassette are schematized;

[0058] - figs. 6 and 7 are schematic front views of rolling rolls comprised in the rolling cassette of fig. 5.

[0059] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0060] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

[0061] DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0062] With reference to figs. 1-4, these show a first embodiment of a rolling cassette 10 for rolling a metal wire 100, for example made of high-carbon steel.

[0063] The metal wire 100 can be smooth or ribbed, that is, a type of wire, typically made of steel, which has a lateral surface with longitudinal ribs, usually with a spiral, herringbone or stepped shape.

[0064] The rolling cassette 10 comprises a box-shaped body 1 1 housing all the components. It is usually made of cast iron or worked steel to guarantee strength and wear resistance.

[0065] The body 11 comprises a structural frame 12, inside which a cavity 13 is created to accommodate the components.

[0066] The body 11 comprises two doors 14, one front and one rear, which are hinged to the frame 12 and rotatable around a horizontal axis (schematized with a dashdot line in fig. 1) between a lowered position, shown in fig. 1 , and a raised position, not depicted, in which they respectively prevent or allow access to the cavity 13.

[0067] The body 11 also comprises two opposing flanks 15, possibly covered by respective covers.

[0068] When the doors 14 are in the lowered position they define, together with the flanks 15, a cover casing that completely encloses the cavity 13, separating it from the external environment, so that the calamine dust that is generated as a processing waste and the lubricating agent do not disperse in the vicinity but remain confined inside the body 11.

[0069] The body 11 comprises a pair of wire-guiding holes 16 configured so that the metal wire 100 passes through them. In particular, the wire 100 enters the body 11 through one hole 16 and exits the body 11 through the other hole 16, after having passed through the cavity 13.

[0070] The two holes 16 are aligned, both coaxial to a rolling axis A of the metal wire 100, which coincides with a longitudinal axis of the wire itself.

[0071] In the example shown, the holes 16 are created on the two flanks 15 in a position such as to be reciprocally aligned, so as to guide the metal wire 100 through the body 11, in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0072] The body 11 also comprises a base 17, disposed underneath the frame 12, and to which the frame 12 is attached by means of suitable mechanical attachment means, such as bolts 18 for example.

[0073] A tray 20 is obtained in the base 17, in which both the calamine dust as well as the lubricating agent are collected, as will be explained in more detail below. The tray 20 can extend in correspondence with the cavity 13, reaching underneath the flanks 15 (fig. 1).

[0074] In the embodiment of the example shown, the base 17 comprises one or more discharge holes 22 through which it is possible to empty the tray 20 of the materials that have fallen and gathered inside it. Preferably, the bottom of the tray 20 is suitably inclined toward the discharge holes 22 to facilitate the discharge of the materials present in the tray.

[0075] In one variant, not shown, the tray 20 can be extractable with respect to the base 17. In this case, the presence of the discharge holes 22 is not necessary.

[0076] In some embodiments, the tray 20 can be connected to a suction system to prevent the dispersion into the environment of, in particular, the calamine dust which, since it is in the form of flakes or dust, is very volatile, and possibly also of the lubricating agent.

[0077] The rolling cassette 10 comprises a plurality of rolling rolls 25, referred to hereafter in the description simply as rolls for brevity, disposed inside the cavity 13.

[0078] The rolls 25 are configured to contact the metal wire 100 and are oriented so as to exert a radial pressure thereon.

[0079] If the rib has to be created raised on the metal wire, the surface of the rolls 25 in contact with the metal wire 100 can be knurled.

[0080] Each roll 25 is mounted on a mechanical member, configured as a shaft 26, rotatable around a respective axis X. The rotation of the shaft 26, and therefore of the roll, is determined by a motor 28. There can be a single motor 28 to drive all the shafts 26 present, or an independent motor 28 can be provided for the rotation of each shaft 26, as schematized in fig. 3.

[0081] In the example shown in the embodiment of figs. 1-4, the rolling cassette 10 comprises six rolls 25, distributed in two groups of three rolls each. As the metal wire 100 gradually advances along the rolling axis A, it first encounters the first group of three rolls, and immediately downstream, it encounters the second group of three rolls.

[0082] The three shafts 26 that bear the three rolls 25 are disposed so that the axes X of two adjacent shafts are disposed inclined with respect to each other by an angle a of 60°. In this way, the rolls 25 are angled, with respect to each other, by an angle p of 120° (fig. 3).

[0083] The relative disposition between the two groups of rolls 25 is preferably such that the second group is disposed angularly offset with respect to the first group, where the expression “angularly offset” means that the disposition of the axes X of the shafts 26 of the second group of rolls is rotated by a certain angle, for example 180°, with respect to the disposition in which the axes X of the shafts 26 of the first group are located - please see fig. 4 where, for clarity, the rolls have been omitted and only the shafts 26 have been schematized.

[0084] The shafts 26 are attached to the frame 12 in a rotatable manner, each one being housed in a respective seating, not shown in the schematization of figs. 3 and 4.

[0085] For the correct rotation of the shafts 26 with respect to the fixed frame 12, each shaft is supported on the frame through the interposition of one or more mechanical friction-reduction elements, according to modes of assembly that will also be well known to the person of skill in the art.

[0086] In the example described here, the mechanical friction-reduction elements are schematized as ball bearings in fig. 3, indicated with reference number 27, but it is entirely evident that in other versions, all falling within the scope of the present invention, they can be configured as other types of bearings, rolling or sliding, or magnetic, or others, as long as they are suitable to reduce friction and allow the rotation of the shaft 26 with respect to the frame 12.

[0087] The rolling cassette 10 comprises a lubrication system 30 for lubricating both the metal wire 100 and also the bearings 27 associated with the shafts 26.

[0088] The lubrication system 30 is configured to take a lubricating agent to several selected points of the rolling cassette 10, as described below.

[0089] Preferably, the lubricating agent is defined by an air-oil mixture, in which the oil is a suitable oil used in the industrial sector for lubricating purposes. By way of example, the oil droplets can be nebulized into a jet of compressed air.

[0090] In one embodiment, the air-oil mixture can have a viscosity index, calculated according to the provisions of ISO 2909, comprised between 90 and 100, preferably between 95 and 97. An example of a suitable lubricating agent having this viscosity index is the product marketed by Total Lubrifiants industries under the name “Carter EP 220”.

[0091] In another embodiment, the lubricating air-oil mixture can be diluted in an emulsion fluid, for example water, according to a weight percentage comprised between 8 and 15%.

[0092] Lubricating agents suitable to be diluted with water and used in the rolling technical sector include, by way of a non-limiting example, the lubricant marketed by RichardsApex under the trade name SRC-4, or the lubricant marketed by Hangsterfer’s under the trade name S-747, or the lubricant marketed by Cimcool under the trade name 16EP-HFP, or other commercially available lubricating products with similar lubrication characteristics.

[0093] The lubrication system 30 comprises a tank 31 for the air-oil mixture and a plurality of feed ducts 32, for example configured as flexible ducts, for taking the lubricating agent from the tank 31 to the body 11 (fig. 2). A pump can be provided, not shown, possibly integrated into the tank 31, to allow the circulation of the lubricating agent.

[0094] The lubrication system 30 comprises a manifold 34, which the feed ducts 32 arrive at. Preferably, the manifold 34 is attached to a flank 15.

[0095] The lubrication system 30 comprises a first lubrication circuit 35 to lubricate the metal wire 100 and one or more second lubrication circuits 36 to lubricate the bearings 27 supporting the shafts 26. The lubrication circuits 36, 37 are visible in fig. 2, in which one of the flanks 15 is visible and in which the cover that instead covers it in fig. 1 has been removed to show the circuits disposed underneath it.

[0096] In accordance with a first embodiment, the lubricating agent used in the first lubrication circuit 35 and in the second lubrication circuits 36 is the same and comprises the air-oil mixture, in which the oil is nebulized with air and the mixture is not diluted with water.

[0097] In accordance with a second embodiment, the lubricating agent used in the first lubrication circuit 35 is formed by an air-oil mixture diluted in water, while the lubricating agent used in the second lubrication circuits 36 is formed by the air-oil mixture, in which the oil is nebulized with air and the mixture is not diluted with water.

[0098] The first lubrication circuit 35 comprises a first duct 37, preferably flexible, and at least one first delivery nozzle 38.

[0099] The duct 37 connects the manifold 34 to the first delivery nozzle 38, which is disposed in proximity to the wire-guiding hole 16 in order to deliver the lubricating agent onto the metal wire 100.

[0100] Preferably, the first lubrication circuit 35 comprises two first delivery nozzles 38 fed by the same duct 37 to deliver the lubricating agent onto the metal wire from two different delivery points spaced apart from each other. The delivery of the lubricating agent preferably occurs oriented toward the wire-guiding hole 16, so that any drops and splashes of lubricating agent enter the cavity 13.

[0101] Each of the second lubrication circuits 36 comprises an additional duct 39, preferably flexible, and a respective fitting 40, for example a rigid elbow fitting, which engages in a respective point of the flank 15. The fitting 40 is fluidically connected to a duct, or a network of ducts, flowing into the bearings 27 of a respective shaft 26. These ducts, not shown, can be integrated into the frame 12 and flow out directly in correspondence with the seatings in which the shafts 26 are housed, or they develop inside the cavity 23 and reach the shafts 26.

[0102] In any case, each second lubrication circuit 36 reaches a respective shaft 26 to lubricate the bearings 27 that support it, as schematized in fig. 3. A number of second lubrication circuits 36 equal to the number of shafts 26 is therefore provided. We must clarify that the first and second lubrication circuits are used to lubricate the metal wire 100 entering the rolling cassette 10 and the first group of three rolls 25, respectively. The lubrication system 30 comprises another first lubrication circuit, and another three second lubrication circuits to lubricate the metal wire 100 in correspondence with the exit wire-guiding hole 16 and the second group of three rolls 25, respectively. The manifold 34, the fittings 40 and the attachments 41 of this other first lubrication circuit will therefore be associated with the other flank 15, on the opposite side with respect to the one shown in fig. 2, but completely similar to, and mirroring, it.

[0103] With reference to figs. 5-7, a second embodiment of a rolling cassette according to the present invention is described, indicated with reference number 10’. The parts that are common to the two embodiments will be indicated with the same reference numbers, and their description will not be repeated here.

[0104] The rolling cassette 10’ differs from the rolling cassette 10 in the number and disposition of the rolling rolls 25.

[0105] The rolling cassette 10’ comprises four rolls 25, organized into pairs. In particular, one pair of rolls 25 is mounted on two parallel shafts 26 rotatable around a vertical axis Z, and another pair of rolls 25 is mounted on two parallel shafts 26 rotatable around a horizontal axis Y. The axes Z and Y are perpendicular to each other and are also perpendicular to the rolling axis A.

[0106] This disposition of the rolls causes the metal wire 100 to be pressed in a radial direction from four different directions, disposed at 90° with respect to each other.

[0107] The disposition of the two pairs of rolls 25 is such that they partly telescope into one another, so as to optimize the occupancy of the volume of the cavity 13.

[0108] This disposition of the rolls is advantageous because it allows to calibrate the metal wire 100, correcting any defects in the roundness of its shape and / or to give the desired dimensional tolerances. For this reason, the rolling cassette 10’ can be configured to perform finishing operations, and therefore be disposed at the end of the work line, downstream of one or more of the previously described rolling cassettes 10, with reference to the rolling axis A of the metal wire 100.

[0109] The rolling cassette 10’ comprises the lubrication system 30, equipped with a first lubrication circuit 35 and four second lubrication circuits 36 for the bearings 27, schematized in fig. 5. As can be better observed in figs. 5 and 6, the first duct 37 leads the lubricating agent in proximity to the wire-guiding hole 16, while each additional duct 39 leads the lubricating agent toward a respective shaft 26 to lubricate the bearings 27 supporting it.

[0110] In this embodiment, the lubrication system 30 does not have the ducts32 and the manifold 34, since the first lubrication circuit 35 and the second lubrication circuits 36 branch out directly from the tank 31.

[0111] In some variants, the rolling cassettes 10, 10’ can comprise circuits for the circulation of a cooling medium. For this purpose, a variant of the rolling cassette 10’ is visible in fig. 7, comprising at least one inlet 44 and one outlet 45 for the cooling fluid inside the body 11. Preferably, two inlets 44 and two outlets 45 are provided, so that there is a circuit dedicated to each pair of rolls.

[0112] The fluid introduced through the inlet 44 can have the function of cooling the rolls 25. In this case, the fluid circulates in a cooling circuit, which is outside the rolling cassette, comprising a cooler or a similar heat reduction system.

[0113] In some embodiments, the fluid introduced through the inlet 44 can be used to create an emulsion together with the lubricating agent, in addition or as an alternative to the cooling function.

[0114] In some embodiments, the rolling cassettes 10, 10’ can be provided with a plurality of sensors to detect one or more operating parameters, such as, for example, temperature, speed of the metal wire 100, vibrations of the shafts 26.

[0115] In some embodiments, the rolling cassettes 10, 10’ can be provided with QR codes that the user can scan through a suitable electronic device to receive information on use / maintenance of the cassettes.

[0116] The operation of the rolling cassettes 10, 10’ according to the present invention, which also corresponds to the rolling method according to the present invention, is described below.

[0117] The metal wire 100 is advanced along the rolling axis A in a rolling line in which there are disposed a plurality of rolling cassettes 10, 10’, disposed in succession one after the other so as to operate a gradual reduction in the sizes and section of the metal wire.

[0118] The advance of the metal wire 100 is determined by the action of the rolls 25, the rotation of which draws the metal wire 100 and makes it advance.

[0119] The metal wire 100 is lubricated using a lubricating agent in correspondence with the wire-guiding holes 16, both at entry into the rolling cassette 10, 10’ and also at exit therefrom.

[0120] In this way, when the rolls 25 interact with the metal wire 100 to compress it in the radial direction, it is suitably covered with a layer of lubricating agent, for example formed by oil nebulized in compressed air coming from the tank 31 through the first lubrication circuit 35.

[0121] Simultaneously, by means of the second lubrication circuits 37, the same lubricating agent reaches the shafts 26 and the corresponding support bearings 27 to lubricate the latter.

[0122] A part of the lubricating agent delivered by the first and / or second lubrication circuits may fall by gravity into the tray 20, which will then be periodically emptied by operators through the discharge holes 22. It is possible to recover the lubricating agent and re-use it, after possibly treating it to restore its intrinsic characteristics.

[0123] In addition, during use, the calamine dust may also accumulate in the tray 20, and it is disposed of through a suction system to which the tray is connected.

[0124] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts or steps may be made to the rolling cassette for rolling a metal wire and to the corresponding rolling method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0125] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of a rolling cassette for rolling a metal wire and of the corresponding rolling method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0126] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Rolling cassette (10; 10’) for rolling a metal wire (100), comprising a body (11) equipped with a structural frame (12) and defining a cavity (13) inside it to house a plurality of rolling rolls (25) cooperating with each other to deform said metal wire (100), wherein the rolling rolls (25) are organized so that two or more rolls simultaneously contact said metal wire (100) to exert a pressure on it which is radial with respect to a rolling axis (A), wherein each rolling roll (25) is mounted on a respective mechanical member (26) rotatable around a rotation axis (X, Y, Z) thereof and supported on said frame (12) by means of mechanical frictionreduction elements (27), characterized by comprising a lubrication system (30) comprising a first lubrication circuit (35) and at least one second lubrication circuit (36) which are configured to make a lubricating agent circulate in said body (11) comprising at least one component in the liquid state with which to lubricate said metal wire (100) and said mechanical friction- reduction elements (27), respectively, of each respective mechanical member (26).

2. Rolling cassette (10; 10’) as in claim 1, comprising a pair of wire-guiding holes (16) created in said body (11) and through which the metal wire (100) respectively enters, and exits, said body (11) to pass through said cavity (13) along said rolling axis (A), characterized in that said first lubrication circuit (35) comprises a first feeding duct (37) to feed the lubricating agent and one or more first delivery nozzles (38) disposed in proximity to each of said wire-guiding holes (16) to deliver the lubricating agent onto the metal wire (100).

3. Rolling cassette (10; 10’) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one second lubrication circuit (36) comprises one or more ducts integrated into said frame (12) and / or extending inside said cavity (13) to feed the lubricating agent to each respective mechanical member (26).

4. Rolling cassette (10; 10’) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said lubrication system (30) comprises a tank (31) for said lubricating agent, possibly a manifold (34) associated with said body (11), wherein said first and second lubrication circuit (35, 36) comprise feed ducts (32) fluidically connected to said tank (31), possibly by means of said manifold (34).

5. Rolling cassette (10; 10’) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said body (11) comprises a base (17) disposed underneath said frame (12) and towhich the latter is attached, in which a tray (20) is obtained to collect said lubricating agent and any processing waste.

6. Rolling cassette (10; 10’) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said plurality of rolling rolls (25) comprises two groups of three rolling rolls (25) each, angularly offset with respect to each other with reference to said rolling axis (A), wherein the rotation axes (X) of two adjacent mechanical members (26) are inclined with respect to each other by an angle (a) of 60° so that the rolling rolls (25) of the same group are angled with respect to each other by another angle (P) of 120°.

7. Rolling cassette (10; 10’) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said plurality of rolling rolls (25) comprises four rolls organized in pairs, wherein one pair of rolling rolls (25) is mounted on two mechanical members (26) which are parallel and rotatable around a vertical axis (Z), and another pair of rolling rolls(25) is mounted on two mechanical members (26) which are parallel and rotatable around a horizontal axis (Y), said vertical and horizontal axes (Z and Y) being perpendicular to each other and also perpendicular to said rolling axis (A).

8. Method for rolling a metal wire (100) by means of a rolling cassette (10; 10’) as in any claim hereinbefore, which comprises the steps of:- making said metal wire (100) pass through said cavity (13) along a rolling axis (A);- exerting a pressure on said metal wire (100) which is radial with respect to said rolling axis (A), by means of rolling rolls (25) which contact said metal wire (100) in transit inside said cavity (13) and which are mounted on mechanical members(26) which are rotatable around a rotation axis (X, Y, Z) thereof and supported on said frame (12) by means of mechanical friction-reduction elements (27), said method is characterized in that it also comprises the steps of:- lubricating at least said metal wire (100) with a lubricating agent comprising at least one component in the liquid state;- making said lubricating agent circulate in said body (11) by means of a first lubrication circuit (35) and at least one second lubrication circuit (36), and- lubricating both said metal wire (100) and also said mechanical friction-reduction elements (27) of each respective mechanical member (26) with said lubricating agent.

9. Method for rolling a metal wire (100) as in claim 8, characterized in that said lubricating step provides to deliver the lubricating agent in proximity to wireguiding holes (16) created in said body (11) and through which the metal wire (100) respectively enters, and exits, said body (11) to lubricate said metal wire (100) in correspondence with the entrance and exit of said cavity (13), and also provides to feed the lubricating agent to each mechanical member (26) to lubricate said mechanical friction-reduction elements (27).

10. Method for rolling a metal wire (100) as in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the lubricating agent is an air- lubricating oil mixture, wherein the latter is nebulized in a jet of air and the air-lubricating oil mixture can be diluted in an emulsion fluid or not, wherein if the mixture is diluted in said emulsion fluid, it is diluted according to a weight percentage comprised between 8 and 15%.

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