Adjustable Spindle Head Holders for Faster Rolling Stand Roll Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rolling stands face difficulties in easily installing and removing individual rolls and changing roll configurations, limiting flexibility and efficiency in rolling operations.

Innovation Solution

A rolling stand design featuring adjustable spindle head holders with independent chuck positions and vertical adjustability, allowing for easy installation and removal of rolls, and enabling flexible roll configuration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional spindle head support is used to temporarily secure the drive end of the spindle, then the work roll can be removed from the stand, but the installation and removal process becomes time-consuming and the roll configuration cannot be easily changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of roll installation and removalVSAvoidtime for roll installation and removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle head holder is divided into an upper holder and a lower holder that can move independently relative to each other. The upper holder receives the upper spindle head while the lower holder receives the lower spindle head, allowing segmented operation for faster roll installation and removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower holder is designed to be movable relative to the upper holder along the spindle axis, enabling dynamic adjustment during the roll installation process. This dynamic capability allows the holders to accommodate different roll configurations and speeds up the changeover process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the spindle head holder has fixed position chucks, then the structure is simple, but the roll configuration cannot be easily changed and different rolling torques cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in roll configurationVSAvoidcomplexity of spindle head holder
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower holder is made movable relative to the upper holder, allowing the chuck position to be dynamically adjusted. This enables adaptation to different roll configurations and torque requirements without requiring a completely different holder design for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spindle head holder is designed to accommodate multiple roll configurations and torque settings through the movable lower holder mechanism. A single holder design can serve multiple functions by adjusting the position of the lower holder relative to the upper holder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If synchronous adjustment of upper and lower spindle head holders is used, then the structure is simplified, but independent position setting for different rolls is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent roll positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle head holder is segmented into an upper holder and a lower holder that can be adjusted independently. The upper holder position is fixed while the lower holder position can be independently adjusted, allowing different positioning for each roll without requiring complex synchronized adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4112199B1Rolling stand
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP4112199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4112199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4112199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a rolling mill stand (1) for rolling flat metal products in at least two driven rolls, which form a roll gap between them for the rolled material, and at least one spindle head holder (3) for the temporary rotationally fixed mounting of drive-side heads of spindles of the rolls, wherein the spindle head holder (3) has at least one first and one second chuck (8, 9), each of which accommodates a first and second spindle head (4, 5) and is actuable in the sense of an opening and closing movement, wherein the first and/or second chuck (8, 9) are designed to be adjustable in their position relative to each other and wherein the adjustability of the first and/or second chuck (8, 9) is independent of the opening and closing movement.