Grasping Tool Layout for Fast Rolling Mill Work Roll Exchange

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for replacing work rolls in rolling mills require frequent stoppages of rolling operations, leading to reduced productivity and cluttered maintenance aisles due to the need for back-and-forth movements between the roll stand and racks.

Innovation Solution

A method and grasping tool that utilize a robotic system with compartments for simultaneously holding worn and new work rolls, allowing for parallel extraction and insertion of work rolls during rolling operations, reducing the need for continuous stoppages and maintaining a clear maintenance aisle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If work rolls are replaced using traditional handling systems with back-and-forth movements between roll stand and racks, then work rolls can be extracted and replaced, but rolling operations must be frequently stopped and maintenance aisles become cluttered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverolling operation continuityVSAvoiddowntime during roll replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The grasping tool is pre-loaded with new work rolls before the rolling operation stops. This preliminary action allows the tool to be ready for immediate insertion after the worn rolls are extracted, minimizing downtime and eliminating the need for back-and-forth trips to racks during the replacement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The grasping tool combines multiple compartments for holding both worn and new work rolls into a single integrated device. This merging allows simultaneous holding and processing of multiple rolls, enabling continuous operation without frequent stoppages and keeping the maintenance aisle clear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If traditional handling systems are used for work roll replacement, then rolls can be exchanged, but the maintenance aisle becomes cluttered due to back-and-forth movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance aisle accessibilityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The grasping tool is designed to be handled by a robotic system that operates in three-dimensional space, moving the tool vertically and horizontally without requiring linear back-and-forth movements along the maintenance aisle. This dimensional change in the handling approach eliminates clutter while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If work rolls are replaced with frequent stoppages, then proper extraction and insertion can be performed, but overall productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroll replacement accuracyVSAvoidoverall production output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by pre-loading the grasping tool with new rolls and positioning it near the roll stand before operations stop. The robotic system then performs extraction and insertion in rapid succession, minimizing the interruption to the rolling process and maintaining high overall productivity while ensuring proper replacement procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20240216969A1Method for replacing work roll(s) in a rolling mill and grasping tool suitable for the implementation of the method

Publication Date: 2024.07.04 FIVES DMS

AI summary

A tool intended to be handled by a handling system, the grasping tool including: a support frame forming at least one pair of compartments for the storage of two work rolls, independent gripping systems including a first gripping system configured to secure one end of a work roll in a first compartment and a second gripping system configured to secure one end of a work roll in a second compartment, a push/pull system including one or more actuating cylinder(s) configured to extract or insert the worn/new rolls from/into the compartment by a selective movement of each of the gripping systems associated with the compartments, by causing a movement of the work roll according to an axis of the roll.