Mandrel Guide Slides With Locking Adjustment for Diameter Changes

Solution Overview

Problem

Current guide systems for mandrels and driving bars in rolling plants face significant maintenance and replacement costs due to wear and the need for different diameter adaptations, leading to increased production times and costs.

Innovation Solution

A guide device with movable abutment surfaces on slides that adjust between operating positions to accommodate different diameters, using articulated mechanisms and mechanical locking elements to ensure reliable and adaptable guidance, reducing wear and tooling times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fixed guide systems are used for mandrels and driving bars, then the guidance function is provided, but maintenance and replacement costs increase due to wear and the need for different diameter adaptations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance reliabilityVSAvoiddiameter adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device employs movable abutment surfaces mounted on slides that can be positioned along the longitudinal axis. These abutment surfaces are movable relative to the support structure, allowing the guide device to adapt to different mandrel and driving bar diameters. The movable portion can be positioned at different locations to accommodate various diameters, transforming a static guide system into a dynamic one that maintains reliable guidance while being versatile in diameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If fixed guide systems are used, then结构简单 (structure is simple), but tooling times and production costs increase due to the need for different diameter adaptations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide device structureVSAvoidtooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device employs movable abutment surfaces mounted on slides that can be positioned along the longitudinal axis. These abutment surfaces are movable relative to the support structure, allowing the guide device to adapt to different mandrel and driving bar diameters. The movable portion can be positioned at different locations to accommodate various diameters, transforming a static guide system into a dynamic one that maintains reliable guidance while being versatile in diameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If conventional guide systems are used, then the guidance function is provided, but wear on guide surfaces increases maintenance requirements and costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance functionVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device employs movable abutment surfaces mounted on slides that can be positioned along the longitudinal axis. These abutment surfaces are movable relative to the support structure, allowing the guide device to adapt to different mandrel and driving bar diameters. The movable portion can be positioned at different locations to accommodate various diameters, transforming a static guide system into a dynamic one that maintains reliable guidance while being versatile in diameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11801541B2Guide device for guiding a driving bar of a mandrel or for guiding a mandrel in a rolling process of tubular bodies

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 DANIELI & C OFFICINE MECCANICHE SPA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for guiding a movable element, in particular a driving bar of a mandrel or a mandrel, in a rolling mill with mandrel. The device according to the invention comprises a support structure for the advancement of the movable element along an advancement direction. The device comprises a first slide and a second slide which are carried by said support structure and are slidable along a transverse direction which is substantially orthogonal to said advancement direction, in which each slide carries two abutment surfaces for guiding the movable element and in which each slide is movable along said transverse direction between at least a first operating position, upon reaching which said abutment surfaces are susceptible to coming into contact with a movable element of a first predefined diameter, and at least a second operating position, upon reaching which said abutment surfaces are susceptible to coming into contact with a movable element of a second predefined diameter. According to the invention, the device comprises actuating means which move the slides along the transverse direction between the operating positions and lock the slides themselves when one of said operating positions is reached.