Multipart Support Roll for Rolling Mill

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support rolls for rolling mills, especially those over 120 t, face challenges such as long delivery times, high production and shipping costs, and limited service life due to their monolithic construction, which restricts reuse and requires entire roll body replacement when worn.

Innovation Solution

A multipart support roll design featuring a shell and a roll shaft/spindle constructed from multiple parts, including half-journals with bores and threaded bores, allowing for pretensioning and assembly on-site, enabling reuse of components and reducing weight through shrink fits and adaptable bushings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If support rolls are produced as single-part monolithic construction, then structural strength and integrity are improved, but production time, cost, and shipping cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support roll is divided into multiple separate components including a shell, roller bearings, and a roll shaft that can be manufactured independently and assembled later. This segmentation allows parallel production of components, significantly reducing overall production time while maintaining structural integrity through proper design of connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If support rolls are produced as single-part monolithic construction, then structural strength and integrity are improved, but manufacturing cost and shipping cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the support roll into manufacturable segments enables standard manufacturing processes to be applied to each component separately, reducing tooling costs and enabling smaller, more economical production runs. The modular design also reduces shipping costs as components can be transported separately and assembled at the destination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If support rolls are produced as single-part monolithic construction, then structural integrity is improved, but service life is limited as entire roll must be scrapped when barrel region wears

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The shell is designed as a separate replaceable component that can be removed and replaced when the barrel region becomes worn. The roll shaft and roller bearings can be retained and reused, extending the overall service life of the support roll assembly while maintaining structural integrity through the reusable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design enables selective replacement of only the worn shell component while recovering and reusing the durable roll shaft and roller bearings. This approach maximizes service life by recovering valuable components that retain their functional properties after the shell reaches its service limit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Device complexity

If support rolls are produced as single-part monolithic construction, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but delivery time increases due to limited manufacturers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddelivery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The modular segmented design allows multiple suppliers to manufacture different components, increasing the number of potential manufacturers and reducing delivery times through competitive sourcing and parallel production. Standardized interfaces maintain assembly simplicity despite the increased number of components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design simplifies production, reduces delivery times, lowers shipping costs, and extends the service life by allowing component reuse and modular assembly, thereby addressing the limitations of monolithic rolls.

Implementation Method 1

The shell is internally heated and thus expands. The half-journals are then inserted into the shell and pushed up against the right and left end walls of the shell.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The support roll, which consists of the shell, right half-journal, and left half-journal, is held together by a shrink fit after the shell has been cooled.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS8789401B2Method for producing a support roll for a rolling mill

Publication Date: 2014.07.29 SMS GROUP GMBH

AI summary

Disclosed is a support roll for a rolling mill, such as a plate rolling mill, flat rolling mill, or similar, comprising a jacket and a roll shaft which is embodied in several parts. The invention also relates to a method for producing a support roll.