Adjustable Rack Holder for Pilger Rolling Mill Diameter Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pilger rolling mills are limited to producing tubes within a narrow range of inside and outside diameters, requiring multiple machines and resulting in decreased precision and increased downtime due to the need for frequent roll stand changes.

Innovation Solution

A pilger rolling mill with an adjustable toothed rack holder system that allows for easy adaptation to different tube diameters, enabling the use of roll stands with varying widths and masses, and a hydraulic rack holder for quick replacement, reducing downtime and improving precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the rolling stand is fixed for a specific tube diameter range, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but adaptability to different tube diameters is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube diameter precisionVSAvoidtube diameter range
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rack holder is designed to be adjustable in position along the rack, allowing the rolling stand to be dynamically repositioned for different tube diameter specifications. This enables the same rolling stand to maintain manufacturing precision across a broader range of tube diameters by adjusting the rack holder position rather than requiring multiple fixed rolling stands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rack holder system provides multi-functionality by enabling a single rolling stand to serve multiple tube diameter ranges. The adjustable rack holder allows the rolling stand to be repositioned for different production requirements, making one rolling stand universal for producing various tube specifications rather than requiring dedicated rolling stands for each diameter range.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rolling stands are used for different tube diameters, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube diameter rangeVSAvoidnumber of rolling stands
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rack holder system enables a single rolling stand to perform multiple functions for different tube diameter ranges. By adjusting the rack holder position, one rolling stand can be reconfigured for various tube specifications, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated rolling stands and reducing overall device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable rack holder provides dynamic reconfiguration capability, allowing the rolling stand to be quickly repositioned for different tube diameter productions. This dynamic adjustment replaces the static approach of using multiple fixed rolling stands, simplifying the overall system while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rolling stands are used for different tube diameters, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases due to frequent changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube diameter rangeVSAvoiddowntime for stand changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable rack holder enables quick dynamic repositioning of the rolling stand along the rack for different tube diameter productions. This eliminates the time-consuming process of completely replacing rolling stands, allowing rapid reconfiguration and minimizing downtime between different production runs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rack holder acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates quick transitions between different tube diameter productions. Instead of directly replacing entire rolling stands, the rack holder provides a simple adjustment interface that mediates the change process, significantly reducing the time required for reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the rack holder is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different tube diameters is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube diameter rangeVSAvoidrack holder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rack holder is designed with adjustable positioning capability along the rack, providing dynamic adaptability for different tube diameter ranges. This relatively simple adjustable mechanism enables one rolling stand to serve multiple tube specifications without requiring complex multi-stand configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rack holder system is segmented into adjustable positioning components that can be independently modified for different tube diameter requirements. This segmentation allows for simple, modular adjustments rather than requiring complex integrated systems, maintaining low device complexity while improving adaptability.

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

Enables the production of tubes across a broader diameter range with improved accuracy and reduced downtime by allowing quick roll stand changes and maintaining high precision, increasing the flexibility and productivity of the pilger rolling mill.

Implementation Method 1

one of the rolls is arranged on a shaft with a drive gear, and wherein the drive gear engages in a stationary rack which is attached to a rack holder in such a way that a translational movement of the rolling stand causes a rotational movement of the drive gear and the roll

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

a crank mechanism connected to the rolling stand which, in operation of the pilgrim rolling mill, converts a rotary movement of a drive motor via a push rod into an oscillating translational movement of the rolling stand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrank mechanism: Crankshaft

Implementation Method 3

an extended hollow cylindrical blank is reduced by compressive stresses. In this process, the blank is formed into a tube with a defined reduced outer diameter and a defined wall thickness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3393689B1Cold-pilger rolling mill
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 SANDVIK MATERIALS TECH DEUTLAND GMBH
  • EP3393689B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3393689B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3393689B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a pilger rolling mill for shaping a bloom into a tube, comprising a first roll stand (1) mounted to be linearly moveable in a movement direction. Two rollers (2, 3) for shaping the bloom into the tube are rotatably mounted on shafts on the roll stand (1) in such a way that one of the rollers (2, 3) is arranged on a shaft with a drive gear (6). The drive gear (6) engages in a stationary rack (5) which is secured on a rack holder (4) so that a translational movement of the roll stand (1) due to the engagement of the drive gear (6) in the rack (5) causes a rotational movement of the drive gear (6) and thus also of the roller (2, 3) arranged on the shaft of the drive gear (6), and also of the other of the two rollers (2, 3) in the opposite direction. The roll stand (1) is connected to a crank drive so that a rotational movement of a drive motor is converted via a push rod into an oscillating translational movement of the roll stand (1) during operation of the pilger rolling mill. In contrast, the rack holder (4) according to the invention enables the provision of a pilger rolling mill that can be adjusted in a simple and cost-effective way to the tube diameter to be produced in the finish-rolled tubes, so that the production of tubes with different diameters is possible in the same pilger rolling mill. For this purpose, the rack (4) is configured in such a way that the first roll stand (1) is interchangeable with a second roll stand with a second dimension that differs from the first dimension. By adjusting the roll stand to the required tube diameter of the finish-rolled tubes, said tubes have dimensions of improved accuracy and precision after their production process.