Rolling Mill Gripping Tool for Parallel Work Roll Change

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for changing work rolls in rolling mills require stopping rolling operations for extended periods, reducing efficiency, and often obstruct the maintenance aisle with additional equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method and gripping tool that allows simultaneous parallel holding of worn and new work rolls, enabling their replacement during rolling operations without obstructing the maintenance aisle, using a maneuvering system with a gripping tool that can move along multiple axes and includes independent gripping systems for each roll.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional methods for changing work rolls are used, then the maintenance aisle remains clear, but rolling operations must be stopped for extended periods reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverolling operation continuityVSAvoiddowntime for roll replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping tool is pre-loaded with a new work roll before the old roll is removed. The tool contains multiple slots that can hold both the incoming and outgoing rolls, allowing the new roll to be positioned and ready for immediate installation once the old roll is extracted, thereby minimizing downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping tool combines multiple functions into a single device: it can hold both the old and new work rolls simultaneously, provides pushing and pulling capabilities through a single mechanism, and integrates multiple gripping systems in parallel. This merging allows the tool to perform the entire roll replacement cycle without requiring additional equipment or extending downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If additional equipment is added to speed up roll replacement, then productivity improves, but the maintenance aisle becomes obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroll replacement speedVSAvoidmaintenance aisle clearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping tool is designed as a universal device that performs multiple functions: it can grip and extract the old roll, hold the new roll, push the new roll into position, and release the old roll. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate equipment pieces that would obstruct the maintenance aisle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping tool is divided into independent gripping systems that can operate in parallel. Each gripping system can independently handle a work roll, allowing the tool to manage multiple rolls simultaneously without requiring additional space or equipment in the maintenance aisle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4397422B1Method for changing working roll(s) in a rolling mill and gripping tool suitable for carrying out the method

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 FIVES DMS

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AI summary

This disclosure relates to a tool intended to be manipulated by a maneuvering system, the grasping tool comprising: - a support frame forming at least a pair of locations (E1, E4) for storing two work cylinders, - independent gripping systems (SP1, SP4), including a first gripping system (SP1) configured to secure one end of a work cylinder in a first location (E1) and a second gripping system (SP4) configured to secure one end of a work cylinder in a second location, - a push/pull system comprising one or more cylinders (VR) configured to extract or insert the worn/new cylinders from the locations by selectively moving each of the gripping systems (SP) associated with the locations (E1, E4), causing a movement of the work cylinder along an axis of the cylinder.