Rolling Mill Stand for Variable Work Roll Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rolling mill stands have a limited diameter range for work rolls, restricting the ability to roll higher-strength steel grades and requiring frequent changes to smaller work rolls for economical production, which complicates the process and limits the spectrum of steel grades that can be processed.
Innovation Solution
A rolling mill stand design that allows for the use of work rolls with different diameters by splitting the supporting systems' diameter range into overlapping ranges, enabling easy replacement of supporting systems without changing the intermediate or back-up rolls, and using a force generating device to move the supporting systems quickly into operating positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rolling mill stands use fixed large-diameter work rolls, then they can process high-strength steel grades, but they cannot economically produce lower-strength steels due to limited diameter range
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting systems are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be positioned in idle or operating positions. This dynamic configuration enables the same mill stand to accommodate work rolls of different diameters by adjusting the supporting systems' positions, thereby expanding the diameter range while maintaining productivity for various steel grades
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling mill stand is divided into independent modular components: work rolls, intermediate rolls, back-up rolls, and supporting systems. This segmentation allows individual components to be changed or adjusted independently, enabling quick replacement of work rolls with different diameters without affecting other parts of the system
2Adaptability or versatility
If the diameter range of work rolls is expanded, then more steel grades can be processed, but the supporting rolls collide with intermediate rolls limiting the usable diameter range
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting systems are designed with movable positioning capability, allowing them to be dynamically adjusted between idle and operating positions. This dynamic positioning resolves the collision issue by moving supporting rolls out of the way when not in use, while maintaining contact with work rolls when needed, thus expanding the usable diameter range without operational interference
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting systems are given freedom of movement in the longitudinal direction of the rolling mill stand, adding a dimensional degree of freedom to their positioning. This allows supporting rolls to be moved along the longitudinal axis to avoid collision with intermediate rolls while still providing necessary support when in the operating position
3Loss of time
If supporting systems are moved into the operating position quickly, then roll changing time is reduced, but the force generating device adds complexity to the system
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic force generating device is used to move the supporting systems between idle and operating positions. This pneumatic/hydraulic actuation provides rapid, controlled movement with sufficient force to overcome friction and positioning requirements, reducing roll changing time while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized actuator technology
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 enhances formability and production output by allowing the use of various work roll diameters within a single rolling mill stand, simplifying the process of changing rolls and expanding the range of steel grades that can be processed, particularly for high-strength steels.
Implementation Method 1
the force generating device, for example a hydraulic or pneumatically operated positioning cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
The object of this invention is a rolling mill stand with one pair of work rolls for a rolling metal strip, with intermediate rolls and back-up rolls. Here, the work rolls are supported at the sides by supporting systems, where a supporting force directed towards the work roll can be applied to each supporting system by means of a force generating device and the supporting system can be moved from an idle position into an operating position. According to the invention, the two work rolls can be replaced by work rolls with a different diameter, where only the supporting systems have to be replaced by supporting systems with supporting rolls of a different diameter, but the intermediate rolls and back-up rolls need not be changed.