Steckel Mill Integral Unit Design for Length Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Steckel rolling mills face challenges in reducing overall length and production costs while maintaining functionality, particularly in processing large slabs to thin final dimensions without the need for a roughing stand and additional shears.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a driver, a pair of shears, and a looper into a single unit between the coiling furnaces and reversing roll stands, eliminating the need for a roughing stand and separate shears, with toggle scissors and a swing-arm driver for efficient processing and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a roughing stand and separate shears are added to process large slabs to thin dimensions, then the processing capability is improved, but the overall length and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidoverall length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The driver, shears, and looper are merged into a single integrated unit positioned between the coiling furnaces and reversing roll stands. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate roughing stands and individual shear installations, thereby reducing the overall mill length while maintaining the capability to process large slabs to thin dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated unit performs multiple functions simultaneously - driving the strip, cutting with shears, and looping - thereby replacing what would traditionally require separate roughing stands and shears. This multi-functionality achieves the same processing capability without increasing the overall length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a roughing stand and additional shears are installed, then the processing capability is improved, but the production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining driver, shears, and looper into one unit, the patent eliminates redundant components and installations that would increase production costs. The integrated design reduces material requirements, simplifies installation procedures, and lowers overall manufacturing expenses while maintaining full processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the driver, shears, and looper are separated into different locations, then each component can be optimized independently, but the maintenance accessibility and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The driver, shears, and looper are positioned together in a single integrated unit, providing excellent maintenance accessibility since all components can be serviced from the same location. This eliminates the need to access dispersed components throughout the mill, significantly improving maintenance efficiency while the internal design still allows for component optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate shears are used between the roughing stand and Steckel area, then the cutting function is provided, but the operational time increases and temperature loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting functionVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shears are integrated into the unit positioned immediately between the coiling furnaces and reversing roll stands, eliminating the need to move the strip to a separate cutting location. This integration allows cutting to be performed in-situ, reducing operational time and preventing temperature loss that would occur during transport to separate shears.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration allows for efficient processing of slabs from 250 mm to 1.5 mm thickness, reduces production costs, and enhances operational safety and maintenance accessibility, while maintaining high productivity and quality.

Implementation Method 1

The scissors are preferably designed as toggle scissors. It is preferably provided with a hydraulic drive.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic drive: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

At least one roller of the driver is preferably provided with a hydraulic adjustment element or is moved by this.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic adjustment: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2809459B1Steckel mill

Publication Date: 2015.08.19 SMS GROUP GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a Steckel mill (1), comprising at least one reversing roll stand (2), a coiling furnace (3) arranged on the inlet side of the reversing roll stand (2), and a coiling furnace (4) arranged on the outlet side of the reversing roll stand. According to the invention, in order to achieve an economical implementation of a Steckel mill while maintaining high functionality, respective integral units (5, 6) having a driver (7), a shear (8), and a looper (8) are arranged between the coiling furnace (3) arranged on the inlet side and the at least one reversing roll stand (2) and between the at least one reversing roll stand (2) and the coiling furnace (4) arranged on the outlet side.