Support Roll Actuation for Active Chatter Damping in Roll Stands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current roll stands in cold rolling mills face challenges with 3rd and 5th octave chatter vibrations, which lead to quality issues in rolled metal products and limit production output, as existing methods for active damping are complex, costly, and do not effectively increase rolling speeds.

Innovation Solution

A roll stand design with adjustable units for active damping using a separate actuator, supported via bearing units, which can be integrated with minimal structural changes, allowing for effective elimination of chatter vibrations by introducing counter-vibrations through piezo-mechanical or piezo-hydraulic actuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If passive damping methods (e.g., friction) are used to reduce chatter vibrations, then vibration amplitude is reduced, but the chatter limit speed only increases by small amounts (50-200 m/min) and maximum system speed cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechatter vibrationsVSAvoidrolling speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive mechanical damping systems with an active control system using piezoelectric actuators that generate counter-vibrations through electrical-mechanical conversion. This substitution enables precise control of damping forces without the speed limitations of passive friction-based methods, allowing the system to achieve both vibration reduction and high rolling speeds simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements an active feedback control system where vibrations are detected and counter-vibrations are generated in real-time to actively suppress chatter. This feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts damping forces based on actual vibration conditions, enabling the system to maintain stability at higher rolling speeds compared to passive damping methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If existing active damping methods are implemented, then chatter vibrations are reduced, but the methods are complex, costly, and require significant structural modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechatter vibrationsVSAvoiddamping system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates piezoelectric actuators into existing adjustment units, allowing these components to serve dual functions: traditional roll gap adjustment and active vibration damping. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate damping mechanisms while maintaining effective chatter suppression.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses piezoelectric materials that convert electrical signals to mechanical displacements, creating a simplified actuation mechanism that copies the function of complex hydraulic or mechanical actuators. This copying approach achieves active damping with simpler, more cost-effective components that require minimal structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If roll stands are designed to avoid natural vibration modes, then chatter vibrations are reduced, but the roll set must be redesigned based on boundary conditions which limits design flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechatter vibrationsVSAvoidroll set design flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static roll stand structure into a dynamic system with active vibration control capabilities. By incorporating piezoelectric actuators that can dynamically adjust damping forces, the system can operate effectively across various rolling conditions without requiring redesign of the roll set geometry, thus maintaining design flexibility while suppressing chatter vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables optimal active damping of vibrations, improving product quality and increasing rolling speeds, reducing maintenance costs, and allowing for integration in existing roll stands with minimal structural changes, thus overcoming the limitations of previous methods.

Implementation Method 1

at least one actuator, which can be controlled for active damping of vibrations in the roll stand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectActive damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

counter-vibrations counteracting the vibrations being generated, the counter-vibrations being generated by means of at least one actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCounter-vibrations: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

allowing for integration in existing roll stands with minimal structural changes, thus overcoming the limitations of previous methods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3352921B1Roll stand, rolling system and method for actively damping vibrations in a roll stand
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP3352921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3352921B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a roll stand (2) for rolling, in particular cold-rolling metal products, comprising at least one actuator (16) which can be actuated for actively damping vibrations in the roll stand (2), and at least one support roll (10), which is non-adjustable or can be adjusted exclusively via an adjuster for pass line adjustment (13) of the roll stand (2), for supporting a working roll (5) and/or intermediate roll of the roll stand (2), wherein the support roll (10) is guided at the ends via a respective bearing unit (11) on a rack (8) of the roll stand (2). According to the invention, in order to permit an optimal active damping of vibrations in a roll stand (2) of this type with low constructive effort, the support roll (10) is supported on the actuator (16) via at least one bearing unit (11), and the actuator (16) is supported on a section (17) of the rack (8) either directly or indirectly via at least one component (14) of the adjuster (13).