Telescoping Mounting Rail for In-Bar Work Roll Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roll stands require interruption of the rolling process to change work rolls due to interference from the stock being rolled, which can also exert thermal stress on components, making the process complex and inefficient, especially in continuous operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A roll stand design with a telescoping upper mounting rail that can be moved out of the rolling line during the rolling process, allowing for efficient roll changes without interrupting production, using balancing cylinders for vertical shifting and an external changing car for horizontal movement, enabling the upper work roll to be changed while stock passes through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If work rolls are changed only when no stock is present in the roll stand, then thermal stress on components is reduced, but productivity is decreased due to interruption of the rolling process
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rail is divided into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can be independently controlled. The movable portion can be retracted into the drive-side housing, separating the roll change operation from the rolling process and eliminating thermal stress exposure while enabling continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting rail transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with multiple positions (extended and retracted). This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between two operational modes: continuous rolling with rail retracted, and roll changing with rail extended, resolving the contradiction between productivity and thermal stress.
2Device complexity
If a rigidly mounted continuous mounting rail is used, then roll change structure is simplified, but the space above the rolling line is blocked during rolling process
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rail is segmented into fixed and movable portions, allowing the movable portion to be retracted into the drive-side housing during rolling operations. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while creating clear space above the rolling line when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting rail is designed with telescopic capability in the longitudinal direction, adding a dimension of movement along the rolling line. This allows the rail to extend into the rolling line area during roll changes and retract during rolling, dynamically managing space usage without complicating the overall structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the mounting rail extends continuously from drive side to operating side, then roll support is stable, but the roll stand is not accessible from the operating side
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rail is segmented with the movable portion able to retract into the drive-side housing. This creates clear access pathways from the operating side to the roll stand components while the fixed portion maintains structural stability for roll support.
4Productivity
If work rolls are changed by suspending upper work roll from mounting rail, then roll change can proceed with stock passing through, but the mounting rail interferes with the rolling line space
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rail is designed with telescopic capability, transitioning between extended and retracted positions. During rolling operations, the rail retracts to clear the rolling line space, while during roll changes it extends to enable the suspension and movement of work rolls, achieving in-bar roll changes without compromising rolling line accessibility.
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 continuous operation without interrupting the rolling process, reduces thermal stress on components, and simplifies the roll change process by keeping the space above the rolling line free, allowing for efficient 'in-bar' roll changes, especially in hot-rolling mills.
Implementation Method 1
shifting the upper mounting rail vertically upward so that the slide parts assigned to the old upper work roll link up effectively with the upper mounting rail
Data Source
AI summary
A roll stand having work rolls mounted therein. The roll stand has at least one upper mounting rail, which is mounted on the drive-side roll stand frame and oriented in a transverse direction to a rolling line running through the roll stand. In order to be able to keep the assembly space in the roll stand over the rolling line free during rolling—except for a roll change—and still change the roll efficiently, the upper mounting rail is configured to be moved into the rolling line and out of the rolling line, starting from the drive-side roll stand frame.