Work Roll Change Fork for Friction-Free 20-Hi Roll Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 20 Hi rolling mills, existing robotic systems fail to safely extract or insert work rolls without risking friction or damage to the metal strip or intermediate rolls during the process, due to the limited opening of the roll stand and the need for precise separation of work rolls from both the metal strip and rolling members.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a fork system with movable branches and a gripping device that inserts mechanical separation means between the work rolls and the metal strip or rolling members to physically separate them, allowing for safe extraction and insertion of work rolls by moving them along their axis, avoiding friction and maintaining the surface quality of the rolls and metal strip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robotic systems are used to extract work rolls, then operator safety is improved, but the risk of friction and damage to the metal strip and intermediate rolls increases due to limited roll stand opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical separation means (comprising separation elements that can be inserted between the work roll and the metal strip/intermediate rolls) as an intermediary device. This separator creates a physical barrier that prevents direct contact and friction between the work roll and the metal strip or intermediate rolls during extraction, thereby eliminating the harmful effects while maintaining robotic extraction for operator safety.
2Ease of operation
If the roll stand is opened to extract work rolls, then work roll removal is enabled, but the limited opening causes friction and potential damage to the metal strip and rolling members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by inserting the mechanical separation means between the work roll and the metal strip/intermediate rolls before the work roll extraction begins. This preparatory step ensures that the separation elements are already in place to prevent friction and damage during the subsequent extraction operation, allowing work roll removal while protecting other components.
3Device complexity
If work rolls are extracted without mechanical separation means, then the process is simpler, but friction occurs between the work roll and the metal strip or intermediate rolls causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical separation means acts as a mediator between the work roll and the metal strip/intermediate rolls. Although it adds some complexity to the extraction process, it is a relatively simple device consisting of separation elements that can be inserted and positioned easily. The benefit of preventing friction and damage to expensive components like the mirror-polished work rolls and metal strip far outweighs the minor increase in procedural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for changing work roll in a rolling mill which limits the risk of scratching the work roll, or even the risk of scratching the metal strip, upon extracting or inserting the work roll, by virtue of a mechanical separation element, in particular of the branches of a fork system, inserted by a robotic element.