Metal deforming – By use of roller or roller-like tool-element – With carrier for roller-couple or tool-couple
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-20
2001-04-24
Butler, Rodney A. (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
By use of roller or roller-like tool-element
With carrier for roller-couple or tool-couple
C072S241200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220071
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates generally to cluster rolling mills for rolling cold metal strip, and more particularly to an improved method and apparatus for adjusting the strip edge relief in the edge region of the material being rolled.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that rolls in a rolling mill flatten slightly due to rolling forces imposed on the working rolls and intermediate rolls as they are squeezed between the backing bearings and the material being rolled. Since the width of the strip material being rolled is always less than the length of the working rolls, the ends of the working rolls are not flattened by these forces and there is a transition area extending inward from the edge of the strip being rolled. This transition section causes the edges of the strip to be over-rolled at the edges. This is because the distance between the flattened work rolls in the central portion of the strip is greater than the distance between the partially flattened work rolls at the edge of the strip. A strip that is over-rolled at the edges will result in wavy or “pie crust” edges.
The prior art has sought to control the polarity of the rolled material in various ways, for instance by controlling the surface profile of the work rolls and intermediate rolls, by controlling the surface profile of the backup bearing rolls through hydraulic cylinders actuating eccentric shaft mounting, or by selective bending of rolls.
Currently, a popular method for adjusting the strip edge relief in a twenty-high cluster rolling mill is to employ a pair of intermediate rolls in contact with the upper work roll which are tapered on one end, and a pair of intermediate rolls in contact with the lower work roll, which are tapered on the other end. Then, by selectively shifting one or the other of the sets of tapered rolls in a lateral direction, using rotating couplings and linkage rods attached to hydraulic actuators, the degree of strip edge relief may be adjusted. The disadvantage of this system is that the rotating couplings must be small in diameter in order to function. Therefore lateral adjustments of the tapered rolls may only achieved under light rolling loads.
Although the prior art system utilizing lateral adjustments of the single-end-tapered intermediate rolls is effective for controlling over-rolling of strip edges, the lateral shifting mechanisms required are complicated and expensive. Also removal and replacement of the single-end-tapered intermediate rolls is cumbersome and time consuming.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for controlling strip edge relief in a cluster rolling mill.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for controlling polarity of strip material rolled in a twenty-high cluster rolling mill.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for utilizing tapered intermediate rolls to adjust strip edge relief, without requiring lateral adjustment of the tapered rolls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention comprises an improved apparatus and method for controlling strip edge relief in a cluster rolling mill, the cluster rolling mill comprising first and second work rolls for contacting material to be rolled, first and second pairs of intermediate rolls contacting the respective first and second work rolls, and a number of additional rolls and backing bearings providing backing support for the intermediate rolls in first and second clusters mounted in a supporting frame.
The improved apparatus is characterized by each roll of the first pair of intermediate rolls being double-tapered, and having a central portion contacting the first work roll, tapered portions on opposite sides of the central portion providing gradually increasing clearance with the first work roll, and having journal portions on opposite ends thereof together with means arranged to rotatably engage the opposite journal portions of the first pair of intermediate rolls and adapted to controllably exert bending forces on the first pair of intermediate rolls so as to adjust the strip edge relief on the material rolled between the first and second work rolls.
The improved method comprises providing a first pair of double-tapered intermediate rolls as described above, rotatably engaging the opposite journal portions and controllably exerting bending forces on the first pair of intermediate rolls so as to adjust the strip edge relief on the material being rolled between the first and second work rolls.
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Butler Rodney A.
Crutcher William C.
Mill Design & Consulting Services, LLC
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