Automated rolling mill administration system

Details Automated rolling mill administration system Automated rolling mill administration system

1999-05-21

2001-06-05

Butler, Rodney A. (Department: 3725)

Metal deforming

By use of roller or roller-like tool-element

With carrier for roller-couple or tool-couple

Reexamination Certificate

active

06240763

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an integrated plant for the production of elongated metal products, such as bars or rods, or the like. More particularly, the invention involves an arrangement for the integrated, automatic utilization of equipment for rolling elongated metal product including the mill train, the mill stand storage facilities, and mill preparation facilities, and control means for manipulating the equipment between its storage preparation and operational conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the production of elongated metal products such as bars and rods, or the like, size and shape requirements of the products make it necessary that a large number of mill rolls be inventoried and that the mill rolls be frequently changed, either due to the different size and shape requirements of the products being rolled or for maintenance purposes. The changing of rolls or of stands in a mill train has heretofore been a time-consuming and labor intensive operation requiring the use of cranes for manipulating the rolls or stands between the mill train, the storage facilities and the preparation facilities. Consequently, rolling mill administration in such operations has been costly due, not only to equipment and manpower requirements of the activity, but also due to the extensive down time of the mill train required for accomplishment of the activity.
It is to the amelioration of these problems therefore, to which the present invention is directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides for use in a mill train for rolling elongated metal product including a plurality of mill stands disposed in-line along a roll pass line, a stand storage area adjacent the roll pass line and a stand preparation area adjacent the stand storage area, apparatus provided for administering the preparation and transfer of mill stands. Such apparatus comprises the stand storage area including a plurality of stacked stand storage compartments disposed in end-to-end relation along a line parallel to the roll pass line, a quick change table extending parallel to the roll pass line and disposed intermediate the roll pass line and the stand storage area, means for moving the quick change table in opposite linear directions parallel to the roll pass line, means for transferring mill stands between the roll pass line and the quick change table, and means for transferring the mill stands between the stand storage area and the quick change table.
According to another aspect of the invention, the means for transferring mill stands between the stand storage area and the quick change table includes a way positioned intermediate the stand storage area and the quick change table and extending parallel thereto, and controllable mobile transfer devices, which preferably may be remotely controllable robots, which are movable along the way.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a mill stand set-up means located in a stand preparation area with which the platform communicates for access.
The mill stand organization is employed in a rolling mill train that may be divided into sections including a roughing mill section, an intermediate mill section and a finishing mill section and may include a quick change table associated with each of the mill sections.
It is accordingly a particular object of the present invention to provide an integrated roll mill administration system in which the mill preparation and changes are automated in order to minimize the manual operations associated with this activity.
It is another object of the invention to maximize, to the extent possible, the use of mobile transfer devices or robotics in mill changing operations.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and description which relate to a preferred embodiment thereof.


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