BE1022273B1 - INPUT SECTION OF A STRIPPING LINE, A CONTINUOUS TANDEM COLD ROLLING MILL (TCM) OR A STRAINING LINE INSTALLATION FITTED WITH A TANDEM COLD ROLLER (PL / TCM) - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to continuous industrial equipment comprising an input section comprising two unwinding devices (la, lb) for unwinding and delivering web materials to be processed, a cutting device (2a, 2b) and a transfer table ( 3a, 3b) for each strip, and a joining device (4), so that the transfer tables (3a, 3b) deliver said strips to the joining device (4) in which a reel rear end strip and a spool front end strip are joined, at least one loop table (5) for web centering and a welder (6) where said spool rear end strip and said spool front end strip are butt welded, characterized in that each of the transfer tables (3a, 3b) is also a loop table (5).

Description

INPUT SECTION OF A STRIPPING LINE, A CONTINUOUS-CONTINUOUS TANDEM COLD ROLLER (TCM) OR A TANDEM COLD ROLLER LINE-FITTING LINE INSTALLATION (PL / TCM)

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of continuous processes in the iron and steel industry, leading to improvements in productivity and production as well as cost savings. These continuous processes are, for example, those carried out on pickling lines possibly connected to cold rolling mills, or carried out on continuous rolling mills.

Prior art

A known technical problem in the lines mentioned above is that the inlet section, in which two successive strips are welded to one another, is one of the main bottlenecks thereof. . The performance over time of line entry is therefore critical to achieve annual output. This is especially true when the reels deliver short lengths of tape.

The welding process requires the creation of a loop at the front of the welder. Existing solutions such as the continuous annealing line (CAL) preloading table or continuous galvanizing lines (CGL) are not applicable to hot rolled strip processing. Depending on the high thickness and high weight of the loop, these hot-rolled stripes require a different input design to allow for safe loop creation and centering.

A typical arrangement of such an input section is shown in FIG.

The input time cycle represents the time during which the rear end of a coil and the leading end of the next coil are driven at a slower speed than that of the pickling or rolling process.

The input cycle usually comprises the following steps: - the slowing down of the process speed to the speed of introduction; the transfer of the rear end of the first reel of the first reel la to the first division shears 2a; cutting at the first shear 2a; the transfer of the rear end of the first reel to the common pinch cylinder 4 by means of the first transfer table 3a; - The transfer of the rear end of the first coil of the common clamping cylinder 4 to the welder 6.

In parallel with these first steps, the following steps are performed so that the rear end of the first coil and the front end of the second coil can be welded end to end without wasting time: - the transfer of the end before the second reel (next reel) of the second unwinder lb to the second division shears 2b; cutting at the level of the second shear 2b; the transfer of the front end of the reel to the common clamping cylinder 4 by means of the second transfer table 3b; - The transfer of the front end of the second coil of the common clamping cylinder 4 to the welder 6 and the creation of a loop at the loop table 5, this loop being necessary for the centering of the coil at the level of the welder; welding the two coil ends to each other; - re-acceleration at a maximum input speed.

During these operations, the pickling or intermediate rolling process section still operates at a nominal speed due to the storage capacity of the loop forming device.

Therefore, if the input cycle time is reduced then this allows faster operation in the stripping section for the same loop forming device capability.

Objects of the invention

The object of the present invention is to reduce the time of the input cycle in continuous lines of the iron and steel industry, thereby reducing the production time of the lines mentioned above.

Another object of the invention is to simplify the PL / TCM input section.

Yet another object is to eliminate or reduce the transfer time of the clamping cylinder common to the welder.

Another object is to allow a better loop creation and a better centering for bands of high thicknesses. Summary of the invention

A first object of the present invention relates to a continuous industrial equipment comprising an input section comprising two devices for unwinding and supplying strip materials to be treated, a cutting device and a transfer table for each strip, and a connecting device. so that the transfer tables deliver said strips to the joining device in which a reel back end strip and a front end-coil strip are joined, at least one loop table for a strip centering and a welder wherein said reel back end strip and said coil leading end strip are butt welded, characterized in that each of the transfer tables is also a loop table (claim 1).

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, possibly preferred embodiments, the continuous industrial equipment having an input section is further limited according to one or an appropriate combination of the following features ( Claims 1 to 10): the equipment is provided in such a way that the joined strips at the junction device are directly fed to the welder, without additional buckle; - the transfer tables consisting of an upper table defining an upper input level which is superimposed on a lower table defining a lower input level, · the equipment is provided with means to first retract and then raise the table superior; each unwinding device comprises a unwinder; each cutting device comprises a shear; the junction device comprises a common nip cylinder; said means for firstly retracting and then raising the upper table comprise at least one hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for retracting the upper table and at least one hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for raising the upper table, said last cylinders being situated close to the upper table; junction device; the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are partially or totally replaced by screws actuated by electric or hydraulic motors; the equipment comprises non-contact detection means for controlling the height of the loop at the level of the lower table and preventing a collision of said loop with the upper table; the non-contact detection means are a light barrier; - The equipment includes a swivel band centering wheel that can be moved to the belt by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

A second object of the present invention relates to a method for joining, centering, end-to-end welding two strips, in an input section of a continuous industrial equipment, comprising all the features of claims 1 to 8, characterized at least by the following steps: - a current coil N is processed by the lower input level; - A next coil N + 1 is introduced, prepared and sheared on the upper input level, the front end thereof being placed at the front of the common clamp cylinder in a standby position; the rear end of the coil N successively leaves the mandrel of the unwinder, the lower inlet level and the common clamping cylinder, a loop being created on the outlet side of the welder to center the rear end; immediately after the common pinch cylinder has been released, the front end of the N + 1 coil at the top entry level is introduced by the common pinch cylinder to the inlet side of the welder; according to the speed differences between the upper input level and the common pinch cylinder, a loop is created at the upper transfer table; after the creation of the loop, the upper roll of the common pinch cylinder is retracted to allow movement of the web during a centering process; the rear end of the coil N and the front end of the coil N + 1 are welded end to end at the welder; the new coil N + 1 is furthermore delivered to the line via the upper input level; - A next coil N + 2 is introduced, prepared and sheared on the lower inlet level, the front end thereof being placed at the front of the common clamping cylinder in a standby position; the rear end of the spool N + 1 drives the mandrel of the unwinder, the upper entry level and the common clamping cylinder, a loop being created on the outlet side of the welder to center the rear end; immediately after the common pinching cylinder has been released, the front end of the N + 2 coil at the lower level is introduced by the common pinch cylinder to the inlet side of the welder; - To allow the creation of a high loop to perform a safe centering function, the upper transfer table is retracted and elevated by the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders and / or actuated screws; according to the speed differences between the input level and the common pinch cylinder, a loop is created at the lower transfer table; after the creation of the loop, the upper cylinder of the common pinch cylinder is retracted to allow movement of the web during a centering process; the rear end of the N + 1 bobbin and the front end of the N + 2 coil are welded end to end at the welder; the new N + 2 coil is further supplied to the line 2 via the lower input level.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a typical arrangement of an input section according to the prior art, with respect to a hot rolled material.

FIG. 2 represents a detailed view of the arrangement of FIG.

Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of an input section arrangement according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention and Preferred Embodiments

In order to reduce the input cycle as described above, a new loop table concept is developed according to the present invention. The design with two transfer tables 3a, 3b (one for each pass line), a common clamping cylinder 4 and a loop table 5 (as in FIG. 2) is replaced by a design with only two transfer tables 3a. 3b comprising a loop function 5 and a common pinch cylinder 4. Therefore, the tape centering loops are made directly on the transfer tables. A schematic of the new solution is shown in Figure 3. The scope of the present invention relates to an installation comprising any suitable welder. It should be noted that the welder illustrated in Figure 3 is an example of a commercially available welder.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in order to provide sufficient space to create a loop at the lower pass line, the top loop table can be retracted and can be raised. When a loop is to be created on the lower line of passage, the top table is preferably first retracted by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and then raised by two hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders located near the common pinch cylinder.

The lower loop can thus be obtained when the upper table is raised.

In more detail, the method for joining, centering and butt welding two web ends is as follows.

A current coil N (N is an integer> Ό) is processed by the input level from below or below including the lower table. The next coil N + 1 is introduced, prepared and cut at the level of the shear at the top or top entry level comprising the top table. The new front end of the N + 1 coil is placed at the front of the common pinch cylinder in a standby position. The rear end of the coil N successively leaves the unwinding mandrel, the bottom inlet level and the common clamping cylinder, a loop being created on the outlet side of the welder by two loop rollers (not shown) for center the back end.

As a new feature of the present invention, the upper infeed table combines three functions. The first is to store the front end of the next coil N + 1, already close to the common clamping cylinder of the welder. The second function is to create a loop on this table. The third function is to allow the introduction of web from the N + 2 web to the common pinch cylinder during loop creation and welding of the N + 1 web during the dead time of the welding process.

Immediately after the common pinch cylinder has been released, the new front end of the N + 1 coil at the top entry level is introduced through the common pinch cylinder to the inlet side of the welder. Depending on the speed difference between the upper input level and the common pinch cylinder, a loop is2 (created at the top transfer table) After creating the loop, the upper cylinder of the pinch cylinder The common is retracted by long stroke cylinders (not shown) to allow movement of the web during the centering process.

To further improve the centering process and to avoid blockage of the web (particularly for thick and hard materials) against the upper common spool cylinder, a special swivel centering wheel 7 will be moved to the web by a hydraulic cylinder or pneumatic. This allows better loop movement during the centering process with the integrated centering device of the welder. With this equipment, the centering accuracy of the weld joint can be improved to reduce other problems during tape tracking, side cutting and cold rolling. After centering, the swivel centering wheel 7 will be retracted to allow transport of the web during further welding and warp acceleration. The rear end of the coil N and the front end of the coil N + 1 are then welded end to end at the welder.

The new N + 1 coil is further supplied to the line via the upper input level. The next coil N + 2 is introduced, prepared and cut at the level of the shears on the lower entry level. The new front end of the N + 2 coil is placed at the front of the common pinch cylinder in a standby position. The rear end of the N + 1 coil successively leaves the unwinding mandrel, the upper inlet level and the common clamping cylinder, a loop being created on the outlet side of the welder by two loop rollers (not shown). to center the rear end. Immediately after the common pinch cylinder has been released, the new front end of the N + 2 coil at the lower level is introduced by the common pinch cylinder to the inlet side of the welder. Thus, it is necessary to allow the creation of a high loop to execute a safe centering function. For this reason, the upper transfer table is retracted and raised by means of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. To avoid collision of the loop with the upper infeed table, the height of the loop will preferably be controlled by a light barrier. Depending on the speed differences between the input level and the common pinch cylinder, a loop is created at the bottom transfer table. After the creation of the loop, the upper cylinder of the common pinch cylinder is retracted by the long stroke cylinders, to allow movement of the strip during the centering process. The considerations in paragraph [0027] are also applicable here. The rear end of the N + 1 coil and the front end of the N + 2 coil are then welded end to end at the welder. The new N + 2 coil is further delivered to the line via the lower input level.

New successive coils are alternately processed in the lower and upper inlet sections, successive loops being alternately created on the lower and upper entry tables. Unlike other tape processing lines such as CAL and CGL, the line according to the invention can also process thick hot rolled strips.

With this new concept, the prior art loop table can be eliminated and, therefore, the time for transfer of the common pinch roll to the welder is also eliminated. Depending on the tape thickness, the time gain is generally between 5 and 7 seconds during each input cycle time. As an example, this new input design can reduce production time by about 2% (meaning an increase in productivity) for PL / TCM. with a capacity of 2 million tonnes, depending however on the configuration of the input coils and the line.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage of allowing better loop creation. Thanks to the additional prediction of the retractable upper table and the centering wheel, a better centering for high thicknesses is possible.

List of references la. Unwinder lb. Unwinder 2a. Shear 2b. Shear 3a. Transfer table 3b. Transfer Table 4. Common Clamp Cylinder 5. Loop Table (s) 6. Welder. 7. Swiveling centering wheel

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 2 1. Continuous industrial equipment comprising an inlet section comprising two unwinding devices (la, lb) for unwinding and delivering strip materials to be treated, a cutting device (2a, 2b) and a transfer table (3a, 3b ) for each band, and a junction device (4), so that the transfer tables (3a, 3b) deliver said strips to the junction device (4) in which a reel back end band and a tape at the front coil end are joined, at least one loop table (5) for a tape centering and a welder (6) where said coil back end strip and said coil front end strip are butt welded to end, characterized in that each of the transfer tables (3a, 3b) is also a loop table (5). 2. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made so that the strips attached to the junction device (4) are directly delivered to the welder (6) without other loop. 3. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, the transfer tables (3a, 3b, 5) consisting of an upper table (3a) defining an upper input level superimposed on a lower table (3b) defining a level lower input, the equipment is provided with means to retract first and then raise the upper table (3a). 4. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that each unwinding device (la, lb) comprises a unwinder. 5. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that each cutting device (2a, 2b) comprises a shear. 6. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the junction device (4) comprises a common clamping cylinder. 7. Equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that said means comprise at least one hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for retracting the upper table (3a) and at least one hydraulic or pneumatic jack for raising the upper table (3b), the one or more last cylinders being located near the junction device (4). 8. Equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are replaced partially or completely by screws actuated by electric or hydraulic motors. 9. Equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises non-contact detection means for controlling the height of the loop at the lower table (3b) and to avoid a collision of said loop with the upper table ( 3a). 10. Equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that the non-contact detection means are a light barrier. 11. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a swivel band centering wheel (7) can be moved to the strip by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. 12. A method for joining, centering and butt welding two strips, in an input section of a continuous industrial equipment, comprising all the features of claims 1 to 8, characterized by at least the following steps: - a current coil N is processed through the lower input level; - A next coil N + 1 is introduced, prepared and sheared on the upper input level, the front end thereof being placed in front of the common pinching cylinder in a standby position; the rear end of the coil N successively leaves the unwinding mandrel, the lower inlet level and the common clamping cylinder, a loop being created on the outlet side of the welder to center the rear end; immediately after the common pinch cylinder has been released, the front end of the N + 1 coil at the top entry level is introduced by the common pinch cylinder to the inlet side of the welder; according to the speed differences between the upper input level and the common pinch cylinder, a loop is created at the upper transfer table; after the creation of the loop, the upper cylinder of the common pinch cylinder is retracted to allow movement of the web during a centering process; the rear end of the coil N and the front end of the coil N + 1 are welded end to end at the welder; the new coil N + 1 is furthermore delivered to the line via the upper input level; - A next coil N + 2 is introduced, prepared and sheared on the lower inlet level, the front end thereof being placed at the front of the common clamping cylinder in a standby position; the rear end of the coil N + 1 leaves the unwinding mandrel, the upper inlet level and the common clamping cylinder, a loop being created on the outlet side of the welder to center the rear end; immediately after the common pinching cylinder has been released, the front end of the N + 2 coil at the lower level is introduced by the common pinch cylinder to the inlet side of the welder; to enable the creation of a high loop to perform a safe centering function, the top transfer table is retracted and raised by the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders and / or the actuated screws; according to the speed differences between the input level and the common pinch cylinder, a loop is created at the bottom transfer table; after the creation of the loop, the upper cylinder of the common pinch cylinder is retracted to allow movement of the web during a centering process; the rear end of the N + 1 coil and the front end of the N + 2 coil are welded end to end at the welder; the new N + 2 coil is further delivered to the line via the lower input level.