CA2192828C - Levelling machine with overlapping rollers, and method for using same - Google Patents

Abstract

A levelling machine with overlapping rollers including a fixed housing (1) containing two levelling assemblies (2, 2') each comprising a plurality of active levelling rollers (21) with parallel axes rotatably mounted in a supporting frame (4) and each combined with at least one row of support wheels (22), each assembly being applied to a strong base (3) on the opposite side from the sheet to be levelled. Said frame (4) supporting at least one of the levelling assemblies (2) includes a holder (40) enclosing a plurality of adjacent crossbeams (5) individually slidably mounted in said holder (40), and each active roller (21) engages only one corresponding beam (5) via its support wheels (22), while each beam (5) individually engages the base (3) via at least two rams (6) distributed along the beam (5). In particular, the degree of overlap of each active roller and the forces exerted thereon may be adjusted separately to enable the levelling force to be varied even when the sheet is moving. Said machine and said method are particularly suitable for cold levelling metal sheets.

Description

2i92 ~~ 8 = WO 96132212 PCT / FR96 / 00573 ILLUMINATED ROLLER PLANER AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING THE SAME
WORK OF SUCH PLANEUSE
The subject of the invention is a leveling machine continuous flat products, especially of metal strips and a method for the work of such a machine.
For planing flat products and, in particular, metal strips such as rolled sheet, we often use a machine called multi-roll leveling machine with two sets of rollers with parallel axes, respectively forming two planing crews between which we make scroll the band to glide in one direction longitudinal perpendicular to the rollers. These are offset longitudinally and vertically from to interlock by determining a wavy path of the band which is thus subjected to effects of traction-bending in alternating directions from others of a medium plane of scrolling substantially horizontal.
The set is placed in a support cage fixed with two separate amounts and is associated with adjusting means for modifying the nesting of the rollers to regulate the efficiency of the planing according to needs and characteristics of the band, in particular its dimensions and the nature of the metal.
The passage of the strip between the following rollers a wavy path tends to separate the two two crews and their interleaving must therefore be maintained permanently, taking support on the cage fixed.
This is why each leveling crew placed, respectively, on each side of the passage plan of 4 ~
; r.
WO 96/3221

2 219 2 8 2 PCT / FR96 / 00573 ~
two the band, is supported, generally, on a cross strength forming a bed base and extending over the grip of the planing crew.
Such arrangements are described by for example in DE-A-1,552,086.
Most often, the lower leveling crew is fixed in position, as well as the box spring corresponding. On the other hand, the upper crew must able to move vertically for the setting of the distance between the two crews. For this purpose, crossbeam constituting the upper bed base is mounted sliding vertically between the amounts of the support cage, its position can be adjusted by mechanical or hydraulic actuators mounted on angles of the cage and to adjust the level of upper box spring and crew adjustable by compared to the fixed lower crew. If needed, the actuators can be adjusted differently, way to determine a forward or backward tilt or a swaying of one of the crews with respect to the other, for example to reduce the imbrication of rollers in the direction of travel of the web.
The efforts developed for planing are very high, especially when this operation is performed cold and we are therefore led to give to planers a structure as rigid as possible of to control the effects of planing.
Until now, such planers were therefore very heavy machines, quite simple design and not suitable for specific settings.
However, we can not avoid a certain cedar different parts of support under the effect of applied efforts, which may result in a slight bending of active rollers and, therefore, a 2i928 ~ 8., ~

3 irregular distribution of constraints across the width Of the band.
In a particular provision described by the DE-A-2,747,331 each active roll is applied, through its rolls of support, on an individual cross member taking support directly on the amounts of the cage. In that case, the bending of each cross-member can be compensated at means of a wedge of adjustable thickness interposed between each crossbeam and the support rollers, and consisting of two flat sloping faces forming corner, whose thickness can be increased, in the central part, by means of an eccentric, so as to maintain the straightness of the corresponding active roller.
Such a machine is, however, not suitable to the planing efforts of higher and higher he is necessary to develop to account for the evolution of the products and needs of the customer base. In addition, the settings must be made in advance and therefore empty, the relative positions of the corners can hardly be corrected during planing.
In a more sophisticated arrangement described in EP-A-0.577.170, each roll of planing takes support, via a system wedges of adjustable thickness, on a frame of support that supports itself on the angles of the bedstead by fixed wedges placed in the axis of four actuators for adjusting the level of the bed base.
Two rows of flat jacks distributed between said fixed wedges are interposed between the bed frame and chassis of each leveling crew, respectively on the entry and exit side of this one, the distribution of the pressures between

4 flat cylinders being adjusted to compensate for the bending of the bed base under the effect of applied forces to maintain the straightness of the support frame and, therefore, planing rollers that take support on this one.
This setting can be done under load and it is therefore possible to maintain the chassis flatness and, therefore, the degree of nesting of the rollers, adapting to variations in the applied forces during operation.
However, other parameters are to be taken into account.
account if one wishes to control with great accuracy the tensile-bending effects applied on the band.
In particular, the inventor had the idea that he would be desirable to have the opportunity not only to take into account foreseeable distortions of the machine but also to spread the load the planing effect to correct the defects of flatness detected on the tape. But in machines used so far, it is simply expected to compensate for cedings to maintain parallelism rolls and the degree of nesting that is set to advance.
To meet quality requirements always more severe, the object of the invention is therefore to solve all the problems that have just been exposed thanks to simple and robust devices, likely to withstand flattening efforts extremely important, for example for cold metal sheets and allowing no only to compensate for all cedings, but also to act in a precise way on the distribution of planing constraints applied on the tape at 21i ,, ~ ~ 2 ~ A

level of each of the active rollers, this distribution that can be changed even in the course of scrolling the tape.
The invention therefore applies in a way

5 general, at a leveling machine, inside of a fixed cage, two roller leveling crews parallel apart, placed on either side of the strip with a roll offset defining a wavy path on both sides of an average plane of scrolling the tape, each leveling crew comprising a plurality of rotating rollers of planing with parallel axes, each associated with at least a row of support rollers spread across its length, the assembly being mounted in a chassis of support and applied, on the opposite side to the tape, on a resistant bed base bearing on the fixed cage.
According to the invention, the support frame at least one of the planing crews includes a piece shaped frame inside which are arranged next to each other a plurality of cross beams equal in number to that of planing rollers, slidably mounted in said frame, independently of each other, each following a clamping plane passing through the axis of the corresponding leveling roller, each active roller planing bearing, all along its length, on said beam, through its rollers of support and each beam taking support individually on the bed base via at least two hydraulic cylinders interposed between the box spring and the beam and spread over the length of it.
Preferably, each leveling roller is rotatably mounted at its ends on two levels of WO 96/32212 ~, ~ `, y ~ {r Q` (+ ~ 'PCT / FR96100573

6 centering respectively connected to the ends of the associated beam, in a way allowing limited relative movement of said roller bearings with respect to the beam under the action of said hydraulic cylinders.
In a particularly advantageous way, the planeuse comprises adjustment means in position of each of the cylinders interposed between the bed frame and each transverse beam for individual adjustment the level profile of at least some of the rollers planing assets compared to the average plane of scrolling the tape. But the cylinders can also to be adjusted simultaneously, either to determine individually the level of each of the rollers assets, or to act globally on nesting rollers.
According to another essential characteristic, the machine comprises pressure adjustment means of each of the cylinders interposed between the bed frame and each transverse beam for individual adjustment the clamping force supported by at least some planing rollers.
Advantageously, each transverse beam has a width at most equal to the distance between the axes of the planing rollers and the support cylinders each beam on the bed base each have a elongate section, each cylinder having a piston whose width in the transverse direction to the beam does not not substantially exceed the width of it and whose length is determined to define a useful section of the cylinder chamber compatible with the support effort to be exercised in view of the number of jacks acting on each beam.

WO 96/32212 PCT1EN96l00573

7 Preferably, each transverse beam takes support on the box spring via three cylinders, respectively one central cylinder and two cylinders laterally, said jacks being associated with a means of adjusting the position of the central cylinder for the setting of the corresponding roller nesting and means of correcting the relative positions of the two other cylinders to control the roll profile and its variation under the effect of applied forces.
According to another advantageous provision, the support cylinders are provided in at least one piece of intermediate support interposed between the bed base and the set of transverse beams, and in which are housed the bodies of the cylinders, the latter being arranged in several rows parallel to the beams cross.
In a particular embodiment, the body of cylinders placed at the same level on the different cross beams are gathered in a single piece extending over all the beams and in which recesses are formed constituting the chambers of the cylinders and in which are mounted sliding pistons based on the corresponding beam.
According to another preferred characteristic, the support frame includes a rectangular frame surrounding the set of rollers and associated with a plurality of guidewalls spaced apart one of the other so as to limit flat spaces in which are accommodated the transverse beams, each being equipped at both ends with means support on the frame with sliding possibility.
In addition, the entire support frame is closed, on the opposite side to the roller, by a plate covering _ ~.

8 the set of transverse beams so as to form a housing, said plate being provided with the right to each beam, of a plurality of passage orifices pistons of the cylinders interposed between each beam and the box spring. The ensemble thus forms a cassette which can be removed from the planer by translation in a direction parallel to the axes of the rollers.
Moreover, the invention also covers a method of adjusting the leveling effect performed on a band defines in a roller leveler nested of the type claimed.
According to the invention, the position is adjusted from one of the box springs to the other for determine a reference level of the set of the planing crew relative to each other and each planing roller being mounted, with its rollers of support, on a mounted cross beam slidable perpendicularly to the plane of passage of the band and resting on the corresponding bed base via at least two jacks hydraulic systems, the levels are accurately relating to at least one group of planing rollers relative to the reference level, by setting individual positions of the support cylinders corresponding to each of the rollers, so as to define a particular degree of nesting of each of the rolls of that group, the pressures applied on each of said cylinders being limited to a value of safety corresponding to maximum leveling effort cashed by each of the planing rollers.
On the other hand, we have seen that, in a preferred embodiment, each support beam of a leveling roller is associated with at least three WO 96/32212 2 ~ g 2 g ~~ PCT / F196 / 00573

9 support cylinders, respectively a central cylinder and two side cylinders.
In this case, according to a particularly advantageous, the level of each roll of planing corresponding to a degree of nesting determined by adjusting the position of the central cylinder of the corresponding beam, according to the cedings predictable parts of the cage, account taken into account, the difference between the measured positions of the two lateral cylinders of support of said beam and the corrected said positions to reduce the measured difference to a difference of reference corresponding to the parallelism of the roll with the reference level.
On the other hand, depending on the leveling effort corresponding to the sum of the measured pressures respectively on the three cylinders, the pressures between the latter taking into account relative positions of said cylinders, so that the active generator of the leveling roller considered, at product contact, be kept straight.
According to another characteristic particularly advantageous method, in the case where the planeuse includes an odd number n of nested rolls, respectively (1, 3, 5 .... n) on one of the crews and (2, 4, 6 ... n-1) on the other crew, one settles in position the jacks corresponding to at least two rolls, respectively (p) and (q) of each of the two crews, placed respectively above and below under the band and pressurize cylinders corresponding to the two pairs of rollers, respectively (p-1, p + 1) and (q-1, q + 1) which frame each of said rolls (p, q) set to way to determine at least two curvatures in one direction i inverses on said rollers (p and q), the locations of these in each of the two crews and their relative levels with respect to reference level, as well as the pressures 5 applied on the rollers that frame them, being determined according to the characteristics of the hovering tape to achieve the planing effect wish.
Other advantageous features

10 will appear in the following description of a mode of particular achievement, given as an example and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a general view of a planeuse according to the invention, in partial section along a plane transverse to the scroll direction.
FIG. 2 is a view on a larger scale, of the planeuse, in longitudinal section, according to a plan median parallel to the scroll direction.
Figure 3 is a detail diagram, in perspective, with partial snatch.
Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of circuits control of the cylinders.
Figure 5 schematically shows an arrangement particular planing rollers.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown the set of a planeuse comprising a fixed cage 1 consisting of two spaced apart amounts 11, 11 'connected by spacers 12 and attached to their base 13 on a solid foundation 14.
Between the two uprights 11, 11 ', extend two sleepers, respectively upper 3 and lower 3 ', whose ends are threaded into windows 10 provided respectively in the two amounts 11, 11 '.

11 The bottom rail 3 'is fixed and is supported directly on the base 13 of the cage 1.
In contrast, the top rail 3 is adjustable in height and can slide vertically under the action of four hydraulic cylinders or in the upper part of the amounts 11, 11 '.
Each of the crosspieces 3, 3 'is made of particularly rigid and forms a resistant bed base defining a substantially flat bearing face 32, 32 '.
Between the two beds 3, 3 ', are arranged two planing crews, respectively upper 2 and lower 2 ', placed on either side of a plane P of passage of the tape to plane A and taking support of the opposite side, on bearing faces 32, 32 ' respectively of the sommier supérieur3 and the sommier lower 3 '.
All these provisions are known and do not do not require a detailed description.
Each leveling equipment 2, 2 'comprises a plurality of active rollers 21 spaced apart from each other others and whose axes are perpendicular to the x'-x direction of the product to glide.
Each active roller 21 is rotatably mounted at its two ends, on two bearings 23 defining an axis of rotation 20 of the roll and bears on rollers or support rollers 22, the assembly being mounted in a support frame that is applied against the sommier 3.
In the embodiment shown on the figures, the upper crew 2 includes four active rollers 21 each associated with two rows of support rollers 22 centered respectively on two WO 96132212 - PCTIFR96 / 00573 ~

12 axes spaced symmetrically on both sides of a vertical plane of symmetry P1 passing through the axis of corresponding active roller 21.
The lower crew 2 'comprises five rollers 21 'assets each associated with two rows of pebbles support 22 'and whose axes are placed in vertical planes of symmetry P'i which are shifted by one half-step compared to the plane of symmetry P1 of upper rollers 21, so that, so known, a metal band passing according to the longitudinal direction x'-x follows a wavy path, on both sides of an average P scrolling plane between the two rows of rollers 21, 21 ', the amplitude of the ripples depending on the degree of nesting of rollers 21, 21 '.
According to the invention, as shown in the figures 1 to 3, the support frame 4 of each flight crew planing is constituted by a hollow part 40 in form frame in which are housed several beams transverse 5 arranged next to each other at inside the frame 40 and each supporting one of the active rollers 21 and its support rollers 22. The hollow piece 40 thus forms a section frame rectangular surrounding all the beams transverse 5 which can slide individually inside the frame 40, with the rollers and the rollers.
The chassis 4 constitutes a box of form rectangular limited by two long sides 42 parallel_ to the plane of symmetry Pl and two small sides 43 perpendicular to said planes, and between which extend intermediate partitions 41 which limit, inside the frame 40, several elongate dwellings 45 in which are threaded, WO 96132212 ~ ~ 9 ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT / FR96100573

13 respectively, the transverse beams 5. Each beam 5 is centered on a vertical plane of symmetry P1 passing through the axis of the corresponding active roller 21 and is provided at both ends with projection 53, 53 'in which are housed, respectively, the two bearings 23, 23 'of the roller active 21.
Moreover, each beam 5 is supported, each of its two ends, by jacks 52, based on corresponding support parts on each lateral side 43 of the frame 4.
As schematically represented on the 3, each active roller 21 is supported on two rows of support rollers 22a, 22b which are mounted rotating on intermediate supports 54 fixed on the lower part of the beam 5, around axes alternately spread on both sides of the plane vertical symmetry P1 of the beam.
It should be noted that the mounting of bearings 23 of active rollers 21 at both ends of the beam corresponding 5 is intended to ensure simply the support roll 21 but with a possibility of slight displacement relative to the beam, the roll 21 leaning on it only by its pebbles of support 22.
In general, each beam 5 presents a rectangular cross-section whose width is the same order as the diameter of the roller 21 corresponding and at most equal to the distance between rollers and whose height is at least equal to width and, preferably, significantly greater than it.
In this way, each beam 5 forms, with the corresponding active roller 21 and its pebbles

14 support 22a, 22b, a relatively rigid assembly, suspended from the frame 4 by the cylinders 52, 52 'and which can slide vertically inside your home 45, along the plane of symmetry P1 which constitutes a clamping plane of the active roller 21.
On the other hand, the support rollers 22a, 22b of each roll 21 are shifted alternately from and others of the plane of symmetry P1 so as to be able to intercalate between the rollers of neighboring rollers.
Thus, each beam 5 with its active roller and its support rollers can slide individually in its housing without interference with the movement of sliding of neighboring beams.
For this purpose, each support beam 5 takes support on the bed base 3 independently of the beams neighbors via a row of several jacks 6 which are interposed between each beam 5 and the application face 32 of the bed base 3 and distributed over the entire length of the beam 5.
The cylinders 6 are housed in a piece 33 in welded construction, which covers the whole face 32 of the box spring 3 and in which the jacks 6 are arranged in several rows corresponding respectively to each of the beams transverse 5, each cylinder 6 comprising a piston 62 and a body 61 housed in the intermediate piece 33.
It should be noted that, to act individually on each beam 5, the piston cylinders corresponding must not be wider than the width of the beam. Circular section cylinders could not therefore develop that quite reduced efforts and it -would then have to use a fairly large number of jacks distributed over the entire length of the beam to exercise on the corresponding active roller a sufficient enforcement effort.
Such a provision would complicate the circuits hydraulic and regulation of the whole.
5 Therefore, according to another characteristic particularly advantageous of the invention, preferably uses cylinders having a section lengthened, the piston 62 of each cylinder 6 having a slightly smaller than that of beam 5, 10 but covering, in the longitudinal direction of the beam 5, a much longer length.
To ensure in good conditions the tightness of each cylinder, the piston and the chamber corresponding 64 have an elongate section having

Preferably circular rounded ends of way to have an oblong shape, as we have schematically shown in FIG.
We can thus considerably increase the useful section of each cylinder and get an effort sufficient using only a reduced number of cylinders per beam, the length of each cylinder being determined to define a useful section of the cylinder chamber compatible with the support effort to exercise considering the number of jacks acting on each beam.
Preferably, for example, each beam 5 can be associated with three jacks only, respectively a central cylinder 6a centered in the plane median of the leveling machine and two lateral jacks 6b and 6c.
In addition, by reducing the number of cylinders, it is possible to simplify the realization of the intermediate piece 33.

16 Indeed, as has been shown on figures, the bodies 61 of all the cylinders placed respectively at the same level on each of the beams parallel 5 can be grouped in a room 61 ', which extends over the entire width of the bed base 3 in a same groove-shaped recess 34. In this room 61 'are spared several bores centered respectively in the median planes P1 of the various beams 5 and each constituting the chamber 64 of a jack whose piston 62 is supported on the upper face 55 of the beam 5 corresponding. Of course, circuits oil supply and discharge, no represented in the figures, are provided in the room 61 '.
In addition, each jack 6 is associated with a sensor position 63 housed in the room 61 '.
Such provisions therefore make it possible with great precision, not only the position the piston of each cylinder but also the pressure supported or applied to the beam at the level corresponding.
As will be discussed in detail below, in thus ensuring individual support of each roll planing on the bed base via a beam and a series of hydraulic cylinders he becomes possible to control on the one hand the degree nesting and distribution of efforts traction-bending applied by each of the rollers assets and on the other hand, the distribution of planing along the length of each roll.
It should be noted that the support beams 5 active rollers 21, can have a height much larger than their width, which gives them = W0 96/32212 PCT / FR96 / 00573

17 a relatively high rigidity and allows to distribute throughout the length of the active roll, the effects of adjustment cylinders, without impeding the sliding of all. Each beam 5 is indeed, perfectly maintained laterally in dwelling 45 corresponding frame 4 and resiliently resilient and without risk of buckling to the actions of the jacks 6, whose effects on active rollers 21 can therefore be extremely accurate.
The lower leveling crew 2 'taking support on the lower bed base 3 'is realized in a way completely analogous, but is normally fixed in height while the general level of the bed base superior 3 with the upper leveling crew 2 can be adjusted in height, by means of the cylinders 15.
Preferably, the frame 4 is closed, at its part upper, by a plate 43 which covers the whole beams 5 and in which are arranged, in the right each beam 5, rows of orifices 44 of passage of the pistons 62.
In this way, the frame 4 forms a housing containing all the beams 5 with the rollers 21 and their support rollers 22 which can advantageously constitute a removable cassette.
This is applied and removably attached against the bed base 3 by clamps 35 actuated by jacks 36 bearing on the bed base 3, the upper plate 43 bearing on the face 32 of the box spring 3, via the parts 61 'constituting the bodies of the cylinders 6.
As mentioned above, each beam 5 is supported at both ends on the sides 43 of the frame 4 via cylinders 52, 52 '. These are adjusted to support the weight of -two WO 96/32212 PCTIFR96 / 00573 =

18 the beam 5 with the support rollers 22 and the active roller 21 corresponding and maintain the beam 5 applied against the corresponding cylinders 6, without opposing the sliding of the beam under the effect of said cylinders.
Each cassette constituted by the frame 4, and the set of beams 5 and rollers 21 and rollers 22 associates, may be removed from the machine by a parallel to the axes of the rollers and beams.
For this purpose, the lower cassette 4 'is provided of rollers 45 which can roll on rails 16 of adjustable height (Figure 2). In addition, both planing crews can be removed at the same time time, the upper crew 2 resting on the crew lower 2 'via stops no represented.
For that, we first go down the upper cassette 4 by means of the cylinders 36 for the rest on the lower cassette 4 '. We move aside then the claws 35 and we go back the bed frame 3, at means of the cylinders 15, to a higher position dashed in FIG. 1 so as to remove the cassette 2.
By means not shown, we go back then the rails 16 carrying the two superposed cassettes 2, 2 ', to the level of fixed rails 17 arranged on a floor, next to the machine, in the extension rails 16.
We can then roll the set of two crews 2, 2 'resting on each other, in the position A shown on the right of Figure 1.
After verification and maintenance of the different organs and their eventual replacement, the 2159 ~~~ 82_8y.

19 two crews 2, 2 'inside the machine in = performing the same operations in reverse order.
Thanks to the provisions that have just been described, the invention makes it possible to have two means of adjusting the spacing of crews planing and nesting rollers.
On the one hand, the four jacks 15 make it possible to define a reference level of the upper box spring 3 and the upper leveling crew 2 compared to a basic level of the lower leveling crew 2 'defined by the lower bed base 3'.
On the other hand, according to a characteristic essential feature of the invention, there is also a means of individually adjusting the level of each of the active leveling rollers 21, 21 'of the two crews 2, 2 ', by means of the corresponding jacks 6 which can be set simultaneously or individually to adjust the positions relating, on the one hand, to the upper rollers 21 by reference level determined by the jacks 15 and secondly lower rollers 2 ' compared to the base level determined by the box spring lower 3 '.
It is thus possible to adjust, individually, the degree of nesting of each of active roll and modify it, possibly in load to adjust, the distribution of the efforts of planing between the rollers, even during the passage Of the band.
For example, one can, as usually gradually decrease the nesting of the rollers in the direction of scrolling or to achieve, according to needs, a slight tipping of a crew by to the other, while maintaining a fixed support for each crew.
But thanks to the many adjustment possibilities provided by the invention, it is possible to 5 determine, individually, not only the position but also the profile of each of the rollers and, therefore, control the effects of leveling much more flexible and precise than in the previous provisions.
As indicated, in fact, each cylinder 6 is associated with a position sensor 63 and it is possible, first of all, to settle in the same way and simultaneously all the cylinders corresponding to a support beam 5 to control the level of the Corresponding active roll 21, for example, for vary the nesting rate and the amplitude of the ripples, from the entrance to the exit of the planeuse.
But_in addition, from the nesting level so determined from each of the active rollers 21 he

It is also possible to act individually on corresponding cylinders 6, on the one hand to correct the bending of rolls resulting from differential ceding different parts of the cage and, on the other hand, to possibly modify the distribution of constraints in the direction transverse to the band, in particular to differentiate the leveling rates between the center and the banks of the plate.
Indeed, even if we use coins extremely rigid, we can not completely avoid deformations of the different parts of the cage under the effect of the extremely important efforts they have to endure and the application face 32 of sommier 3 which serves as a reference for positioning WO 96/32212

21..9282,8 ;:

cylinders 6 may not stay perfectly plane.
However, it is possible to determine by calculates the predictable deformations of all elements according to the efforts applied and to establish a mathematical model calculate not only the overall bending of the bed base, but also the corresponding cedar, at the level of each active leveling roller, with the applied force by the considered roller.
Each cylinder 6 being associated with a sensor of position 63, it is possible, from the information given by the mathematical model, adjust the respective positions of the cylinders so as to correct the bending of the corresponding roller 21.
In particular, in the embodiment shown in the figures and comprising three jacks 6 for each beam 5, the adjustment in position of side cylinders 6b, 6c can be used to determine the level corresponding 21 active roller medium and the model mathematical determines, depending on the efforts applied and all the parameters of the installation, the predictable ceding of the part corresponding to the bed base 3 and, therefore, the position of the central cylinder 6a to ensure straightness of the corresponding roller 21.
It is even possible, from this level, to slightly vary the relative positions of pistons to give a determined profile to the roll and, for example, apply a bending effect positive or negative to correct some flatness defects.

WO 96/32212 2192828 PCT / PR96 / 00573 =

22 In FIG. 4, there is shown diagrammatically the control and control circuits of a machine planing allowing such adjustments.
In the case of the nine-roll machine shown in Figures 1 and 2 as a simple example, the upper leveling crew includes four rollers 21 which are interposed between the five rolls of the lower crew.
Each leveling roller is associated with three oblong cylinders 6, the machine therefore comprises a total of twenty-seven jacks that are powered by a circuit 7 comprising, in a conventional manner, a pump 70, a tank 71 and twenty-seven servo-valves 72 each associated with one of the jacks 6.
Moreover, the four support cylinders 15 of the upper bed base 3 are also supplied with oil, each via a servo valve 73.
To simplify the drawing, FIG.
only two planing rollers, respectively upper 21 and lower 21 ', each associated with a support beam 5, 5 'resting on the bed base corresponding 3, 3 'through a series of three jacks 6, 6 ', only the servo-valves 72, 72' corresponding to these six cylinders being represented with the corresponding traffic.
Similarly, a single servo valve 73 has been represented to symbolize the feeding of the four jacks 15 in support of the upper support beam 3.
Of course, the hydraulic circuits, which have been represented only very schematically, include all the usual organs for a normal operation, and in particular pressure mounted on the circuits corresponding to each row of cylinders. As a result, the effort to WO 96/32212 2 1 Q ~~ 9 r ~ 1 tj ç; ., PCT / FR96 / 00573 u23 ~ 7 ~ rA

planing cashed by each of the rollers, which corresponds to the sum of the pressures applied on the corresponding jacks can be limited to a value of security, which avoids any risk of deterioration of the machine due, for example, to a unequal distribution of efforts between rolls.
According to the invention, the control of the position and the pressure of each of the twenty-seven jacks 6, 6 ' is provided by an automatic regulation system 8 connected, in a classical way, by a network of communication 9, to various control devices and such as a sequential automaton 91 of control of the successive operations of the planeuse, a auxiliary control automaton 92, and various interface elements 93, 94, allowing, in particular the operator to determine or modify possibly the setting parameters of the machine and monitor the operation of it and the regulation system to intervene, in case of need.
Such systems are usually used to control industrial installations and therefore do not need to be described in detail.
Each jack 6 of support of a beam 5 is associated, as we have seen, with a position sensor 63 and a pressure sensor 65 that emit signals representative of the position of the piston 62 and of the pressure in the chamber 64 of the cylinder 6. These signals are applied to the corresponding inputs 8. The latter also receives signals corresponding, respectively, to the position and pressure of each support cylinder 15 of the box spring which are provided by sensors of -position 18 and pressure sensors 18 'associated with each of the cylinders 15.
After processing this information, the system 8 issues orders for corrections which are applied on the control solenoids of servo valves 72, 72 'and 73.
For this purpose, the regulation system 8 comprises a number of control units and regulation and, in particular, an automatic compensation of capping 81 comprising two parts 81a, 81b assigned, respectively, to the upper bedsteads 3 and lower 3 ', a servo automaton of position 82, a profile servo automaton rectilinear 83 and a control automaton horizontality 84, which are associated with each of the beams 5; -5 '.
To simplify the drawing, FIG.
only the regulation loops of the cylinders of a support beam 5 of an upper cylinder 21 but the same circuits are associated with the cylinders corresponding to all other rollers.
In general, the regulatory system has aim of maintaining the central position of each roll to its set point and control the horizontality and straightness of the generator active in contact with the band to glide. By the term horizontality, we must understand the basic level defined by the fixed lower bed base 3 ', which may not be strictly horizontal, because of the cedings and possible deformations of the different support.
The basic level therefore corresponds, empty, to scroll plane P defined by the rollers 21 'of lower leveling crew 2 '. The position of WO96l32212 * ~ 1F ~~ S2g PCTIFR96 / 00573 bed base 3 adjusted by means of the jacks 15 makes it possible to define a reference level of the upper crew 2 rigorously parallel to the basic level of the lower crew 2 'and relative to which will be 5 made the roll nesting settings the objective being to produce a metal sheet perfectly rectangular section by maintaining the straightness and parallelism of active generators rolls of both crews, respectively 10 upper and lower.
The sensors 63 of each of the jacks 6 allow to know, at every moment, the position of the piston 62 relative to the body 61 of the cylinder but, due elastic deformations of the mechanical elements 15 under the action of different forces, the values measured do not directly represent the position active generators of the leveling roller corresponding 21 and therefore need to be corrected by the capping compensation automaton 81, taking 20 counts the width L of the product in the matrix of elasticity 810. The compensation automaton 81 multiplies the measurement vector of the leveling force F, corresponding to the sum of the pressures of the three cylinders measured by the sensors 64, by the matrix 25 of elasticity 810 of the mechanical assembly to obtain the correction to be made to the desired position X0, corresponding to the leveling effort at the level of considered roller, which is determined by the model mathematical control system 8. The automaton 81a thus forms a signal corresponding to the position effective X of the active generator of the roller considered, which is displayed on the regulator 82. This last determines the difference between the actual position X to ensure and the position measured by the sensor W096132212 PCT / FR96 / 00573 ~

corresponding 63 and issues a correction signal from the position reference of the central cylinder 6a which is displayed on the corresponding servo valve 72a so to obtain the correct position X of the roller 21 at center of it.
The horizontality control automaton 84 includes a comparator 86 which receives, on its two inputs 84b, 84c the signals emitted by the sensors of 63b, 63c, corresponding to the positions of the two jacks 6b, 6c with respect to the reference level defined by the upper bed base 3.
The gap between these two signals, shaped by a PID regulator 86 'is sent in addition or in less on the controls of servo-valves 72b, 72c associated respectively with the two lateral cylinders 6b, 6c in order to permanently reduce this gap to zero.
Signals representative of the pressures in the three jacks 6a, 6b, 6c measured by the sensors correspondents 65 are displayed at the entrance of the rectilinear servo automaton 83 which includes a regulator 87 of the PID type associated with comparators 88 to ensure the distribution between the pressures of the three cylinders of such that in the event that the force of metal reaction is uniform over the width, the active generator of the roller 21 is rectilinear.
The relationship between force in the center and forces lateral is a function of the width L of the sheet planed. The difference between the sum of the lateral forces and the corresponding instruction is formatted by the PID regulator 87 which emits a correction signal acting simultaneously on the side servo-valves 72b, 72c and, in opposite directions on the servo valve 72a, so as to cancel this gap.

219,. ; .

We see that the regulation system that comes to be described allows, by its multiple possibilities adjustment, control simultaneously or separately the absolute level, the straightness and the parallelism of each generator activates 21 relative to a level reference point defined by the bed base and therefore degree of nesting and distribution of effort leveling between the rollers that define a perfectly rectangular passage gap.
In addition, by acting on the distribution of pressures between the central cylinder and the cylinders lateral, it is possible to modify the distribution constraints on the length of each roll, by example, to take account of localized defects on the width of the band.
In addition, control in position and pressure of the support cylinders of each of the rollers allows to determine an optimal corrugated profile in performing the necessary curvatures to a good planing operation.
We know, indeed, that in a planeuse with multi-rollers, a number of alternating flexions in order to suppress the differences in fiber length, each flexion being determined by a group of three rollers whose the degree of nesting is defined taking into account the characteristics of sheet metal and plating effect searched at the level of the roller considered.
Thus, in the case, represented in FIG. 2, of a nine-roll leveling machine, the cylinders corresponding to all rollers can be set in position so as to define, on the rollers successive, decreasing curvatures from the entrance to the exit of the planeuse, the pressures in the WO 96132212 PCT / PR96100573 ~

jacks being adjusted to limit the effort supported by each of the rollers.
But the provisions according to the invention allow, as we have seen, to regulate individually the position and the pressure of each rolls that can define a profile of any undulations determined by the model mathematical according to the characteristics of the sheet.
In addition, all combinations are possible, some rollers having, for example, a position determined by adjustment in position of their cylinders while other rollers can adapt to the undulations defined by the fixed rollers in exerting on the sheet a determined effort by simple pressure adjustment of the corresponding cylinders.
For example, Figure 5 shows schematically a nine-roller planer in which only the cylinders corresponding to the rollers R1, R2, R5, R8 and R9 are set in position, the cylinders of other rollers R3, R4, R6, R7 being simply set in pressure so as to apply on sheet metal a determined effort but without fixing the position of the corresponding roller.
In this way, each of the rollers R2, R5, R8 of fixed position is framed by two rollers placed the other side of the band and set only in pressure so as to exert on the tape, from both else of the fixed_roll; efforts that determine a certain curvature depending on the characteristics band and applied pressures.
Each group of three rolls determines a curvature, one way or the other, on the roll corresponding fixed and this results in a ripple at = ~ 1 ~~ Q ~ vO

three alternating curvatures whose profile depends on the stiffness of the band, fixed roller positions R2, R5, R8 and pressures applied by others rolls.
In this case, the transition from a curvature to next depends on the characteristics of the band and it It should be noted that curvatures are not necessarily centered on the fixed rollers.
But it was also possible to settle in position all the rollers so as to define, by for example, the corrugated profile shown in FIG.
Indeed, the mathematical model can, in function of the different parameters and in particular the nature of the metal and the dimensions of the band, define an optimal wave profile that is not necessarily linked to the number of rollers and their spacings, the regulatory system determining the positions and pressures to be assigned to different rolls according to the rank of each of them for get the desired profile.
An essential advantage of the invention therefore lies in that the profile of the undulations can be freely modified by simply adjusting the levels and the pressures applied on all rollers.
It is therefore possible to vary the number of alternating curvatures and their amplitude and, by Therefore, the leveling effect, depending on the characteristics of the sheet, without modifying the spacing of the rollers which all remain in contact of the sheet and can therefore be rotated to serve the progression of the sheet, couples required training being distributed on all the rollers.

WO 96/32212 To Z1en O PCT / FR96 / 00573 Of course, the invention is not limited to details of the embodiment which has just been described for example, similar provisions be used to perform the same functions and 5 achieve the same results without departing from the protection defined by the claims.
In particular, each beam could be associated with only two jacks to adjust the level and any inclination of the roll 10 corresponding asset. Conversely, we could use a greater number of cylinders, especially if one gives them a circular section.
However, the use of section cylinders elongated, in particular oblong, has the advantage 15 essential to obtain the largest active surface and, therefore, the maximum effort for a number minimum of cylinders distributed over the entire surface of the beam turned towards the bed base.
In this way, it is possible to obtain, according to the invention, 20 great freedom of adjustment of the relative levels of rolls and their nesting without increasing exaggeratedly the complexity of the regulatory system.
The invention is, moreover, applicable to all types of multi-roll planers, the crews of 25 planing may comprise_ a number more or less large of rollers. Moreover, these must not necessarily be associated each with a beam of support and to adjustment jacks, some of the rolls that can be fixed.
Other combinations are possible, the facility can adapt to formats and characteristics of the sheets, and capable of all necessary corrections.

WO96 / 32212 ~~ - ~ P ~ e_8 PCT / FR96 / 00573 Moreover, it is possible to perform a automatic vertical adjustment of the input rollers and / or output to control, automatically and for the different products, the phases of engagement and release of the sheet.

Claims (20)

1. Interlocking roller leveler for one product in a band moving in one direction longitudinal scrolling x' x, comprising, at inside a fixed cage (1), two crews of leveling (2, 2') with spaced apart parallel rollers, placed on either side of the strip with an offset of the rollers defining a corrugated path on both sides on the other side of a mid-plane of the strip, each leveling equipment (2) comprising a plurality of rotating leveling rollers (21) with axes parallel, associated, each with support rollers (22) distributed in at least one row over its entire length, the assembly being mounted in a frame of support (4) and applied, on the side opposite the band, on a resistant bed base (3) resting on the cage fixed (1), characterized in that the frame (4) for supporting at least one of the leveling crews (2) comprises a part (40) in the form of a frame to inside which are arranged, one next to the other, a plurality of transverse beams (5) in number equal to that of the leveling rollers (21), slidably mounted in said frame (40), independently of each other, each following a clamping plane (P1) passing through the axis of the roller leveling (21) corresponding, each active roll of leveling (21) resting, over its entire length, on said beam by means of its rollers of support (22) and each beam (5) bearing individually on the bed base (3), by through at least two hydraulic cylinders (6) interposed between the bedstead (3) and the beam (5) and distributed along its length. 2. Roller leveler according to claim 1, characterized in that each leveling roller (21) is rotatably mounted, at its ends, on two centering bearings (23) connected respectively to the ends, corresponding of the associated beam (5) in a manner permitting limited relative movement of said bearings (23) of the roller (21) with respect to the beam (5) under the action of said hydraulic cylinders (6). 3. Roller leveler according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that that it comprises means for adjusting the position of each of the cylinders (6) interposed between the bed base (3) and each transverse beam (5), for adjustment individual of the profile and level of at least some leveling rolls (4) with respect to the mean plane tape scrolling. 4. Roller leveler according to one of claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that that it includes means for adjusting the pressure of each of the cylinders (6) interposed between the bed base (3) and each cross beam (5) for adjustment individual clamping force supported by at least minus some of the leveling rollers (4). 5. Roller leveler according to one of preceding claims, characterized in that that each transverse beam (5) has a width at most equal to the distance between the axes of the leveling rollers (21) and the support cylinders (6) of each beam (5) on the bedstead (3) have each an elongated section, each cylinder (6) having a piston (62) whose width, in the transverse direction to the beam (5), does not substantially exceed the width thereof, and whose length is determined to define a useful section of the chamber (64) of cylinder (6) compatible with the force of support to exert taking into account the number of cylinders associated with the beam (5). 6. Roller leveler according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the cylinders (6) have an oblong section with rounded ends. 7. Roller leveler according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that each transverse beam (5) rests on the bed base (3) via at least three cylinders (6), with an elongated section respectively a cylinder central and two lateral jacks distributed over the beam length. 8. Roller leveler according to one of preceding claims, characterized in that that the support jacks (6) are mounted in at least an intermediate support piece (33) interposed between the bed base (3) and the transverse beams (5). 9. Roller leveler according to claim 8, characterized in that the support part (33) cylinders (6) extends over the entire surface of the leveling equipment (2) and is equipped with several rows of recesses (34) each corresponding to a transverse beam (5), and each limiting a body (61) of cylinder (6) in which is slidably mounted a piston (62) resting on the transverse beam (5). 10. Roller leveler according to claim 9, characterized in that the bodies (61) of the jacks (6) placed at the same level on the different beams crossbars (5) are gathered in one piece single (61') extending over all of the beams (5) and in which is formed a series of recesses (34) respectively centered on said beams (5) and each constituting the body (61) of a cylinder (6) whose piston (62) rests on the beam corresponding (5). 11. Roller leveler according to one of preceding claims, characterized in that that the support frame (4) comprises a frame rectangular (40) surrounding all the rollers (21, 22) and associated with a plurality of partitions guide crossbars (41) parallel to the axes of the rollers (21) and separated from each other so as to limit elongated recesses (45) in number equal to that of the rollers and in which the transverse beams (5), each being provided, at its two ends, means (52, 52') for bearing on the frame with possibility of sliding. 12. Roller leveler according to claim it, characterized by the fact that each beam transverse (5) has a rectangular cross section having a height at least equal to its width, so as to present sufficient inertia so that said beam (5) constitutes, with the active roller (21) and the corresponding support rollers, a semi-rigid assembly likely to deform in function of the distribution of the forces applied on the length of the associated active roller (21), with possibility of sliding inside the corresponding recess (45). 13. Roller leveler according to one of preceding claims, characterized in that that the support frame (4) is closed, on the side opposite the rollers, by a plate (43) covering all of the transverse beams (5) and connecting the sides of the frame (40) so as to form a casing, said plate (43) being provided, in line with each beam (5), with a plurality of passage orifices (44) pistons (62) cylinders (6) interposed between each beam (5) and the bed base (3). 14. Roller leveler according to one of preceding claims, characterized in that that the assembly formed by the hollow part forming the frame (40) and the transverse beams (5) with the active rollers (21) and support rollers (22) associated, forms a cassette which can be removed from the leveler by moving parallel to the axes of the rollers (21). 15. Roller leveler according to claim 14, characterized in that each cassette is applied, in working position, to the bed base (3) corresponding, by removable clamping devices (36) resting on said base (3). 16. Planing effect adjustment method carried out on a band moving along a longitudinal direction of travel x'x in a interlocking roller leveler according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the position of one of the windchests (3) is adjusted relative to the other (3') to determine a level of reference for the entire leveling crew (2) with respect to the other (2') and that, each roller leveling (21) being mounted, with its support rollers (22), on a transverse beam (5) mounted slidable perpendicular to the plane of passage of the band and resting on the bed base (3) corresponding via at least two hydraulic cylinders (6a, 6b), it is determined with specify the relative levels of at least one group of leveling rollers relative to the level of reference, by individual adjustment of the positions of the support jacks (6) of the rows of jacks corresponding, respectively, to the rollers (R1, R2...) of said group, so as to adapt individually the level and degree of nesting of each of said rollers (R1, R2...), at a determined distribution of the leveling force on the band, the pressures applied to each of said cylinders (6) being limited to a safety value corresponding to a maximum planing effort received by each of the leveling rollers (21). 17. Process according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that a profile is defined of undulation comprising a series of curvatures alternated so as to achieve a leveling effect desired, taking into account the physical characteristics and dimensions of the strip and which are adapted individually the levels of at least some of the leveling rollers of the two crews (R1, R2, R5...), by adjusting the positions of the support jacks (6) correspondents, so that the active generators of said rollers (R1, R2, R5, etc.) frame the path of the tape by defining the previously defined wave profile. 18. Method according to one of claims 16 and 17, characterized in that each beam (5) being associated with at least three support jacks (6), respectively a central jack (6a) and two jacks side panels (6b, 6c), the level of each leveling roller (21) corresponding to a degree nesting determined by adjusting the position of the central cylinder (6a) of the corresponding beam (5), in depending on the foreseeable yields of the different parts of the cage, taking into account the forces applied, the difference between the measured positions of the two lateral jacks (6b, 6c) supporting said beam (5) and the said positions are corrected to bring back the measured deviation to a corresponding reference deviation the parallelism of the leveling roller (21) with the reference level. 19. Process according to claim 18, characterized by the fact that one distributes the pressures between the three jacks (6a, 6b, 6c) of each beam (5) taking into account their positions relative, so that the generator activates the leveling roller (21) considered, located at the contact with the product, is kept straight. 20. Method according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that, the leveler comprising a odd number (n) of nested rolls, respectively (1, 3, 5....n) on one of the crews (2') and (2, 4, 6...n-1) on the other team (2), we adjusts in position the cylinders corresponding to at least two rolls, respectively (p) and (q) of each of the two crews (2, 2'), placed respectively at the above and below the band and we adjust to the less in pressure the cylinders corresponding to the two pairs of rolls, respectively (p-1, p+1) and (q-1, q+1) which frame each of said rolls (p) and (q) adjusted in position so as to determine at least two curvatures in opposite directions on said rollers (p and q), the locations of these in each of the two crews (2.2') and their relative levels compared to the reference level, as well as the pressures applied to the rollers which frame, being determined according to the characteristics of the strip to be planed so as to achieve the desired planing effect.