EP2190603B1 - Interchangeable cartridge system for a straightening machine and method for operating said straightening machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a straightening machine according to the preamble of claim 1 with upper straightening rollers and with lower straightening rollers, in which the straightening rollers are driven by coupling elements and in which the upper straightening rollers and the lower straightening rollers respectively with the associated coupling elements in an upper or a lower removable cassette are arranged, which can be removed from the straightening machine.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an interchangeable cassette assembly according to the preamble of claim 12 for such a leveler having an upper straightening roller assembly and a lower straightening roller assembly, wherein the interchangeable drum assembly for the straightening rollers of the upper and / or lower straightening roller assembly comprises a coupling member assembly for optional connection to an optional strainer having external gear assembly for the leveler.

Finally, the present invention also relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 13 for operating a straightening machine having an exchangeable cassette arrangement according to the invention.

Straightening machines of the type mentioned are known and are used for straightening boards, tapes or the like, especially for the metalworking industry. In this case, the straightening machines in the sense of the present description may either have their own gear arrangement, which may be arranged externally, so that it is actively driven straightening machines. Alternatively, it is possible to dispense with a separate gear arrangement for the leveling machines, so that they are driven or towed by a conveying movement of the Richtguts, which is referred to herein as "passive drive".

For converting straightening machines to other materials to be straightened, that is to say for exchanging straightening rollers for such other diameters straightening machines with exchangeable cassettes or exchangeable cassettes of the type also mentioned in the introduction are known.

For example, the German Offenlegungsschrift describes DE 10 2004 017 558 A1 a straightening machine with a removable cassette, wherein between an main gear for driving the straightening rollers and the straightening rollers, an additional transfer case with one outlet for each straightening roller is arranged.

In this case, the transfer case can be integrated into a straightening roll change cassette, so that when straightening rolls are used with a different diameter, the range of usable straightening roll diameter and the corresponding straightening roll number can be increased. A disadvantage is that the subject matter of the document in any case, the coupling elements, in particular in the form of propeller shafts, are replaced together with the straightening rollers, which means an increased effort and thus leads in cost-disadvantageous manner to a longer standstill of the straightening machine. Such a state of the art is also in the WO 2005/080016 A2 disclosed.

Straightening machines with exchangeable cassettes are also from the DDR patent specification 30 929, the German patent 1 250 237 as well as from the US 6,789,279 and the US 6,792,783 known.

Accordingly, it is also known from the prior art to equip straightening machines with a quick-change option for exchanging straightening rollers for such same diameter and the same design. Hereby, either the lower roll mill or the upper roll mill may be without the respective coupling elements, e.g. Cardan shafts are pulled out to a stop largely from the straightening machine to easily maintain or replace about damaged straightening rollers or soiled straightening rollers can.

The invention has for its object to provide a removable cassette assembly for a straightening machine of the type mentioned, a straightening machine of the type mentioned above and a method for their operation, in Depend on the maintenance, repair or retooling work to create flexible change options for straightening rollers and their coupling elements.

The object is achieved by a straightening machine having the features of patent claim 1, by an exchangeable cassette arrangement for a straightening machine having the features of patent claim 12 and by a method for operating a straightening machine having the features of patent claim 13.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of subclaims, the wording of which is hereby incorporated by express reference into the description in order to avoid unnecessary text repetitions.

According to the invention, a straightening machine with upper straightening rolls and with lower straightening rolls, in which the straightening rolls can be driven by means of an optionally present transmission and propeller shaft arrangement via suitable coupling elements and in which the upper straightening rolls and the lower straightening rolls respectively with the associated coupling elements in an upper or lower Interchangeable cassette are arranged, which can be removed from the straightening machine, characterized in that at least one of the upper and lower removable cassettes is formed in the depth between the respective straightening rollers and the associated coupling elements separable, so that the respective straightening rollers either either together at least with the associated coupling elements by removing the entire upper and / or lower removable cassette or without the associated coupling elements by removing only a part of the respective removable cassette are interchangeable.

As already mentioned, the straightening machine according to the invention can therefore be actively driven, d. H. have their own associated gear and cardan shaft assembly, or the straightening machine according to the invention is passively driven and has no such gear and cardan shaft assembly.

An exchangeable cassette arrangement for a straightening machine, in particular for a straightening machine according to the invention, with an upper straightening rake arrangement and a lower straightening roller arrangement, wherein the exchangeable cassette arrangement for The straightening rollers of the upper straightening roller arrangement and / or the straightening rollers of the lower straightening roller arrangement having a coupling element arrangement for optional connection with an optionally present external gear and cardan shaft arrangement of the straightening machine is inventively characterized in that the exchangeable cassette arrangement both in the height between the upper straightening roller assembly together with the associated coupling element assembly and the lower straightening roller assembly is formed together with the associated Kupptungselementanordnung and in the depth between at least one of the upper and lower straightening roller assemblies and the respective associated coupling element assembly separable.

In addition, according to the invention, a method for operating a straightening machine according to the invention, which has an exchangeable cassette arrangement according to the invention, characterized in that for a quick change, the upper and / or lower straightening rollers are removed independently of the respectively associated coupling elements; and that for a cassette change the upper and / or lower straightening rollers are removed together with the respectively associated coupling elements.

An essential component of the present invention is thus in the novel combination of conventional straightening machines in a disadvantageous manner so far only realized separately change options. By dividing at least one of the upper and lower halves of the interchangeable cassette assembly, either a part of an upper or lower interchangeable cassette can be pulled out of the leveler to realize the Schnellwecfisel variant, the coupling elements, for example in the form of cardan shafts, in the leveler or remain in a working area within the straightening machine. Alternatively, the interchangeable cassette assembly or at least one of the upper and lower interchangeable cassettes can be pulled out undivided from the leveler, so that the coupling elements are removed as usual together with the straightening rollers in the cassette from the leveler. According to the invention, therefore, the coupling elements can either "quick change" remain in the leveler or "removable cassette" with the straightening rollers are removed from the leveler. Thus, a more flexible operation of the leveler is possible, which is advantageous in particular to shortened downtime when cleaning or changing the straightening rollers of the leveler leads.

A first development of the straightening machine according to the invention provides that it has a gear and cardan shaft arrangement for actively driving the straightening rollers via the coupling elements.

A second, alternative development of the straightening machine according to the invention, on the other hand, provides that the straightening machine is driven passively by a movement of the material to be straightened and / or directed.

Another refinement of the straightening machine according to the invention provides that at least one of the upper and lower exchangeable cassettes has separate bearing arrangements for the straightening rollers and for the coupling elements, in particular for connecting the straightening rollers to the transmission arrangement, which are separable, in particular mechanically coupled, via a coupling device.

Alternatively, the coupling between the bearing assemblies in other ways, for. B. electromagnetically be realized.

In particular, for the quick-change variant of the upper straightening rollers, it is advantageous if the bearing assembly for the straightening rollers can be moved together with these independent of the bearing assembly of the coupling elements, so that the upper straightening rollers do not bend due to their own weight in only one-sided storage or even fall out.

For easy movement or extendability of the upper and lower removable cassettes can be provided in a further development of the invention that they are arranged on or on corresponding slide plates, which can be moved out of the work area within the leveler. In this case, at least one of the upper and lower slide plates is designed in several parts, wherein the corresponding parting line extends approximately in the region of the connection of the coupling elements with the straightening rollers.

Alternative embodiments of the straightening machine according to the invention provide that in the region of the lower roller mill when realizing the quick-change variant, the straightening roller bearing arrangement either remains within the working range within the straightening machine or moves out with it. The retraction of the lower straightening roller bearing assembly is particularly unnecessary because the lower straightening rollers can not bend or fall out due to the effect of gravity usually. In contrast, in the area of the upper roller frame in the context of the present invention is regularly required that, in particular when realizing the quick-change variant, an upper straightening roller bearing assembly extends together with the straightening rollers from the work area within the straightening machine according to the invention, as already mentioned.

During operation of the straightening machine, the individual parts of the exchangeable cassettes are held within the leveler by means of holding devices provided for this purpose, so that a secure connection of the entire roller arrangement is ensured. In this case, in particular embodiments of the present invention, particularly specially designed coupling devices are provided which are intended to prevent tilting of the latter in a possible roll bending and correspondingly pivotally mounted roller bearing strip, especially if after a successful quick change the straightening rollers concerned are re-inserted into the machine.

In another embodiment of the straightening machine according to the invention is further provided that is automatically ensured for successful quick change by a correspondingly formed coupling device, that the pivotability of the said roller bearing block is blocked. Conversely, then the pivoting is also released automatically when re-inserting the straightening rollers concerned.

For the simplest possible realization of a complete cassette change is provided in a further development of the straightening machine according to the invention that the upper slide plate stored together with the upper removable cassette on the lower slide plate and the lower removable cassette and together on and with the lower slide plate or the lower removable cassette from the work area can be moved out in the straightening machine.

Figur 1

eine Gesamtansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Richtmaschine;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer Ausgestaltung der Richtmaschine gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine weitere perspektivische Detaildarstellung der Ausgestaltung der Richtmaschine in Figur 1;

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Detaildarstellung der Richtmaschine in Figur 2 und Figur 3 im Zuge eines Schnellwechsels im Bereich der unteren Wechselkassette;

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Detailansicht der Richtmaschine gemäß Figur 2 und Figur 3 im Zuge eines Schnellwechsels im Bereich der oberen Wechselkassette; und

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Detailansicht der Lichtmaschine gemäß Figur 2 und Figur 3 im Zuge eines Wechsels der kompletten Wechselkassettenanordnung aus oberer und unterer Wechselkassette (Kassettenwechsel).

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. It shows:

FIG. 1

an overall view of a straightening machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2

a perspective detailed view of an embodiment of the straightening machine according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

a further perspective detail of the embodiment of the straightening machine in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4

a detailed perspective view of the leveler in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in the course of a quick change in the area of the lower removable cassette;

FIG. 5

a detailed perspective view of the leveler according to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in the course of a quick change in the area of the upper exchangeable cassette; and

FIG. 6

a detailed perspective view of the alternator according to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in the course of a change of the complete removable cassette assembly from upper and lower removable cassette (cassette change).

In the following, reference will be repeatedly made to an actively driven leveler without the present invention being limited thereto.

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a straightening machine according to the invention. The straightening machine 1 has an inlet 2 for materials to be straightened, such as sheets, boards or the like, which is formed of a lower inlet 2.1 and a pivotable upper inlet 2.2. Furthermore, the leveler 1 has an outlet 3 for the directional material. Between the inlet 2 and the outlet 3 is within a work area 4 of the leveler 1, that is in an area in which the leveler 1 performs the actual straightening work on the materials to be straightened, an upper straightening roller assembly 5 in the form of an upper roller mill and a lower Straightening roller assembly 6 provided in the form of a lower straightening roller chair. The upper straightening roller 5 has successively arranged upper straightening rollers 5.1, 5.2, ..., and the lower straightening roller 6 also has successively arranged lower straightening rollers 6.1, 6.2, ... on. The upper and lower straightening roller assemblies 5, 6 are part of an exchangeable cassette arrangement 7 in order to be able to remove the straightening roller arrangements 5, 6 from the working area 4 of the straightening machine 1 in a simple and flexible manner, for example for cleaning or maintenance work, which will be discussed in more detail below. As such, the upper straightening roller assembly 5 corresponds to an upper exchangeable cartridge, and the lower straightening roller assembly 6 corresponds to a lower exchangeable cartridge, with the upper and lower straightening roller assemblies 5, 6 and exchangeable cartridges forming the interchangeable cartridge assembly 7, respectively.

The interchangeable cassette assembly 7 is on the one hand to the lower roller frame 6 in operative connection with a lower slide plate 8, that is, it is arranged on the lower slide plate 8, wherein the slide plate 8 by means of suitable drive means (in FIG. 1 not explicitly designated) can be moved out of the working area 4 of the straightening machine 1 (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in the direction of the observer). Furthermore, the removable cassette assembly 7, in particular the upper roller mill 5, is in operative connection with a multi-part upper slide plate 9 which can also be moved out of the straightening machine 1 or the working area 4 perpendicularly to the plate plane via non-further-described drive means. For the lower slide plate 8 and the upper slide plate 9 respectively pairs of guide rails 10 and 11 are provided, which are fixed to a lower or upper platform 12, 13 of the leveler 1.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective detail view of an embodiment of the straightening machine according to FIG. 1 , In the presentation according to FIG. 2 the extension movement of the slide plates 8, 9 in contrast to FIG. 1 obliquely back into the plate plane and not forward, as above on the basis of FIG. 1 described.

The present is based only on the specifics of the presentation FIG. 2 in detail: as in FIG. 2 can only be seen for the lower roller mill 6, this has a purpose for the purpose of straightening straightening about the axis S pivotable roller bearing bar 6a, to which a parallel to the former extending coupling bearing bar 6b is fixed, in particular screwed. A corresponding coupling bearing strip 5b can also be seen for the upper roller frame 5, while the upper roller bearing strip - in FIG. 2 Not recognizable - located behind it. In the coupling bearing strips 5b, 6b respectively coupling parts 5.1 ', 5.2', ...; 6.1 ', 6.2', ... which are used to connect the in FIG. 2 unrecognizable straightening rollers with a (not shown for reasons of clarity) gear arrangement for driving the straightening rollers serve. The lower slide plate 8 is recognizable in two parts 8.1, 8.2 formed, wherein the roller bearing strip is arranged and fixed on the one (second) slide plate part 8.2 which is movable relative to the other (first) slide plate part 8.1, provided no forced coupling between the two parts 8.1, 8.2 exists, which will be discussed in more detail below. Clamping cylinders 8.2a, b are arranged below the second slide plate part 8.2, by means of which, in particular, this plate part 8.2 can be defined in the operation of the leveler 1 or for the purpose of realizing a quick change.

The arranged on the second slide plate part 8.2 roller bearing strip 6a and 6b Kupplungslagerleiste on the one hand and the rest of the lower straightening roller assembly on the other hand, ie the first slide plate part 8.1 are on both sides by means of coupling devices 6c, 6d, 6e with the rest of the lower roll mill 6 to the lower removable cassette mechanically coupled or coupled , The coupling devices 6c, 6d each consist of a first coupling part 6c1, 6d1 which is fixed on the first slide plate part 8.1, and a second coupling or anti-tilt part 6c2, 6d2, which is arranged on the roller bearing strip 6a and by suitable biasing / spring means (not recognizable) can be pulled into this, in order to prevent deflection or tilting of the roller bearing strip 6a during insertion of the straightening rollers of the lower roller mill 6, which will be described further below with reference to FIG FIG. 4 will be discussed in more detail. For this purpose, the first coupling part 6c1, 6d1 is firmly connected to the rest of the lower roll mill, so that it is connected to a positive interaction between the first coupling part 6c1, 6d1 and the second coupling part 6c2, 6d2 accommodated in a recess in the first coupling part 6c1, 6d1 comes with a movement of the second coupling part 6c2, 6d2 in the direction or against the spring bias, when the two coupling parts 6c1, 6d1 and 6c2, 6d2 move relative to each other.

Alternatively to the above-described, purely mechanically effective first and second coupling parts 6c1, 6c2; 6d1, 6d2 is in other embodiments of the straightening machine according to the invention, for example, the provision electromagnetic or other, alternative coupling means 6c, 6d for tilt protection of the pivotable lower roller bearing ledge 6a possible. Furthermore, the first coupling part 6c1, 6d1 fulfills yet another function for coupling / decoupling the first and second slide plate parts 8.1, 8.2, ie for selectively realizing a cassette change or a quick change, which will also be discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 3 shows a further perspective detail of the embodiment of the straightening machine in FIG. 1 , In the presentation according to FIG. 3 the extension movement of the removable cassette assembly 7 takes place in the direction of the left image side. In FIG. 3 is the arrangement of the straightening rollers 5.1, 6.1 in the upper and lower straightening roller chairs 5, 6 clearly visible. Further shows FIG. 3 Also in the area of the upper roller mill 5 now separated a roller bearing strip 5a and a previously set clutch bearing strip 5b (see roller bearing bar 6a and 6b clutch bearing strip of the lower roller mill 6 in FIG. 2 ), which are also on different parts (in FIG. 3 not visible) of the upper slide plate 9 are arranged. At reference numeral 14 holding devices for the upper slide plate 9 are shown, which are formed as a clamping cylinder. These can be actuated pneumatically, hydraulically, (electro-) mechanically or in any other suitable manner.

Furthermore, in the illustration in FIG. 3 Still further upper or lower coupling means 5e, 6e can be seen, which also already in FIG. 2 are recognizable and have already been mentioned in this regard. These are arranged on both sides of the upper roller frame 5 and the lower roller frame 6 and serve together with the already mentioned first coupling parts 6c1, 6d1 for coupling the roller bearing strip 5a and the coupling bearing strip 5b of the upper roller mill 5, ie the different components of the upper slide plate 9 (see , FIG. 5 ) or the slide plate parts 8.1 and 8.2 (with roller bearing strip 6a and coupling bearing strip 6b) of the lower roller mill 6. The exact configuration of said additional holding devices in the region of the upper roller mill 5 is in particular those to be described below FIG. 5 refer to; for the lower roller mill 6 is in this regard on the FIG. 4 directed.

Due to the inventive division of the removable cassette assembly 7 both in height, that is between the upper roller mill 5 and lower roller mill 6 (in two separate removable cassettes) and in the depth, that is, within each removable cassette, for example between upper roller bearing strip 5a and upper coupling bearing strip 5b, is in a straightening machine 1 according to the invention for purposes of cleaning, maintenance, roller replacement or the like, a variety of flexible removal capabilities of the removable cassette assembly 7, in whole or in part, created on the below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 will be discussed in more detail. In this case, the same reference numerals in all figures designate the same or equivalent elements.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a straightening machine 1 according to the invention approximately corresponding to the view in FIG. 2 , but in the course of a quick change of the lower straightening rollers 6.1, 6.2, .... For this purpose, the entire upper roller frame 5 is first raised slightly. The lower coupling devices 6c, 6d (cf. FIG. 2 ) are released from their operative connection with said further coupling means 6e, so that in the region of the lower roller mill 6, the roller bearing strip 6a and the coupling bearing strip 6b, on the one hand, and the remaining lower roller arrangement, on the other hand, are no longer mechanically coupled and thus separable.

Like in the FIG. 4 can be seen particularly well, provides the embodiment shown that in a through bore of the first coupling part 6c1 a bolt 6f is movably arranged, which engages in the coupled state inwardly into a corresponding receptacle 6g on the coupling bearing strip 6b when the holding device 6e ( eg a hydraulic cylinder) acts on the bolt 6f from the outside (cf. FIG. 3 combined with FIG. 4 ). To couple the components of the lower roll mill 6, such. 8th in the Figures 2 and 3 shown moves with a corresponding movement of the slide plate part 8.1 in the direction of the second slide plate part 8.2 of the bolt 6f in a corresponding receptacle in the relative to the leveler 1 inwardly facing end of the coupling means 6e. The latter are stationary with respect to the straightening machine 1 and can, by appropriate control of a hydraulic cylinder 6h or the like, the bolt 6f inwards, ie at least partially through the part 6c1, 6d1 into the receptacle Press 6g to the roller bearing bar 6a to couple in this way all the components of the lower part of the removable cassette 7 including the slide plate side 8.1, 8.2 with respect to the entry and exit movement in or out of the working area 4 of the leveler 1.

Conversely, the coupling device 6e can pull the pin 6f outwardly of the receptacle 6g to decouple or separate the lower part of the removable cassette 7 in depth, so that for a quick change only the straightening rollers 6.1, 6.2, ... from the Working area 4 can be removed (together with optionally existing roll bending devices or the like, as the skilled artisan recognizes).

Then the lower straightening rollers 6.1, 6.2, ... are extended by means of the lower slide plate 8, ie the first slide plate 8.1 from the working area 4 inside the leveler 1, as already above with reference to FIG. 1 explained. In the FIG. 4 not shown) further components of the drive device for driving the straightening rollers 6.1, 6.2, ..., which - as stated - are arranged on the slide plate part 8.2, with the coupling parts 6.1 ', 6.2', ... remain connected, so that a faster straightening roller change is possible.

How the particular FIG. 4 and - as described above - already the Figures 2 and 3 can be seen, the lower slide plate 8 is divided into the first part 8.1 and the second part 8.2, wherein the separation between the parts 8.1, 8.2 just in the connecting region between the roller bearing bar 6a and the rest of the lower roller mill 6 with the straightening rollers 6.1, 6.2 , ... is arranged or formed. After the above-detailed release of the lower coupling means 6e (retraction of the bolt 6f from the receptacle 6g), it is therefore possible to extend only the first part 8.1 of the lower slide plate 8 from the working area 4 of the leveler 1, as in FIG. 4 shown. At this time, the second coupling part 6c2, 6d2 of the lower coupling means 6c, 6d is "released" from the recess in the first coupling part 6c1, 6d1, and automatically moves inwardly due to the above-mentioned spring action, thus the pivotal movement of the lower roller bearing ledge 6a to block. This is important so when returning (re-entering) the lower straightening rollers 6.1, 6.2, ... an engagement with the coupling elements 6.1 ', 6.2', ... can be done easily, without these due to the pivoting of the roller bearing strip 6a (and thus also the coupling bearing strip 6b) can escape.

When returning the first part 8.1 of the slide plate 8 then vice versa engages the second coupling part 6c2, 6d2 of the lower coupling means 6c, 6d again in the mentioned recess in the associated first coupling part 6c1, 6d1, so that via a chamfer or chamfer on the first coupling part 6c1, 6d1 (cf. FIG. 2 ) the second coupling part 6c2, 6d2 is gradually pulled out of the coupling bearing strip 6a, whereby the locking of the pivoting is canceled. The roller bearing strip 6a and the coupling bearing strip 6b on the one hand and the remaining lower roller mill 6 on the other hand and in this way the first and second parts 8.1, 8.2 of the lower slide plate 8 can then be mechanically fixed or coupled by means of the further coupling means 6e in cooperation with pin 6f and recording 6g connected as described in detail above.

As shown in FIG. 4 However, all the connections between the roller bearing bar 6a and the coupling bearing strip 6b on the one hand and the rest of the lower straightening roller assembly on the other hand solved so that the removable cassette assembly 7 and their lower roller frame 6 formed lower part (lower cassette) is separated in depth to a quick change only the straightening rollers 6.1, 6.2, ... to enable the lower roller mill 6.

The view of the representation in FIG. 5 is essentially the same as in FIG. 4 , except that in the present case a quick change of straightening rollers 5.1, 5.2, ... of the upper roller mill 5 is shown. As FIG. 5 also shows in this context, the upper slide plate is divided into a first part 9.1, on which in particular the roller bearing strip 5a is arranged, and a second part 9.2, on which the coupling bearing strip 5b is arranged.

Again FIG. 5 can be seen, are upper coupling means 5e for the upper removable cassette or a part thereof analogous to the lower Coupling 6e formed, the above with reference to FIG. 4 have been described in detail. In particular, in this context, the upper roller frame 5 has corresponding bolt elements 5f on the roller bearing strip 5a and also receptacles 5g on the coupling strip 5b.

In contrast to the above description of the FIG. 4 moves according to the upper quick change FIG. 5 the upper roller bearing strip 5a together with the upper slide plate 9 and the first upper slide plate part 9.1 out so that the upper straightening rollers 5.1, 5.2, ... are constantly held on both sides and are not bent down by gravity or even fall down. That is, the separation of the upper interchangeable cassette in depth occurs between the roller bearing ledge 5a disposed on the first upper slide plate member 9.1 and the coupling bearing ledger 5b disposed on the second upper slide plate member 9.2. The clamping cylinder 14 hold the first upper slide plate part 9.1 to an overlying, extendable quick-change structure 15 and drive out of the work area 4 within the leveler 1 out, as in FIG. 5 shown.

The upper coupling devices 5e (cf. FIG. 3 ), which in terms of structure and function of the already explained in detail coupling means 6e (see. FIG. 4 ), are solved, so that the roller bearing strip 5a can be extended separately from the coupling bearing strip 5b. In other words, due to the fact that in FIG. 5 the bolt 5f on the roller bearing strip 5a is not inserted or received in the corresponding receptacle 5g on the coupling strip 5b by the coupling device 5e, a quick change can be made to the upper roller mill 5, since the upper straightening rollers 5.1, 5.2, .. without the coupling bearing strip 5b and correspondingly the coupling elements 5.1 ', 5.2', ... (as well as the cardan shafts, gear arrangement, etc.), can be removed, as in FIG. 5 shown.

As an alternative to the embodiments shown, it is also possible within the scope of the present invention for the lower coupling bearing strip 6b not to be screwed tightly to the roller bearing strip 6a but to be detachable by releasing corresponding connections, which may be analogous to those on the upper roller frame 5. separable connected with the latter, so that in Deviation from the embodiment according to FIG. 4 at the lower quick change, the roller bearing strip 6a together with the other straightening rollers 6.1, 6.2, ... extends.

The FIG. 6 shows by means of a representation which is essentially that in FIG. 5 For this purpose, the entire upper slide plate 9, so the first and second upper slide plate parts 9.1, 9.2 by driving the clamping cylinder 14, which remain within the working area 4 of the leveler 1, solved and with straightening rollers 5.1, 5.2,..., roller bearing strip 5a and coupling bearing strip 5b are placed on the lower straightening roller arrangement 6. The removable cassette assembly 7 then moves on the lower slide plate 8 out of the work area 4 and can be easily replaced accordingly. In this case, the secure connection between the components of the removable cassette 7 in the depth, in particular in the region of the lower roller mill 6 is ensured on the lower roller frame 6 via the coupling means 6e.

Furthermore, the FIG. 6 removable, as by engaging the upper pin 5f in the corresponding receptacles 5g (see. FIG. 5 ) via the upper coupling means 5e, a mechanical connection of the upper removable cassette parts in depth can be achieved.

As the person skilled in the art recognizes, an exchangeable cassette arrangement 7 according to the invention, that is to say both divisible in height and depth, can also be used or retrofitted in existing straightening machines.

Claims (13)

1. Levelling machine (1) having upper levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...) and having lower levelling rolls (6.1, 6.2, ...), wherein the levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...; 6.1, 6.2, ...) are driveable via coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...) and wherein the upper levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...) are arranged with the associated coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...) in an upper interchangeable cassette and the lower levelling rolls (6.1, 6.2, ...) are arranged with the associated coupling elements (6.1', 6.2', ...) in a lower interchangeable cassette, each of the cassettes being removable from the levelling machine (1),
   characterised in that
   at least one of the upper and lower interchangeable cassettes is arranged to be divisible in the direction of depth between the levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...; 6.1, 6.2, ...) in question and the associated coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...) so that the levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...; 6.1, 6.2, ...) in question are, as desired, either exchangeable together with at least the associated coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...) by removal of the entire upper and/or lower interchangeable cassette(s) or are exchangeable without the associated coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...) by removal of only part of the interchangeable cassette in question.
2. Levelling machine (1) according to claim 1, characterised by a transmission and articulated shaft arrangement for actively driving the levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...; 6.1, 6.2, ...) via the coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...).
3. Levelling machine (1) according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the levelling machine (1) is driven passively by movement of the material that is to be levelled and/or that has been levelled.
4. Levelling machine (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   at least one of the upper and lower interchangeable cassettes has separate bearing arrangements (5a, 5b) for the levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...) and for the coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...), especially for connecting the levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...) to the transmission and articulated shaft arrangement, which are separably coupled, especially mechanically coupled, via a coupling device (5e).
5. Levelling machine (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   the levelling roll and coupling bearing arrangements (5a, 6a; 5b, 6b) are movable together or separately out of a working region (4) in the levelling machine (1).
6. Levelling machine (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that
   the upper and lower interchangeable cassettes are arranged on upper and lower slide plates (9, 8), respectively, which are movable out of the working region (4) in the levelling machine (1), and at least one of the upper and lower slide plates (9, 8) is of multi-part construction (9.1, 9.2; 8.1, 8.2), the division between the slide plate parts (9.1, 9.2; 8.1, 8.2) running into a region of the connection between the coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...) and the levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...; 6.1, 6.2, ...), especially between the levelling roll bearing arrangement (5a, 6a) and the coupling element bearing arrangement (5b, 6b).
7. Levelling machine (1) according to claim 6,
   characterised in that
   a holding device (14), especially in the form of an arrangement of clamping cylinders, is arranged to act on at least one slide plate part (9.1) of the upper interchangeable cassettes in order to be able to fix the latter on a structure (15) which can be moved out of the working region (4) of the levelling machine (1).
8. Levelling machine (1) according to claim 7,
   characterised in that
   a part of the holding device (14) with the relevant slide plate (9) or the relevant slide plate part (9.1) is movable out of the working region (4) in the levelling machine (1).
9. Levelling machine (1) according to at least one of claims 6 to 8,
   characterised in that
   the upper slide plate (9) together with the upper interchangeable cassette can be placed on the lower slide plate (8) or the lower interchangeable cassette and can be moved out of the working region (4) in the levelling machine (1) together with the lower slide plate (8) or with the lower interchangeable cassette.
10. Levelling machine (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in that
    there is provided on the levelling machine (1) at least one coupling device (5e; 6e) for coupling the interchangeable cassette parts of the upper and/or lower interchangeable cassette(s).
11. Levelling machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims and at least according to claim 4,
    characterised in that
    at least one (6a) of the upper and lower levelling roll bearing arrangements (5a, 6a) is pivotally mounted to allow levelling roll bending, and a corresponding device (6c1, 6d1; 6c2, 6d2) is provided for blocking pivotability especially when the interchangeable cassette part in question is in the outwardly moved state.
12. Interchangeable cassette arrangement (7) for a levelling machine (1), especially a levelling machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, having an upper levelling roll arrangement (5) and a lower levelling roll arrangement (6), wherein the interchangeable cassette arrangement (7) for the levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...) of the upper levelling roll arrangement (5) and/or the levelling rolls (6.1, 6.2) of the lower levelling roll arrangement (6) has a coupling element arrangement (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...) for optional connection to an external transmission and articulated shaft arrangement of the levelling machine (1) which may be present,
    characterised in that
    the interchangeable cassette arrangement (7) is arranged to be divisible both in the direction of height between the upper levelling roll arrangement (5), including the associated coupling element arrangement (5.1', 5.2', ...), and the lower levelling roll arrangement (6), including the associated coupling element arrangement (6.1', 6.2', ...), and in the direction of depth between at least one of the upper and lower levelling roll arrangements (5, 6) and the respectively associated coupling element arrangement (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...).
13. Method of operating a levelling machine (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 11 having an interchangeable cassette arrangement (7) according to claim 12,
    characterised in that

    - for a quick change, the upper and/or lower levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...; 6.1, 6.2, ...) are removed independently of the respectively associated coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...); and

    - for a cassette change, the upper and/or lower levelling rolls (5.1, 5.2, ...; 6.1, 6.2, ...) are removed together with the respectively associated coupling elements (5.1', 5.2', ...; 6.1', 6.2', ...).

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