EP3124131A1 - Device and a method for curing and straightening a bar-shaped semi-finished product - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for straightening and hardening a rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) of metal will be described. The device comprises: a plurality of roller pairs (23) arranged along the longitudinal direction (L) of a receptacle (71) for the rod-shaped semifinished product (70), each having a first rotatable roller (21) and a second rotatable roller (22) running along the longitudinal direction ( L) of the receptacle (71) are arranged offset to one another and their axes of rotation are offset from one another, so that the first roller (21) at a first angular position on the periphery of the receptacle (71) insertable bar-shaped semifinished product (70) can rest against and the second roller (22) at a second angular position on the periphery of the in the receptacle (71) insertable rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) can rest, and - A plurality of upper rollers (41) along the longitudinal direction (L) of the receptacle (71) offset from the first and second rollers (21, 22) are arranged and at a third angular position to the periphery of the receptacle (71) insertable rod-shaped Semi-finished products (70) can be applied.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for hardening and straightening a rod-shaped semi-finished product made of metal, in particular of steel or another hardenable metal alloy. The rod-shaped semi-finished product may be a rod (solid material) or a tube (hollow inside).

It is known, long steel bars in a continuous process locally, e.g. to heat inductively and immediately quenched with a cooling medium to harden the steel.

The object of the invention is to specify a device and a method for hardening and straightening a bar-shaped semifinished product, which permits a faster process sequence compared with the inductive continuous method, wherein the hardened bar-shaped semi-finished product has a high degree of precision after hardening and straightening to meet the straightness.

This object is achieved with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

The invention relates to a device for straightening and in particular hardening of a rod-shaped semi-finished metal, in particular of a metal Straightening device or a straightening and hardening device. The metal may be a steel material or another metal or metal alloy. Examples of suitable steel materials are: 100Cr6, HS 6-5-2, X90CrMoV18, Cf53. Of course, other materials are also suitable for use with the apparatus or for carrying out the method described herein.

The invention is based on the idea of a rod-shaped semi-finished product in a state heated at least to or above the austenitizing temperature between a plurality of first rollers, a plurality of second rollers and a plurality of third rollers, which are also referred to as upper rollers or upper rollers can enclose at a plurality of distributed over the length and the circumference of the semifinished parts and to dive into a liquid cooling medium with rotation of the rollers and thus of the semi-finished product with a substantially horizontal orientation of the rod-shaped semi-finished product. Due to the rotating rollers, the semifinished product is quenched in the cooling medium, d. H. while hardening, at the same time directed at its straightness. With the device, an extremely fast production process for hardened rod-shaped semi-finished products can be realized, which is significantly faster than the prior art mentioned above.

The device may have a plurality of roller pairs arranged along the longitudinal direction of a receptacle for the rod-shaped semifinished product. Each pair of rollers may have a first rotatable roller and a second rotatable roller. Thus, a plurality of first rollers and a plurality of second rollers may be present. The diameter of the rotatable rollers may for example be larger, in particular at least five times larger than that Be the diameter of the processed bar-shaped semifinished product. The first rotatable roller and the second rotatable roller are staggered along the longitudinal direction of the receptacle. The adjacent first and second rollers of adjacent roller pairs are also offset from each other.

If reference is made to the first and second rollers of a pair of rollers, this preferably also applies to the first and second rollers of the other pairs of rollers.

The axis of rotation of the first roller and the axis of rotation of the second roller are offset from each other, whereby in the projection along the longitudinal direction of the receptacle between the first and second rollers, a gap or a V-shaped recess which forms, for example, the receptacle for the semifinished product may be, in which the semi-finished is insertable. If there is a gap in the projection, then the gap distance is preferably significantly less than the outer diameter of the semifinished product. The gap or V-shaped recess causes the first roller to be applied or abutted at a first angular position on the circumference of the rod-shaped semi-finished product insertable or inlaid in the receptacle, and the second roller at a second angular position different from the first angular position on the circumference of the insertable or inserted into the receptacle rod-shaped semi-finished is applied or created. Thus, the force acting on the semi-finished, this in z. B. hold the V-shaped receptacle. Gravity pushes the rod-shaped semifinished product at least with a force component to the first and second roller of the roller pair.

The first rollers, the second rollers and / or the upper rollers may have a crowned or a cylindrical running surface. For example, the first and second rollers may have a crowned tread and the top rollers may have a cylindrical or crowned tread. The first and second rollers may be rotatably mounted and / or attached to a roller bed carrier.

The device comprises a plurality of upper rollers, which are arranged offset along the longitudinal direction of the receptacle to the first and second rollers and at a third angular position on the circumference of the insertable or inserted into the receptacle rod-shaped semi-finished or applied. The longitudinal direction of the receptacle corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the semifinished product when the semifinished product is inserted into the receptacle. In particular, between each adjacent first and second rollers of a pair of rollers or an adjacent pair of rollers, an upper roller at the third angular position can be applied to the circumference of the semifinished product or rest. In particular, an upper roller along the longitudinal direction of the receptacle between the first and second roller of a roller pair and / or between the first and second roller, which are adjacent, may be arranged in each case by two adjacent roller pairs. Along the longitudinal direction of the receptacle or the longitudinal axis of the semifinished product can thus result in the following order for roles: first role, upper role, second role, upper role, first role, upper role, second role, upper role, etc. Through this enclosure of the rod-shaped semi-finished this can during hardening be particularly advantageous in terms of its straightness.

Preferably, a drive element, such as. B. a drive motor, the z. B. may be configured as an electric motor, directly or indirectly, such as. Example, be coupled via a gear so with the first rollers and / or the second rollers, and / or the upper rollers, that the drive unit can drive the first rollers, the second rollers or the upper rollers rotating. Preferably, the rotational movement of the rollers can be transferred to the rod-shaped semi-finished product in which the rollers roll over the circumference of the semifinished product. Preferably, the drive can drive at least the first rollers and the second rollers, wherein the upper rollers z. B. may be freely rotatable, such as. B. can be taken by the rotational movement of the semifinished product.

For example, the first rollers may be seated on a common shaft driven by the drive. Accordingly, the second rollers can sit on a second shaft, which is drivable by the drive motor. For example, the first rollers may be seated on a first driveline, wherein a respective cardan joint may be disposed between adjacent first rollers to provide e.g. B. to allow the inclination of the first drive wheels. Accordingly, the second rollers can sit on a common second drive train, wherein between adjacent second rollers also a universal joint can be arranged.

In preferred embodiments, the first roller rotatably connected to a first output gear and the second roller rotatably connected to a second output gear or sitting on a common shaft. The drive unit may be connected via a transmission with a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft may have a rotationally fixed thereon disposed drive wheel, wherein the drive wheel, the first output gear and the second output gear of a traction drive, such. As a V-belt, a flat belt, a belt in general, a chain or preferably a toothed belt can be wrapped at least over part of its circumference. The traction mechanism allows at least slight inclinations of the first and second rollers, since the traction means can compensate for small angular misalignments. The traction means, in particular the belt or toothed belt transmits the rotational movement of the drive shaft to the first and second output gear. Depending on the pair of rollers, such a traction mechanism drive can be provided. The respective drive wheels for the traction drives can sit on a common drive shaft, the drive means, in particular the engine, such as. B. via the transmission, is driven in rotation and z. B. extends along the longitudinal direction of the receptacle, in particular parallel thereto.

The rotatable top rollers are preferably attached to a top roller carrier. For each upper roller an associated with him actuator may be provided, such. As a fluidic cylinder, in particular a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, wherein the upper roller is attached to the actuator and the actuator is preferably attached to the upper roller carrier. The upper rollers may be movable toward and away from the receiver or semifinished product by means of their respective actuator, in particular in groups or individually relative to the roller carrier, towards the receiver or semifinished product. In particular, the force with which the respective upper roller presses on the semifinished product can be controlled via the pressure in the fluidic cylinder. For example, the piston of the fluidic cylinder may be linearly guided with respect to the cylinder housing of the fluidic cylinder and not be rotatable. The same applies alternatively or additionally for the piston-mounted receptacle for the rotatable upper roller.

In particular, the roller bed carrier and the upper roller carrier by means of a guide, in particular linear guide be connected so that the upper roller carrier is moved away together with the actuators and the upper rollers to the receptacle or semifinished product and from the receptacle or semi-finished, in particular linearly movable. For example, an actuator may be provided, in particular a fluidic cylinder, such. As a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, which can move the upper roller carrier to the recording or semi-finished and out of the recording or the semi-finished product.

For example, between the roller bed carrier and the upper roller carrier, a stop and a counter-stop can be arranged, wherein the stop and the counter-stop abut each other when the upper roller carrier is in its delivered to the semifinished position or lowered position. At least one of stop and counter stop is adjustable with respect to its distance, so that the stroke of the top roll carrier is adjustable. In particular, the adjustable stop can be arranged either on the upper roller carrier or the roller bed carrier, wherein a distance between the counter-stop and the stop manually, d. H. manually or mechanically, such. B. is adjustable via a servo motor.

For example, below the roller bed carrier, a coolant tank or - basin, which is open at the top, be arranged, the or with liquid coolant such. As water, oil or a water-oil emulsion for quenching (rapid cooling) of the semifinished product is filled. For example, by lowering the roller bed carrier and the roller carrier, the substantially horizontally arranged semifinished product can be submerged below the liquid level of the liquid coolant. The Device may for this purpose have a machine frame, wherein between the machine frame and the roller bed carrier kinematically a guide is arranged, wherein the guide z. B. may be a linear guide and wherein the roller bed carrier, in particular as a unit with the top roller carrier or together with the top roller carrier with respect to the machine frame between a raised position in which the semifinished product or the receptacle above the liquid level, and a lowered position, in which the semifinished product or the receptacle below the liquid level, is movable back and forth, in particular by means of an actuator such. B. a fluidic cylinder, such as. B. a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

For example, the axes of rotation of the first roller, the second roller and the upper roller may be skewed to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped semifinished product or the longitudinal direction of the receptacle that the first roller, the second roller and the upper roller along a helical curve at the periphery of the rod-shaped semifinished product are unroll or roll whereby the rod-shaped semi-finished product along the longitudinal direction of the receptacle with a combined rotational and axial movement, in particular a screwing movement is transportable. As a result, it is advantageously achieved that the rolls rolling on the circumference do not dig into the circumference or impair the microstructure. This can be effected in particular by the fact that the axes of rotation of the first rollers are offset parallel to each other and the axes of rotation of the second rollers are also offset parallel to each other. In particular, the axes of rotation of the first roller and the second roller with respect to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle or the longitudinal axis of the insertable into the receptacle rod-shaped semifinished product may be arranged at an acute angle, in particular at an angle between 1 and 30 °. In particular, the axes of rotation of the first roller and the second roller with respect to an imaginary straight line which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle or the longitudinal axis of the receptacle-insertable bar-shaped semifinished product and the respective axis of rotation cuts can be arranged at said acute angle.

In other words, the rotational plane spanned by the rotatability of the first and second rollers and upper rollers can be at an acute angle to a cross-sectional plane whose surface normal is the longitudinal direction of the receptacle or the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped semifinished product. The same applies mutatis mutandis to the upper rollers.

The device may comprise an ejection mechanism adapted to eject the rod-shaped semifinished product from the receptacle laterally and / or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle.

Furthermore, the device may have a support mechanism which is adapted to hold the rod-shaped semi-finished product in a raised position in or in the region of the receptacle, in particular to hold it above the receptacle, in which position the rod-shaped semifinished product is arranged without contact with the first and second rollers , Further, the support mechanism is adapted to lower the rod-shaped semi-finished product from the raised position to a position in which the rod-shaped semi-finished product bears against the first and second rollers and in particular is non-contact with the support mechanism. In this way, it is advantageously achieved that the semifinished product heated to hardening temperature is not deprived of too much heat if it is already in the overlay and z. B. the device is not ready for immersion.

In particular, a furnace, in particular an annealing furnace, may be provided, which has an opening which is arranged in alignment with the longitudinal direction of the receptacle, wherein the apparatus further comprises a gripper with a drive, in particular a linear drive, which is adapted, a rod-shaped Remove semi-finished product through the opening of the oven from the oven and to move with a movement along the longitudinal direction of the recording in the recording or z. B. on the support mechanism or store directly on the first and second roles. In particular, the gripper can pull the semi-finished product into the position in which it is in the raised position by means of the support mechanism.

The invention further relates to a method for hardening and straightening a rod-shaped semi-finished metal, wherein a, for example, completely over or at least heated to the Austenitisierungstemperatur rod-shaped steel semifinished in the receptacle of the device, as described for. B. is described herein or claimed, is placed, wherein the upper rollers are placed on the circumference of the rod-shaped semi-finished product, and the rod-shaped semi-finished product, in particular by rotation of the first and second rollers, is immersed under rotation about its longitudinal axis in the preferably liquid cooling medium, in particular with a substantially horizontally oriented semi-finished product (approximately parallel to the liquid surface). It is important that before and during the immersion and also during the immersion, ie the cooling of the semi-finished product, the rollers rotate and thus also the semi-finished product is rotated, whereby it is straightened during hardening with respect to its straightness.

In embodiments with inclined first rollers, second rollers and / or upper rollers, the rod-shaped semi-finished product can be transported along the longitudinal direction by means of a simultaneous rotational and axial movement, in particular a screwing movement. Advantageously, the or only the upper rollers are delivered to the recording or applied to the circumference of the semifinished product, below which the semifinished product is or, in particular by means of the screw movement, moves therethrough. This prevents the semifinished product from being transported against an end face of a roll, which could cause the straightening process to be disturbed.

The actuators of the upper rollers are preferably controlled so that the upper rollers are pressed with a force against the circumference of the rod-shaped semi-finished product, which is at least so large that thereby subject to bending semi-finished at least in its outermost fiber or over its entire cross section on the yield strength is stretched.

Since the yield strength of the material of the semifinished product increases during cooling, it is preferred that the top rollers have z. B. with a depending on the duration of immersion of the rotating rod-shaped semi-finished increasing force against the rod-shaped semi-finished product. Ie. in other words, that the pressing force of the upper rollers is increased to the periphery of the semifinished product with increasing duration of immersion of the semifinished product against the semifinished product. The force can over the period z. B. be linear or non-linear rising.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Rollenbetteinheit,

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Rollenbetteinheit und einer Oberrolleneinheit,

Figur 3

eine Querschnittsansicht der Rollenbetteinheit und der Oberrolleneinheit durch ein Stellglied eines Auflagemechanismus,

Figur 4

ein Ausschnitt aus einer Querschnittsansicht, in der zwei untere Rollen und das stangenförmige Halbzeug im Querschnitt dargestellt sind,

Figur 5

eine Querschnittsansicht der Rollenbetteinheit und der Oberrolleneinheit, wobei ein Stellglied eines Auswurfmechanismus erkennbar ist,

Figur 6

eine Seitenansicht der Rollenbetteinheit und der Oberrolleneinheit aus der insbesondere ein Mechanismus erkennbar ist, mit dem die Oberrolleneinheit in Bezug auf die Oberrolleneinheit bewegbar oder verfahrbar, insbesondere höhenverstellbar ist, und

Figur 7

eine Seitenansicht eines Maschinengestells, aus der insbesondere ein Mechanismus erkennbar ist, mit dem die Rollenbetteinheit zusammen mit der Oberrolleneinheit zwischen einer ausgetauchten Position und einer eingetauchten Position hin und her bewegbar, insbesondere verfahrbar ist.

The invention has been described with reference to several preferred embodiments and examples. In the following will be an embodiment of the device described with reference to figures and the implementation of the method by means of this device. The disclosed features form the subject of the invention individually and advantageously in any combination of features. Show it:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a roll bed unit,

FIG. 2

a perspective view of the roll bed unit and a top roller unit,

FIG. 3

a cross-sectional view of the roller bed unit and the upper roller unit by an actuator of a support mechanism,

FIG. 4

a detail of a cross-sectional view, in which two lower rollers and the rod-shaped semi-finished product are shown in cross-section,

FIG. 5

a cross-sectional view of the Rollenbetteinheit and the upper roller unit, wherein an actuator of an ejection mechanism is recognizable,

FIG. 6

a side view of the Rollenbetteinheit and the upper roller unit from the particular a mechanism can be seen, with which the upper roller unit with respect to the upper roller unit is movable or movable, in particular height adjustable, and

FIG. 7

a side view of a machine frame, from which in particular a mechanism can be seen, with which the roll bed unit is movable together with the upper roll unit between an immersed position and a submerged position back and forth, in particular movable.

The figures show parts or assemblies of a device for straightening and in particular also hardening of a rod-shaped semifinished product 70 FIG. 1 a roll bed unit 20 is shown, which has an example table-shaped roller bed carrier 27 which in the FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown shortened, resulting in the gap between the sections of the roller bed carrier 27. On the roller bed carrier 27, in particular on its upper side, a plurality of pairs of rollers 23 along a longitudinal direction L (dash-dotted line) arranged with respect to the direction of gravity substantially horizontal receptacle 71 for the rod-shaped semifinished product 70 are lined up. The roller pairs 23 or each of the pairs of rollers 23 comprises a first roller 21, which may also be referred to as a first lower roller, and a second roller 22, which may also be referred to as a second lower roller. The axis of rotation of the first roller 21 is offset, such as offset in parallel or angularly offset from the axis of rotation of the second roller 22 of the roller pair 23. The first rotatable roller 21 and the second rotatable roller 22 of the or each roller pair 23 are arranged offset from each other along the longitudinal direction L of the receptacle 71. The receptacle 71 is the region in which the bar-shaped semifinished product 70 is located when it is intended for insertion into the roll bed for the straightening or hardening process, such as, for example, in the longitudinal direction between the first and second rollers 21, 22 formed V-shaped area.

The first and second rollers 21, 22 of one or each roller pair 23 are arranged along the longitudinal direction L of the receptacle 71 offset from the first and second rollers 21, 22 of the adjacent roller pair 23 or the adjacent roller pairs 23. Along the longitudinal direction L of the receptacle 71, a first roller 21 and a second roller 22 are alternately arranged. The first roller 21 or at least the major part of the first roller 21 is based on an imaginary, vertically extending, ie parallel to the direction of gravity plane in which the receptacle 71 is located (mathematically idealized: each point of the receptacle 71 is in the plane, ie there are infinitely many points of intersection), on one side of the plane and the second roller 22 or at least the major part of the second roller 22 on the other side of the plane.

The first roller 21 can abut at a first angular position on the circumference of the rod-shaped semifinished product 70 which can be inserted into the receptacle 71, and the second roller 22 can rotate at a second angular position different from the first angular position on the circumference of the rod-shaped semifinished product 70 which can be inserted into the receptacle 71 issue. When the semi-finished product 70 is inserted into the receptacle 71, it can rest with its circumference on the peripheral surfaces of the first and second rollers 21, 22.

In a projection along the longitudinal direction L of the receptacle 71, a V-shaped area is formed between the rollers 21, 22 of the roller pair 23, in which the receptacle 71 is arranged or forms the receptacle 71, or / and the semifinished product 70 is arranged or becomes ( FIG. 4 ). As an alternative to the V-shaped region, there may be a gap between the rollers 21, 22 in the projection, but the gap width thereof would have to be smaller than the outer diameter of the semifinished product 70.

On the roller bed carrier 27, in particular on its upper side, ie the side opposite to the direction of gravity, a plurality of bearing blocks 24 arranged in the longitudinal direction L lined up or attached to the roller bed carrier 27, wherein each bearing block 24 has a first roller 21st and a second roller 22 rotatably supports. The first roller 21 and the second roller 22 of each bearing block 24 may form a pair of rollers 23. Alternatively, a first roller 21 of a bearing block 24 with its adjacent second roller 22 of the adjacent bearing block 24 form the pair of rollers 23. Generally speaking, each first roller 21 can form a roller pair 23 with one of its adjacent second rollers 22.

The bearing blocks 24 have on their upper side between the first and second rollers 21, 22 a recess for the receptacle 71 or the semi-finished product 70 in order to provide sufficient space for the semifinished product 70 when it is inserted into the receptacle 71.

Like in the FIG. 2 As shown, the apparatus comprises a top roller support unit 40 comprising a top roller support 44, a plurality of top rollers 41, also referred to as top rollers, and a plurality of actuators 42. Each roller 41 is assigned its own actuator 42. The rollers 41 are rotatably supported at their respective actuator 42 about the roller rotation axis. The actuator 42 is preferably a fluidic cylinder, such as a pneumatic cylinder or alternatively a hydraulic cylinder. The actuator 42 has a cylinder housing and a relative to the cylinder housing, in particular by means of pneumatic or hydraulic, axially displaceable piston which is rotationally fixed with respect to the cylinder housing about the piston longitudinal axis. The cylinder housing is axially and rotationally fixed to the upper roller carrier 44. By means of the actuator 42, the roller 41 to the receptacle 71 or the semifinished product 70 or the roller bed carrier 27 toward and away from the receptacle 71 or the semifinished product 70 or the roller bed carrier 27 away.

The roller bed unit 20 has a guide 53, in particular a column guide or linear guide, on which a guide body of the upper roller support unit 40, which is connected to the upper roller support 44, is guided linearly displaceable, whereby the upper roller support unit 40, ie the upper roller support 44 as a unit with the actuators 42 and the rollers 41 to the receptacle 71 or the semifinished product 70 or the roller bed carrier 27 toward and away from the receptacle 71 or the semifinished product 70 or the roller bed carrier 27 is movable. Between the roller bed unit 20 and the upper roller support unit 40, an actuator 50, in particular fluidic cylinder, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, arranged, which has a cylinder housing and a relative to the cylinder housing axially, in particular pneumatically or hydraulically displaceable piston. By means of the actuator 50, the upper roller support unit 40 between a raised position, as for example in the FIG. 6 is shown, and a lowered position relative to the roller bed carrier 27 back and forth.

The upper roller carrying unit 40 has a counter-stop 52 for a stop 51, wherein the counter-stop 52 is in particular rigidly connected to the upper roller carrier 44. The roll bed unit 20 has the stopper 51 which is connected to the roll bed carrier 27. The stop 51 is adjustable with respect to its position to the roller bed carrier 27 or the counter-stop 52. In particular, the distance between the counter-stop 52 and the stop 51 can be changed by adjusting the stop 51, such as by means of a servo motor. In the lowered position, the counter-stop 52 is in contact with the stop 51. As a result, the upper roller carrying unit 40 can be repeatedly moved in a simple manner in the same lowered position. In particular, this can be used to control the straightening path for straightening the semifinished product 70. The stop 51 may, for. B. manually or motorized with respect to the roller bed carrier 27 and / or the counter-stop 52 can be adjusted.

Especially in the Figures 2 and 6 The upper roller carrying unit 40 is shown in its raised position. In the lowered position of the upper roller carrying unit 40, the rollers 41 by means of the actuators 42 to the periphery of the inserted in the receptacle 71 bar-shaped semifinished product 70 can be applied. How best FIG. 2 As can be seen, the rollers 41 can be applied at a third angular position to the periphery of the semi-finished product 70, wherein the third angular position is different from the first and second angular position.

The rollers 41 are lined up along the longitudinal direction L and offset from the first and second rollers. Along the longitudinal direction L of the receptacle 71 or the longitudinal axis of the semifinished product 70 is between the first and second rollers 21, 22 of a roller pair 23 and between the first and second rollers 21, 22 which are adjacent, of two adjacent roller pairs 23 each have a roller 41st arranged. This ensures that between the first and second rollers 21, 22 each have a roller 41 to the periphery of the rod-shaped semi-finished product 70 can be applied. Along the longitudinal direction L or the longitudinal axis results in the following sequence of rollers 21, 22, 41: first roller 21, top roller 41, second roller 22, top roller 41, first roller 21, top roller 41, second roller 22, etc ..

The roller bed unit 20 further comprises an (electric) motor 30, whose drive shaft in the example shown FIG. 2 is arranged vertically and via a transmission 31, in particular a bevel gear with a drive shaft 32, which in the example shown extends horizontally or parallel to the longitudinal direction L, is operatively connected. A rotation of the drive shaft of the motor 30 via the transmission 31 causes a rotation of the drive shaft 32, which is arranged below the rollers 21, 22 and / or the roller bed carrier 27. The drive shaft 32 is rotatably supported by pivot bearings and connected to the roller bed carrier 27.

Each first roller 21 is rotatably connected to a first output gear 21a associated therewith. Each second roller 22 is rotatably connected to a second output gear 22a associated therewith. The driven wheels 21a, 22a, which are rotatably mounted together with the first and second rollers 21, 22 on a common bearing block 24, are surrounded by a toothed belt 34 partially over the circumference, the toothed belt 34 a per bearing block 24 provided, rotatably on the Drive shaft 32 seated drive wheel 33 wraps around. In this way causes a rotation of the drive shaft 32, a rotation of the drive wheels 21a, 22a and thus the first and second rollers 21, 22. When the rod-shaped semi-finished product 70 is inserted into its receptacle 71 and rests with its circumference on the rollers 21, 22, causes the Rotary movement of the rollers 21, 22 also a rotational movement of the semifinished product 70 about its longitudinal axis. The rollers 41 resting against the circumference of the semifinished product 70 are likewise rotationally driven by the rotating semifinished product 70. Although the rollers 41 could basically be designed to be driveable in rotation with a corresponding drive, it is provided in the present embodiment that the rollers 41 can rotate freely or passively and are taken along only by the rotational movement of the semifinished product 70.

The roll bed unit 20 has a tension roller 35, the z. B. spring-loaded against the toothed belt 34 presses to keep the timing belt 34 stretched. While the wheels 21a, 22a and 33 abut against the inside of the toothed belt 34, the tension roller 35 preferably abuts the outside of the toothed belt 34 in order to increase the degree of wrap between the wheels 21a and 33. Between the output gear 22a and the drive wheel 33, a deflection roller is provided, which also bears on the outside of the toothed belt 34, in order likewise to increase the Umschlingungsgrad of the toothed belt 34 on the wheels 22a and 33rd Per bearing block 24 such a designed belt drive is provided.

By the voltage applied to the semi-finished products 70 rollers 21, 22, 41 and the rotary drive of the rollers 21, 22, which also sets the semifinished product 70 in rotation, the semifinished product 70 can be directed with respect to its straightness. Basically, this device can also only for judging, d. H. without using the curing process described herein.

In order to achieve that the rod-shaped semifinished product 70 can be transported along the longitudinal direction L of the receptacle 71 or along the longitudinal axis of the semifinished product 70 with a combined rotational and axial movement, in particular a screwing movement, whereby the directional result is additionally improved and influences the microstructure during curing as little as possible is the rotation axes of the first rollers 21, the second rollers 22 and the upper rollers 41 are skewed to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped semi-finished product 70 or the longitudinal direction L of the receptacle 71 arranged that the first rollers 21, the second rollers 22 and the upper rollers 41st Roll along a helical curve on the circumference of the rod-shaped semi-finished product 70 when the rod-shaped semi-finished product 70 by rotating the first and second rollers 21, 22nd is turned. This is achieved by arranging the axes of rotation of the first rollers 21, the second rollers 22 and the rollers 41 at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle L or the longitudinal axis of the semifinished product 70 at an acute angle. Since the axes are skewed to each other, it is meant that the angle between the respective axis of rotation and an imaginary parallel to the longitudinal direction L or the longitudinal axis intersecting this axis of rotation is an acute angle, in particular in the angular range between 1 ° and 30 °.

In other words, the spanned planes of rotation at an acute angle associated with the rotation of the first and second rollers 21, 22 and top rollers 41 of the respective rollers 21, 22, 41 can be made e.g. between 1 ° and 30 ° to a cross-sectional plane whose surface normal is the longitudinal direction L of the receptacle 71 or the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped semifinished product 70.

As a result of the arrangement, the axes of rotation of the first rollers 21 are offset parallel to one another and the axes of rotation of the second rollers 22 are likewise arranged offset from one another in parallel. The axes of rotation of the rollers 41 are arranged offset from each other in parallel.

The first and second rollers 21, 22 and z. B. also the rollers 41 may be spherical or straight at their treads or peripheral surfaces. A spherical peripheral surface has the advantage over a straight peripheral surface that the risk of damage to the outer periphery of the semifinished product 70 is reduced.

The roller bed unit 20 has a plurality of connecting arms 26, which connect a retaining flange 25 with the roller bed carrier 27. The connecting arm 26 is shaped to connect the retaining flange 25, which is disposed above the rollers 21, 22 with respect to the vertical, to the roller bed carrier 27. The at least one connecting arm 26 is arranged on the side of the roller bed carrier 27, on which also the guide 53, the actuator 50 and / or the stop and the counter-stop 51, 52 are arranged.

In the FIG. 7 a machine frame 10 is shown with which the device z. B. can be set up on a floor or a footprint. On the machine frame 10, a holding plate 13 is vertically linearly displaceable. Between the holding plate 13 and the machine frame 10, a guide 11, 12, in particular a column guide is arranged, whereby the holding plate 13 is linearly displaceable relative to the machine frame 10. The guide 11, 12 has a column 11, whose longitudinal direction is vertical. At least one guide bush 12, in particular two guide bushes 12, which is fastened to the holding plate 13, is arranged around the column 11. Between the holding plate 13 and the machine frame 10 a plurality of such guides 11, 12 are arranged. The roller bed unit 20 is fastened to the holding plate 13, in particular by means of the retaining flange 25 and screw bolts. By moving the holding plate 13, the unit of roll bed unit 20 and upper roll carrying unit 40 can be moved vertically back and forth relative to the machine frame 10, ie, raised and lowered.

On the machine frame 10, an actuator 14, in particular a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, fixed by means of the holding plate 13 or the unit of roll bed unit 20 and upper roller support unit 40th can be raised and lowered. Between the actuator 14 and the holding plate 13, a gear 15, 16, 17, in particular a cam mechanism is provided, which converts the drive movement of the actuator 14 in a lifting movement of the holding plate 13. The transmission 15, 16, 17 shown here is merely exemplary. Other transmission types or designs are also conceivable. An indirectly acting on the support plate 13 actuator is possible. The displaceably arranged in the cylinder housing of the actuator 14 piston is pivotally connected by means of a piston rod with a drive bar 15, wherein the drive bar 15 is pivotally mounted on a first corner lever 16 by means of a pivot bearing and is pivotally attached to a second corner lever 16 by means of a second pivot bearing. The relevant pivot axis of the first pivot bearing and the second pivot bearing are spaced from each other. The corner lever 16 is fixed by means of a pivot bearing fixed pivotally mounted on the machine frame 10. The corner lever 16 has a further pivot bearing, with which it is pivotally connected to a push rod 17, wherein the push rod 17 is in turn pivotally connected to the support plate 13, such. B. via an intermediate console. In the in FIG. 7 As shown embodiment, the piston of the actuator 14 or the piston rod of the actuator 14 is retracted, whereby the holding plate 14 is in its lowered position and the receptacle 71 in its submerged position. If the piston rod retracted from the cylinder housing, the corner lever 16 in the in FIG. 7 pivoted in the clockwise direction shown and the holding plate 13 is moved from its lowered position or the receptacle 71 and the semi-finished product 70 from its immersed position (Fig. FIG. 3 ) in a submerged position, in which the semi-finished product 70 is above the liquid level of the cooling medium ( FIG. 3 ), emotional. How best FIG. 3 is recognizable, is below the roll bed unit 20, a coolant tank 18 for receiving a liquid coolant such. As oil or water or an emulsion arranged. The coolant tank 18 is filled or filled with a liquid cooling medium, the liquid level being arranged such that the semi-finished product 70 in the submerged position is actually completely submerged below the liquid level.

The apparatus, in particular the roll bed unit, has an ejection mechanism 80 (FIG. FIG. 5 ), which has at least one actuator 81 and an ejector 84. By means of the actuator 81, the Auswerferarm 84 is pivotable, wherein the pivoting movement of the Auswerferarms 84 takes place transversely to the longitudinal direction L and the receptacle 71. A arranged in the receptacle 71 semifinished product 70 is thereby ejected laterally to its longitudinal axis from the receptacle 71 when the actuator 81 pivots the Auswerferarm 84. In the example shown, the actuator 81 is a fluidic cylinder, in particular a pneumatic cylinder having a displaceably arranged in a cylinder housing piston with piston rod. The piston rod is connected by means of a lever arm 82 which is non-rotatably mounted on a shaft 83. An extension or retraction of the piston rod into or out of the cylinder housing of the actuator 81 causes pivoting of the lever arm 82 about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 83 and also pivoting of the shaft 83. The Auswerfarm 84 or more Auswerferarme 84 on the in the Substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L extending shaft 83 are secured against rotation, are pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 83 during pivoting of the shaft 83. As a result, the semifinished product 70 can be ejected from the receptacle 71 transversely to its longitudinal axis.

The device, in particular the roller bed unit 20, comprises a support mechanism 90 which has at least one actuator 91 and a support arm 94, wherein the support arm 94 is reciprocally movable, in particular pivotable, by means of the actuator 91 between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the rod-shaped semi-finished product 70 is held in or on the receptacle 71 such that the rod-shaped semifinished product 70 is arranged without contact with the first and second rollers, wherein the rod-shaped semifinished product 70 in a lowered position of the support arm 94 to the first and second Rolls 21, 22 is applied and non-contact with the support arm 94. In particular, over the length L a plurality of such support arms 94 may be arranged, wherein it is preferred that the number of support arms 94 is less than the number of pairs of rollers 23. This can advantageously be achieved that a glowing semifinished product loses less heat because it is less Pads rests as it would lose if it would rest on the rollers 21, 22.

The support mechanism 90 has as an actuator 91 a fluidic cylinder, in particular a pneumatic cylinder, whose piston with piston rod with respect to a cylinder housing is linearly movable back and forth. The piston rod is connected via a lever arm 92 which is rotationally mounted on a shaft 93, connected to the shaft 93, whereby an extension and retraction of the piston rod causes pivoting of the lever arm 92 and the shaft 93 about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 93. On the shaft 93 are rotationally fixed at least one support arm 94 or more support arms 94 which are distributed over the longitudinal direction L attached. A pivoting of the shaft 93 thus also causes a pivoting of the at least one support arm. The Shaft 93 extends along, in particular, substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

The actuators 91, 81 are preferably arranged on the side of the roller bed carrier 27 on which the connecting arms 26 are located. This allows the lateral accessibility to the receiving space on the one hand and the ejection of the semifinished product 70 from the receptacle 71, such. B. by means of the ejection mechanism 80th

The apparatus may include a furnace 19 adapted to heat the semi-finished product 70 to a temperature above the austenitizing temperature, such as between 850 and 1250 ° C, the furnace having one in the FIGS. 1 and 2 symbolically illustrated opening 19 a, which is arranged in alignment with the longitudinal axis L. The apparatus further comprises a gripper 37 mounted on a linear drive and movable along the longitudinal direction L towards the opening 19a of the oven 19 and away from the opening 19a of the oven 19.

In detail, the hardening and straightening process can proceed as follows: First, a bar-shaped semifinished product 70 is removed from the oven 19 by means of the gripper 37, wherein the semifinished product 70 is heated substantially completely to at least or above the austenitizing temperature. The hot semi-finished product is removed from the oven 19 via the opening 19a, whereby the gripping arm 37 is moved linearly along the longitudinal direction L and the semifinished product 70 is deposited on the support arms 94 located in their raised positions. By appropriate control of the actuator 91, the support arms 94 are pivoted or lowered, whereby the semifinished product 70 on the rotating due to the rotation of the motor 30 first and second rollers 21, 22 is stored, whereby the semi-finished product 70 is also rotated. Before, simultaneously or thereafter, the rollers 41 are lowered toward the semi-finished product 70 by lowering the upper roller support unit 40 or the upper roller support 44 to which the actuators 42 are attached. The rollers 41, which are located along the longitudinal axis of the semifinished product 70 in the region of the semifinished product 70, are applied individually or in groups by means of the actuators 42 to the circumference of the rotating semifinished product 70. The roller bed unit 20 is lowered by means of the actuator 14 and the gear 15, 16, 17 together with the upper roller support unit 40 in the coolant tank at least until the substantially horizontal semi-finished 70 completely submerged with a movement transverse to its longitudinal axis under the liquid level of the cooling medium becomes. Due to the inclined rollers 21, 22, 41 performs the semi-finished product 70 a screwing along the longitudinal direction L. The caused by the cooling medium rapid cooling of the semifinished product 70 causes in the material a microstructure transformation, such. For martensite in steel. Advantageously, those rollers 41 are sequentially applied by means of their respective actuators 42 to the semi-finished product 70, under which the semi-finished product 70 is due to its movement along the longitudinal direction L straight.

The force exerted by the rollers 41 on the semi-finished product 70, z. B. be constant or preferably increase in dependence on the period of immersion of the rotating rod-shaped semi-finished product 70. This is advantageous because the yield strength of the semifinished product changes with increasing duration, in particular increases. The force with which the rollers 41 are pressed against the semi-finished product 70 can be controlled by the fact that in the actuator 42, the pressure of the pressurized fluid (compressed gas, Hydraulic oil) is increased. For example, a controller may be provided which increases the pressure as a function of the duration of submersion according to a predetermined linear or non-linear curve.

In particular, the rollers 41 are pressed with a force against the circumference of the rod-shaped semifinished product 70 which is at least so large that the semifinished product 70 which is subjected to bending as a result is stretched beyond its yield point, at least in its outermost fiber. Optionally, the submerged semi-finished product 70 may be flowed or circulated by means of a liquid flow in order to achieve an even better cooling effect by forced convection. After sufficient dwell time in the cooling medium, the roll bed unit 20 is raised together with the upper roll support unit 40 and the semi-finished product 70 and moved to a submerged position, in which the semi-finished product 70 is above the liquid level. The upper roller support unit 40 is lifted off the roller bed unit 20 by means of the actuator 43. The semifinished product 70 is ejected by means of the ejector arms 84 of the ejection mechanism 90 laterally to the longitudinal axis of the semifinished product 70 from the receptacle 71.

The apparatus is now ready again to remove a new heated semi-finished product 70 from the oven 19 and to harden and straighten according to the method described herein. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> 10 machine frame 11 pillar 40 Upper roller support unit 12 guide bush 41 upper roll 13 Retaining plate 42 Actuator / 14 Actuator / Fluidic cylinder, inbes. Fluidic cylinder, inbes. pneumatic cylinder pneumatic cylinder 44 Upper roller carrier 15 drive bar 16 Eckhebel 17 pushrod 50 Actuator / fluidic cylinder, 18 Coolant tank inbes. pneumatic cylinder 19 oven 51 attack 19a opening 52 counterstop 53 Leadership, in particular 20 Roller bed unit column guide 21 first role 21a output gear 70 rod-shaped semi-finished product 22 second role 71 admission 22a output gear 23 roller pair 80 ejection mechanism 24 bearing block 81 actuator 25 retaining flange 82 lever arm 26 connecting arm 83 wave 27 Roller bed carrier 84 ejector 30 drive motor 90 seating mechanism 31 transmission 91 actuator 32 drive shaft 92 lever arm 33 drive wheel 93 wave 34 Belt / timing belt 94 support arm 35 idler 36 idler pulley L longitudinal direction 37 grab

Claims (19)

Apparatus for straightening and in particular hardening a bar-shaped semifinished product (70) made of metal, the apparatus comprising a plurality of roller pairs (23) arranged along the longitudinal direction (L) of a receptacle (71) for the rod-shaped semifinished product (70), each having a first rotatable roller (21) and a second rotatable roller (22) running along the longitudinal direction ( L) of the receptacle (71) are arranged offset to one another and their axes of rotation are offset from one another, so that the first roller (21) at a first angular position on the periphery of the receptacle (71) insertable bar-shaped semifinished product (70) can rest against and the second roller (22) at a second angular position on the periphery of the in the receptacle (71) insertable rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) can rest, and - A plurality of upper rollers (41) along the longitudinal direction (L) of the receptacle (71) offset from the first and second rollers (21, 22) are arranged and at a third angular position to the periphery of the receptacle (71) insertable rod-shaped Semi-finished products (70) can be applied. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that in each case an upper roller (41) along the longitudinal direction (L) of the receptacle (71) between the first and second rollers (21, 22) of a pair of rollers (23) and / or between the first and second second roller (21, 22), which are adjacent, of two adjacent roller pairs (23) is arranged. Apparatus displaced according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotational axes of the first rollers (21) offset parallel to one another and / or offset from the rotational axes of the second rollers (22) parallel to each other and / or the rotational axes of the upper rollers (41) parallel to each other are arranged
and or
the axes of rotation of the first rollers (21), the second rollers (22) and / or the upper rollers (41) - With respect to the longitudinal direction (L) of the receptacle (71) or the longitudinal axis of the receptacle (71) insertable rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) or - With respect to an imaginary to the longitudinal direction (L) of the receptacle (71) or the longitudinal axis of the in the receptacle (71) insertable rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) parallel, the respective skew straight cutting auxiliary line are arranged at an acute angle, in particular at an angle between 1 ° and 30 °. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axes of rotation of the first roller (21), the second roller (22) and the upper roller (41) skewed to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) or the longitudinal direction (L) Receiving (71) are arranged such that the first roller (21), the second roller (22) and the upper roller (41) along a helical curve on the circumference of the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) are unrolled, whereby the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) along the longitudinal direction (L) of the receptacle (71) with a combined rotational and axial movement, in particular screwing movement is transportable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by the rotational movement of the first and second rollers (21, 22) and upper rollers (41) spanned rotation planes at an acute angle, in particular an angle between 1 ° and 30 ° is on a cross-sectional plane whose surface normal is the longitudinal direction (L) of the receptacle (71) or the longitudinal axis of the bar-shaped semifinished product (70). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drive element (30), in particular a drive motor which is coupled via a gear (31) to one of first rollers (21), second rollers (22) and top rollers (41) the drive unit (30) can rotationally drive the first rollers (21), the second rollers (22) or the top rollers (41), wherein preferably the rotational movement of the rollers is transferable to the bar-shaped semi-finished product (70) against which the rollers abut in particular , Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first and second rollers (21, 22) of a pair of rollers (23) are rotatably supported by a bearing block (24), the first roller being fixed against rotation by a first driven gear (21a) and the second Roller (22) rotatably connected to a second output gear (22a) are connected and the drive unit (30) via the transmission (31) to a drive shaft (32), wherein the drive shaft (32) has a drive wheel (33), wherein the Drive wheel (33), the first driven gear (21a) and the second driven gear (22a) by a belt (34), in particular toothed belt, are wrapped, the rotational movement of the drive shaft (32) on the first and second output gear (21a, 22a) transfers. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper rollers (41) each have an associated actuator (42), wherein the upper rollers (41) by means of their respective actuator (42) relative to the receptacle (71) or the semifinished product ( 70) to and from the receptacle (71) or the semi-finished product (70) are movable away. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a roller carrier (44) on which the upper rollers (41) are arranged, wherein the upper roller carrier (44) in particular by means of an actuator (50), in particular a pneumatic cylinder, to the receptacle (71) or the semifinished product (70) and away from the receptacle (71) or the semi-finished product (70) is movable away. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a machine frame (10) and a roller bed carrier (20) on which the roller pairs (23) are arranged, wherein the roller bed carrier (20) with respect to the machine frame (10) between a raised position and a lowered position is movable back and forth, in particular by means of an actuator (35), in particular a pneumatic cylinder. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a coolant basin (18) which is open in particular upwards and which is arranged below the roller bed support (44), wherein the receptacle (71) or the semifinished product (70) inserted into the receptacle (71) the lowered position in the coolant tank (18) is arranged, in particular below an intended liquid level of a cooling medium in the coolant tank (18). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an ejection mechanism (80) which is adapted to eject the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) from the receptacle (71) laterally and / or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle (71). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a support mechanism (90) which is adapted to hold the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) in a raised position in the receptacle (71), wherein in the raised position the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) without contact the first and second rollers (21, 22) is arranged, and which is adapted to lower the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) from the raised position to a position in which the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) on the first and second rollers (21, 22) is applied and in particular on the support mechanism (90) is not present. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a furnace (19) having an opening (19a) arranged in alignment with the longitudinal direction (L) of the receptacle (71), the device further comprising a gripper with a drive which is adapted to remove the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) through the opening (19a) from the oven and to move with a movement along the longitudinal direction (L) of the receptacle (71) in the receptacle (71), in particular in the Position in which the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) by means of the support mechanism (90) in the raised position. A method of hardening and straightening a rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) of metal, wherein a rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) made of steel heated above the austenitizing temperature into the receptacle of the device according to claim 1, wherein the upper rollers (41) on the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) are placed, wherein the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) in particular by rotation of the first and second rollers (21, 22) with rotation about its longitudinal axis in a preferably liquid cooling medium is immersed. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the upper rollers (41) are pressed against the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) with a force which increases as a function of the time duration of submersion of the rotating rod-shaped semifinished product (70). Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the upper rollers (41) with a force against the rod-shaped semi-finished product (70) are pressed, which is at least so large that thereby subject to bending semi-finished product (70) at least in its outermost Fiber is stretched beyond the yield point. Method according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the semifinished product (70) , which is preferably heated substantially completely over the austenitizing temperature, is immersed in the liquid cooling medium substantially parallel to the liquid level of the liquid cooling medium. Method according to one of the preceding four claims, characterized in that the means of inclined first and second rollers (21, 22) and upper rollers (41) is transported, the rod-shaped semi-finished product along the longitudinal direction (L) by means of a simultaneous rotational and axial movement, in particular screwing , wherein only those upper rollers (41) to the receptacle (71) delivered to or the semi-finished product (70) are placed below which the semi-finished product (70) is located.

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