EP3233317A1 - A roller guide and a method for guiding stock - Google Patents

A roller guide and a method for guiding stock

Info

Publication number
EP3233317A1
EP3233317A1 EP15870447.8A EP15870447A EP3233317A1 EP 3233317 A1 EP3233317 A1 EP 3233317A1 EP 15870447 A EP15870447 A EP 15870447A EP 3233317 A1 EP3233317 A1 EP 3233317A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stock
guide rollers
guide
roller
rollers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP15870447.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3233317A4 (en
EP3233317B1 (en
Inventor
Ove Englund
Peter MÅRSTEDT
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Morgardshammar AB
Original Assignee
Morgardshammar AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Morgardshammar AB filed Critical Morgardshammar AB
Priority to PL15870447T priority Critical patent/PL3233317T3/en
Publication of EP3233317A1 publication Critical patent/EP3233317A1/en
Publication of EP3233317A4 publication Critical patent/EP3233317A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3233317B1 publication Critical patent/EP3233317B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B39/00—Arrangements for moving, supporting, or positioning work, or controlling its movement, combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, metal-rolling mills
    • B21B39/14—Guiding, positioning or aligning work
    • B21B39/16—Guiding, positioning or aligning work immediately before entering or after leaving the pass
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B39/00—Arrangements for moving, supporting, or positioning work, or controlling its movement, combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, metal-rolling mills
    • B21B39/14—Guiding, positioning or aligning work
    • B21B39/16—Guiding, positioning or aligning work immediately before entering or after leaving the pass
    • B21B39/165—Guides or guide rollers for rods, bars, rounds, tubes ; Aligning guides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B1/00—Metal-rolling methods or mills for making semi-finished products of solid or profiled cross-section; Sequence of operations in milling trains; Layout of rolling-mill plant, e.g. grouping of stands; Succession of passes or of sectional pass alternations
    • B21B1/16—Metal-rolling methods or mills for making semi-finished products of solid or profiled cross-section; Sequence of operations in milling trains; Layout of rolling-mill plant, e.g. grouping of stands; Succession of passes or of sectional pass alternations for rolling wire rods, bars, merchant bars, rounds wire or material of like small cross-section
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B2203/00—Auxiliary arrangements, devices or methods in combination with rolling mills or rolling methods
    • B21B2203/18—Rolls or rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B2273/00—Path parameters
    • B21B2273/18—Presence of product
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B38/00—Methods or devices for measuring, detecting or monitoring specially adapted for metal-rolling mills, e.g. position detection, inspection of the product
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B38/00—Methods or devices for measuring, detecting or monitoring specially adapted for metal-rolling mills, e.g. position detection, inspection of the product
    • B21B38/04—Methods or devices for measuring, detecting or monitoring specially adapted for metal-rolling mills, e.g. position detection, inspection of the product for measuring thickness, width, diameter or other transverse dimensions of the product
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B38/00—Methods or devices for measuring, detecting or monitoring specially adapted for metal-rolling mills, e.g. position detection, inspection of the product
    • B21B38/08—Methods or devices for measuring, detecting or monitoring specially adapted for metal-rolling mills, e.g. position detection, inspection of the product for measuring roll-force

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a roller guide for guiding stock in a longitudinal feeding direction toward a pair of rolls for shaping the stock according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for guiding stock according to the independent method claim.
  • the invention relates to a roller guide and to a method for use in the production of wire, rods and beams.
  • Roller guides are common ly used for gu iding hot stock, such as wire stock or rod stock, in rolling mills.
  • roller guides are placed before a pair of rolls used to shape the stock, so called entry roller guides.
  • These roller guides guide the stock which is to be rolled toward a particular rolling groove.
  • the use of roller guides reduces the risk of damag ing the stock upon entry between the pair of rolls and enables feeding the stock at high feeding rates.
  • US3935722 discloses a roller guide for guiding stock toward a pair of rolls.
  • the roller guide comprises a frame arrangement and a pair of guide rollers mounted on the frame arrangement, which guide rollers are configured to engage opposite surface portions of the stock.
  • the guide rollers are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation perpend icular to a longitud inal feeding direction .
  • Known roller guides further commonly comprise positioning means for adjusting a lateral distance between the gu ide rollers to be able to accommodate stock of different dimensions.
  • the lateral distance between the gu ide rollers is adjusted before operation of the roller guide, and the lateral distance is constant or essentially constant during operation of the roller guide.
  • the lateral distance between the guide rollers is set slightly smaller than the lateral dimension of the stock, such that the guide rollers press on the surface portions of the stock. This is necessary to achieve an efficient and accurate gu iding of the stock.
  • a problem with such known roller guides is that the gu ide rollers are heavily worn due to the large forces resulting when the stock enters between the guide rollers.
  • the roller guide is characterized in that it further comprises detection means configured to detect a longitud inal position of a piece of stock with respect to the guide rollers, and that the positioning means is configured to adjust the lateral distance between the guide rollers in response to said detection .
  • the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers between the closed position and an open position , in which the lateral distance between the gu ide rollers is such as to allow free passage of the stock between the guide rollers.
  • the desired positions of the guide rollers in the open position and the closed position can be predefined before operation of the roller guide.
  • the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers to the open position when no stock is detected between the gu ide rollers.
  • the guide rollers are positioned such that the first end of each piece of stock entering the roller guide can pass freely between the guide rollers.
  • the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers to the closed position when it is detected that a first end of the piece of stock has passed between the guide rollers. This provides a way to achieve efficient guiding once the piece of stock is already between the guide rollers, without risk of damag ing the guide rollers as the first end of the piece of stock enters between them.
  • the roller guide further comprises primary guid ing means configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers.
  • the primary guiding means are useful for rough guid ing of the stock toward the roller guides.
  • the primary guiding means are in the form of a gu iding funnel which at least partly has the basic shape of a truncated cone.
  • the roller guide further comprises adjustment means for adjusting the primary guiding means between a guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers, and a non-guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to allow free passage of the stock through the primary guiding means.
  • the primary guiding means can be used in the guiding position only when necessary in order to reduce wear on the primary guid ing means resulting from contact with the fed stock.
  • the adjustment means is configured to adjust the primary guiding means to the non-gu iding position when a piece of stock is detected between the guide rollers. In th is way, the wear on the primary gu iding means is minimized , since the stock is allowed free passage as soon as it has entered between the guide rollers.
  • the primary guiding means can for example be adjusted to the guiding position either when it is detected that a rear end of a stock exits the roller guide, or when it is detected that a first end of a stock is approaching the primary guiding means.
  • the positioning means is in the form of a mechanic, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic position ing means.
  • the hydraulic fluid used in the case of a hydraulic positioning means, as well as the pneumatic fluid used in the case of a pneumatic positioning means, should be a fluid which is suitable for power transfer at the conditions applicable in the roller guide.
  • Mechanic, electric, hydrau lic and pneumatic positioning means are able to provide fast and efficient power transfer and are therefore suitable for use in the roller guide, where the travelling speed of fed stock necessitates fast reactions.
  • the positioning means is servo actuated .
  • This is particu larly useful for electric positioning means and provides an excellent position control.
  • the servo actuation enables quick adjustments of the distance between the guide rollers and can be used for pre- adjustment of the lateral distance between the gu ide rollers, or if applicable of the primary guiding means, as a piece of stock is approaching . Fast adaptations to the dimension of the piece of stock are thereby possible.
  • the roller guide further comprises sensing means for sensing a force applied by the stock on the roller guide. This is usefu l since it enables activation of protection measures in the case of unusually high forces applied on the roller guide.
  • One or more force sensors or the like can be used to sense forces at various positions in the roller guide, such as in the primary gu iding means or in the gu ide rollers.
  • the system may be configured such that an error code and/or an alarm signal is generated if the sensing means senses a force exceeding a predetermined threshold level, or a force deviating from an expected level by an amount exceed ing a predetermined threshold level.
  • the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers in response to a force sensed by the sensing means.
  • the positioning means may e.g . be configured to, in response to a sensed force exceed ing a predetermined threshold level, temporarily move the guide rollers.
  • th is way, it is possible to achieve a guiding with a constant or nearly constant force applied on the stock. This provides protection against too high forces applied on the roller guide by the stock and potentially increases the tool durability of the roller guide.
  • the roller guide further comprises dimension measurement means for determining a dimension of the stock. This is a practical way of obtaining the dimension of the stock and is particularly useful for roller guides placed between successive pairs of rolls in a continuous rolling mill .
  • Th is also useful in order to enable adaptation of the lateral distance between the guide rollers in the closed and in the open position , respectively.
  • Th is can be achieved by arranging the dimension measurement means such that the dimension is measured before the piece of stock enters into the roller guide. I n this way, the roller guide can be configured such that the force applied on the stock by means of the guide rollers is always of the same magnitude.
  • the above mentioned object is achieved by the method as initially defined . The method is characterized in that it comprises the steps:
  • the lateral distance between the guide rollers is reduced such that the guide rollers engage said opposite surface portions of the stock.
  • the lateral distance between the guide rollers is increased such that free passage of a first end of a piece of stock between the guide rollers is allowed .
  • roller guide further comprises primary guiding means configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers
  • the method further comprises the step:
  • adjusting the primary guiding means between a guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers, and a non-guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to allow free passage of the stock through the primary guid ing means.
  • Fig . 2 shows the roller guide of fig . 1 in a second position
  • Fig . 3 shows the roller guide of fig . 1 in a third position
  • Fig . 4 shows the roller guide of fig . 1 in a fourth position .
  • FIG. 1 -4 A schematic illustration of a roller guide 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig . 1 -4.
  • the roller guide 1 is intended for guiding stock in a longitudinal feeding direction A in a rolling mill , primarily toward a pair of rolls for shaping the stock.
  • the roller gu ide 1 comprises a frame arrangement 2 and a pair of guide rollers 3, 4, each guide roller 3, 4 being mounted on an arm 5, 6 of the frame arrangement 2.
  • the arms 5, 6 are pivotable and movable such that a lateral distance, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction A, between the guide rollers 3, 4 can be adjusted .
  • the guide rollers 3, 4 are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation C3, C4 perpendicular to the longitudinal feeding direction A and to the lateral direction .
  • the roller gu ide 1 further comprises a control un it 7 in which positioning means for adjusting the lateral d istance between the guide rollers 3, 4 by means of moving and pivoting the arms 5, 6 is comprised .
  • Detection means 1 3 for detecting that a first end 20a of the piece of stock 20 is approach ing the guide rollers 3, 4 is provided on the inside of the guiding part 1 1 .
  • the roller guide further comprises primary gu iding means 9 configured to gu ide the stock toward the guide rollers 3, 4.
  • the primary guiding means 9 is in the form of a guid ing funnel comprising an entry funnel 10 and two guiding parts 1 1 , 12. Adjustment means for adjusting the primary guiding means 9 between a guiding position , in which the primary guiding means 9 is configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers 3, 4, and a non-guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to allow free passage of the stock through the primary guid ing means 9, is provided in the control unit 7.
  • Fig . 1 shows the roller guide 1 before entry of a piece of stock 20 into the roller guide 1 .
  • the guide rollers 3, 4 are positioned after the primary guid ing means 9 in the longitud inal feeding direction A.
  • the control unit 7 comprises positioning means (not shown) for moving the guide rollers 3, 4 and adjustment means (not shown) for adjusting the position of the guiding parts 1 1 , 12 of the primary guiding means 9.
  • the primary guiding means 9 are in the guid ing position .
  • the guiding parts 1 1 , 12 are positioned close to each other such that a narrow channel for guiding the piece of stock 20 between the guiding parts 1 1 , 12 is formed .
  • the gu ide rollers 3, 4 are in an open position , in which the lateral distance between the guide rollers 3, 4 is sufficiently large to allow free passage of the piece of stock 20 without physical interaction with the gu ide rollers 3, 4.
  • the piece of stock 20 has entered into the primary gu iding means 9 of the roller guide.
  • the primary guiding means 9 is still in the guiding position and the guide rollers 3, 4 are in the open position .
  • the first end 20a of the piece of stock 20 has just passed the detection means 13.
  • a signal is sent from the detection means 13 to the control unit 7 comprising the positioning means and the adjustment means.
  • the positioning means and the adjustment means are thereby activated .
  • the positioning means has moved the guide rollers 3, 4 from the open position to a closed position , with a decreased lateral distance between the guide rollers 3, 4, and the front end 20a of the piece of stock 20 has passed between the gu ide rollers 3, 4.
  • the adjustment means has moved the primary guiding means 9 to the non-gu iding position by increasing the lateral distance between the gu iding parts 1 1 , 12.
  • the guide rollers 3, 4 thus engage opposite surface portions of the piece of stock 20 and thereby apply a guiding force, while free passage is allowed through the primary guiding means 9.
  • the entire piece of stock 20 has passed between the guide rollers 3, 4. Th is has been detected by the detection means 13.
  • the primary gu iding means 9 has been moved to the guid ing position by reducing the lateral distance between the guiding parts 1 1 , 12.
  • the gu ide rollers 3, 4 have been moved to the open position .
  • the roller guide 1 is thereby ready to receive another piece of stock.
  • means for measuring or estimating the travelling speed of the piece of stock 20 may be provided on the gu ide roller 1 . Information about the travelling speed may also be obtained from some other, external source.
  • Alternative ways of determining that the first end 20a has passed between the gu ide rollers 3, 4 include placing a detector on the level of the guide rollers 3, 4 or just after the guide rollers 3, 4 in the feeding direction .
  • the positioning means and the adjustment means may be comprised in the same control unit as shown above, but may also be controlled separately.
  • the positioning means and the adjustment means may be mechanic, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic and may be servo actuated .
  • the positioning means are configured to effect adjustment of the lateral distance between the guide rollers 3, 4 by means of pivoting and displacing the arms 5, 6 on which the guide rollers 3, 4 are mounted .
  • the positioning means may instead be configured to effect adjustment of the lateral distance by lateral displacement on ly, without pivoting action .
  • the guide roller 1 is preferably displaceable in the lateral direction , for example along a guiding track, such that it can be used to guide stock toward different rolling grooves of a pair of rolls placed after the roller guide.
  • Sensing means for sensing a force applied by the stock on the roller guide 1 such as a force sensor, e.g . in the form of a strain gage placed on one or both arms 5, 6, is preferably provided on the roller guide 1 .
  • the force sensor can be used for overload protection and should therefore preferably be connected to the positioning means. In case the force sensed by the force sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold , protection measures are activated .
  • the lateral distance between the guide rollers 3, 4 can be temporarily increased , or the tension from the positioning means, keeping the guide rollers 3, 4 in the closed position , can be temporarily released . If the force sensed by the force sensor exceeds the threshold , an alarm signal may be generated to alert an operator of the roller guide.
  • the positioning means are preferably configured such that the stock is guided at a constant load , i.e. so that the force applied by the guide rollers on the stock is constant, or nearly constant, when the guide rollers are in the closed position .
  • the closed position may therefore not be static in terms of lateral distance between the guide rollers, but may be defined as a certain force applied by the gu ide rollers on the stock.
  • the roller guide may also comprise dimension measurement means for determining a d imension of the stock and means for measuring vibrations.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metal Rolling (AREA)
  • Metal Extraction Processes (AREA)
  • Registering, Tensioning, Guiding Webs, And Rollers Therefor (AREA)
  • Press Drives And Press Lines (AREA)
  • Bending Of Plates, Rods, And Pipes (AREA)

Abstract

A roller guide (1) for guiding stock in a longitudinal feeding direction (A) toward a pair of rolls for shaping the stock. The roller guide comprises a frame arrangement (2), a pair of guide rollers (3, 4) configured to, in a closed position, engage opposite surface portions of the stock,and positioning means for adjusting a lateral distance between the guide rollers. The roller guide further comprises detection means (13) configured to detect a longitudinal position of a piece of stock (20) with respect to the guide rollers. The positioning means is configured to adjust the lateral distance between the guide rollers in response to said detection.

Description

A ROLLER GUIDE AND A METHOD FOR GUIDING STOCK
TECHN I CAL FI ELD
The invention relates to a roller guide for guiding stock in a longitudinal feeding direction toward a pair of rolls for shaping the stock according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for guiding stock according to the independent method claim. In particular, the invention relates to a roller guide and to a method for use in the production of wire, rods and beams.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Roller guides are common ly used for gu iding hot stock, such as wire stock or rod stock, in rolling mills. Primarily, roller guides are placed before a pair of rolls used to shape the stock, so called entry roller guides. These roller guides guide the stock which is to be rolled toward a particular rolling groove. The use of roller guides reduces the risk of damag ing the stock upon entry between the pair of rolls and enables feeding the stock at high feeding rates. US3935722 discloses a roller guide for guiding stock toward a pair of rolls. The roller guide comprises a frame arrangement and a pair of guide rollers mounted on the frame arrangement, which guide rollers are configured to engage opposite surface portions of the stock. The guide rollers are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation perpend icular to a longitud inal feeding direction .
Known roller guides further commonly comprise positioning means for adjusting a lateral distance between the gu ide rollers to be able to accommodate stock of different dimensions. In this case, the lateral distance between the gu ide rollers is adjusted before operation of the roller guide, and the lateral distance is constant or essentially constant during operation of the roller guide. Normally, the lateral distance between the guide rollers is set slightly smaller than the lateral dimension of the stock, such that the guide rollers press on the surface portions of the stock. This is necessary to achieve an efficient and accurate gu iding of the stock. However, a problem with such known roller guides is that the gu ide rollers are heavily worn due to the large forces resulting when the stock enters between the guide rollers.
SUMMARY OF THE I NVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned problem and provide a solution by means of which the forces on the guide rollers are reduced with respect to known solutions.
This object is, accord ing to a first aspect of the present invention , achieved by the roller guide as initially defined . The roller guide is characterized in that it further comprises detection means configured to detect a longitud inal position of a piece of stock with respect to the guide rollers, and that the positioning means is configured to adjust the lateral distance between the guide rollers in response to said detection . By means of the roller guide according to the invention , it is thus possible to automatically adjust the distance between the guide rollers during operation of the roller guide. This enables a reduction of the forces applied to the guide rollers as the stock enters there between . The tool life of the guide rollers can thereby be increased . According to an embodiment of th is aspect of the invention , the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers between the closed position and an open position , in which the lateral distance between the gu ide rollers is such as to allow free passage of the stock between the guide rollers. The desired positions of the guide rollers in the open position and the closed position , respectively, can be predefined before operation of the roller guide. By being able to move the guide rollers between a closed position and an open position , it is possible to control the forces exerted by the stock on the gu ide rollers and vice versa.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention , the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers to the open position when no stock is detected between the gu ide rollers. In this way, the guide rollers are positioned such that the first end of each piece of stock entering the roller guide can pass freely between the guide rollers. Thus, the large forces resulting when the stock enters between the guide rollers are eliminated , and the tool life of the guide rollers is significantly prolonged .
According to another embodiment of the invention , the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers to the closed position when it is detected that a first end of the piece of stock has passed between the guide rollers. This provides a way to achieve efficient guiding once the piece of stock is already between the guide rollers, without risk of damag ing the guide rollers as the first end of the piece of stock enters between them.
According to another embodiment of the invention , the roller guide further comprises primary guid ing means configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers. The primary guiding means are useful for rough guid ing of the stock toward the roller guides. Preferably, the primary guiding means are in the form of a gu iding funnel which at least partly has the basic shape of a truncated cone.
According to another embodiment of the invention , the roller guide further comprises adjustment means for adjusting the primary guiding means between a guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers, and a non-guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to allow free passage of the stock through the primary guiding means. Thus, the primary guiding means can be used in the guiding position only when necessary in order to reduce wear on the primary guid ing means resulting from contact with the fed stock.
According to another embodiment of the invention , the adjustment means is configured to adjust the primary guiding means to the non-gu iding position when a piece of stock is detected between the guide rollers. In th is way, the wear on the primary gu iding means is minimized , since the stock is allowed free passage as soon as it has entered between the guide rollers. The primary guiding means can for example be adjusted to the guiding position either when it is detected that a rear end of a stock exits the roller guide, or when it is detected that a first end of a stock is approaching the primary guiding means. According to another embodiment of the invention , the positioning means is in the form of a mechanic, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic position ing means. The hydraulic fluid used in the case of a hydraulic positioning means, as well as the pneumatic fluid used in the case of a pneumatic positioning means, should be a fluid which is suitable for power transfer at the conditions applicable in the roller guide. Mechanic, electric, hydrau lic and pneumatic positioning means are able to provide fast and efficient power transfer and are therefore suitable for use in the roller guide, where the travelling speed of fed stock necessitates fast reactions.
According to another embodiment of the invention , the positioning means is servo actuated . This is particu larly useful for electric positioning means and provides an excellent position control. For example, the servo actuation enables quick adjustments of the distance between the guide rollers and can be used for pre- adjustment of the lateral distance between the gu ide rollers, or if applicable of the primary guiding means, as a piece of stock is approaching . Fast adaptations to the dimension of the piece of stock are thereby possible. According to another embodiment of the invention , the roller guide further comprises sensing means for sensing a force applied by the stock on the roller guide. This is usefu l since it enables activation of protection measures in the case of unusually high forces applied on the roller guide. One or more force sensors or the like can be used to sense forces at various positions in the roller guide, such as in the primary gu iding means or in the gu ide rollers. The system may be configured such that an error code and/or an alarm signal is generated if the sensing means senses a force exceeding a predetermined threshold level, or a force deviating from an expected level by an amount exceed ing a predetermined threshold level.
According to another embodiment of the invention , the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers in response to a force sensed by the sensing means. The positioning means may e.g . be configured to, in response to a sensed force exceed ing a predetermined threshold level, temporarily move the guide rollers. In th is way, it is possible to achieve a guiding with a constant or nearly constant force applied on the stock. This provides protection against too high forces applied on the roller guide by the stock and potentially increases the tool durability of the roller guide. According to another embodiment of the invention , the roller guide further comprises dimension measurement means for determining a dimension of the stock. This is a practical way of obtaining the dimension of the stock and is particularly useful for roller guides placed between successive pairs of rolls in a continuous rolling mill . It is also useful in order to enable adaptation of the lateral distance between the guide rollers in the closed and in the open position , respectively. Th is can be achieved by arranging the dimension measurement means such that the dimension is measured before the piece of stock enters into the roller guide. I n this way, the roller guide can be configured such that the force applied on the stock by means of the guide rollers is always of the same magnitude. According to another aspect of the present invention , the above mentioned object is achieved by the method as initially defined . The method is characterized in that it comprises the steps:
- detecting a longitud inal position of a piece of stock with respect to the guide rollers,
- in response to said detection , adjusting a lateral distance between the guide rollers.
The advantages of such a method as well as preferred embodiments thereof are apparent from the above discussion relating to the proposed roller guide.
According to an embod iment of this aspect of the invention , when a piece of stock is detected between the guide rollers, the lateral distance between the guide rollers is reduced such that the guide rollers engage said opposite surface portions of the stock.
According to another embod iment of this aspect of the invention , when no piece of stock is detected between the guide rollers, the lateral distance between the guide rollers is increased such that free passage of a first end of a piece of stock between the guide rollers is allowed .
According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention , wherein the roller guide further comprises primary guiding means configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers, the method further comprises the step:
- in response to the detection of the longitud inal position of a piece of stock, adjusting the primary guiding means between a guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers, and a non-guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to allow free passage of the stock through the primary guid ing means.
Other advantageous features as well as advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description . BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF THE DRAWI NGS The invention will in the following be further described by means of example with reference to the appended drawings, wherein shows a schematic view of a roller guide accord ing to an embodiment of the invention in a first position ,
Fig . 2 shows the roller guide of fig . 1 in a second position , Fig . 3 shows the roller guide of fig . 1 in a third position , and Fig . 4 shows the roller guide of fig . 1 in a fourth position .
DETAI LED DESCRI PTION OF EMBODI M ENTS OF THE I NVENTION
A schematic illustration of a roller guide 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig . 1 -4. The roller guide 1 is intended for guiding stock in a longitudinal feeding direction A in a rolling mill , primarily toward a pair of rolls for shaping the stock. The roller gu ide 1 comprises a frame arrangement 2 and a pair of guide rollers 3, 4, each guide roller 3, 4 being mounted on an arm 5, 6 of the frame arrangement 2. The arms 5, 6 are pivotable and movable such that a lateral distance, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction A, between the guide rollers 3, 4 can be adjusted . The guide rollers 3, 4 are rotatable about parallel axes of rotation C3, C4 perpendicular to the longitudinal feeding direction A and to the lateral direction . The roller gu ide 1 further comprises a control un it 7 in which positioning means for adjusting the lateral d istance between the guide rollers 3, 4 by means of moving and pivoting the arms 5, 6 is comprised . Detection means 1 3 for detecting that a first end 20a of the piece of stock 20 is approach ing the guide rollers 3, 4 is provided on the inside of the guiding part 1 1 . The roller guide further comprises primary gu iding means 9 configured to gu ide the stock toward the guide rollers 3, 4. In the shown embodiment, the primary guiding means 9 is in the form of a guid ing funnel comprising an entry funnel 10 and two guiding parts 1 1 , 12. Adjustment means for adjusting the primary guiding means 9 between a guiding position , in which the primary guiding means 9 is configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers 3, 4, and a non-guiding position , in which the primary guiding means is configured to allow free passage of the stock through the primary guid ing means 9, is provided in the control unit 7.
Fig . 1 shows the roller guide 1 before entry of a piece of stock 20 into the roller guide 1 . The guide rollers 3, 4 are positioned after the primary guid ing means 9 in the longitud inal feeding direction A. The control unit 7 comprises positioning means (not shown) for moving the guide rollers 3, 4 and adjustment means (not shown) for adjusting the position of the guiding parts 1 1 , 12 of the primary guiding means 9. In the position shown in fig . 1 , the primary guiding means 9 are in the guid ing position . In other words, the guiding parts 1 1 , 12 are positioned close to each other such that a narrow channel for guiding the piece of stock 20 between the guiding parts 1 1 , 12 is formed . The gu ide rollers 3, 4 are in an open position , in which the lateral distance between the guide rollers 3, 4 is sufficiently large to allow free passage of the piece of stock 20 without physical interaction with the gu ide rollers 3, 4.
In fig . 2, the piece of stock 20 has entered into the primary gu iding means 9 of the roller guide. The primary guiding means 9 is still in the guiding position and the guide rollers 3, 4 are in the open position . The first end 20a of the piece of stock 20 has just passed the detection means 13. A signal is sent from the detection means 13 to the control unit 7 comprising the positioning means and the adjustment means. The positioning means and the adjustment means are thereby activated . In fig . 3, the positioning means has moved the guide rollers 3, 4 from the open position to a closed position , with a decreased lateral distance between the guide rollers 3, 4, and the front end 20a of the piece of stock 20 has passed between the gu ide rollers 3, 4. The adjustment means has moved the primary guiding means 9 to the non-gu iding position by increasing the lateral distance between the gu iding parts 1 1 , 12. The guide rollers 3, 4 thus engage opposite surface portions of the piece of stock 20 and thereby apply a guiding force, while free passage is allowed through the primary guiding means 9.
In fig . 4, the entire piece of stock 20 has passed between the guide rollers 3, 4. Th is has been detected by the detection means 13. The primary gu iding means 9 has been moved to the guid ing position by reducing the lateral distance between the guiding parts 1 1 , 12. The gu ide rollers 3, 4 have been moved to the open position . The roller guide 1 is thereby ready to receive another piece of stock. In order to determine that the first end 20a of the piece of stock 20 has passed between the gu ide rollers 3, 4, means for measuring or estimating the travelling speed of the piece of stock 20 may be provided on the gu ide roller 1 . Information about the travelling speed may also be obtained from some other, external source. Alternative ways of determin ing that the first end 20a has passed between the gu ide rollers 3, 4 include placing a detector on the level of the guide rollers 3, 4 or just after the guide rollers 3, 4 in the feeding direction . The positioning means and the adjustment means may be comprised in the same control unit as shown above, but may also be controlled separately. The positioning means and the adjustment means may be mechanic, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic and may be servo actuated . In the shown embodiment, the positioning means are configured to effect adjustment of the lateral distance between the guide rollers 3, 4 by means of pivoting and displacing the arms 5, 6 on which the guide rollers 3, 4 are mounted . However, the positioning means may instead be configured to effect adjustment of the lateral distance by lateral displacement on ly, without pivoting action . The guide roller 1 is preferably displaceable in the lateral direction , for example along a guiding track, such that it can be used to guide stock toward different rolling grooves of a pair of rolls placed after the roller guide. Sensing means for sensing a force applied by the stock on the roller guide 1 , such as a force sensor, e.g . in the form of a strain gage placed on one or both arms 5, 6, is preferably provided on the roller guide 1 . The force sensor can be used for overload protection and should therefore preferably be connected to the positioning means. In case the force sensed by the force sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold , protection measures are activated . For example, the lateral distance between the guide rollers 3, 4 can be temporarily increased , or the tension from the positioning means, keeping the guide rollers 3, 4 in the closed position , can be temporarily released . If the force sensed by the force sensor exceeds the threshold , an alarm signal may be generated to alert an operator of the roller guide.
The positioning means are preferably configured such that the stock is guided at a constant load , i.e. so that the force applied by the guide rollers on the stock is constant, or nearly constant, when the guide rollers are in the closed position . The closed position may therefore not be static in terms of lateral distance between the guide rollers, but may be defined as a certain force applied by the gu ide rollers on the stock.
The roller guide may also comprise dimension measurement means for determining a d imension of the stock and means for measuring vibrations. The invention is of course not in any way restricted to the embodiments described above, but many possibilities to modifications thereof wou ld be apparent to a person with skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAI MS
1 . A roller guide (1 ) for guiding stock in a longitud inal feeding direction (A) toward a pair of rolls for shaping the stock, the roller guide (1 ) comprising :
- a frame arrangement (2) ,
- a pair of guide rollers (3, 4) mounted on the frame arrangement (2) , which guide rollers are configured to, in a closed position , engage opposite surface portions of the stock, the guide rollers (3, 4) being rotatable about parallel axes of rotation (C3, C4) perpend icular to the longitudinal feeding direction (A) , and
- positioning means for adjusting a lateral distance between the gu ide rollers (3, 4),
characterized in
that the roller guide further comprises detection means (13) configured to detect a longitud inal position of a piece of stock (20) with respect to the guide rollers (3, 4) , and that the positioning means is configured to adjust the lateral distance between the guide rollers (3, 4) in response to said detection .
2. The roller guide (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers (3, 4) between the closed position and an open position , in which the lateral distance between the guide rollers (3, 4) is such as to allow free passage of the stock between the guide rollers (3, 4) .
3. The roller guide (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers (3, 4) to the open position when no stock is detected between the guide rollers (3, 4) .
4. The roller guide (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers (3, 4) to the closed position when it is detected that a first end of the piece of stock (20) has passed between the guide rollers (3, 4) .
5. The roller guide (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller guide (1 ) further comprises primary guiding means (9) configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers (3, 4) .
6. The roller guide (1 ) according to claim 5, further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the primary guiding means (9) between a guiding position , in which the primary guiding means (9) is configured to gu ide the stock toward the guide rollers (3, 4), and a non-guiding position , in which the primary guiding means (9) is configured to allow free passage of the stock through the primary guiding means (9) .
7. The roller gu ide (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment means is configured to adjust the primary guiding means (9) to the non-guiding position when a piece of stock (20) is detected between the guide rollers (3, 4) .
8. The roller guide (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning means is in the form of a mechanic, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic positioning means.
9. The roller guide (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller guide (1 ) further comprises sensing means for sensing a force applied by the stock on the roller guide
(1 ) -
10. The roller guide (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein the positioning means is configured to move the guide rollers (3, 4) in response to a force sensed by the sensing means.
1 1 . The roller guide (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising dimension measurement means for determining a dimension of the stock.
12. A method for guiding stock in a long itudinal feeding direction (A) toward a pair of rolls for shaping the stock, wherein a roller guide (1 ) is used , the roller gu ide (1 ) comprising :
- a frame arrangement (2) ,
- a pair of guide rollers (3, 4) mounted on the frame arrangement (2) , which guide rollers (3, 4) are configured to, in a closed position , engage opposite surface portions of the stock, the guide rollers (3, 4) being rotatable about parallel axes of rotation (C3, C4) perpend icular to the longitudinal feeding direction (A),
characterized in that the method comprises the steps:
- detecting a longitudinal position of a piece of stock (20) with respect to the guide rollers (3, 4) ,
- in response to said detection , adjusting a lateral distance between the guide rollers (3, 4).
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein , when a piece of stock (20) is detected between the guide rollers (3, 4), the lateral distance between the guide rollers (3, 4) is reduced such that the guide rollers (3, 4) engage said opposite surface portions of the stock.
14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein , when no piece of stock (20) is detected between the guide rollers (3, 4) , the lateral d istance between the guide rollers (3, 4) is increased such that free passage of a first end (20a) of a piece of stock (20) between the gu ide rollers (3, 4) is allowed .
15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, wherein the roller guide further comprises primary guiding means (9) configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers (3, 4) , the method further comprising the step:
- in response to the detection of the longitud inal position of a piece of stock (20) , adjusting the primary guiding means (9) between a guiding position , in which the primary guiding means (9) is configured to guide the stock toward the guide rollers (3, 4), and a non-guiding position , in which the primary guiding means (9) is configured to allow free passage stock through the primary guiding means (9) .
EP15870447.8A 2014-12-18 2015-06-15 A roller guide and a method for guiding stock Active EP3233317B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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PL15870447T PL3233317T3 (en) 2014-12-18 2015-06-15 A roller guide and a method for guiding stock

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SE1451577A SE538558C2 (en) 2014-12-18 2014-12-18 A roller guide and a method for guiding stock
PCT/SE2015/050688 WO2016099370A1 (en) 2014-12-18 2015-06-15 A roller guide and a method for guiding stock

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EP (1) EP3233317B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2017538584A (en)
KR (1) KR20170096167A (en)
CN (1) CN107000004B (en)
ES (1) ES2804835T3 (en)
PL (1) PL3233317T3 (en)
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Publication number Publication date
SE538558C2 (en) 2016-09-20
PL3233317T3 (en) 2020-09-21
CN107000004A (en) 2017-08-01
WO2016099370A1 (en) 2016-06-23
SE1451577A1 (en) 2016-06-19
KR20170096167A (en) 2017-08-23
RU2695845C2 (en) 2019-07-29
EP3233317A4 (en) 2018-07-18
US20170341118A1 (en) 2017-11-30
ES2804835T3 (en) 2021-02-09
RU2017125314A (en) 2019-01-18
CN107000004B (en) 2019-12-10
EP3233317B1 (en) 2020-04-15
JP2017538584A (en) 2017-12-28
RU2017125314A3 (en) 2019-01-18

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