EP4065295B1 - System and method for flexibly rolling metal strip material - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for flexible rolling of metallic strip material.

In flexible rolling, strip material with essentially uniform sheet thickness is rolled out into strip material with variable sheet thickness along the length by changing the roll gap during the process. The sections of different thicknesses created by flexible rolling extend transversely to the longitudinal direction or to the rolling direction of the strip material. After flexible rolling, the strip material can easily be wound back into a coil and sent for further processing elsewhere, or it can be further processed directly, for example by cutting the strip material to length into individual sheet metal elements.

From the DE 103 15 357 A1 A method for flexible rolling of metal strip is known, with a first reel device for unwinding, from which strip with a defined strip output thickness is unwound, a rolling stand with an adjustable roll gap, and a second reel device for reeling, onto which the rolled strip with a thickness opposite to the strip output thickness is unwound reduced strip end thickness is wound up. There are first strip storage means between the first coiler and the roll stand, and second strip storage means between the roll stand and the second coiler. The tape storage means each comprise a plurality of rollers over which the tape material is guided in the shape of an "S" with at least partially superimposed sheets. Through a controlled movement of at least one of the rollers of the tape storage means, the S is distorted in such a way that that the length of the metal band between the inlet and the outlet into or out of the band storage means is changed. Such tape storage devices with multiple rolls are also referred to as a dancer system.

From the EP 3 216 537 A2 , on which the preambles of claims 1 and 12 are based, a device and a corresponding method for transporting long metallic material, in particular strip material, wire material, pipe material or profile material, are known. The device comprises two controllable chain drive units, each with an endless chain, between which the long material is passed, two controllable pressing units, each of which exerts a contact force on the associated chain in the direction of long material, and a controllable actuating unit, which is mechanically connected to the chain drive units and this can move in the longitudinal direction of the long material. The actuating unit includes a length-variable linear drive in the form of a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit. By actuating the piston-cylinder unit, the chain drive units are moved relative to a stationary component in or against the feed direction of the strip material. The chain drive units each include a carrier, a drive roller, a deflection roller and a motor that drives the respective chain evenly.

From the DE 299 09 850 U1 is a device for pulling or braking metal strips between two oppositely arranged, endlessly rotating chain systems driven by sprockets. The chain systems tension the belt with cart-like roller blocks that are guided on ledges in a straight driving area.

The present invention is based on the object of proposing a system for the flexible rolling of metallic strip material, which is of simple construction, has a small space requirement and which, if necessary, can be integrated into a process chain with further processing devices. The task is also to propose a corresponding method that enables efficient production of flexibly rolled strip material or parts made from it.

A system for processing metallic strip material is proposed as a solution, comprising: a feed unit for feeding metallic tape material; a belt drive device which has at least one controllable traction device drive unit with at least one motor and an endless traction device that can be driven by the motor, as well as a pressing unit for pressing the traction device against the belt material, the drive power of the motor and the contact pressure of the pressing unit being variably adjustable during operation, so that a driving force acting on the strip material by the traction means with frictional contact can be variably adjusted; a rolling device for flexibly rolling the strip material to produce a variable sheet thickness over the length of the strip material; a measuring device, in particular a tension measuring device, which is arranged or designed to detect a physical quantity acting on the strip material, in particular an inlet tensile force; wherein the drive power of the motor of the belt drive device can be regulated based on the physical quantity determined by the measuring device. The traction drive unit is held stationary, in particular in the longitudinal direction, for example fixed to a support element or housing. By changing the drive power or drive torque of the motor, which rotates the endless traction means, the driving force acting on the strip material from the traction means can be variably adjusted as required.

One advantage of this system is that it has a simple and compact structure due to the traction drive units. The inlet tensile force, i.e. the tensile force acting on the strip material on the inlet side of the rolling device, can be regulated directly by controlling the drive power of the motor. There are no or only small displacement paths of the belt drive device necessary, which has a positive overall effect on the space required by the system. Even if there is little space available, the system can be integrated into a process chain with additional processing devices. In particular, further processing steps can be carried out upstream and/or downstream, since the train in front of the train drive unit in front of the rolling device or after the train drive unit behind the rolling device is independent of the process train in the area of the rolling device. If a strip storage unit is used in front of the rolling device, other otherwise required units, such as a dancer unit or a loop unit, may possibly be omitted. In flexible rolling, the hydraulic adjustment of the work rolls is the main process, which is possible via thickness control, position control or mass flow control. This creates strong variations Process variables tensile force, speed and rolling force. With the stationary drive chain unit according to the invention with the contact pressure forces acting on the strip material and the varying drive power of the motor to change the rotational speed of the traction means, these variations can be brought into harmony in terms of process technology.

In the context of the present disclosure, a traction drive unit is understood to mean, in particular, a drive unit that transmits drive power (speeds and torques) with the help of flexible or flexible machine elements. Such a flexible machine element can essentially transmit tensile forces and is therefore also referred to as a traction device. Preferably, positive traction means, such as a chain or a toothed belt, are used, which always have the same peripheral speed over the circumference. A drive unit with a chain as traction means can be referred to as a chain drive unit; a drive unit with a toothed belt corresponding to a toothed belt drive unit.

According to a possible embodiment, a second belt drive device can be arranged behind the rolling device in the direction of movement of the strip material. The use of a second belt drive device has the advantage that the processing or transport direction of the belt material can also be reversed. In this case, the second belt drive device is in front of the rolling device in the direction of movement of the strip material, and the first belt drive device is behind it. In a possible specification, the second belt drive device can be supported against a stationary component by means of at least one spring unit. The drive power of the motor of the second belt drive device can be kept constant. Any elements that are suitable for absorbing, storing and releasing external forces can be used as the spring unit. For example, mechanical, hydraulic, electrical or pneumatic springs or energy storage devices can be used as spring units.

When using two belt drive devices, one in front of and one behind the roller unit, the speeds of the two devices can be adjusted accordingly the volume constancy of the strip material can be adjusted. Alternatively, a control with constant stretching is also possible, which means that the drive speed of the drive device of the strip material downstream in the transport direction of the strip material is slightly faster than the drive speed of the upstream drive device. The difference in speed between the two drive devices, taking into account the constant volume, can be up to 3%, for example.

The two belt drive devices are preferably designed the same in terms of structure and functionality. It is therefore understood that all details described within the scope of the present disclosure in relation to one of the two tape drive devices or their individual components can also apply equally to the second tape drive device, unless otherwise stated. In particular, the second belt drive device also includes at least one controllable traction device drive unit with a motor, an endless traction device that can be driven in rotation by the motor, and a pressing unit for pressing the traction device against the belt material. The traction device includes in particular positive machine elements, such as a chain or a toothed belt.

By controlling the motor drive power based on a physical quantity representative of the rolling process, the tensile force acting on the strip material can be regulated as needed to support the rolling process to produce the desired thickness profile in the strip material. In general, different control concepts for the flexible rolling device are possible, so that different physical variables of system components acting on the strip material can be measured and used to control the motor drive power. According to a first possibility, the measuring device can be designed as a tension measuring device, which can be arranged between the belt drive device and the rolling device in order to record the infeed tensile force acting on the strip material as a physical quantity. According to an alternative or additional possibility, a force measuring device can be provided which can detect a signal representing the rolling force of the rolling device as a physical quantity. According to a further alternative or additional possibility, a position measuring device can be provided, which is connected to an actuating unit for a Roller can be arranged in order to detect the position of an actuating unit for a roller as a physical quantity.

According to one embodiment, a second tension measuring device can be arranged between the rolling device and the second belt drive device in order to detect the exit tensile force acting on the strip material on the exit side. The drive power of the motor of the second belt drive device can be regulated in particular on the basis of the run-out tensile force determined by the second tension measuring device.

Furthermore, a tape storage device can be arranged between the second tape drive device and a downstream processing device, in which the tape material can be stored as it passes between a storage inlet and a storage outlet.

In at least one of the tension measuring devices, that is to say in the first and/or the second tension measuring device, the contact force of the respective pressing unit can be regulated based on the tensile force determined by the respective tension measuring device. In particular, the drive power of the motor and/or the contact force of the pressing unit can be variably regulated during operation, so that a target tensile force acting on the strip material by the traction means under frictional contact can be variably adjusted.

According to a possible embodiment, a tape storage device is provided in which the tape material can be stored as it passes between a storage inlet and a storage outlet. With this version, a dancer unit and/or a sling unit can be dispensed with if necessary. The tape storage device may include a vertical storage, a horizontal storage or a loop storage. A vertical storage is characterized in that strip material is stored in the vertical direction, with the space requirement in the horizontal direction being correspondingly small. A horizontal storage device stores strip material in a horizontal direction, although the space required in a vertical direction is correspondingly small.

The motor of the traction device drive unit generates a rotary movement to drive the traction device in rotation. In this respect, the motor can also be referred to as a rotary drive or rotary motor. The drive power of a rotary drive results in particular from the product of speed and torque. A change in the engine drive power can therefore occur by changing the drive torque and/or the drive speed. The motor or motors can be designed as a hydraulic motor or electric motor, in particular as a hydraulic or electric direct drive. A torque motor, for example, can be used as an electric direct drive. Such hydraulic or electric motors enable high torques at relatively low speeds and can be controlled highly dynamically. Preferably, the belt drive device or the individual components of the belt drive device is designed to accelerate and/or brake the belt material with at least 3 m/sec ² .

A belt drive device can, for example, be designed to generate tensile forces of at least 1 N/mm ² , preferably at least 10 N/mm ² and/or less than 120 N/mm ² based on the cross-sectional area of the belt material. When using a relatively strong strip material, such as steel, the strip drive device can be designed to generate tensile forces of at least 50 N/mm ² and/or less than 120 N/mm ² based on the cross-sectional area of the strip material. For strip material with lower tensile strength, such as aluminum, the strip drive device can be designed with a lower tensile force that can be generated, for example up to 90 N/mm ² .

The belt drive device may have a drivable first axle, which can be rotated by the motor to transmit a drive torque to the traction means, and a second axle, which is rotationally driven by the traction means. One or two motors can be provided to drive the first axis. When using two motors, they can be controlled dependently or independently of one another, whereby the two motors can be driven synchronously with one another in order to jointly drive the first axis.

According to one embodiment, the system can have two controllable traction drive units, between which the strip material can be passed through under frictional contact is, so that the band material is moved during operation of the traction drive units in the direction of movement of the traction means sections in contact with the band material. The two train drive units can be designed the same in terms of structure and functionality. When using two motors per drive unit, there are a total of four motors for the belt drive device. The two traction means drive units can each have an associated pressing unit, which each exerts a contact pressure on the respective traction means in the direction of the strip material. Alternatively, a single pressing unit can also be provided, which can press both traction drive units towards each other or move them away from each other. A pressing unit can, for example, have one or more linear drives, in particular a piston-cylinder unit, which can generate a force transverse to the belt direction.

According to a possible specification, a traction device drive unit can comprise a large number of interconnected traction device members, which form an endless traction device. Furthermore, the two traction drive units can each have a carrier, a drive wheel and a deflection wheel or deflection roller, around which the endless traction means is arranged circumferentially. The drive wheel and the deflection wheel are rotatably mounted on the first carrier at a distance from one another. The drive wheel, which can be driven in rotation by the motor, is preferably positively engaged with the traction means in order to transmit torque from the motor to the traction means. The traction means can have a plurality of circumferentially distributed friction bodies. The friction bodies are designed in particular in such a way that they come into frictional contact with the band material during the rotating movement of the traction means and move the band material clamped between the two opposing traction means arrangements in the feed direction. One or more friction bodies can each be arranged on one of the traction elements. In particular, it is provided that the friction bodies each have a friction lining which is matched to the material of the band material in such a way that static friction is generated between the friction lining and the band material. By matching the forces and materials of the components involved in the movement in such a way that essentially only static friction occurs on the strip material, wear is kept to a minimum and the surface of the strip material is protected.

One or more further processing devices can be provided. For example, a processing device can be arranged between the feed unit and the belt drive device, in particular a belt cleaning unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, a control unit is provided for controlling the feed speed and/or the tensile force of the strip material. For this purpose, the control unit can control one or more components of one or more tape drive devices. In particular, the control unit can control at least the drive motor and the pressing unit and is connected to the units mentioned for these purposes in terms of control technology. In particular, it is provided that each individual control variable can be set individually by the control unit. Furthermore, the individual control variables are preferably continuously adjustable between a maximum value and a minimum value.

The object is further solved by a method for processing metallic strip material, comprising the steps: driving the strip material by means of a belt drive device, the strip material being unwound from a feed unit and fed to a downstream device for flexible rolling, the belt drive device having at least one controllable traction drive unit a motor, an endless traction means that can be driven by the motor and a pressing unit for pressing the traction means against the strip material; Sensing an infeed tensile force acting on the strip material by means of a tension measuring device arranged between the belt drive device and the flexible rolling device; Controlling the performance of the motor of the belt drive device depending on the inlet tensile force determined by the tension measuring device.

The process offers the same advantages that have already been described above in connection with the system and to which reference is made here in abbreviation. The method makes it possible to compensate for differences in speed or path between different parts of the system, for example between a part of the system arranged in front of and behind the rolling unit, or to keep the tensile force acting on the strip material essentially constant.

According to a preferred procedure, the contact pressure of the pressure unit is regulated depending on the inlet tensile force determined by the tension measuring device. The driving power of the motor and the contact pressure of the pressing unit can be regulated in particular in such a way that the driving force acting on the strip material by the belt drive device is dynamically controlled between 1 and 120 N/mm ² based on the cross section of the belt material.

According to one possible procedure, the strip material can be driven by means of a second belt drive device, which is arranged behind the rolling device in the direction of movement of the strip material. The second belt drive device can have at least one controllable traction device drive unit with a motor, an endless traction device that can be driven by the motor and a pressing unit for pressing the traction device against the belt material. Accordingly, the run-out tensile force acting on the strip material can be determined by means of a second tension measuring device which is arranged between the rolling device and the second belt drive device. The driving power of the motor of the second tape drive device can be set to a constant value. Alternatively or additionally, the contact pressure of the pressure unit of the second belt drive device can be regulated depending on the run-out tensile force determined by the second tension measuring device.

Overall, the system can be controlled using the method in such a way that the speed and/or force of the strip material is suitably adapted to the requirements of the upstream and/or downstream processes. For example, the at least one belt drive device can be controlled in such a way that on one side, i.e. the inlet or outlet side, the longitudinal force acting on the belt material is zero, and on the other side the target tensile force required for the respective process is present. Setting a tensile force to zero has the advantage that no additional device is required to apply a basic tensile force. It goes without saying that other tensile forces lying between zero and the target force can also be set.

Figur 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Anlage zum Bearbeiten von metallischem Bandmaterial in einer Ausführungsform;

Figur 2

eine erfindungsgemäße Anlage zum Bearbeiten von metallischem Bandmaterial in einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Figur 3

eine erfindungsgemäße Anlage zum Bearbeiten von metallischem Bandmaterial in einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Figur 4

eine nicht erfindungsgemäße Anlage zum Bearbeiten von metallischem Bandmaterial in einer Ausführungsform;

Figur 5

schematisch eine Bandantriebsvorrichtung für eine Anlage gemäß Figur 1, 2 und/oder 3 in einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform A) in dreidimensionaler Darstellung; B) in Seitenansicht;

Figur 6

eine Speichereinheit für eine erfindungsgemäße Anlage in einer ersten Ausführungsform; und

Figur 7

eine Speichereinheit für eine erfindungsgemäße Anlage in einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

A preferred embodiment is explained below with reference to the drawing figures. Herein shows

Figure 1

a system according to the invention for processing metallic strip material in one embodiment;

Figure 2

a system according to the invention for processing metallic strip material in a further embodiment;

Figure 3

a system according to the invention for processing metallic strip material in a further embodiment;

Figure 4

a system not according to the invention for processing metallic strip material in one embodiment;

Figure 5

schematically a belt drive device for a system according to Figure 1, 2 and/or 3 in a modified embodiment A) in a three-dimensional representation; B) in side view;

Figure 6

a storage unit for a system according to the invention in a first embodiment; and

Figure 7

a storage unit for a system according to the invention in a further embodiment.

The Figure 1 shows a system 2 according to the invention for processing metallic strip material. The system 2 has a feed unit 3 for feeding metallic strip material 4, a belt drive device 5, a rolling device 6 for flexible rolling of the strip material 4 and a tension measuring device 7. Optionally, a strip processing unit 8 and/or a strip storage unit 9 can be provided between the feed unit 3 and the rolling device 6.

The feed unit 3 can be any unit that provides or supplies the strip material 4 for the further process steps. For example, a reel, in particular a lightweight reel, can be used, which can be designed to essentially carry the coil and one for the Subsequent processes require winding tension to be applied, which can in particular be smaller than 10 N/mm ² , but does not have to apply winding tensions that go beyond this.

An optional downstream strip processing unit 8 can be integrated into the system according to technical requirements. For example, a cleaning unit and/or a welding unit for longitudinal or transverse welding of two supplied coils can be provided as an additional strip processing unit.

Furthermore, a strip storage unit 9 can optionally be provided between the feed unit 3 and the rolling unit 6, which is designed to temporarily store sections of the strip material 4 as they pass between a storage inlet and a storage outlet and thus to compensate for speed fluctuations during the transport of the strip material 4. The tape storage unit 9 is designed here as a vertical storage, although other embodiments are also possible.

The belt drive device 5 in the present case comprises several functional units, which in particular work together in pairs, namely a first and second traction drive unit 10, 10 ', and a first and second pressing unit 11, 11'. The two pressing units 11, 11' can be designed to act on an associated or jointly on both traction drive units 10, 10'. A control unit 12 is also provided for controlling process parameters influencing the transport, in particular the feed speed v3 and/or the tensile force F3, F4 of the strip material 4. It goes without saying that only one traction drive unit or pressing unit can be provided.

The traction drive units 10, 10' each have a motor 13, 13' and an endless traction mechanism 14, 14' that can be driven by the motor. The motor 13, 13' can be drivingly connected to a drive wheel 15, 15', which transmits drive power from the motor to the traction means 14, 14'. The traction device can be designed as a chain or as a toothed belt. The traction drive unit 10, 10' can have a deflection wheel 16, 16' at the opposite end to the drive wheel 15, 15'. By means of the respective pressing unit 11, 11', the respective traction drive unit 10, 10' or the associated traction means 14, 14' is pressed against the strip material 4. At Using a pressing unit acting jointly on the strip material, the two traction drive units 10, 10 'can be moved against each other in the transverse direction of the strip material 4. The driving power of the motor 13, 13' and/or the contact force of the pressing unit 11, 11' can be variably regulated during operation, so that a driving force acting on the strip material 4 by the traction means 14, 14' under frictional contact can be variably adjusted. The drive power of the motor 13, 13 'is used in particular on the basis of the determined tensile force F4 at the inlet of the rolling unit 6, it being understood that further input variables such as the belt speed and/or the roll gap position can be used.

The traction drive units 10, 10' are held stationary in the longitudinal direction of the strip material 4. A carrier 17 is provided, on which a drive wheel 15, 15 'and a deflection wheel 16, 16' of the traction drive unit are each rotatably mounted at a distance from one another about axes of rotation A15, A16. Alternatively, the traction drive units 10, 10' can each be arranged as a whole on the carrier 17 in a stationary manner in the longitudinal direction and in a height-adjustable manner in the transverse direction. The carrier 17 can be a scaffolding, for example. The carrier 17 can be set up or fixed in a stationary manner on a part of the building, in particular by means of corresponding supports 33, 33 '. The drive wheels 15, 15' can be driven in rotation by the associated motor 13, 13' and transmit torque introduced by the motor to the respective traction means 14, 14'. For this purpose, suitable form engagement means can be provided on the drive roller 15, 15', which engage in a form-fitting manner in opposite form engagement means of the traction means 14, 14'. The pressing units 11, 11' can also be mounted on the carrier 17 or supported against it. In the present case, a carrier 17 is provided for both traction drive units 10, 10' and pressing units 11, 11', although an embodiment with separate carriers for the upper and lower units is also possible.

The motor or motors 13, 13' can be designed, for example, as a hydraulic motor or electric motor, in particular as a torque motor. The motors 13, 13' are preferably designed to generate high torques and can be controlled highly dynamically. In particular, the motors 13, 13 ', but also the drive components downstream in the power path, are designed or designed in such a way that that the strip material 4 can be accelerated or decelerated with at least 3 m/sec ² . For a uniform feed or a uniform introduction of force on the upper and lower sides of the strip material 4, the first motor 13 for driving the first traction means 14 and the second motor 13 'for driving the second traction means 14' are operated in particular synchronously, so that the two traction means 14, 14' can be moved with the same rotational speed v14, v14`.

The belt drive device 5 or its components are designed in particular in such a way that tensile forces of at least 1 N/mm ² , preferably at least 10 N/mm ² and/or less than 120 N/mm ² are generated based on the cross-sectional area of the belt material 4 or on that Tape material can be transferred. One or two motors 13, 13 'can be provided to drive the first drive wheel or the first axle. If two motors are used, they can be controlled independently of each other, so that one of the two motors can be permanently driven and the other can be switched on when necessary.

The traction means 14, 14' each have a large number of interconnected traction means members. Each traction element can have one or more friction bodies 18, 18 ', which are designed to come into frictional contact with the band material 4 during the rotating movement of the traction means 14, 14' and to move the band material 4 clamped between the two opposing traction means arrangements in the feed direction R. The friction bodies 18, 18 'are designed or coordinated with the material of the band material so that static friction is generated between the friction body and the band material 4. To transport a strip material 4 made of a metallic material, in particular steel, the friction lining can in particular contain metallic components such as copper, brass, iron, gray cast iron, each as powder or fibers, mineral fibers and / or sulfides of iron, copper, antimony, zinc, tin , molybdenum and / or components made of plastic, which can be embedded in a carrier material, in particular made of rubber.

The traction means sections 19, 19', each of which is in frictional contact with the band material 4, are each subjected to a contact pressure force by an associated pressing unit 11, 11' F11, F11 'in the direction of the strip material 4, that is to say in the normal direction of the strip material. It can be seen that the two pressing units 11, 11' are arranged in such a way that the pressing forces F11, F11' are directed towards each other. The strength of the contact pressure can be adjusted variably, so that the frictional forces between the friction bodies 18, 18 'and the band material 4, which depend on the normal force, can also be changed accordingly.

The pressing units 11, 11' can each have a plurality of roller bodies 20, 20', which are rotatably mounted on a support plate 18, 18'. The roller bodies 20, 20 'act on a side of the traction elements facing away from the strip material 4 and act on them in the direction of the strip material 4. The contact pressure forces F11, F11' are generated by an actuator (not shown), for example by a hydraulic machine. The actuator is connected to the electronic control unit, with which the transport process is controlled. In particular, it is provided that the magnitude of the contact pressure forces F11, F11' can be variably adjusted as required between a maximum value and a minimum value by means of the control unit. The two pressing units 11, 11' can be acted upon directly against each other by means of one or more actuating drives, which are each supported on both pressing units. Alternatively, a separate actuator can be provided for each pressing unit, which is supported on a stationary component.

Behind the belt drive device 5, the tension measuring device 7 is provided, which is designed to measure the tensile forces F4 acting on the belt material 4 between the belt drive device 5 and the rolling device 6. The tension measuring device 7 can also be arranged at another suitable location, for example in the belt drive device 5. The tensile forces F4 determined here serve as an input variable for regulating the drive power of the motors 13, 13 'of the belt drive device 5, although it is understood that other input variables are added can.

In the processing direction behind the tension measuring device 7, the rolling unit 6 is provided for flexible rolling. During flexible rolling, the strip material 4, which has a largely constant sheet thickness over its length before flexible rolling, is rolled by means of rollers 21, 21 'in such a way that it is along the rolling direction variable sheet thickness over the length. The work rolls 21, 21' are supported by support rolls 22, 22'. The rolling device 6 exerts a rolling force F6 on the strip material 4, the work rolls 21, 21 'being supported by the support rolls with a supporting force that can correspond to the rolling force. During rolling, the process is monitored and controlled, and the data determined by a strip thickness measurement 23 can be used as an input signal for controlling the rollers 21, 21 '. After flexible rolling, the strip material 4 has different thicknesses in the rolling direction. The strip material can be rolled out, starting from the substrate with a uniform thickness over the length, with rolling rates of 3% to over 40%, in particular in sections even over 50%. The initial thickness of the substrate can be, for example, between 0.7 mm and 4.0 mm, without being limited to this. The flexibly rolled material has correspondingly reduced thicker and thinner strip sections, which are manufactured according to a specified target thickness profile.

An advantage of the system 2 is that by means of the belt drive device 5 with traction drive units 10, 10 'and regulated drive power M1, M2 of the motors 13, 13' or variable drive torque, a very compact arrangement for generating the variable counter-traction force required for flexible rolling is provided . This results in a relatively short overall size of the system, regardless of any downstream processes. Furthermore, the belt drive device 5 enables the setting of a constant rolling tensile force F4 on the inlet side of the rolling unit 4 by directly regulating the drive power via rapid acceleration or deceleration. This is important in flexible rolling because, due to the change in the thickness of the strip material, a cyclical one occurs in terms of process technology Belt jam results. Without further countermeasures, such a strip jam on the inlet side of the flexible rolling device 6 would lead to a reduction in strip tension. However, by continuously measuring the tensile forces F4 and correspondingly regulating the drive power of the motors 13, 13 ', i.e. accelerating or braking as required, the tensile force acting on the strip material 4 is kept constant.

With the system 2, the method according to the invention for processing metallic strip material can be carried out with the steps: driving the strip material by means of the strip drive device 5, the strip material 4 being unwound from the feed unit 3 and fed to the downstream rolling device 6 for flexible rolling; Sensing a physical quantity F4, F6 of a system component acting on the strip material 4 by means of a suitable measuring device 7; and regulating the drive power of the motor(s) 13, 13' of the belt drive device 5 depending on the determined physical quantity F4, F6.

The Figure 2 shows a system 2 according to the invention in a further embodiment. Individual units according to the embodiment Figure 2 correspond to those from Figure 1 , so that reference is made to the above description with regard to the similarities. The same or corresponding details are given the same reference numbers as in Figure 1 .

A special feature of the present embodiment Figure 2 is that a belt drive device 5 with traction drive units 10, 10 'is used in the processing direction of the strip material 4 behind the flexible rolling device 6. The belt drive device 5 corresponds to that in terms of structure and functionality Figure 1 , so that abbreviated reference is made to the above description.

Behind the flexible rolling device 6, that is between the rolling device and the belt drive device 5 ', a tension measuring device 7' can be arranged in order to detect the exit tensile force F7 acting on the strip material 4 on the exit side. The drive power or the drive torque M3, M4 of the motors 13, 13' of the downstream belt drive device 5' can be regulated in particular on the basis of the run-out tensile force F7 determined by the tension measuring device 7'.

As in the above embodiment, the belt drive device 5' is fixed in place on a standing component, for example on a part of a building, which is shown schematically by the bearings 33, 33'.

A tape storage unit 9' can optionally be provided behind the tape drive device 5', in which the tape material 4 can be temporarily stored as it passes through.

Behind the strip storage unit 9 ', a further processing unit 26 can be provided, for example a reel, a forming tool, in particular for producing pipes, and / or a cutting device for separating the strip material or a pipe made from it.

In the embodiments according to Figure 1 and/or according to Figure 2 In particular, it is provided that the torque of the traction drive unit 10 is dynamically changed as a manipulated variable in order to achieve the constant rolling tension F4, F7 required on the inlet side or outlet side as a controlled variable between, for example, 50 and 90 N/mm ² via the fastest acceleration or braking with, for example, 3 to 4 m/ to keep constant for ² seconds. This then results in the other process variables speed v3 and rolling force F6. A dynamic change in the manipulated variable is important in flexible rolling because, in terms of process technology, a cyclical strip jam occurs in front of the roller 6, which causes the strip tensile forces to collapse. The required acceleration or deceleration is determined and applied via a direct tensile measurement of the tensile force F4 or F7. Depending on the power requirement, two axles of the traction drive unit 10, 10' are each driven by one or more motors.

As an alternative to those according to the Figures 1 and 2 In the processes described, in which the strip tensile force is kept as constant as possible as a controlled variable, according to an alternative embodiment, the controlled variable can also be a rolling force F6 that is as constant as possible. Here, too, the drive power M1, M2 or the torque of the motors 15, 15 'is dynamically changed as a manipulated variable in order to achieve a reduction in rolling force (F6) by increasing the tension (F4, F7) or an increase in rolling force by reducing the tension. The speed v3 of the strip material 3 and the tensile force F4 or F7 result accordingly. The rolling force F6 is determined continuously by means of a rolling force measuring unit 35. According to a further alternative or supplementary embodiment, a position measuring device 36 can be provided, which is attached to an adjusting unit for a roller 20, 20 '; 21, 21' arranged can be in order to record the position s of an actuating unit for one or more rollers as a physical quantity.

Another embodiment is in Figure 3 shown schematically. According to the order Figure 3 largely corresponds to a combination of those according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , so that reference is made to the above description with regard to the similarities. The same or corresponding details are given the same reference numbers as in Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

The present embodiment is characterized in that a first belt drive device 5 is arranged in front of the flexible rolling device 6 and a second belt drive device 5 'is arranged behind the rolling device 6. In detail, the system includes 2 for processing metallic strip material according to Figure 3 in the processing direction of the band material 4, in particular the following units: a feed unit 3, a first band driver 27, a first band storage unit 9, a first roller unit 28, a first band drive device 5, a first tension measuring device 7, a first measuring unit 23 for measuring the band thickness and / or band speed , a first squeezing unit 29, a rolling device 6 for flexible rolling, a second squeezing unit 29 ', a second measuring unit 29 for measuring the strip thickness and / or strip speed, a second tension measuring device 7', a second strip drive device 5, a second roller unit 28, a second Band storage unit 9, a second band driver 27 and/or a third measuring unit 23" for measuring the band thickness and/or band speed. The squeezing units 29, 29' serve to squeeze out lubricating fluid that is used during rolling.

The first belt drive device 5 can be as in Figure 1 be carried out, the description of which is referred to in this respect. The second belt drive device 5 'can be as in Figure 2 be carried out, the description of which is referred to in this respect. The system according to Figure 3 has a particularly short system length, which in particular can be less than 25 meters, due to the use of the belt drive devices 5, 5 'with traction drives 10, 10' and drive control via the rotary motors 13, 13'. Another processing unit can follow the third measuring unit 23", for example a cutting or welding unit.

The Figure 4 shows an attachment 2 in an alternative or supplementary embodiment. Individual units according to the embodiment Figure 4 correspond to those from Figure 1 , so that reference is made to the above description with regard to the similarities. The same or corresponding details are given the same reference numbers as in Figure 1 .

A special feature of the present embodiment Figure 4 is the use of a belt drive device 5 with traction drive units 10, 10 'in the processing direction of the strip material 4 behind the flexible rolling device 6. The belt drive device 5 corresponds to that in terms of structure and functionality Figure 1 , so that abbreviated reference is made to the above description.

Behind the flexible rolling device 6, that is between the rolling device and the belt drive device 5 ', a tension measuring device 7' can be arranged in order to detect the exit tensile force F7 acting on the strip material 4 on the exit side. The drive power M3, M4 of the motors 13, 13' of the downstream belt drive device 5' can be regulated in particular on the basis of the run-out tensile force F7 determined by the tension measuring device 7'.

In the present embodiment, the belt drive device 5 'can be moved to a limited extent along the belt material 4. For this purpose, the belt drive device 5 'is supported by spring arrangements 24, 24' relative to a stationary component 25, 25'. The spring arrangements 24, 24' enable elastic mobility of the belt drive device 5' in or against the belt direction R, which is shown schematically by the arrows P, P'. In the present case, a separate spring arrangement 24, 24' is provided for each traction drive unit 10, 10', which is supported at one end on a carrier 17, 17' of the drive unit 10, 10' and at the other end on the stationary component. Alternatively, only one spring system can be provided, which can be supported, for example, on a carrier of the belt drive device 5 '.

When arranged according to Figure 4 the buffering of the strip jam resulting from the flexible rolling process on the outlet side of the roll gap, that is, behind the rolling unit 6, can be realized via the elasticity of the traction drive arrangement in conjunction with the spring arrangement 24, 24 '. Since the strip jam or the fluctuations in the strip tensile forces F7, F8 on the outlet side of the rolling device are significantly lower than before, dynamic control of the drive power of the motors 13, 13 'can be dispensed with. Rather, the motors can be operated here with constant drive power or constant drive torque M3, M4.

Behind the belt drive device 5 'with spring-loaded mounting, a belt storage unit 9' can optionally be provided, in which the belt material 4 can be temporarily stored as it passes through.

Behind the strip storage unit 9 ', a further processing unit 26 can be provided, for example a reel, a forming tool, in particular for producing pipes, and / or a cutting device for separating the strip material or a pipe made from it.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the system according to FIG. 1 and the system according to Figure 4 be arranged one behind the other and together form an overall system.

In the Figures 5A and 5B , which will be described together, a tape drive device 5 is shown in a slightly modified embodiment, which is installed in a system according to Figure 1, 2 and/or 3 can be used. The ones in the Figures 5A, 5B The belt drive device shown largely corresponds to that in the Figures 1 to 3 shown embodiment, the description of which is referred to with regard to the similarities. The same or corresponding details are provided with the same reference numbers as in the figures above.

The traction drive units 10, 10 'are held stationary in the longitudinal direction R of the strip material 4 and movable on the carrier 17 in the transverse direction H to the strip material. The carrier 17 is designed as a scaffold or frame that is stationary is placed in a part of the building. The traction drive units 10, 10' each have a carrier 34, 34' on which the respective drive wheel 15, 15', deflection wheel 16, 16', traction means 14, 14' and motor 15, 15' are mounted and accordingly form a unit . The drive wheels 15, 15' can be driven in rotation by the associated motor 13, 13' and transmit torque introduced by the motor to the respective traction means 14, 14'. The pressing units 11, 11' are also mounted on the carrier 17 or supported against it. In the present embodiment, a pressing unit 11, 11' is provided on each side of the carrier 17, which can jointly act on the traction drive units 10, 10' toward or away from each other. For this purpose, each of the two pressing units 11, 11' engages on the upper support 34 on the one hand and on the lower support 34' on the other hand in order to be able to press them against each other in the vertical direction H and thus a contact pressure F1, F2 on the between the traction drive units 10, 10'. carried out band material 4 to be able to exercise. The supports 34, 34 'are each height-adjustable, that is, guided in the transverse direction H in the frame 17 and fixed in the longitudinal direction L in the frame. The forces F1, F2 acting between the supports 34, 34' correspond to one another. The pressing units 11, 11' can be used as linear drives, in particular as hydraulic piston-cylinder units.

Figure 6 shows a tape storage unit 9 for a system 2 according to the invention in one embodiment. The present tape storage unit 9 is designed in the form of a vertical storage and comprises several rollers 30, 30 ', of which at least one is vertically movable. By moving the roller 30 'vertically, the path that can be covered by the strip material between the inlet roller 31 and the outlet roller 32 is changed. In this way, a band storage is formed in which the band jam created during flexible rolling can be buffered during the machining process. The tape storage unit 9 or the displacement paths of the displaceable roller(s) 30' are designed in particular in such a way that a length compensation of at least 100 mm and/or up to 1000 mm is made possible. On the outlet side, i.e. behind the flexible rolling unit 6, a strip storage unit can be dispensed with. The belt jam, which is significantly smaller here, can optionally be achieved by using a belt drive device 5 'according to Figure 4 are buffered via the elasticity of the traction device arrangement in connection with the spring arrangement 24, 24 '.

Figure 7 shows a tape storage unit 9 for a system 2 according to the invention in a further embodiment. The tape storage unit 9 is here designed in the form of a horizontal storage and comprises a plurality of rollers 30, 30 ', of which at least one is movable in a horizontal plane. The horizontal movement of the roller(s) 30' changes the path that can be covered by the strip material between the inlet roller(s) 31 and the outlet roller(s) 32. In this way, a band storage is formed in which the band jam created during flexible rolling can be buffered during the machining process. The tape storage unit 9 or the displacement paths of the displaceable roller(s) 30' are designed in particular in such a way that a length compensation of at least 100 mm and/or up to 1000 mm is made possible. On the outlet side, i.e. behind the flexible rolling unit 6, a strip storage unit can be dispensed with. The belt jam, which is significantly smaller here, can optionally be achieved by using a belt drive device 5 'according to Figure 4 are buffered via the elasticity of the traction device arrangement in connection with the spring arrangement 24, 24 '.

The ones in the Figures 6 and 7 Tape storage units 9 shown can each be in the systems according to Figures 1 to 5 be used.

Reference symbol list

2

Attachment

3

Feeding unit

4

Band material

5

Belt drive device

6

rolling device

7, 7'

Tension measuring device

8th

Tape processing unit

9

Tape storage unit

10, 10'

Traction drive unit

11, 11'

Pressing unit

12

Control unit

13, 13'

engine

14, 14'

traction means

15, 15

drive wheel

16, 16'

pulley

17

carrier

18, 18'

Friction body

19, 19'

Traction section

20, 20'

Roller body

21.21'

work roll

22, 22'

Support roller

23, 23'

Thickness measurement unit

24, 24'

Spring means

25, 25'

Component

26

Processing unit

27, 27'

Tape driver

28, 28'

Roller unit

29, 29'

Squeezing unit

30, 30'

roll

31

Entry roller

32

exit roller

33

In stock

34, 34'

Support element

35

Force measuring device

36

Position measuring device

A

axis

F

Power

H

Transverse direction

L

Longitudinal direction

M

Drive torque

P

Arrow

R

feed direction

s

position

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for processing metal strip material, comprising:

   a feed unit (3) for feeding metallic strip material (4),

   a strip drive device (5, 5') which has at least one controllable traction drive unit (10, 10') with at least one motor (13, 13') and an endless traction mechanism (14, 14') rotatably drivable by the motor (13, 13'), and a pressure unit (11, 11') for pressing the traction mechanism (14, 14') against the strip material (4),

   wherein a driving force is transmittable from the traction mechanism (14, 14'), under frictional contact with the strip material (4), to the strip material (4);

   a rolling device (6) for flexibly rolling the strip material, with the rolling device configured to produce a variable sheet thickness in the strip material over the length of the strip material by varying the roll gap,

   a measuring device (7, 7'; 35; 36) arranged to measure a physical variable (F4, F6) acting on the strip material (4),

   characterised in

   that the at least one traction drive unit (10, 10') is stationarily fixed in longitudinal direction of the strip material (4) to a stationary part (17), and

   that a drive torque of the motor (13, 13') is controllable on the basis of the physical variable (F4, F6, s) measured by the measuring device (7, 7'; 35; 36), wherein, by changing the drive torque of the motor (13, 13'), the driving force acting from the traction mechanism (14, 14') on the strip material (4) is variably adjustable.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1,
   characterised in

   that at least one of

   a) a tension measuring device (7, 7') which is arranged between the strip drive device (5, 5') and the rolling device (6) in order to measure, as a physical variable, an infeed tensile force (F4) acting on the strip material (4),

   b) a force measuring device (35) which is arranged at a roll (21, 22) of the rolling device (6) in order to measure, as a physical variable, a rolling force (F6) of the rolling device (6) acting on the strip material (4),

   c) a position measuring device (36) which is arranged on a setting unit of the rolling device (6) in order to measure, as a physical variable, a setting position (s) of a roll (21, 22; 21', 22') acting on the strip material (4),

   is provided as measuring device.
3. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 or 2,
   characterised in

   that a second strip drive device (5') is arranged downstream of the rolling device (6) in the direction of movement (R) of the strip material (4), with the second strip drive device having at least one controllable traction drive unit (10, 10') with a motor (13, 13'), an endless traction mechanism (14, 14') which is rotatably drivable by the motor (13, 13'), and a pressing unit (11, 11') for pressing the traction mechanism (14, 14') against the strip material (4);

   wherein a second tension measuring device (7') is arranged between the rolling device (6) and the second strip drive device (5') in order to measure the outfeed tensile force (F7) acting on the strip material (4) on the outfeed side, wherein the drive power of the motor (13, 13') of the second strip drive device (5') is variably controlled on the basis of the outfeed tensile force (F7) measured by the second tension measuring device (7'),

   wherein, for at least one of the first and second tension measuring devices (7, 7'), the pressure force (F1, F2, F5, F6) of the respective pressure unit (11, 11') is variably controlled on the basis of the tensile force (F4, F7) measured by the respective tension measuring device (7, 7').
4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in

   that a strip buffer device (9, 9') is provided in which the strip material is storable as it passes between a buffer inlet (31) and a buffer outlet (32),

   wherein the strip buffer device (9, 9') includes a vertical buffer device, a horizontal buffer device or a loop buffer device.
5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in
   that the motor (13, 13') is configured as a hydraulic motor or electric motor, in particular as a direct drive.
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in

   that the strip drive device (5, 5') is configured to generate tensile forces of at least 1 N/mm² and/or of less than 120 N/mm² with respect to the cross-sectional area of the strip material (4),

   wherein, when a strip material (4) made of steel is used, the strip drive device (5, 5') is configured in particular to generate tensile forces of at least 50 N/mm² with respect to the cross-sectional area of the strip material (4).
7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in
   that the strip drive device (5, 5') is configured to accelerate and/or decelerate the strip material (4) with at least 3 m/sec².
8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in
   that the strip drive device (5, 5') comprises two traction drive units (10, 10'), with the traction drive units (10, 10') each having a drivable first axle which is rotatably drivable by the motor (13, 13') to transmit a drive torque to the traction mechanism (14, 14') and a second axle which is rotatably driven by the traction mechanism (14, 14').
9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in
   that two controllable traction drive units (10, 10') are provided, between which the strip material (4) is passed through with frictional contact, so that the strip material during operation of the traction drive units (10, 10') is moved in direction of movement of traction mechanism sections (19, 19') in contact with the strip material (4), wherein at least one pressing unit (11, 11') is provided which exerts a pressing force (F1, F2, F5, F6) on the respective traction mechanism (14, 14') in the direction towards the strip material (4).
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in
    that a processing device (8) is arranged between the feed unit (3) and the strip drive device (5, 5'), in particular a strip cleaning unit.
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 10,
    characterised in
    that the second strip drive device (5, 5') is supported against a stationary component (25, 25') at least by a spring unit (24, 24'), wherein the power of the motor (13, 13') of the second strip drive device (5, 5') can be kept constant.
12. A method of processing metallic strip material comprising:

    driving the strip material (4) by a strip drive device (5, 5'), wherein the strip material (4) is uncoiled from a feed unit (3) and fed to a downstream rolling device (6) for flexible rolling, wherein the strip drive device (5, 5') includes at least one controllable traction drive unit (10, 10') with a motor (13, 13') and an endless traction mechanism (14, 14') which is rotatably drivable by the motor (13, 13'), and a pressing unit (11, 11') for pressing the traction mechanism (14, 14') against the strip material (4);

    sensing a physical value (F4, F6, s) acting on the strip material (4) by means of a measuring device (7, 7'; 35; 36) arranged on the rolling device (6) for flexible rolling or its periphery;

    characterised in

    that the at least one traction drive unit (10, 10') is fixed stationarily in the longitudinal direction (L) of the strip material (4) to a stationary part (17), and

    that the drive torque of the motor (13, 13') is controlled as a function of the physical value (F4, F6, s) measured by the measuring device (7, 7; 35; 36), with the drive force acting on the strip material (4) by the traction mechanism (14, 14') being varied by changing the drive torque of the motor (13, 13').
13. Method according to claim 12,
    characterised in

    that at least one of

    a tension measuring device to measure, as a physical value, an infeed tensile force (F4) acting on the strip material (4),

    a force measuring device (35) to measure, as a physical value, a rolling force (F6) of the rolling device (6) acting on the strip material (4),

    a position measuring device (36) to measure, as a physical value, a setting position (s) of a roll (21, 22; 21', 22') acting on the strip material (4),

    is used as the measuring device (7, 7').
14. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 13,
    characterised in
    that a pressing force (F1, F2, F5, F6) of the pressing unit (11, 11') is controlled in dependence on the physical value (F4) determined by the measuring device (7, 7'), wherein the drive power of the motor (13, 13') and the pressing force (F1, F2, F5, F6) of the pressing unit (11, 11') are controlled in particular in such a way that the driving force acting on the strip material (4) by the strip drive device (5, 5') is controlled dynamically between 1 and 120 N/mm² with respect to the cross-section of the strip material.
15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14,
    characterised by the steps:

    driving the strip material (4) by a second strip drive device (5') which is arranged downstream of the rolling device (6) in the direction of movement of the strip material (4), with the second strip drive device (5') comprising at least one controllable traction drive unit (10, 10') with a motor (13, 13'), an endless traction mechanism (14, 14') which are drivable by the motor (13, 13'), and a pressing unit (11, 11') for pressing the traction mechanism (14, 14') against the strip material (4);

    sensing a run-out tensile force (F7) acting on the strip material (4) by a second tension measuring device (7') arranged between the rolling device (6) and the second strip drive device (5'); and

    setting the drive power of the motor (13, 13') of the second strip drive device (5') to a constant value and/or controlling the pressing force (F5, F6) of the pressing unit (11, 11') of the second strip drive device (5') depending on the run-out tensile force (F7) measured by the second tension measuring device (7').

Images