LU85207A1 - UNIVERSAL CAGE WITH OPEN COLUMNS, CONVERTIBLE INTO A CAGE OF O AND VICE VERSA, EXTENSIBLE IN HEIGHT AND WIDTH, FOR LAMINATION OF PROFILES SUCH AS H AND I POULTRY, RAILS, PALPLANCHES AND OTHER SIMILAR PROFILES - Google Patents

Description

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Universal cage with open columns, transformable into a duo cage and vice versa 1 extendable in height and width. for rolling profiles such as H and I beams. rails, sheet piles and other similar profiles.

The invention relates to a universal cage and a duo cage for the rolling according to the universal or conventional case of sections such as H and I beams, rails, sheet piles, U irons, angles and other similar sections.

5 The term universal cage designates a cage which comprises two cylinders with horizontal axes and two rollers with vertical axes and by cage duo a cage which comprises only two cylinders with horizontal axes. Many universal cages are known which can be classified into several different categories, according to the range of 10 dimensions of the rolled products and the possibility of transforming them or not into duo cages. When a cage or a rolling mill has to be built for a wide range of profiles and profile dimensions, it becomes essential to be able to vary the spacing of the chocks of the rolls to allow the use of rolls of the minimum width required, otherwise the cost of too large cylinders would become prohibitive for the smallest profiles. In this connection, two types of cage construction are known. The first type uses columns that can be moved relative to each other. This first type of cage which was encountered on 20 old GRAY type trains was dismantled in the rolling position. It has the disadvantage of poor rigidity (due to the high windows, the large travel of the clamping screws), a significant weight and a high installation cost. The second type used transverse beams also used for balancing the upper cylinder, allowing the concentric movement of the chocks, according to the desired spacing (IRGN AND STEEL ENGINEER review May 1970, p. 77 to 81). This second type of cage also has the disadvantage of poor rigidity, tall and wide windows and large tightening screw strokes. When a cage 30 is built to laminate a reduced range of profile dimensions (for example for medium beam trains from 100 to 400 mm or large beam trains from 200 to 600), the obligation - \ 2 n ' There is more to vary the width of the cylinders. The cage is not extendable in width and the spacing of the chocks remains constant. It has the disadvantage of a high cost of cylinders for small dimensions of profiles. Attempts have been made to increase the rigidity of the universal cages by constructing composite cages with prestressed tie rods. These cages designed for medium continuous girder trains are essentially composed of three parts, namely an upper cap comprising the upper half-columns, a belt containing or capable of receiving vertical rollers and a lower cap comprising the lower half-columns . The three parts are assembled by pre-stressed vertical tie rods. The composite cages present; the disadvantage of not making it possible to vary the width of the cylinders, therefore of a high cost of the cylinders for the small dimensions of profiles. The composite cages can be transformed into a duo, by omitting the vertical pebble belt. There is also known a so-called compact universal cage (American patent 3,802,242) assembled by tie rods, without preload, which essentially comprises three parts, namely a central part 20 forming a belt and, upper and lower caps. This type of cage also has the disadvantage of a high cost of the cylinders for the small dimensions of profiles, because it does not make it possible to vary the spacing of the chocks. There is also known a so-called compact universal cage 25 without columns. It is composed of the upper and lower chocks, one. horizontal belt and prestressed assembly rods in the vertical plane. This latter cage also has the drawback of not allowing the spacing of the chocks to be varied, therefore a high cost in 30 cylinders for small profiles. Certain types of compact cages are not suitable for reversible rolling, because their design does not allow the clamping of the rolls to be varied by a sufficient value and fairly rapid between passes.

To overcome these drawbacks, the invention aims to: - a universal cage transformable into a duo cage and vice versa suitable for reversible rolling; it 3 - the possibility of extending the cages in height and width by the value strictly required to allow the rolling of profiles in a wide dimensional range, without this resulting in sacrifices on the costs of the cylinders, the rigidity% 5 of the cage and excess weight thereof when it rolls small sections; an advanced standardization of the elements of the cages, in order to reduce the initial investment and spare parts costs of a rolling mill, in particular of a mixed rolling mill operating with universal or duo cages or with a combination of the two; - universal and duo cages of improved rigidity; - a design of cages compatible with rapid changes of cages on a train.

To achieve the aims, the object of the invention is: - a universal cage with open columns, transformable into a duo cage and vice versa, separable horizontally into three similar upper and lower assemblies and a central assembly, each assembly being vertically separable into two parts, the two upper and lower assemblies each in the form of two similar caps, the central assembly in the form of two similar half-parts linked together and each comprising two columns surrounded by a half-belt, the cage being prestressed in the vertical plane and the upper, central and lower assemblies 25 being connected by four vertical tie rods tensioned, the cage also being prestressed in the horizontal plane and the central half-parts assembled by four horizontal tie rods tensioned; a duo cage obtained by transforming the universal cage, in which the upper and lower assemblies are those of the universal cage, the central assembly being replaced by a central assembly specific to the duo cage and comprising four open columns connected laterally by spacers and on the front and rear of the cage by half-crosspieces, the central assembly also being vertically separable into two similar half-parts assembled by four horizontal tie rods 4 for assembly, the cage being assembled and prestressed in the vertical plane by four vertical tie rods under tension; - a pre-stressed duo cage in the vertical and horizontal planes; - The prestressing of the cages made using hydraulic cylinders 5 blocked by nuts after the tensioning of the tie rods; - the modulation of vertical and horizontal prestressing values to adapt the stiffness of the stand to variations in rolling pressures; - the use of hydraulic cylinders as a safety device allowing the prestress to be released in the event of a rolling incident.

An embodiment of the invention will be described; by way of example, with reference to the attached figures, in which: - Figure 1 is a front view of the universal cage of the invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of the universal saddle cage of the invention; - Figure 3 is a plan view along section A-A of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a front view of the univer-20 saddle cage of the invention, with two partial vertical sections B-B

and G-G as shown in Figure 2; - Figure 5a is a top view of a hat; - Figure 5b is a section along section D-D of Figure 5a; FIG. 6 is a front view of the duo cage of the invention; - Figure 7 is a side view of the duo cage of the invention; FIG. 8 is a plan view along the icon E-E 30 of FIG. 6.

The invention will be better understood and its variant embodiments and advantages will emerge more clearly in the light of the description which follows, given by way of preferred embodiment example and with reference to the appended figures.

The universal cage of the invention consists of three sets. From a higher set I, from a central set II from

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5 universal cage and a lower set III, as indicated by braces in Figure 1. The upper sets I and ^ lower III are similar. They each comprise two symmetrical caps 1 which can be secured by appropriate means, for example bolts. The central assembly II of the universal cage consists of two identical central half-parts 2. The central half-parts 2 are secured by four horizontal tie rods 3 identiquesserrerr at each of their ends by nuts 4 of horizontal tie rods. The upper I, cen-10 tral II universal cage and lower III assemblies are secured by four identical vertical tie rods 5 tightened by nuts 6 with vertical tie rods. The horizontal tie rods 3 are housed in through holes 3 'made in half-crossbars 7 of the belt. Two belt half-crosspieces 7 are provided superimposed on the front of the cage, two are superimposed on the rear. The vertical tie rods 5 are housed in aligned through holes 5 'made in the four caps 1 and in four vertical columns 8.

The latter are symmetrical two by two and located inside the four belt half-crosspieces 7. The caps 1 provide the connection between the columns 8, in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the cage. Each cap 1 is placed at each end of two columns 8 and each has a flange 1 'which connects two columns 8 longitudinally and forms therewith; windows 10 of the universal cage. Each hat (FIG. 5a) can additionally comprise two horizontal half-crosspieces 11 of the hat, both located on the same side of the hat, towards the front or the rear of the latter. The joining of the caps does not play the role in the rigidity of the cage, it only has the function of making it possible to produce a platform on which will be mounted auxiliary devices of the cage. Each half-cross member 11 of the cap comprises, for example at its free end, on the inner side of the cage, an assembly plate 12 provided with drilling 13. The two caps 1 of the same assembly can for example be assembled directly by their plates assembly 12, using bolts 35 passed through the holes 13 and tightened by nuts. The upper sets I and lower III respectively carry the mechanisms t 6

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for clamping the upper 14 and lower 15 horizontal cylinders as well as the balancing devices thereof. Said mechanisms and devices are symbolically represented (FIG. 2) by the reference 16. The control motors (not shown) 5 of the clamping mechanisms can be placed on the upper assembly I for example, the transmission of the command to the clamping mechanisms of the lower cylinder which can in this case be ensured by shafts (not shown). Each central half-part 2 of universal cage, which can be made in one piece by foundry 10 or by assembling the main elements which constitute it, essentially comprises two vertical columns 8 open and a half-belt 17 in the form of ü lying at 1 * horizontal. Each half-belt 17 which surrounds two columns 8 in their median parts carries on each of its front and rear vertical faces 15 (large branches of the U), at the top and bottom of these, a half cross-member 7 of belt which extends towards the inside of the cage, beyond the columns 8, by an end 7 'of assembly. The chocks 18 of the horizontal cylinders are housed between the columns 8 and can be moved vertically between them. The 20 roller carriers 19 of the vertical rollers 20 (FIG. 3) are housed in the half-belts 17 and can be moved horizontally in these and between the eyelets 8. The clamping mechanisms of the vertical rollers are carried respectively by the half corresponding belts 17 and are symbolically represented by reference 25 25 (Figure 3). The extension towards the inside of the cage “(FIG. 1), beyond the columns 8, of the only half-crossbars 7 of the belt, the half-belt 17 stopping near the columns 8, cleaning on the whole central II of universal cage at the front and at the rear of the cage, an opening 38 for the passage of rolled products (we can see represented in FIG. 1 the section of a beam in hatched lines). Each column 8 carries at its lower part, respectively on its front or rear face (FIG. 2), a tab 22. Height-adjusting wedges 23, slid between the legs 22 and the means on which rests and 35 is fixed the cage , allow to adjust the horizontal rolling plane 24 of the stand relative to the horizontal plane (not

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t 7 shown) lines of rolls upstream and downstream of the cage. According to the invention, the universal cage of the invention is extendable in width to adapt it to the different table lengths of the horizontal cylinders 14 and 15. The widening of the cage • 5 in the transverse direction s' effected by the interposition, between each half-cross member 11 of the cap (when they are provided) of each cap 1, of an intermediate piece 25 of caps, horizontal, of appropriate length (ie four intermediate pieces 25 of caps). Intermediate pieces 26 of belts, horizontal, of appropriate length are interposed between the assembly ends 7 ′ of the belt half-crosspieces 7 (that is to say four intermediate pieces 26 of belt). The optional intermediate pieces 25 of caps can be provided with horizontal holes corresponding to the holes 13 (FIG. 5b) made on the assembly plates 12 of caps, to allow the passage of assembly bolts. The belt spacers 26 may each be provided with a horizontal through-hole 3 ', for the passage of the horizontal tie rods 3, or a slot enabling them to be engaged on the horizontal tie rods 3 without having to remove the latter from the boreholes. to carry out the operations of setting the width of the cage.

According to the invention, the universal cage is returned to its minimum width by removing the intermediate pieces 25 of hats and 26 of belt. Each belt insert 26 will be removed from the position previously described and slid onto one end of each horizontal tie rod, between a horizontal tie rod nut 4 and the tightening end 7 "of a half belt crossmember 7. It can be replaced in this last position by a piece of appropriate shape and equivalent thickness. This way of doing it makes it possible to use tie rods of constant length, therefore to keep the same horizontal tie rods, whatever or the width given to the universal cage. According to the invention, the universal cage is extendable in height to adapt it to the different working diameters of the horizontal cylinders. The cage is extended in the vertical direction by 'Interposition, between each end 8 4 of each column 8 and each cap 1, of a spacer piece 27 (or eight spacer pieces 27 in "all) of appropriate thickness. The riser intermediate pieces 27 are each provided with a vertical through hole 5 ′ to allow the passage of the vertical tie rod 5. According to the invention, the universal cage is returned to its minimum height between the caps 1 by means of the 'removal of the spacer pieces 27 from their position previously described. Advantageously, in this case (FIG. 4), a spacer piece 27 (which has just been removed) will be placed on each end of each vertical tie 5, between each nut 6 of the vertical tie and the caps 1. The same that for the belt spacers 26, the riser spacers 27 can be replaced, under the nuts 6 of vertical tie rods, by pieces of appropriate shape 15 and of equivalent thickness. This way of making it possible to use the same vertical tie rods 5, whatever the height given to the universal cage. As already specified above, the universal cage of the invention can be adjusted to intermediate heights and widths, respectively by the interposition of 20 pieces of riser 27 of appropriate height between the columns 8 and the caps 1 and of intermediate pieces 25 of caps and of belt 26, of appropriate lengths between the caps 1 and the assembly ends 7 ′ of the half-crosspieces 7 of belts. In this case, it will also be necessary to place parts respectively of appropriate heights and lengths under the tightening nuts of the tie rods in order to be able to keep the lengths of the horizontal and vertical tie rods constant. In a preferred variant of the invention, the universal cage is prestressed in the two planes, vertical and horizontal. The prestressing in the vertical plane is done by means of the tensioning of the four vertical tie rods 5. That in the horizontal plane is done by means of the tensioning of the four horizontal tie rods 3. The eight tie rods tensioned put the elements of the cage in compression. After the prestress 35 has been established at a level higher than the rolling force, the horizontal tie rods 3 and vertical 5 are locked respectively using the 4 9 nuts 4 and 6. The horizontal tie rods 3 and vertical 5 thus blocked then operate as preloading springs, antagonists .. at the spring of the horizontal belt formed by the horizontal half-crossbars 7 of the belt (in compression) 5 and at the spring of the vertical columns 8 also in compression. Each of the vertical tie rods 5 for assembly and prestressing is preferably made in three pieces (FIG. 4). The two end pieces designated by 5A are identical. They remain permanently in the caps 1. The third central part, 10 designated 5B, remains permanently in the columns 8. The two ends of each central part of the vertical tie 5B are provided with a female head 5C for connection. One head male 5D connection estfiæe on this part. vertical child 54, on the end of the side of the cobrres 8. The female 5C and male 5D heads have the function of joining the parts 5A. and 5B vertical tie rods 5 and to separate them.

The vertical holes 5 ′ practiced in the caps 1 and the columns 8 allow the free extension of the parts of the tie rods 54 and 5B. Hydraulic cylinders 28 are mounted on the tie rod parts 5A, outside the caps 1. These hydraulic cylinders 28 20 serve to establish the prestressing of the vertical tie rods 5. Once the prestressing has been established, the hydraulic cylinders 28 can be blocked. using the nuts 6 and releasing the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders 28. It is also possible, according to the invention, to block with nuts 6 only the hydraulic cylinders 25 located on the same side of the cage, the hydraulic cylinders on the other side of the cage remaining blocked by hydraulic pressure. It is also possible to use hydraulic safety cylinders 28 ′ on the same last side, for example provided with a calibrated valve adjusted for venting. In another variant, said valve can be controlled by an external device controlled by the rolling pressure. The primary function of these safety cylinders 28 ′ is to prevent cylinder ruptures in the event of rolling overpressure by tamping. A second function is, in the event of the laminated bar stopping between the cylinders and 35 rollers (for example in the event of untimely engine stoppages or clamping movement breakdowns), to allow the spacing

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10 cylinders and rollers to protect them from thermal shock.

The nuts 6 will in this latter case be screwed at a certain distance from the hydraulic safety cylinders 28 ′, so as to allow the pre-stressing of the vertical tie rods to be relaxed, to avoid ruptures while avoiding untimely separation of the components of the cage. The horizontal tie rods 3 for assembly and prestressing are each in one piece. They are prestressed in the same way as the vertical tie rods 5, using hydraulic cylinders 29 similar to the hydraulic cylinders 28. Hydraulic safety cylinders 29 ′ can likewise be provided on all the ends of the tie rods horizontal of a half-belt 17. In this case the nuts 4 located on this same side will not be locked on the hydraulic cylinders 29 ', but screwed 15 so as to allow a release and a certain opening of the belts in the horizontal direction .

According to the invention, the hydraulic supply of the hydraulic prestressing cylinders is controlled by a system for continuously measuring the rolling forces exerted on the rolls during rolling, so as to modulate the prestressing as a function of the increase in rolling forces which can be applied to a bar during rolling. The rolling forces can be measured, for example, using measuring gauges placed between the pressure screws and the chocks of the vertical rollers on the one hand and those of a horizontal cylinder on the other hand. The rolling force measurement gauges acting on the vertical rollers control the prestress in the horizontal direction, by increasing or reducing the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders 29 'during rolling.

The gauges for measuring the rolling forces exerted on the horizontal cylinders control the prestress in the vertical direction, by increasing or reducing during rolling the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders 28 '. After disconnection of the connections of the hydraulic 35 and electrical fluid circuits, loosening of the preload of the vertical tie rods and loosening of the nuts 6, separation of the heads of Λ 11 tie rods 5D and 5C, the dismantling of the cage is done as desired by separate removal of the caps 1 upper or by removing "- the upper assembly I if the horizontal intermediate pieces 25 of caps are not separated. The upper horizontal cylinder 5 with its chocks can be removed from the top of the cage, either during the removal of the upper assembly I in this case it remains fixed there by its suspension elements, or alone after the upper part removal operation.

The central assembly II and the lower part III 10 remain integral for the further disassembly of the cage.

After having extracted the paraphernalia constituting the guide system (not shown), the roller carriers 19 from the half-belts 17 are removed from above.

The horizontal lower cylinder 15 with its chocks 15 is then removed from the top by sliding the chocks in the windows of the columns 8. If the cage does not have to undergo operations of transformation of settings to width or height, one proceeds in reverse order for reassembly.

The assemblies and disassembly can be done on the cage site or preferably in the workshop. In the latter case, the cage is transferred to the workshop by an appropriate means (overhead crane or trolley).

According to the invention, the transformation, if necessary, of the universal cage of the invention into a duo cage of the invention is done by replacing the central assembly II of universal cage by a central assembly IV (indicated by a brace on figure 6) specific to the duo cage. According to the invention, the upper and lower assemblies of the duo cage are identical respectively to the upper I and lower III assemblies of the univer-30 saddle cage of the invention. They can be common and therefore are perfectly interchangeable with each other. The transformation, if necessary, of the duo cage into a universal cage is done by replacing the central assembly IV of duo cage by a central assembly II of universal cage. Since the sets I 35 and III of the> two universal and duo cages are identical, the description of the duo cage of the invention will be limited to that of the central set iv of duo cage. The central duo cage assembly IV of the invention consists of four vertical columns (FIG. 6). A vertical through hole 31 (FIG. 8) is provided 5 in each column for the passage of the vertical tie rod 5 for assembly and prestressing (represented by its axis in the figures). The vertical tie rods 5 can, like those of the universal cage, be made in three parts (not shown). The central parts 5B of the tie rods 5 of the duo cage are of different length 10 from that of the central part of the vertical tie rods 5 of the universal cage. Half-beams 32 (eight in all) integral with the columns 30 are provided at the top and bottom of the columns, near the ends of these, four on the front and four on the rear of the duo cage. Horizontal through holes are provided in these half-beams 32 for the passage of upper 33 and lower 33 ′ horizontal assembly tie rods. An upper lateral spacer 34, horizontal, is provided on each side of the cage, at its upper part (FIG. 7). The upper spacers 34 are provided at their ends with cranks 34 '20 which slide into brackets 35 provided on the columns 30.

A slot 35 '(Figure 6) is provided for this purpose on each console 35 to allow the establishment and removal of the upper spacers 34. A lower side spacer 36 is provided on each side of the cage, at the bottom columns 30.

25 The U-shaped lower spacer 36 envelops the columns 30 is in contact with the lateral faces of the columns 30 and extends over part of the front faces of the columns 30 where it comes into contact with the lower horizontal half-crosspieces 32. The tie rods 33 are threaded into the upper half-beams 32 and 30 tightened at their ends by nuts 37. The tie rods 33 'are threaded into the lower half-beams 32 as well as in the two branches parallel of the U's, formed by the lower spacers 36 and tightened at their ends on the lower spacers 36 by nuts 37. The upper spacers 35 are locked on the brackets 35 by nuts 37.

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The duo cage is extendable in width (FIG. 6), like the universal cage, by the possible interposition of intermediate pieces 25 of hats between the hats 1 and of horizontal intermediate pieces 26 ′ of sleepers between the half-sleepers 32.

5 The duo cage is extendable in height, like the universal cage, by the interposition of raising pieces 27.

Figures 6 and 7 show the duo cage in its minimum height configuration. In this case, the extension pieces 27 (or equivalent pieces of the same height) are interposed between the "10 hydraulic cylinders 28 and 28 'and the caps 1. For the height extension of the cage, the extension pieces 27 are placed, as for the universal cage, between the caps 1 and the columns 30.

The return of the cage to its minimum width is done, as for the universal cage, by the removal of the horizontal hori-15 intermediate pieces 25 of caps if they exist, and by the displacement of the horizontal intermediate pieces 26 ′ from their represented positions between the half-spacers 32 and 32 '. As for the universal cage, one can, for example, place the intermediate pieces 26' at the end of the tie rods 33 and 33 ', respectively between a horizontal horizontal cross-member 32 and a lower side spacer 36 and the clamping nuts 37. This allows the same horizontal tie rods to be used, whatever the width of the duo cage. We will proceed in a similar way to that of the universal cage, to adapt the duo cage of the invention to intermediate heights and widths.

The duo cage of the invention is prestressed in the vertical plane like the universal cage of the invention. Since the prestressing is done in exactly the same way, with the same means, a repetition of the description would be superfluous. The duo cage of the invention can be prestressed in the horizontal plane, in the same way as the universal cage of the invention. For this purpose, hydraulic cylinders will be placed at the end of the horizontal tie rods 33 and 33 ′, said hydraulic cylinders being blocked in the same way by nuts. As for the universal cage of the invention, it is possible to control the hydraulic supply 35 of the hydraulic prestressing cylinders to a continuous measurement system of the rolling forces exerted on the i Λ 14 cylinders during rolling. The assembly and disassembly of the duo cage is done in the same way as for the universal cage. · With however some small differences due to the absence of the vertical roller carriers and the presence of the upper spacers> 5 upper 34 '' you have to loosen and remove in order to lift and extract the cylinders.

Taking into account imperatives such as manufacturing programs, rolling mill designs and operating conditions, the advantages provided by the invention are of several kinds. They relate to the initial investment cost of a train, the dimensional range and the variety of profiles which it makes it possible to laminate, the tighter tolerances and the smaller thicknesses allowed by the high natural stiffness of the cages, the savings in exploitation brought about by the high standardization of cage equipment, the reduction of cylinder costs and the possibility of rapid change of rolling program. The high rigidity of the cages also makes it possible to laminate long bars. The possibility of transforming the universal cages into a duo and vice versa and the advanced standardization of the elements which constitute them make it possible to reduce the initial investment cost of a train, by reducing the cost of manufacturing the cages due to the effect as standard and thanks to the high interchangeability between the two types of cages of their constituent elements, which makes it possible to reduce the number of 25 complete cages to buy and the volume of spare parts to provide. The possibility of extending the cages in width and in height makes it possible to laminate a wide dimensional range and a wide variety of products on a single train whereas hitherto it was necessary to specialize the cages or trains in a range narrower which ultimately led to the multiplication of the number of cages and trains. The invention therefore again allows savings on investment costs. The possibility of extension also allows considerable savings on the weight of the cylinders, and therefore on the operating costs of the trains (initial investment in cylinders less costly, cost of cylinders per tonne produced lower).

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The prestress in the two planes of the entire cage in such a way that the number of cage parts under stress is maximum, the narrow windows, the minimum possible height of the windows and therefore the minimum length of the screws tightening as a function of the diameters of the horizontal cylinders contribute to ensuring the cages of the invention an extremely high natural rigidity which also allows reversible rolling.

The modular construction of the cages in parts of relatively low unit weight (of the order of 36 tonnes maximum) allows the installation of the cages and their use in halls equipped with overhead traveling cranes of relatively low lifting capacities, which can provide significant savings on buildings and overhead traveling cranes.

Claims (11)

16 J 1. Universal cage with open columns, for the lami nage of profiles, transformable into a duo cage, horizontally separable into an upper assembly, a central assembly and a lower assembly, the three assemblies being assembled and the pre-5 cage vertically towers by four vertical tie rods and prestressing characterized in that: - the upper assembly (I) and the lower assembly (III) each consist of two caps (1), each cap (1) having a flange ( 1 ') to cover and connect the ends of the two columns (8) located on the same side of the cage; - the central assembly (II) of the universal cage consists of two half-parts (2) each comprising: - two open columns (8), - a half-belt (17), in the shape of U lying in the ho 'rizontale and 15 open towards the inside of the cage, surrounding two columns (8) around their median parts and stopping in the vicinity of the columns (8) towards the inside of the cage; - Each half-belt (17) carries on each of its faces, at the front and at the rear of the cage, two half-crosspieces (7) 20 of horizontal and superimposed belts which extend on either side columns, towards the inside of the cage by ends (7 ') of assembly and towards the outside of the cage by ends (7 ") of tightening; - the central assembly (II) of universal cage is 25 assembled by the juxtaposition of the ends (7 ′) of assembly of the half-crosspieces (7) of the belt of two central half-parts (2), the assembly being maintained and the cage being prestressed in the horizontal plane by means of the tensioning of four horizontal tie rods (3) for assembly and prestressing housed each-30 cun in horizontal through holes (3 ') aligned made in the half-sleepers (7), the horizontal tie rods being tensioned by nuts (29 and 29 ') placed at their ends and which bear on the ends (7 ") for tightening the half-tra belts (7), to put in compression in the horizontal plane the V '** 17' V J elements of the cage contained by the central assembly (II) of universal cage; - the upper (I), central (II) universal cage and lower (III) assemblies are assembled and the cage prestressed in the vertical plane by the known means of tensioning four vertical tie rods (5) housed each in vertical through holes (51) aligned made in the caps (1) and columns (8), the vertical tie rods (5) being tensioned by nuts (28 and 28 ') placed at their ends and taking 10 supports on the caps (1) to put under compression, in the vertical plane, the elements of the cage located between said nuts (28 and 28 '). 2. Duo cage with open columns, for the rolling of profiles, transformable into a universal cage, horizontally separable into an upper assembly, a central assembly and a lower assembly, characterized in that: - the upper assembly and the lower set of the duo cage are respectively upper (I) and lower (III) sets of universal cage according to claim 1; 20. the central assembly (IV) of the duo cage is made up of four vertical columns (30) which are connected two by two: "- on each side of the cage, by an upper horizontal spacer (34) as well as by a lower horizontal spacer (36) 25 in the shape of a U lying horizontally, the latter enveloping the columns at their base and extending partially over the front and rear of the cage, - eight half-crosspieces (32 ) four on the front and four on the rear of the cage, the half-crosspieces being aligned horizontally two 30 by two and each half-crosspiece (32) being secured on the side of one of its ends to a column (30 ); - the central assembly (IV) of the duo cage is assembled by the juxtaposition of the interior ends of the eight half-verses (32), the assembly being maintained by four horizontal tie rods, two of which are upper (33 ) and two lower (33 ') housed in aligned horizontal through holes made in the half sleepers (32), said holes being, for the lower tie rods y 18 • »· * (33 '), extended in the two branches of the U of the lower horizontal spacer (36); ^ - the central assembly (IV) of the duo cage is tightened by nuts placed at the ends of the horizontal tie rods; 5. the upper (I), central (IV) duo and lower (III) cage assemblies are assembled and the cage prestressed in the vertical plane by tensioning four vertical tie rods (5) each housed in vertical through holes (5 'and 31) made in the caps (1) and the columns (30), the 10 vertical tie rods being tensioned and the cage prestressed in the same way and by the same means as in claim 1. 3. Duo cage of claim 2, characterized in that: 15. it is also prestressed in the horizontal plane by means of the tensioning of the four horizontal tie rods (33 and 33 ') of assembly, the tensioning being made by nuts placed at the ends of the tie rods, nuts bearing on the outer ends of the upper half-crosspieces (32) and on the lateral faces of the lower spacers (36). 4. Cage according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: -. The tensioning nuts of the vertical and horizontal prestressing tie rods are hydraulic cylinders or nuts, blocked by mechanical nuts after the Proper tensioning of the tie rods, the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders or nuts being released after their blocking by the mechanical nuts. 5. A cage according to claim 4, with modu lable preload, characterized in that: - the hydraulic pressure is released, after their blocking by mechanical nuts, in the hydraulic nuts or jacks located on the one hand on the same side of the cage and on the other hand on the top of the cage, the pressure being maintained at the set value on the other nuts or hydraulic cylinders% i 19> "*} and as an increased need to increase the preload as a function of increases in rolling pressures detected by rolling pressure measuring devices, the reference value being restored after the rolling pressures have returned to normal conditions. 6. Cage according to claim 5, characterized in that: - the hydraulic pressure maintained on the nuts "or hydraulic cylinders of prestressing modulation is released 10 when the detected rolling pressures reach abnormal values liable to damage the cylinders and equipment of the cage. 7. Cage according to claim 6, characterized in that: 15. the mechanical nuts (4 or 6) are screwed onto the prestressing tie rods, at a suitable distance from the hydraulic nuts or vee ins (28 'and 29') , to stop »these in the event of release of the hydraulic pressure, in order to avoid an untimely separation of the various elements of the cage. 8. Cage according to one of claims 1 to 7, with variable height to adapt it to horizontal cylinders of larger or smaller diameters, characterized in that: - the variation in height of the necessary part of the cage is made by the interposition of an extension piece (27) of suitable height between each end of each column (8 or 30) and each cap (1). 9. Cage according to one of claims 1 to 8, with variable width to adapt it to horizontal cylinders of greater or lesser width, characterized in that: 30. the variation in width of the cage is done by the interposition of intermediate pieces (26) of belt or (26 ') of crosspiece, of suitable width respectively between the half-belts (7) of the universal cage or the half-crosspieces (32 and 32') of the duo cage. s 20 * ï w " 10. Cage according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that: - it is provided with tie rods and pre- s, · stress (3, 5, 33, 33 ') of constant length, whatever that is 5 the range of variation of the cage in width and in height, the length of the tie rods being determined as a function of the maximum heights and widths provided for the cage, the catching up of the excess lengths of the tie rods in the case of cage adjustments to heights or widths less than the maximum, depending on the type of cage, by interposing, between, depending on the case, the mechanical or hydraulic nuts (4, 6, 37 or 28, 28 ', 29, 29') and the caps (1), half-crosspieces (7, 32) and lower spacers (36) of interposing pieces of appropriate dimensions, these interposing pieces possibly being the raising pieces (27) and spacers (25) of cein-15 ture of appropriate dimensions removed to be replaced by others. 11. Cage according to one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10, characterized in that: - each vertical tie rod (5) of prestressing is produced in three parts, disconnectable, two parts (5A) of ends are identical and each housed permanently in a cap (1), the third central part (5B) is housed permanently in a column (8, 30) and comprises at each of its ends a female head ( 5C) connection, each end piece (5A.) Has 25. its end on the side of the columns (8, 30) a male head (5D) connection.