US2330523A

US2330523A - Machine for rolling steel billets into merchant bars

Info

Publication number: US2330523A
Application number: US367646A
Authority: US
Inventors: Shaw John Blaine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-11-28
Filing date: 1940-11-28
Publication date: 1943-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1960-09-28

Description

Sept. 28, 1943. .1. B. SHAW 2,330,52

MACHINE FOR ROLLING STEEL BILLETS TNTQ MERCHANT BARS- Filed Nov. 28. 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet i INVENTOR.

- Sept. 28, I943.v J. B. SHAW MACHINE FOii ROLLING S TE EL BILLE'IS INTO MERCHANT BARS Fil bd NOV. 28, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. gw fi/vv RD/KQ NW/ C's/60w &

Sept. 28, 1943. J. B. SHAW MACHINE FOR ROLLING STEEL BILLETS MERCHANT BARS Filed Nov. 28. 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

Y/W I J0 %Yam 654w,

A Ira/M5? J. E. SHAW MACHINE FOR ROLLING STEEL BILLETS INTO MERCHANT BARS Sept, 28., 1943.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 28, 1940 jp//w 33/60.

Patented Sept. 28,. 19 43 f monmnron M E H Blaine Shaw; I, Application November as; isia'seruhc. mm f I -6Clalms. (ClsM), -j- In the accompanying drawings:

v This invention relates to metal rolling and more particularly to an improved machine for rolling steel billets into merchant bars. At the present time, billets are rolled into merchant bars by passing them through rolls mounted one above another in a supporting frame, the bars being successively passed back and 'forth between the rollsso that they are progressively reduced in thickness and elongated until they are transformed into bars of the desired length and'transverse dimensions. The billets. ,while being treated, are manually transferred-from one set of 7 rolls to another and this requires the services of skilled workmen as well as requiring constant attention so that the bars will be transferred at the proper time.

' Therefore, one object of the invention is to provide a machine including rolls mountedin an upright frame and conveyors so arranged that the billets and the partially formed merchant bars may be passed between the rolls by action of the Fig; 1 is a semi dlagrammatic view showing the 1 i.

' improved apparatus in top plan.

Fig. 2 is a view on the linel-Z 01m. 1, look- 5 ing at the inner end of the conveyor assembly at v a one side of the frame carrying the main rolls.

-* Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showingithe vertical compressing rolls of Fig; 2, and, associated elements of the machine. v N

Fig. 91 is an endelevation oi the frame in which the main} compressing 'rolls are rotatably mounted. k v

Fig. 5 is a semi-diagrammatic view intop plan of a modified form' of apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic viewln elevation of the modified form of apparatus.

conveyors and automatically transferred from 1 one set of conveyors to another for movement in a reverse direction between companion rolls, this 'being repeated until the merchant bars are tween companion rolls. 1

plane, the pushers at the proper time to accomplish shifting of theimproved pushers for formed and finally discharged from a delivery conveyor. 7 i v Another object of the invention is to so arrange the conveyors that after, a billet or partially formed merchant bar has passed between certain companion rolls it may be shifted transversely.

of the conveyor upon which it rests and onto a lower conveyor by means of which it is passed be:

the invention is to provide shifting" the partially formed merchant bars across delivery conveyors and onto feeding conveyors located in a lower being automatically operated Another obi ect of bars.

Another object of auxiliary rolls mounted in cooperating relation to certain of the feed rolls for compmsingthe bars in a horizontal plane as they are fed toward the main rolls which apply pressure in a vertical plane} It will thus be seen that the bars will be compressed horizontally as well as vertically and very eiiectively' reduced in width and thickness as they are elongated toform merchant bars.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character which is verystrong in construction and capable of applying powerful compression forces when it is in use.

the invention is to provide- In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 through '4, themachine or. apparatus consistsbriefly oi. a main set of rolls indicated in general by the numeral i, in Fig. l, and aseries of conveyors 2. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 'l, arrangedat opposite sides of the main rolls so that during transformation of a billet 8 into a merchant bar 8,'it may be successively fed between the rolls, asindicated by the arrows in Fig. l, and progressively reduced in width and thickness. while being elongated. During a portion of its travel, the partially formed merchant her also passes between rolls IO and ii mounted vertically over the conveyors l and 6. It will be understood that the number of conveyorsprovided will be in accordance with the number of main rolls. Pushers 3' and I" serveto transfer the partially formed bars from conveyors 3 and! to conveyors l and 6.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that there have been provided .four main rolls which are I individually designated by the numerals l2, i3,

i4 and it These rollsfare rotatably mounted in a; frame li'of conventional construction used forv mounting rolls in a rolling mill and'conventional means. indicated in general by the numeral H, is provided for causing the rolls to apply predetermined compressing force'as a billet or partially formed .bar is passed between the rolls.

The adjoining rolls turn in opposite directions,

asindicated by the arrows in Fig. 4, so that during transformation of a billet into a merchant bar, it will be moved between the rolls by rotamanually transferred from one set of rolls to another and this is laborious and expensive, as the bars are heavy and a number of men are re- I quired to operate a'machine.

In my improved machine or apparatus. the

tion of the rolls. At the present time, such rolls arevin use but the partially formed bars must be conveyors and the vertical rolls are mounted as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Referring to these figures, and particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the conveyors at each side of the main rolls are in stepped relation to each other and in laterally offset relation to each other so that during formation of a bar it may be transferred from an upper conveyor, such as the conveyor 3, to a lower conveyor 4, for passage between the main rolls I3 and I4 and similarly transferred to the conveyor 6 from which it passes between the rolls I4 and I5 to the discharge conveyor 1.

The carriage I8 is formed of strong metal beams and is equipped with wheels I9 resting on rails of a track 20 so that the carriage may be shifted along the track and dispose the carriage and the conveyors caniied thereby, in proper position relative to the furnace 2I and the bank of main rolls which is shlftable along the supports or tracks 22 into and out of position in front of a furnace. By this arrangement, the rolling machine may be used for a number of furnaces built in side by side relation to each other and shifted along the tracks into cooperating relation to one furnace while billets in another furnace are being heated.

An upper platform 22, formed of strong metal beams or the like, is supported in elevated position by a suitable number of pillars or posts 23 and 24 extending vertically between the carriage and front and rear portions of opposite ends of the platform. The upper conveyor 3 extends longitudinally of the platform and may consist of an endless carrier trained about rollers or consist of a suitable number of rollers 25 having shafts journaled through bearings or other suitable mountings 26. The roller at one end of the conveyor 3 has its shaft 21 provided with a sprocket driven by a chain 28, which in turn is driven by a sprocket 29 carried by the shaft of a motor 30 which is mounted on a bracket or platform 3| and it will be readily understood that when the motor is in operation the conveyor will be actuated to assist in moving the billet or bar longitudinally as it is fed between the upper rolls I2 and I3 of the bank of main rolls.

After the billet 8 has been passed from the conveyor 2 between the upper rolls I2 and I3 and onto the conveyor 3, it is to be transferred to the intermediate conveyor 4 which is the second feeding conveyor, and referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the partially formed bar is now designated by the numeral 8a and has been flattened and elongated by action of the rolls I2 and I3. This transfer of the partially formed bar is accomplished by means of the pushers 3' which are mounted back of the conveyor 3 and while two of these pushers have been shown in Fig. 1, it is to be understood that additional pushers may be employed if so desired. Each pusher is mounted on a support 32 carried by the platform 22 and consists of a cylinder 33 in which is slidably mounted a plunger 34 which projects forwardly from the cylinder and, at its front end, carries a head or arm 35 which extends downwardly with its lower end in position to engage the confronting side face of the unfinished bar 8a. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the cylinder from any suitable source and controlled by conventional means, and when the pushers are actuated the partially formed bar will be shifted transversely of the conveyor to the forward edge thereof where it will slide downwardly along the chutes 36 and onto the conveyor 4 between the vertical rolls I and II which extend upwardly therefrom, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The chutes or skids 36 are provided with arms 31 which are slotted, as shown at 38.

and through the slots of the arms pass bolts 39 carried by the platform 22 and passing through slots 40, so that the skids may be adjusted and secured in such a position that the partially formed bar 8a will be guided over the tapered upper ends of the rolls I0 and drop into the space between the rolls Ill and I I, as indicated by dotted lines and full lines in Fig. 2.

The conveyor 4 has a suitable number of rollers 4| upon which the partially formed bar rests and these rollers are rotatably mounted in bearings 42. The vertical rolls I0 and II have depending shafts I0 and II journaled through blocks 43 and, in order to hold the blocks and the edging rolls in predetermined spaced relation to each other, the carrying rolls I0 are equipped with adjusting screws 44 which bear against the blocks carrying the rolls II. The blocks are slidable between guides 45 and, in order to force the rolls l0 toward the rolls II, the block carrying each roll II] is engaged by a threaded rod 46 which passes through a bearing 41 and carries an adjusting wheel. When the wheel is turned in the proper direction, the rod 46 will be shifted forwardly and the rolls l0 and II held in such spaced relation to each other that, as the bar 8a is moved toward the inner end of the conveyor,

it will be acted upon by the vertical rolls and reduced in thickness. As the bar reaches the inner end of the conveyor, it is engaged between the rolls I3 and I4 and delivered from these rolls onto the conveyor 5 as a bar 8b of increased length and reduced width and thickness. The rolls I0 and H are power driven from a motor 49 which is mounted on a base 50 carried by the carriage I6. The shaft of the motor is coupled to a drive shaft 5| from which rotary motion is transmitted to one set of vertical rolls by

gears

52 and 53 and rotary motion is transmitted from this shaft 5| to the corresponding shafts of the other set of edging rolls by a sprocket drive 54. A sprocket chain 55 transmits rotary motion from the shaft 5| to the rollers 4|.

The conveyor 5, which is the second receiving conveyor, is similar in construction to the conveyor 3 and the elongated partially formed bar 817 is discharged from this conveyor by the pushers 5 so that it slides down the chutes or skids 36. and onto the third feeding conveyor 6 between the vertical rolls extending upwardly therefrom. This feeding conveyor is at the front of the carriage carrying the

conveyors

2, 5 and 6, and at such a level that the bar will pass from the conveyor and between the rolls I4 and I5 from which it is discharged onto the conveyor I as a finished merchant bar 9. The conveyor I may be of any construction desired and serves to deliver the flnished bar onto a truck or the like for transport to a place of storage.

From the foregoing, the operation of the apparatus will be understood and it will be readily 35 seen that the apparatus will only require the services of one attendant. During operation of the machine, it is merely necessary for the attendant to direct a billet from the furnace onto the first feeding conveyor 2, which delivers it to the upper rolls l2 and I3 from which it is discharged as the partially finished bar 8a onto the receiving conveyor 3. From this conveyor, the bar is discharged onto the lower feeding conveyor 4, which is at such a level that the bar will be delivered to the rolls I3 and I4 and, as the the receiving conveyor 5 as the partially finished bar 8b. This partially finished bar is discharged from the conveyor 5 onto the third feeding conveyor 6, which is feed the bar to the lower rolls l4 and I5 between which it passes and is delivered as the finished merchant bar 9 onto the conveyor 1. As the passage of the billets and the partially fin-' ished bars between the main rolls is entirely automatic, no manual handling of the billets and partially finished bars is necessary, thus reducing the cost and also making the work easier for the attendant.

In Figs. 5 and 6 there has ing machine of a modified construction. In this embodiment of the invention, billets are passed between the main rolls five times instead of three times, as they are converted into merchant bars. Referring to these figures, it will be seen that the conveyor 3a is of greater width than the feeding conveyor 2 and that when the billet passes between the upper main rolls l2 and [3 onto the conveyor 3a, it is discharged therefrom onto the feeding conveyor 40, between the vertical rolls Illa and I la. The partially formed bar is then passed between the rolls l3 and I4 onto conveyor 5a and rests upon the lifters 56, by means of which it is raised to an elevated position and again passed between the upper rolls and onto the conveyor 3a. The partially formed bar is now again discharged from conveyor 3a across the skid 36a onto the conveyor 4a between the vertical rolls Illb and llb and is passed between rolls I3 and I4 onto the conveyor 50, from which it is discharged onto the lower feeding conveyor 6 between the vertical rolls l and II thereof. The conveyor 6 and the vertical rolls associated therewith are of the same construction previously described and from this conveyor the partially formed bar passes through the lower rolls M and 15 onto the discharge conveyor 1 as a finished merchant bar, This movement of the billets and the partially formed bars is clearly indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5. The manner in which the billet is reduced in thickness and elongated to form the finished merchant bar is also shown in the diagram of Fig. 6. Referring to this figure, will be seen that the billet 8 first passes between the upper rolls l2 and 13 which compress it and elongate it to form the partially formed bar 8a which is delivered to the second feeding conveyor and passed between the rolls to again compress the bar and elongate it, as shown at 8b. This partially formed bar is then raised and passed between the upper rolls so that it is again reduced in thickness and elongated as shown at 80. The bar in its partially finished state 80 is then again delivered to the second feeding conveyor and passed through the rolls l3 and M to elongate it and further reduce its thickness, as shown at 8d, and the bar in this state is delivered onto the third feeding conveyor, from which it is passed between the lower rolls l4 and I and onto the final discharge conveyor as the at the proper level'to been shown a rolldifferent elevations, feeding and receiving driven conveyors located at each of said elevations for moving the billets-in a direction to or from the horizontal rolls, the receiving and successive feeding conveyors being laterally spaced apart, means bodily movable in a direction transverse to the movement of the billets effected by said conveyors associated with certain of the receiving finished merchant bar 9. By properly adjusting the pressure exerted by the main rolls and the vertical rollers, the extent to which the billet is elongated and reduced in thickness may be readily regulated.

Having thus claimed is:

1. An apparatus for converting billets into bars,

described the invention, what is which comprises a four-high bank of main horizontal rolls providing reducing passes at three conveyors'for shifting partially formed bars from said receiving conveyors into position to fall to succeeding feeding conveyors, and vertically disposed rolls associated with such feeding rolls for receiving between them partially formed bars dis-- charged from the receiving conveyors by said pushers and for guiding the same through the succeeding pass of said rolls. 1-.

2. An apparatus for converting billets into bars, comprising a four-high bank of main horizontal rolls providing reducing passes at three different elevations and at each of two of said elevations having two horizontally spaced apart reducing passes, driven feeding and driven receiving conveyors for said reducing passes at each of said elevations for effecting movement of said billets to and from said main rolls, mezms bodily movable in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said billets effected by said conveyors associated with certain of the receiving conveyors for shifting partially formed bars across said conveyors, and vertically disposed rolls associated with certain of said feeding conveyors for receiving partially formed bars discharged onto said conveyors by said pushers, one of said feeding conveyors being provided with two sets of said vertically disposed rolls corresponding to the two reducing passes between said main rolls associated with said feeding conveyor.

3. In an apparatus for converting billets into bars by passing the billets through reducing passes provided by rolls at different elevations, a driven receiving conveyor disposed at the same elevation as one reduced pass of said rolls for effecting movement of billets from said rolls, a feeding conveyor disposed at a relatively lower elevation and in alignment with a further reducing pass of said rolls for efiecting movement of said billets to said rolls, means bodily movable in a direction transverse to the movement of said billets effected by said conveyors for pushing partially formed bars transversely of said first conveyor and into position to fall onto said second conveyor, a plurality of pairs of rolls disposed on driven vertical axes associated with said second conveyor and in position to receive the partially formed billet bar guide the same through the succeeding pass of said first-mentioned rolls.

4. In an apparatus for convertin billets into bars by passing the billets throu h reducing passes provided by rolls at different elevations, a driven conveyor disposed at a suitable elevation for receiving a'partially ,fo'rmed billet from one reducing pass of said rolls, a second driven conveyor disposed at a suitably lower elevation for feeding the partially formed billet bar.to a succeeding lower disposed reducing pass of said rolls, spaced contact arms mounted for movement in a direct'on transverse to the first-mentioned conveyor for contacting a billet bar there on and pushing said billet bar transversely of said conveyor towards said second conveyonla plurality of pairs of rolls for said second conveyor disposed on driven vertical axes and in position to receive the partially formed billetbar discharged from said first conveyor and to guide therebetween and l the same through the succeeding reducing pass of said first-mentioned rolls.

5. In an apparatus for converting billets into bars by passing the billets through reducing passes provided by rolls at diflerent elevations, a driven conveyor disposed at a suitable elevation for receiving a partially formed billet from one reducing pass of said rolls, a second driven conveyor disposed at a suitably lower elevation for feeding the partially formed billet bar to a rolls, spaced contact arms mounted for movement in a direction transverse to the first-mentioned conveyor for contacting a billet bar thereon and pushing said billet bar transversely of said conveyor towards said second conveyor, a plurality of pairs of rolls for said second conveyor disposed on driven vertical axes and in position to receive the partially formed billet bar discharged from said first conveyor and to guide the same through the succeeding reducing pass of said first-mentioned rolls, the vertical axes of each pair of rolls being adjustable and movable to a position to effect a reduction of the partially formed billet bar,

6. In an apparatus for converting billets into succeeding lower disposed reducing pass of said bars by passing the billets through reducing passes provided by rolls at different elevations, a driven conveyor disposed at a suitable elevation for receiving a partially formed billet from one reducing pass of said rolls, a second driven conveyor disposed at a suitably lower elevation for feeding the partially formed billet bar to a succeeding lower disposed reducing pass or said rolls, spaced contact arms mounted for movement in a direction transverse to the first-mentioned conveyor for contacting a billet bar thereon and pushing said billet bar transversely of said conveyor towards said second conveyor, a plurality of pairs of rolls for said second conveyor disposed on driven vertical axes and in position to receive the partially formed billet bar discharged from said first conveyor and to guide the same through the succeeding reducing pass of said first-mentioned rolls. the axes of each of said pairs of rolls being adiustable relative to each other and enabling the partially formed billet bar to be maintained on its narrow, edge in passing through the succeeding pass 01 said first-mentioned rolls.

JOHN BLAINE SHAW.