US3611486A

US3611486A - Apparatus to control edges of flatrolled metallic products

Info

Publication number: US3611486A
Application number: US874261A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph J Fox
Original assignee: General Motors Corp
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1969-11-05
Filing date: 1969-11-05
Publication date: 1971-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-12
Also published as: CA932567A; BE758545A; DE2054519C3; FR2071856A5; ZA706986B; LU61976A1; DE2054519B2; SE370032B; DE2054519A1; GB1281968A; JPS4917151B1

Abstract

APPARATUS AS DISCLOSED FOR SUPPORTING AND CONTROLLING THE EDGES OF METALLIC, ESPECIALLY PRTICULATE METAL, AS THE MATERIAL ENTERS THE BITE OF A ROLLING MILL. THE APPARATUS CONTAINS TWO WEAR BLOCK MEMBERS ADAPTED TO FIT INTO THE BITE REGION OF THE ROLLING MILL AND TO GUIDE AND SUPPORT THE PARTICULATE METAL BEING ROLLED. THE WEAR MEMBERS ARE SUPPORTED SO THAT THAY ARE SUBSTANTIALLY RESTRAINED FROM MOVEMENT IN ALL DIRECTIONS OTHER THAN PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF ROLLING.

Description

Oct. 12, 1971 APPARATUS TO CONTROL EDGES OF FLAT-ROLLED METALLIC PRODUCTS Filed Nov. 5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVIiNTUR.

BY (6590/2 j ATT ORNEY 'J. J. FOX 3,611,486

J. J. FOX

APPARATUS TO CONTROL EDGES OF FLAT-ROLLED METALLIC PRODUCTS Filed NOV. 5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet i ATTORNEY United States Patent Otfice 3,611,486 Patented Oct. 12, 1971 3,611,486 APPARATUS T CONTROL EDGES 0F FLAT- ROLLED METALLIC PRODUCTS Joseph J. Fox, Mount Clemens, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich. Filed Nov. 5, 1969, Ser. No. 874,261 Int. Cl. 1322f 3/18 US. Cl. 18-9 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus as disclosed for supporting and controlling the edges of metallic material, especially particulate metal, as the material enters the bite of a rolling mill. The apparatus contains two Wear block members adapted to fit into the bite region of the rolling mill and to guide and support the particulate metal being rolled. The wear members are supported so that they are substantially restrained from movement in all directions other than parallel to the direction of rolling.

This invention relates to the rolling of metal, and preferably metal particles, into a flat-rolled product such as strip or sheet stock. More specifically, my invention is related to apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with a rolling mill to control the edges of a package of metal particles being drawn into and consolidated by the work rolls of a rolling mill.

Edge guide devices have previously been employed in connection with rolling a number of different materials, such as rubber, plastics, and powdered metals. As far as rolling rubber and synthetic plastic resins is concerned, rolling pressures are relatively small and, therefore, the loads on side members for controlling the edges of the rolled product are not severe. Such members, therefore, are of relatively simple design. In the case of rolling powdered metals, moving side or edge guides have been employed which move through or by the rolls in the same direction as the passage of the metal powder. Devices of this type are illustrated, for example, in United States Pat. No. 3,242,530. However, processes have recently been developed for hot rolling metal particles of substantial size, up to three inches or so in greatest dimension, to form sheets that may be up to four feet or more in width. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to provide lateral support for the metal particles as they are drawn into the bite of the rolling mill so that a flat-rolled product having straight and uniform edges is produced and that a subsequent trimming operation, which is wasteful of material, is not required. Furthermore, it is desired to adapt the rolling of these metal particles to existing rolling mills wherein it would be inconvenient and undesirable to have continually moving edge guides such as are depicted in the aboveidentified patent.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus suitable for supporting and controlling the edges of a charge of metal as it enters the bite of the work rolls of a rolling mill, which apparatus may be employed in combination with conventional rolling mill stands by being positioned adjacent the bite region of the rolling mill stand.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus suitable for use in combination with a rolling mill for the production of flat-rolled products from metal particles. The apparatus is to provide side support for the mass of metal particles as they are drawn between the work rolls of the rolling mill, the apparatus operating in closely spaced apart relationship to the work rolls and being capable of moving slightly in a horizontal plane in response to like movement of the axes of the work rolls.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention these and other objects are accomplished by provlding apparatus having at least two wear members adapted to fit into the bite region of the work rolls of a rolling mill stand in close proximity to, but slightly spaced from the circumferential surfaces of the rolls. The wear members are spaced from each other a distance generally equivalent to the desired width of a flat-rolled product to be produced. The wear members are carried by support means in a manner such that the wear members are prevented from being forced apart during the operation of the rolling mill by the tremendous pressure exerted on the metal particles being consolidated. Likewise, the wear members are prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the plane connecting the axes of the work rolls; that is to say, in a vertical rolling stand the wear members are prevented from working up and down. However, the wear members are carried by the support means in a manner so that, while the support means itself may be rigidly positioned, the wear members may slide back and forth in the direction of rolling in response to a like displacement or oscillation of the axes of the work rolls. In accordance with my invention this movement is necessary to permit the wear member to operate in close proximity to the rolling mill without striking the rolls of the mill.

These and other objects and advantages will be more fully understood in view of the detailed description of the invention which follows.

Reference will be made to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing my edge guide device carried in a supporting frame and positioned closely adjacent to the work rolls of a rolling mill;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of a portion of FIG. 1 showing the edge guide wear block and associated members;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of my apparatus and supporting frame viewed from the rolling mill side thereof, the rolling mill being removed for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partly in section, of my apparatus in position adjacent to the work rolls of a rolling mill, the upper work roll being removed for purposes of illustration; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section, showing a portion of a wear block, portions of rolling mill rolls, and an exemplary particulate metal package just entering the bite of the work rolls.

One purpose of my invention is to provide apparatus for lateral support of a charge of particulate metal as it is passed into the bite of a vertical rolling mill stand and compacted into a flat-rolled product. For example, my apparatus is employed in a process wherein metal particles are disposed on an elongated metallic carrier sheet, the edges of which are turned up to form a trough; the carrier sheet and metal particles subsequently heated in a suitable furnace containing a suitable protective atmosphere; and the heated carrier-metal particle package then passed between two work rolls for compaction and consolidation into homogeneous densified flat-rolled products. As shown in FIG. 1, a carrier sheet-metal particle package 10 is being drawn from left to right from a preheat furnace (not shown) into the bite of vertically disposed work rolls 12. The carrier sheet-metal particle package 10 is drawn through tunnel 14 containing a protective atmosphere, over rollers 16 and across a skid plate 18 into the bite of the rolls 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the carrier sheet-metal particle package 10 is drawn between two wear block members 20 which give edge support to package 10 against the large pressures exerted by the work rolls 12 to package 10. Wear block members 20 are arranged and constructed and supported by other members of my apparatus to fit close to, but spaced apart from, the circumference of the work rolls 12. In vertical profile the wear blocks 20 are seen to resemble half of a bow tie. In the operation f rolls 12 on the package passing therebetween, there are large forces tending to force the particles and turned-up edges of the carrier sheet outwardly against the wear blocks 20. Therefore, it is necessary to support the wear blocks against the package 10 and to locate the wear blocks 20 in a proper position adjacent the work rolls.

In general, in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, my device comprises two wear blocks 20 which are bolted to two slide blocks 22, which in turn are slidably supported and carried in relatively massive slide block carriers 24, which as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are located on both sides of the particulate metal containing package. Slide block carriers 24 are rigidly supported in carriage 26. Carriage 26 is adjustably supported in any suitable frame member 28. In the embodiment depicted, supporting frame 28 is arranged and constructed to be attached to the frame of the rolling mill, not shown. It will be appreciated that the specific construction and arrangement of the frame for carrying the carriage 26 is not critical to the design of my apparatus.

Since substantial loads are encountered in rolling relatively large metal particles (10,000 to 20,000 psi. when rolling steel particles) my apparatus is preferably constructed of suitable steels and may weigh several thousand pounds. Despite this relatively large weight, it is necessary that the wear block 20 and adjacent members of my apparatus be positioned and maintained in closely spaced apart relationship to the work rolls 12 of the rolling mill and that these members be capable of moving back and forth slightly in a horizontal plane because the axes of the work rolls 12 move slightly when the rolls are in operation. Therefore, provision must be made for adjusting and maintaining the position of my apparatus as required. As depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the supporting frame 28 has base 30, top 32 and side members 34 and is located adjacent the work rolls 12 of the rolling mill. Located on the base member of the frame 28 are rollers 36 for the purpose of supporting the carriage 26 while it is moved in toward the bite of the rolls 12 and correctly positioned. Also located on the base member of the frame are pedestal members 38 which support the weight of the carriage 26 and associated members in their working position. In setting up my device the carriage member 26 is moved in toward the bite of the work rolls 12 until the wear blocks 20, slide blocks 22 and slide block carriers 24 are respectively spaced apart from work rolls a suitable distance, typically about 0.025 to 0.050 inch. At this point, guide rollers 40, which project from and are supported by the slide blocks 22, engage the circumference of the work rolls 12 and roll thereon in the operation of the mill. When the carriage 26 is thus positioned, it is bolted into place in the frame by any suitable means. As shown in the drawings, particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the horizontal (in and out) position of the carriage 26 is adjusted and maintained by the suitable positioning of set screws 42 and lock bolts 44 extending through ears 46 protruding from the carriage and into the side members 34 of the frame 28.

In general and as depicted, the overall configuration of the carriage 26 is like an open-ended rectangular box. It is open-ended to permit passage of the metal particle-carrier sheet package 10 therethrough. The width and height of the transverse opening must be large enough to accommodate a desired package. The slide block carriers 24 are rigidly attached to opposite vertical inner sides of the carriage 26 by means not shown. When it is contemplated that carrier sheet-metal particle packages of different widths will eventually be processed through my apparatus, the carriage 26 is preferably constructed to accommodate the largest package, spacers and/or adjusters (not shown) are employed to properly locate the slide block carriers 24 when narrower packages are to be rolled. Preferably, the height of the slide block carriers 24 coincides with the height of the transverse opening in the carriage 26 so that the carriers 24 are well supported by the carriage 26. The ends of the slide block carriers 24 positioned adjacent the rolling mill are suitably cut out or relieved to receive the slide blocks 22 and the supports 52 for the guide rollers 40. A slide block 22 is fitted in each slide block carrier 24 so that the slide block 22 is immovable in either a vertical or lateral direction with respect to the direction of rolling (when rolling horizontally). However, the slide blocks 22 are permitted and expected to move horizontally, the direction of rolling, and are spring loaded 48 at the rear edges thereof so that they will be forced toward the work rolls 12 despite the tendency of the Work rolls 12 to push them back. The guide rollers are rigidly attached by supports 52 tothe slide block 22 but, as indicated, the rollers 40 and slide blocks 22 are intended to move in relation to the slide block carrier 24. Wear block members 20 are rigidly attached to the slide blocks 22.

In the practice of my invention it is generally preferred to use wear block members 20 which are formed separately from the slide blocks 22, although it will be appreciated thatt he wear block 20 and the slide block 22 could be one piece. Also, it will be appreciated that the wear block 20, slide block 22 and slide block carrier 24 can be one piece and slidably supported by the carriage 26. However, the wear blocks 20 are directly subjected to the pressure and friction of the moving hot carrier sheet package 10 as it is drawn into the bite of the working rollers 12 and, therefore, tends to be worn and scored and may require periodic replacement. Wear blocks suitable for use in rolling steel particles are preferably formed of cast iron. The inner surface of the wear block 20 is preferably convex (but not necessarily smoothly curved) with respect to the carrier sheet package 10 so as to provide additional restraint and support as the carrier sheet 10 enters the bite of the rolls 12. Otherwise, as previously indicated, the wear block 20, slide block 22, and slide block carrier 24 in the region of the bite of the rolls have vertical profiles like that of a half bow tie. Since the slide block carriers 24 are held stationary during a rolling operation they are shortened slightly in the vicinity of the work rolls 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) so they will always clear the rolls 12. Because the slide blocks 22 are not intended to be replaced periodically they are also shortened slightly with respect to the wear blocks 20 to assure constant clearance of the work rolls 12. The wear block 20 is arranged and constructed to be rigidly attached to the slide block 22 and moved therewith in an in-and-out direction with respect to the bite of the work rolls 132.

As previously indicated, the horizontal position of the carriage 26 and slide block carrier 24- are fixed by bolting the carriage 26 to the side members 34 of the frame 28. The vertical position of the carriage is properly adjusted between the work rolls and secured in such a position by use of shims on pedestals 38 at the bottom of the carriage and by bolts 50 passing through a horizontal top frame member 32 and engaging the top of the carriage. In the embodiment of my invention shown, only one set of upper and lower guide rollers 40 have been employed on each slide block 22 to roll against the work rolls 12 of the rolling mill and prevent the ends of the wear blocks 20 or slide blocks 22 from contacting these work rolls. It will be appreciated that at least one additional set of upper and lower guide rolls could be employed on each slide block or its equivalent to more precisely determine the working position of the wear blocks 20. It will also be appreciated that relatively soft metal rubbing blocks could be used in place of guide rollers 40 to engage the work rolls 12 and hold the wear blocks 20 spaced apart therefrom.

Thus, in a typical operation of my apparatus a hot package of particulate metal suitably disposed in a carrier sheet is drawn through the open-ended carriage 26 over the skid plate 18 and between wear blocks 20 into the bite of the work rolls 12. The wear blocks 20 are rigidly supported, ultimately by the carriage 26 and the frame 28, in a vertical direction with respect to the work rolls 12 and in a lateral direction with respect to the direction of travel of the metal packagel 10. The wear bloc-k 20 is prevented from being drawn into the bite of the rolls 12 in response to the frictional force of the carrier package 10 by proper positioning of the guide rolls 40. Heavy springs 48, or equivalent hydraulic or pneumatic means, situated in the slide block carrier 24 and exerting a force on the slide block 22 maintain the guide roll 40 and wear block 20 in the proper in position in the operation of the rolling mill. At the same time, the spring permits a certain amount of give in response to horizontal oscillation of the work rolls 12.

With respect to auxiliary equipment employed in the rolling operations and associated with my apparatus, it is desirable to employ a tunnel 14 as shown in FIG. 1 to maintain the preheated metal particles in a controlled atmosphere as the package 10 moves from a preheat furnace into the bite of the rolls 12. The end of the tunnel can be fitted in a special shroud 54 affixed to the carriage 26 so that the hot carrier package 10 is not exposed to air as it proceeds from the furnace into the first rolling mill stage. It is contemplated that in normal operations, suf ficient consolidation of the particles will be obtained during passage through the first rolling mill so that my apparatus will not be required with later rolling mill stands.

As described and shown, my apparatus is supported by a relatively stationary frame member immediately adjacent to the rolling mill, and a separate tunnel is employed. However, it will be appreciated that other practical arrangements can be devised to support my edge guide apparatus and the scope of my invention should not be considered limited to a particular frame and supporting arrangement. For example, an elongated, portable transport car could be employed to connect a preheat furnace with a particular rolling mill stand. The transport car Would provide both an enclosure for a controlled atmosphere and support for my edge guide apparatus.

Although my device has been described in terms of a preferred specific embodiment thereof, it'will be appreciated that other forms could readily be adapted by one skilled in the art and, therefore, the scope of my invention should not be considered limited to the specific embodiments described.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in combination with a rolling mill to guide and support the edges of material being rolled, said apparatus comprising in combination,

two edge guide members having arcuate portions shaped to fit in the bite region of the work rolls of a said rolling mill but spaced slightly apart from said work rolls in the operative position of said apparatus, said edge guide members being spaced from each other by a desired predetermined distance,

at least two roll members carried on each of said edge guide members and located on opposite sides of a said edge guide with respect to the axis of flow of material being rolled, said roll members being located so as to engage and roll against a said work roll in the operative position of said apparatus whereby said edge guides are held spaced apart from said work rolls in the operation thereof by said roll members, and

support means carrying and supporting said edge guide members, said support means engaging said edge guide members so that said members may move in a direction directly toward or away from the bite of said work rolls.

2. Apparatus for use in combination with a rolling mill to support and guide the material to be rolled into the bite of the rolling mill, said apparatus comprising in combination,

two wear block members each having arcuately shaped 5 portions to fit into the bite of a rolling mill closely adjacent the work rolls thereof in the operative position of said apparatus, said members being spaced apart from each other by a desired predetermined distance,

means carrying and supporting said wear block members and operable to hold said wear blocks in said bite region of a said rolling mill in a fixed position except for movement back and forth directly toward and away from the bite of said work rolls,

means intermediate said support means and each of said wear block members urging said wear lblOCk. members toward the bite of said work rolls in the operative position of said apparatus, and

means on said wear members to engage said work rolls in the operative position of said apparatus and hold said wear members spaced apart from said work rolls. 3. Apparatus for guiding and supporting the edges of material being fed into a rolling mill, said apparatus comprising in combination,

two wear members for supporting the edges of the material being fed past said wear members into the bite of a said rolling mill, said wear members being shaped to fit closely into. the bite region of said rolling mill in the operative position of said apparatus and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, carrier members rigidly attached to each of said wear members to carry and support said wear members, said carrier members being shaped to closely fit into the bite region of a said rolling mill,

support means slidably carrying said carrier members and restraining said carrier members from movement in any direction other than back and forth along said axis of a said rolling mill,

roller means attached to said carrier members and adapted to roll against the Work rolls of said mill in the operative position of said apparatus to maintain said wear members and said carrier members spaced apart from said work rolls, and

spring means intermediate said support means and said carrier members for urging said carrier members and said wear members toward the bite of a said rolling mill in the operative position of said apparatus.

4. Apparatus for use in combination with a rolling mill to support and restrain the edges of material being fed into the bite of the work rolls of said mill, said apparatus comprising in combination,

two wear block members shaped to fit closely into the bite region of the work rolls of a rolling mill in the operative position of said apparatus and spaced from each other by a desired predetermined distance, slidable block member rigidly attached to each of said wear members for carrying and supporting said wear members, said slidable block members being shaped to fit closely into the bite region of said work rolls,

a carrier member slidably engaging each of said slidable block members, said carrier members carrying and supporting said slidable blocks so that said slidable blocks can move back and forth along the axis of flow of the material being rolled,

carriage carrying and supporting said carrier members, said carrier members being rigidly aflixed to said carriage,

a frame member supporting said carriage, the position of said carriage with respect to said frame being adjustable so that said wear blocks and slide blocks 8 can be positioned in the bite region of a said rolling References Cited mill in the operative position of said apparatus, at least two roller members attached to each of said UNITED STATES PATENTS slidable block members and positioned thereon so 112771729 9/ 1918 Kqarns as to engage and roll on the work rolls of a said 5 2,513,541 7/ 1950 wlngar et MM rolling mill in the operative position of said appara- 2,599,218 6/1952 Austln 18r-2 MM tus and maintain said slidable blocks and said Wear 2,919,466 Roemel' 2,968,832 1/1961 Hale et a1. 18-2 MR blocks in spaced apart position therefrom, and

spring means bearing against a slidable block and its I associated slide block carrier and positioned there- SPENCER OVERHOLSER Pnmary Exammer between. D. M. GURLEY, Assistant Examiner