METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CALIBRATING VERTICAL ROLLERS OF A VERTICAL ROLLER FRAME AND CALIBRATION ARRANGEMENT FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD

Abstract

A method for the automatic calibration of vertical rolls of a vertical rolling stand, each of which is supported in a vertical roll unit which is adjustable with respect to a predetermined center line of a plurality of components arranged in a rolling train, including the steps of a) moving the vertical roll units into a calibration position transverse to the center line against at least one stationary stop of the vertical rolling stand, which has a certain known position with respect to the center line , b) calculating a calibrated initial distance A.sub.kal between an outer edge of a vertical roll facing a rolled stock or the center line and the center line in the calibration position, and c) adjusting the vertical roll units to a defined operating position.

Claims

1.-19. (canceled)

20. A method for the automatic calibration of vertical rolls of a vertical rolling stand, each of which is supported in a vertical roll unit which is adjustable with respect to a predetermined center line of several components arranged in a rolling train, comprising: a) moving the vertical roll units into a calibration position transverse to the center line against at least one stationary stop of the vertical rolling stand, which has a certain known position with respect to the center line, b) calculating a calibrated initial distance A.sub.kal between an outer edge of a vertical roll facing a rolled stock or the center line and the center line in the calibration position, and c) adjusting the vertical roll units to a defined operating position.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein in each case a calibration process is carried out for a first vertical roll unit and for a second vertical roll unit arranged opposite, wherein the first and the second vertical roll unit are moved into the operating position after the calibration process with respect to the center line in such a way that the outer edges of the vertical rolls facing the rolled stock are at an equal distance from the center line.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the calibration process for each vertical roll is carried out separately and independently of the calibration process for the opposite vertical roll.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the calculation of the calibrated initial distance A.sub.kal is carried out in each case on the basis of a given diameter D.sub.W of the vertical rolls.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the diameter D.sub.W of the vertical rolls is calculated starting from a nominal diameter taking into account a wear-related change during the rolling process and the calculation of the calibrated initial distance A.sub.kal is based on this.

25. The method according to claim 20, wherein the vertical roll unit is adjusted according to method step a) with the aid of at least one adjustment system and/or with the aid of at least one return system.

26. The method according to claim 20, wherein the reaching of the defined operating position is monitored by at least one measuring element, preferably by a position sensor PG on at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement of the at least one adjustment system and/or the at least one return system.

27. The method according to claim 20, wherein the method step a) comprises that first, at least one first reference surface of defined position is brought into contact with a vertical roll unit or with a component adjacent to the vertical roll unit and movable with the vertical roll unit with at least one second reference surface of defined position, fixed in relation to the center line, on the vertical rolling stand, preferably with the application of an actuating force.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the displacement of the vertical roll unit according to method step a) takes place over a first travel distance at an increased speed and over a second travel distance at a reduced speed until the first and the second reference surfaces touch each other.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the actuating force of the mutually contacting reference surfaces is monitored by at least one pressure transmitter (DG), preferably on at least one piston-cylinder arrangement of the hydraulic adjustment system and/or of the hydraulic return system, and is limited to a predetermined maximum value.

30. The method according to claim 20, wherein the vertical roll unit is adjusted into a defined operating position by at least one hydraulic adjustment system and/or by at least one hydraulic return system, wherein the attainment of the defined operating position is monitored by at least one measuring element, preferably by a position sensor PG on at least one hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangement of the at least one hydraulic adjustment system and/or of the at least one hydraulic return system.

31. The method according to claim 20, wherein this is carried out when the vertical roll stand is idle.

32. A calibration arrangement on a vertical rolling stand in a rolling train for rolling metal products, preferably for carrying out the method with the features of claim 21, having at least two vertical rolls which are each mounted in vertical roll units, which define a rolling gap and which are adjustable by at least one preferably hydraulic adjustment system and/or at least one preferably hydraulic return system with respect to a predetermined center line of several components arranged in the rolling train, wherein the calibration arrangement comprises at least one first reference surface of defined position on at least one vertical roll unit or on a component which is movable therewith which is movable with the vertical roll unit and comprises at least one second reference surface stationary with respect to the center line, and a control system S by which, with at least one position sensor PG of the adjustment system and/or of the return system, an adjustment of the vertical roll units can be effected transversely to the center line against the second reference surface as a stationary stop of the vertical rolling stand for determining a calibrated starting position and for calculating a calibrated initial distance A.sub.kal between an outer edge of a vertical roll directed towards a rolled stock or towards the center line and the center line, and an adjustment of the vertical roll units into a defined rolling position.

33. The calibration arrangement according to claim 32, wherein at least one first reference surface is provided at least in each case on an upper and/or on a lower chock of the vertical rolls and/or on an adjacent component movable with the vertical roll unit.

34. The calibration arrangement according to claim 32, wherein at least one second stationary reference surface is provided at least on an upper and/or on a lower roll beam of the vertical rolling stand and/or in each case on transverse heads of the vertical rolling stand.

35. The calibration arrangement according to claim 32, wherein at least one of the first and/or second reference surfaces is adjustable with respect to its position.

36. The calibration arrangement according to claim 32, wherein the at least one first reference surface and/or the at least one second reference surface are designed as adjustable and/or replaceable measuring plates.

37. The calibration arrangement according to claim 32, wherein it comprises at least one position sensor PG for monitoring the position of the vertical roll units.

38. The calibration arrangement according to claim 32, wherein at least one pressure transmitter DG is provided, via which an actuating force of the at least one first reference surface can be limited against the at least one second reference surface.

39. The method according to claim 21, wherein the calibration process for each vertical roll is carried out separately and independently of the calibration process for the opposite vertical roll.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0048] The invention is explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0049] Showing:

[0050] FIG. 1 a schematic view of a vertical rolling stand with a calibration arrangement according to the invention, partially in section and viewed in the direction of passage of the rolled stock, and

[0051] FIG. 2 a top view of the vertical rolling stand shown in FIG. 1, partially in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The vertical rolling stand 1 with the calibration arrangement according to the invention comprises two vertical roll units 3 adjustably arranged in a stationary roll stand. The rolling stand is aligned with respect to a center line 2 of several components of a rolling train arranged in a rolling train, for example roll stands, side guides, roller tables, etc. The drawing shows the transverse heads 4, the uprights 5 and the upper and lower roll beams 6A and 6B of the vertical rolling stand 1. The vertical roll units 3 each comprise a vertical roll 7 supported in an upper chock 8A and a lower chock 8B. The chocks 8A, 8B are each connected to each other by traverses 9 and are adjustable with the traverses 9 relative to each other and with respect to the center line 2. The vertical roll units 3 are adjusted by means of an adjustment system and a return system. The adjustment system comprises an upper and a lower adjustment cylinder 10A, 10B on each side of the vertical rolling stand 1 (operating side and drive side), which act on the upper and lower chocks 8A, 8B, respectively.

[0053] The return system comprises a return cylinder 11 on each side, each of which is operatively connected to the traverse 9. The traverses 9 can be moved together with the chocks 8A, 8B.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows the vertical rolling stand 1 not in rolling operation, namely with a position of the vertical roll units 3 in which they are in the calibration position, in which the vertical roll units 3 are moved in the direction of the center line 2 of the rolling train against a stationary stop of the vertical rolling stand 1. The stationary stop is formed by stationary reference surfaces that have a specific and known position with respect to the center line 2, against which movable reference surfaces rest on the vertical roll units 3 in the position shown in FIG. 1. In the described embodiment, the stop is formed by fixed or stationary measuring plates 12A and 12B, respectively, provided on either side of the upper roll beam 6A and the lower roll beam 6B. For the operation of the calibration arrangement, it is sufficient to provide only stationary measuring plates 12 on the upper roll beam 6A or on the lower roll beam 6B.

[0055] On the upper chocks 8A and on the lower chocks 8B of the vertical roll units 3, upper and lower movable measuring plates 14A, 14B are provided respectively on the side of the chocks 8A, 8B facing the center line 2 as movable reference surfaces. These movable measuring plates are attached to the respective chock 8A, 8B, adjustably if necessary, and are movable together with the chocks 8A, 8B. The stationary measuring plates 12A, 12B have a certain known position with respect to the center line 2, the movable measuring plates 14A, 14B have a known certain position with respect to the outer edges 13 of the vertical rolls 6 facing the rolled stock.

[0056] As already mentioned at the beginning, the outer edges 13 of the vertical rolls 7 directed towards the center line 2 should have the same distance to the center line 2 of the rolling train when the vertical rolling stand 1 is in operation, i.e. in the operating position of the vertical roll units 3. For this purpose, calibration of the vertical rolling stand 1 is required.

[0057] According to the invention, automatic calibration is provided including the adjustment system and the return system of the vertical rolling stand 1. The adjustment system and the return system or the associated actuating cylinders 10A and 10B and return cylinders 11 are controlled via a control system S. At least one of the actuating cylinders 10A comprises a position sensor PG, via which a nominal/actual comparison of the actual position and actuated position of the vertical roll 7 concerned can be carried out in the control system S. Furthermore, a pressure transmitter DG is provided, which can monitor the pressurization of the return cylinder 11. A pressure transmitter DG can be provided alternatively or additionally on one or more actuating cylinders 10A, 10B. Automatic calibration according to the invention is performed separately for each side of the vertical rolling stand 1 (operating side and drive side) and independently of the other side. The sensors required for this are provided on each side of the vertical rolling stand 1. In FIG. 1, however, only one control, position monitoring and pressure monitoring is shown for one side. The embodiment example is to be understood as providing such control, position monitoring and pressure monitoring for each of the sides of the vertical rolling stand 1.

[0058] To determine a calibrated distance or initial distance A.sub.kal, the control system S first causes the upper and lower chocks 8A, 8B to be adjusted in the direction of the center line 2 with the aid of the actuating cylinders 10A, 10B and the return cylinder 11 until the movable measuring plates 14A, 14B rest against the stationary measuring plates 12A, 12B when the vertical rolling stand 1 is not in rolling operation. This adjustment movement takes place over a first distance at a relatively high speed and over a second distance at a relatively low speed with the application of a predefined setting force, the increase in which is monitored via the pressure transmitter DG. The process is terminated when the pressure detected by the pressure transmitter DG exceeds a preset value. This detects the end position of the vertical roll unit 3 in the calibration position. In this position, the distances A.sub.stat and A.sub.bew are determined and known, so that the calibrated initial distance A.sub.kal from the outer edge 13 of the vertical rolls 6 facing the rolled stock or the center line to the center line 2 can be calculated from this according to the formula A.sub.kal=A.sub.stat+A.sub.bew−D.sub.W/2. This calculation includes the diameter D.sub.w of the vertical roll, which is preferably calculated on the basis of a nominal diameter taking into account a wear-related change during the rolling process and stored in the control system S.

[0059] Starting from this calibrated initial distance, the same distance to the center line 2 specified for the operating position of the vertical roll units 3 can be set in each case.

[0060] It is equally functional and technically possible within the scope of the invention, as already mentioned at the introduction, to provide alternatively or additionally a calibration position, which is located in each case at the outer areas of the vertical rolling stand 1. In this case, the reference surfaces are each located on the outer areas of the vertical rolling stand 1. This is only indicated in the figures with dashed lines. The upper and lower movable measuring plates in this alternative embodiment are designated 14A′ and 14B′. In this alternative embodiment, the upper and lower stationary measuring plates are designated 12A′ and 12B′. In the alternative embodiment, the upper and lower movable measuring plates 14A′ and 14B′ are provided on the sides of the traverses 9 facing away from the vertical rolls 7. The upper and lower stationary measuring plates 12A′ and 12B′, on the other hand, are provided on the sides of the transverse heads 4 of the vertical rolling stand 1 facing the vertical rolls 7. It follows that a calibration position is the position in which the vertical rolls 7 are fully extended.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0061] 1 Vertical rolling stand

[0062] 2 Center line of the rolling train

[0063] 3 Vertical roll unit

[0064] 4 Transverse heads of the vertical rolling stand

[0065] 5 Uprights

[0066] 6A Upper roll beam

[0067] 6B Lower roll beam

[0068] 7 Vertical rolls

[0069] 8A Upper chocks

[0070] 8B Lower chocks

[0071] 9 Traverses

[0072] 10A Upper actuating cylinder

[0073] 10B Lower actuating cylinder

[0074] 11 Return cylinder

[0075] 12A Upper stationary measuring plates

[0076] 12B Lower stationary measuring plates

[0077] 12A′ Upper stationary measuring plates, alternative arrangement

[0078] 12B′ Lower stationary measuring plates, alternative arrangement

[0079] 13 Outer edges of the vertical rolls facing the rolled stock

[0080] 14A Upper movable measuring plates

[0081] 14B Lower movable measuring plates

[0082] 14A′ Upper movable measuring plates, alternative arrangement

[0083] 14B′ Lower movable measuring plates, alternative arrangement

[0084] S Control system

[0085] PG Position sensor

[0086] DG Pressure transmitter

[0087] A.sub.kal Calibrated initial distance

[0088] A.sub.stat Distance of the stationary reference surface from the center line of the rolling train

[0089] A.sub.bew Distance of the movable reference surface from the center line of the vertical roll

[0090] D.sub.W Diameter of the vertical roll