METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING STRIP END

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for processing an end of a strip, in particular a metal strip (2), wound up into a coil (1), in particular for sampling and/or for inspection of the strip, with a winding device for unwinding the end of the strip. This device is characterized in that the winding device is formed as a coiler (9) with one or more rotatable coiler drums (10) for receiving the coil (1) and in that the coiler (9) is arranged on a transporting system (11), with which the coiler (9), and the coil (1) arranged on it, can be moved between various processing stations (3, 5, 6).

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing an end of a strip, wound into a coil the apparatus comprising a coiler for unwinding the end of the strip, wherein the coiler has a reel with one or more rotating mandrels for receiving the coil and the reel is on a conveyor with which the reel and the coil attached thereto can be moved between the individual processing stations.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a tape stripper, a processing device , downstream from the tape stripper, and a strapping tool downstream from the processing device between which the reel can be displaced along a conveying direction.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor has a trolley that can be displaced on rails preferably displaced a conveying direction parallel to the coil axis.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reel is vertically shiftable against or on the conveyor.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the trolley has a chassis movable along rails and a support frame attached to the chassis in a height-adjustable manner and on which the reel is mounted.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the support frame is pivotal on the chassis about an axis that is oriented parallel to the coil axis.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a first pusher with at least one adjustable pressure element on the conveyor on the support frame thereof.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a second pusher with at least one adjustable pressure element on the conveyor on the support frame thereof, and offset angularly from the pressure element of the first pusher on the coil outer surface by an angle of from 90 to 180.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: an additional stationary pusher with an adjustable pressing element near the processing device so as to be offset from the pressure elements of the first pusher or of the second pusher relative to the coil outer surface.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing device has a lower strip guide or an upper strip guide that is height-adjustable or pivotable.

11. A method of processing an end of a strip wound into a coil, with an apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coil is received by the reel and moved by the conveyor between different processing stations.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the coil is taken off the reel and the tape is first removed by a tape stripper, the coil is then moved into the vicinity of the sampler where the end of the strip is unwound with the reel and a portion of the end of the strip is separated as a specimen, and, thereafter, the end of the strip is rewound with the reel and the coil is transported to the vicinity of a strapping tool and strapped there with tape.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the end of the strip is first fixed to the coil with a pusher and then the tape is removed, that the coil is then transported with the pusher fixing the end of the strip to the vicinity of the processing device, for example the sampler, and that the end of the strip is unwound there with the reel.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the end of the strip is fixed by the additional stationary pusher and subsequently released with the first or second pusher, and the end of the strip is then unwound.

Description

[0023] The invention is explained in further detail below with reference to a schematic drawing, which illustrates only one embodiment. In the drawing:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of an apparatus according to the invention,

[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1,

[0026] FIG. 3 is section B-B through the apparatus according to FIG. 1,

[0027] FIG. 4 is section A-A through the apparatus according to FIG. 1,

[0028] FIG. 5 is an enlarged section through the apparatus according to FIG. 1,

[0029] FIG. 6 is an enlarged section from the apparatus according to FIG. 2, and

[0030] FIG. 7 is a simplified perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention.

[0031] The figures show an embodiment (or apparatus) for processing an end of a strip (preferably metal strip) that is wound into coils 1. The invention here is an apparatus for strip sampling and/or inspection. The metal strip 2 is thus wound into coils that are strapped with tape in order to prevent unwinding of the strip.

[0032] The apparatus shown has a stripper 3 for taking off the strapping tape. A processing device in the form of a sampler 5 is downstream from this strapping tape stripper 3 in a conveying direction. This sampler 5 can cut a strip portion of predetermined length from the metal strip 2 as a specimen. A strapping tool 6 is downstream from this sampler 5 in the transport direction T and serves to bind the coil again with strapping tape. The coils are delivered to the strapping tape stripper 3 by a conveyor 7 (schematically indicated) that can for example be a walking beam conveyor. A treatment station 8 near the strapping tape stripper 3 serves for deposition of the coil near the tape stripper 3.

[0033] In order to take a sample near the sampler 5, it is necessary to unwind the metal strip 2 by a predetermined amount after removal of the strapping tape so that a portion of the end of the strip can be cut off. For this purpose, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a coiler for unwinding the strip, this coiler being according to the invention a reel 9. Here, this reel 9 has two rotating mandrels 10 for picking up the coil 1. The reel 9 is on a conveyor that can move the reel 9 and the picked-up coil 1 between the individual processing stations. In the illustrated embodiment, this conveyor has a trolley 11 that can be move (in the linear conveying direction T) on rails 12. These rails 12 flank and are parallel to the conveying direction of the coil defined by the walking beam conveyor. The trolley 11 can thus be displaced in the conveying direction T that is parallel to a coil axis. The trolley 11 has a chassis 13 that can travel on the rails 12 for example via rollers 14 rotatably mounted on the chassis 13. Moreover, the transport trolley 11 has an adjustable support frame 15 on which the reel 9 or its mandrels 10 are mounted. Here, this support frame 15 is height-adjustable. This is achieved structurally in that the support frame 15 is mounted on the chassis 13 so as to be pivotal about an axis 16 that is parallel to the coil axis and hence parallel to the conveying direction T. By virtue of the relatively long lever arm, this pivoting movement about the axis 16 substantially enables the reel 9 attached to the support frame 15 to be height-adjusted, and hence on the coil 1 attached thereto as well.

[0034] Two displaceable actuating arms 17 are also mounted on the support frame that carry the mandrels 10 of the reel, so that, during movement of the actuating arms 17, the mandrels 10 are moved along the coil axis, so that the mandrels 10 can be extended into the coil 1 and pulled out of same. Appropriate actuators are provided for this purpose which need not be discussed in any further detail. In addition, one or both mandrels 10 are equipped with rotary drives that also need not be discussed in any further detail.

[0035] Here, one or more pushers 18, 19 are mounted on the conveyor and/or to the transport trolley 11, particularly on the support frame 15 of the transport trolley 11 here, so that the pushers 18, 19 can be raised and lowered with the reel 9 and hence with the coil 1 and also move with the entire trolley 11.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, a first pusher 18 is provided that has two adjustable pressure rollers 20 (as a double roller). In addition, a second pusher 19 is provided that has an adjustable pressure roller 21. The pressure roller 21 is offset angularly from the pressure roller 20 and/or pressure rollers 20 on the coil surface, so that the pressure rollers 20 on the one hand and 21 on the other hand exert pressure on the coil at different angularly offset positions and are used as alternatives. The pushers 18, 19 are each equipped with a drive for pressing the respective roller against the coil. The pusher 18 and the optional pusher 19 can reliably handle the coil and, in particular, can stabilize the coil during the entire transport operation to prevent unwinding of the strip after the strapping tape has been removed. This will be discussed later.

[0037] In addition to the pushers 18, 19 that travel with the coil, a stationary pusher 22 is provided in the embodiment that also has a movable pressure roller 23 and a corresponding actuator for moving the roller 23. This pressure roller 23 of the stationary pusher 22 is also offset from the first pressure roller 20 and the second pressure roller 21 about the surface of the coil. With this additional pusher 22, the process of unwinding during sampling is optimized. This will be discussed below as well.

[0038] The sampler 5 has a rack or frame 24. Moreover, a separation device, for example a shear 25, is provided that can cut a portion from the end of the strip as a specimen. Furthermore, a lower guide 26 and an upper guide 27 are attached to the rack 24 that are used to guide the strip or the end of the strip during unwinding and, optionally, winding. At least the upper strip guide 27 is height-adjustable and/or pivotable on the rack 24.

[0039] The apparatus according to the invention works as follows:

[0040] The coil 1 to be processed and/or sampled is transported by the walking beam conveyor (shown schematically) into the vicinity of the strapping-tape stripper 3 and deposited there in the treatment station 8. The coil 1 is still stabilized with the tape against unwinding. The coiler is now moved with the trolley 11 on the rails 12 into the vicinity of the tape stripper 3. For this purpose, the support frame 15 has been raised lifted by drives or lifters 28, so that the coiler and/or reel 9 can be positioned above the coil 1 in the treatment station 8. The support frame 15 is then lowered, and the mandrels 10 of the reel 9 are engaged in the coil 1 or the coil center hole. Thereafter, at least one of the pushers 18, 19, more particularly both pressure rollers 20, 21 thereof, are pressed radially against the coil and the tape can then be removed by the tape stripper. The possibility exists of previously positioning the coil, more particularly the strip end of the coil 1, in an appropriate orientation by means of the reel 9. Incidentally, it is possible to use the support arms 15 and hence the height adjustability of the conveyor to position the coil in an appropriate angular and vertical position to the tape stripper 3.

[0041] In any case, the coil is secured by the pushers 18 or 19 against unwinding after the removal of the strapping tape.

[0042] The coil can now be transported in this stabilized state with the aid of the displaceable conveyor into the vicinity of the sampler 5. In addition, the coil 1 can be lifted by the height-adjustable support frame 15 to the desired height near the sampler 5 to a height dependent on the coil diameter, thus making perfect positioning readily possible for different coil diameters.

[0043] After the coil 1 has been positioned in an appropriate position relative to the sampler 5, the end of the strip can be unwound to the desired extent by the uncoiler or the reel 9, so that the strip 2 is guided into the sampler and, there, particularly near the separating device/shear 25. During this unwinding of the end of the strip, it is possible to variably position and adjust the end of the strip and the coil with the height-adjustable support frame 15. In addition, the possibility exists of appropriately positioning the strip guides 26, 27, particularly in a variable manner during the process. Here, the upper strip guide 27 can be both height-adjusted and pivoted for this purpose. The height of the strip guide 27 can be adjusted on a guide frame 30 by a drive and pivoted about an axis 29. These variable setting options enable the apparatus and process to be adapted to the strip properties. For instance, it is possible to respond to the elasticity or hardness and hence to the degree of springiness of the strip.

[0044] The process can be further optimized by the above-mentioned additional stationary pusher 22 with the pressure roller 23. It is thus possible, in particular, to first place this pusher or pressure roller 23 against the coil as soon as the coil has been positioned in the correct position in front of the sampler. Subsequently, it is then possible to lift off the pusher 18 and/or the pusher 19, so that the coil is now stabilized against unwinding only by the pressure roller 23. However, this pressure roller 23 is located on the outer surface farther from the end of the strip than the pressure rollers 20, 21, so that the strip springs up over a greater free length of strip. This has the advantage that plastic deformation in the course of unwinding during advancement of the end of the strip can be avoided or reduced.

[0045] After the end of the strip has been advanced sufficiently, a desired strip portion can be taken as a specimen that then falls into a receptacle 31.

[0046] Subsequently, the strip can be rewound with the reel 9, particularly to the extent that the end of the strip is stabilized against unwinding with one of the displaceable pushers 18, 19. The trolley 11 with the coil 1 attached and secured thereto can be moved away from the sampler into the vicinity of the strapping tool 6. There, restrapping is performed with one or more (new) tapes. The pushers 18, 19 can then be released, and the strapped coil can be placed into a treatment station and then further processed or further transported, for example by a conveyor (for example a walking beam conveyor), which is also not shown.

[0047] The advantages of the invention have been explained with reference to the figures in connection with a sampler. However, the mobile uncoiler according to the invention can also be used in other applications. Moreover, it is alternatively possible for the trolley to move not on a straight path or along a straight conveying direction, but alternatively also on a curved or arcuate transport path. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible to rotate or pivot uncoiler from one station to the next. Such options are not shown in the figures.

[0048] With the apparatus according to the invention, differently dimensioned strips or coils can be processed in a wide variety of configurations. The outer diameter of the coils can for example be 1200 mm to 2500 mm, preferably 1400 mm to 2200 mm. The inner diameter of the coils can for example be 500 to 800 mm, preferably 610 to 762 mm. The coil widths can for example be 500 mm to 2500 mm, preferably 700 mm to 2200 mm. The thickness of the metal strip can for example be 1 mm to 30 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 25 mm. It can be metal strip, particularly a steel strip, for example a hot-rolled steel strip. The temperature of the strip can be up to 650 C. during processing.