WINDING/UNWINDING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR WINDING/UNWINDING A METAL PRODUCT IN A ROLLING LINE

Abstract

Device (10) and method for winding/unwinding rolled products (20). The device (10) is interposed between a rolling unit located upstream (102) and a rolling unit located downstream (105). The device (10) comprises a heating furnace (11) and a support structure (16) disposed outside the heating furnace (11). On the support structure (16), substantially in a diametrically opposite position, two winding/unwinding drums (18a, 18b) are assembled, positioned inside the furnace (11). The support structure (16) is selectively rotating to alternatively dispose a first of the two drums (18a or 18b) in its winding position or in its unwinding position of a reel (29). A second of the two drums (18b or 18a) consequently assuming the opposite unwinding or winding position.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A winding/unwinding device for rolled products, the device being interposed between a rolling unit configured for reducing a thickness of the rolled products located upstream of the device and another rolling unit configured for reducing the thickness of the rolled products located downstream of the device, the winding/unwinding device comprising a heating furnace and a support structure disposed outside the heating furnace, wherein two winding/unwinding drums are assembled on the support structure in a substantially diametrically opposite position, the two winding/unwinding drums being positioned inside said heating furnace, wherein the two winding/unwinding drums are assembled on the support structure so as to be able to assume an inactive position not interfering with the pass-line of the flat rolled product at least when the rolling line is configured for an endless functioning.

11. The winding/unwinding device as in claim 10, further comprising support and sliding means, able to be selectively activated at least in the moment when the drums assume their inactive position, to define a pass-line for the flat rolled product in the event that the activation of the winding/unwinding drums is not required.

12. The winding/unwinding device as in claim 10, wherein the support structure comprises two discs, selectively rotating, connected to respective lateral covers of said furnace so that a first disc selectively rotates together a first lateral cover and a second disc selectively rotates together a second lateral cover, to alternatively dispose a first of said two drums in its first winding position or in its second unwinding position of a reel, wherein a second of said two drums consequently assuming the opposite unwinding or winding position, or to dispose both said two drums in their said inactive position.

13. A method for winding/unwinding a rolled product using a winding/unwinding device comprising winding drums, the winding/unwinding device being interposed between at least a rolling unit for reducing a thickness of the rolled products located upstream of the device and at least a rolling unit for reducing a thickness of the rolled products located downstream of the device, the winding drums being located inside a heating furnace wherein they can be disposed in a first position in which a first drum faces toward the rolling unit upstream and is suitable to wind a reel, and another drum faces toward the rolling unit downstream and is suitable to unwind the reel, and a second position in which the two drums invert their position, wherein at least when the rolling line is configured for an endless functioning the winding drums are disposed in a third position in which the two drums are in a position of non-interference with the pass-line of the rolled product so as to allow the rolled product to pass through the device without interfering with said drums, wherein in endless mode, during the passage of the rolled product from said roughing unit to said finishing unit, said heating furnace remains active and keeps the rolled product at a temperature suitable for the subsequent finishing rolling.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a view of the overall lay-out of a rolling line in which the device according to the present invention is applied;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a view in section of the device for winding/unwinding a metal product according to the invention;

[0035] FIGS. 3-9 show in sequence the various positions that the various components of the winding/unwinding device according to the invention can assume, in relation to the step of the cycle in progress;

[0036] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged detail of an extraction unit;

[0037] FIGS. 11-12 show two positions that the components of the extraction unit in FIG. 10 can assume.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF EMBODIMENT

[0038] With reference to the attached drawings, the number 10 denotes in its entirety a device for winding/unwinding a semi-worked flat rolled product 20 in an intermediate step of a rolling process for strip or sheet.

[0039] The device 10, with reference to FIG. 1, is inserted in a rolling line 100 comprising a continuous casting device (not shown) for conventional slabs or thin slabs, a roughing rolling unit 102, a shears 103 to obtain in semi-endless mode lengths of slab of the desired size, a heating and equalization furnace 104, the device 10, an extraction unit 25, a finishing rolling train 105, pinch-roll type drawing devices 106 and conventional cooling and winding devices for the strip (not shown).

[0040] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, the device 10 comprises, as essential elements, a furnace 11 equipped with an inlet door 12 and an exit door 13, selectively movable depending on the step of the winding/unwinding cycle in progress. The furnace 11, provided in known manner with a chimney 14 to discharge the fumes, defines a heated internal volume 15 which houses two motorized winding drums or mandrels, respectively 18a and 18b. The drums are mounted on a support structure 16, outside the furnace 11, in this case conformed as a rotating disc 17. FIG. 2 shows the support structure 16 comprising two rotating discs 17 to which are attached the respective ends of the drums 18a and 18b.

[0041] In order to minimize heat losses and to allow the drums 18a, 18b to rotate, the furnace 11 comprises covers 40 that are made to rotate together with the discs 17.

[0042] The discs 17 each comprise a wheel with stakes 41 which engages on respective movement devices 42. Each movement device 42 of the support structure 16 comprises a motor 43 and a reduction unit 44.

[0043] The two reduction units 44 are synchronized mechanically by means of a transmission shaft 45, which provides to transfer the torque to the wheel with stakes 41.

[0044] The motors 43 of the movement device 42 must be synchronized electrically so that they both provide at the same moment the same torque and the same speed of rotation.

[0045] Motor elements 51 are mounted directly on the discs 17 and provide to move the two drums 18a and 18b.

[0046] In the solution shown in FIG. 3, to give a non-restrictive example, the centers of the motorized drums 18a, 18b are disposed along a diameter 19 of the rotary disc 17 in a diametrically opposite position; when the diameter 19 joining the centers of the drums 18a, 18b is disposed horizontal, it lies in this case in a position of non-interference and above the pass-line of the flat rolled product 20, for the reasons discussed in detail hereafter.

[0047] The device 10 also comprises an inlet table 21 and an exit table 22, selectively movable with respect to the rotary disc 17, and hence to the drums 18a, 18b, in relation to the different functions that they have to perform as the winding/unwinding cycle progresses.

[0048] The inlet table 21 comprises a first inlet segment, or feeding table, 23, with a flat surface, the function of which is substantially to guide the leading end of the rolled product 20 into an introduction eyelet 30 with which the drums 18a, 18b are provided, and a second segment, or entry table, 26, substantially mobile, on whose surface a plurality of rolls may be present. The exit table 22 is also selectively mobile, and may also have rolls 28 (FIG. 9) which define its upper surface. As an alternative to the rolls 28, according to another form of embodiment, sliding guides may be present, both on the inlet table 21 and the exit table 22.

[0049] On the exit table 22 there is in any case present in the initial part a big motorized roll 27 or snubber roll, which is used during the final winding step and/or during the unwinding of the transfer bar 20.

[0050] The device 10 also comprises an extractor element 24, disposed on the exit side of the furnace 11 and able to be selectively activated to help to open the reel at the start of the unwinding step.

[0051] Upstream and downstream of the device 10 there are drawing devices of a known type, for example pinch rolls 106 or suchlike.

[0052] An extraction/straightening unit 25 is provided in the case shown here, downstream of the device 10, in order to perform one or both of the following functions: [0053] to straighten the tail end of the transfer bar 20 (which constitutes the leading end in the winding step) bent in the start of winding step when it is introduced into the eyelet 30 of the drum 18a-18b; [0054] to remove the curvature of the transfer bar 20 when its own weight and the low mechanical characteristics due to the high temperatures are not sufficient to keep the leading end of the transfer bar 20 low.

[0055] In fact, if the leading end were high there would be a risk of jamming in the machine downstream during the entry step.

[0056] In order to minimize these problems, the extraction/straightening unit 25 comprises a conveyor 39, which facilitates the correct insertion of the transfer bar 20 into the extraction/straightening unit 25 (FIG. 7).

[0057] With reference to FIGS. 3-9, we shall now describe the operating steps of the winding/unwinding cycles in which the device 10 is used.

[0058] In FIG. 3, the leading end of the transfer bar 20 is guided inside the eyelet 30 of the drum 18a, disposed in the winding position. The inlet door 12 of the furnace 11 is obviously open, whereas the exit door 13 is closed so as to reduce to a minimum the losses of temperature from inside the furnace 11.

[0059] The drum 18b is in the diametrically opposite position and at the start of the casting cycle has no reel to unwind. The leading end of the transfer bar 20 is introduced for a desired segment with the drum 18a stationary, then the drum 18a, driven by the motor, starts to rotate on its own axis so as to start winding the first transfer bar 20.

[0060] The first segment 23 of the inlet table 21 is still up to support the head of the bar 20, while the second segment 26 is moved down. After few coils being wound on the drum 18a, also the first segment 23 of the inlet table 21 is moved down.

[0061] After having reached a certain diameter of the reel 29 on the drum 18a stationary in position (FIG. 4), for example 45 wraps, the disc 17 also starts to rotate (FIG. 5), so that the two drums 18a, 18b start to invert their respective positions, the drum 18a continuing to rotate on its axis to continue and complete the winding of the reel 29, the opposite drum 18b moving progressively toward the winding position.

[0062] When the reel 29 approaches the final winding step (FIG. 6), and more particularly when the tail end of the transfer bar 20 exits from the pinch roll 106 upstream, so that the drawing is lost, the following operations occur, substantially simultaneously: [0063] the exit door 13 of the furnace 11 opens; [0064] the exit table 22 is raised so that the snubber roll 27 goes into contact with the reel 29; [0065] also the first segment 23 of the inlet table 21 is raised in a high position, in order to protect the drum and to support the tail of the transfer-bar 20; then, when the drum 18b has reached the winding position, the first segment 23 is moved in the winding position so as to allow the head of the transfer-bar 20 to be fed in the drum; [0066] the extraction unit 24 is driven.

[0067] The extraction unit 24 comprises an actuator 32 suitable to drive a rod 31 at the end of which a presser/extractor device 33 is mounted.

[0068] More particularly, the presser/extractor device 33 consists of a frame 34, substantially triangular in shape, on a first top of which an idle presser roll 35 is mounted, on a second top of which an extractor element 36 is mounted, conformed substantially as a hook.

[0069] With reference to FIG. 10, it can be seen how the frame 34 is free to rotate around the pin 37. The frame 34 is balanced so that its mass barycenter is disposed so as to return it to the inactive position, with the presser roll 35 located forward with respect to the extractor element 36.

[0070] An abutment element 48, located substantially as an extension of the rod 31, upstream of the frame 34, and a striker element 49, attached on the frame 34, limit its spontaneous rotation in one direction.

[0071] It is possible, in some steps, with a clamping element 46 driven by a relative hydraulic cylinder 47, to keep the frame 34 in the inactive position as above, preventing it from rotating in the other direction. This condition is necessary when the presser roll 35 is thrust against the surface of the reel 29, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0072] The moment the reel 29 begins unwinding, the clamping element 46 is retracted by means of the hydraulic cylinder 47 (FIG. 12).

[0073] The frame 34, due to the effect of the pressure exerted by the reel 29 on the presser roll 35, rotates around the pin 37 and takes the extractor element 36 into contact with the surface of the reel 29.

[0074] In particular, in the first step when the extraction unit 24 is driven (FIG. 6), the presser/extractor device 33, by means of the actuator 32, is made to advance until it takes the presser roll 35 into contact with the reel 29, so that the last segment of the transfer bar 20, that is, the tail end of the reel 29, adheres to the last spirals already wound.

[0075] In this step, the winding of a new transfer bar 20 has already started on the free drum 18b, disposed in the winding position, substantially without any downtimes.

[0076] The winding step onto the drum 18a terminates with the tail end of the reel 29 positioned between the presser roll 35 and the snubber roll 27.

[0077] When the unwinding of the completed reel 29 from the drum 18a has to be started (FIG. 7), and before the drum 18a starts to rotate in the unwinding direction, the clamping element 46 is retracted so that the extractor element 36, rotating, spontaneously moves into contact with the surface of the reel 29, facilitating the unrolling thereof (see in particular the enlarged detail of FIG. 10).

[0078] Furthermore, below the presser/extractor device 33, the extractor element 24 also has a shaped profile 38 which, in cooperation with the extractor element 36, creates a path to guide the leading end of the transfer bar 20 unrolling from the reel 29 and inserts it in the inlet of the extraction/straightening device 25.

[0079] As soon as the transfer bar 20 is gripped by the extraction/straightening device 25, the extraction unit 24 retreats, and the exit door 13 of the furnace 11 closes, even if not completely, leaving only the space necessary for the reel 29 to unroll (FIG. 8).

[0080] According to a variant not shown here, during the unwinding step, the drum 18b is progressively moved towards an intermediate position between the unwinding position and the winding position, and the drum 18a is positioned at the same time in an intermediate position between the winding position and the unwinding position.

[0081] In this position, the exit table 22 may be positioned in a raised position to support the transfer-bar during the unwinding.

[0082] This variant allows to reduce the cycle times, since the unwinding operation is performed by moving progressively the full drum towards its position of winding of a new reel, thus providing an empty drum for a new winding cycle in a shorter time.

[0083] FIG. 9 shows the case where the transfer bar 20 passes through the winding/unwinding device 10 without any intervention by the latter, this solution being provided when the rolling line 100 is functioning in endless mode.

[0084] As said, in this case the two drums 18a, 18b are disposed with the respective centers lying on a substantially horizontal plane and above the pass-line of the transfer bar 20.

[0085] To allow the bar 20 to pass, both the inlet table 21, with its two elements 23 and 26, and also the exit table 22, are taken to the operating position so that the bar 20 can be made to transit on the rolls 28, if present, on the second segment 26 of the inlet table 23 and on the exit table 22, so as to guide it toward the extraction/straightening device 25.

[0086] Advantageously, in endless mode the passage of the transfer bar 20 from the roughing unit 102 to the finishing unit 105 does not entail any losses in temperature in passing through the winding/unwinding device 10, since the furnace 11 remains active and keeps the transfer bar 20 at a temperature suitable for the subsequent finishing rolling.

[0087] Modifications and variants may be made to the device and method for winding/unwinding a rolled product as described heretofore, all coming within the field of protection as defined by the attached claims.