Tool changeover system and method

A tool changeover system used in a rolling machine for changeover of at least one tool comprising a roller disposed in a working position on a roll shaft in a roll support of the rolling machine comprising:

• (a) a vertical transport;
• (b) a tool changeover rack;
• (c) a guide support configured separately from the roll support;
• and
• (d) a changeover rack guide configured as a motion link guide between the tool changeover rack and the guide support;
• wherein the motion link guide comprises a guide track having an open top portion and wherein the guide track comprises a constant vertical track component guiding the tool changeover rack to a changeover position with reference to the working position.

A tool changeover method used in a rolling machine for changeover of at least one tool comprising a roller disposed in a working position on a roll shaft in a roll stand of the rolling machine comprising the steps of:

• (a) using a vertical transport to introduce a tool changeover rack into a guide track comprising a constant vertical track component guiding the tool changeover rack to a changeover position with reference to the working position;
• and
• (b) moving the tool changeover rack away from the changeover position or to the changeover position along the guide track;
• wherein the tool changeover rack is lowerable from above the guide track into the changeover position or the tool changeover rack is raisable upward from the changeover position until the tool changeover rack leaves the guide track;
• and
• wherein the tool changeover method serves for changeover of multiple rolls disposed on different roll shafts and connected with one another to form a compound structure for a tool changeover.