Rotating entry system with front end or front and rear drive system

A rolling mill line system with a rotating entry system for a cooling bed, comprising coupled in series:

• a roll stand for translating rolled stock along a transfer path;
• a stock shear and transfer switch for respectively shearing stock to a desired length and selectively continuing stock translation along at least one downstream transfer path;
• a guide structure for guiding stock translation along the downstream transfer path;
• a drum rotatable about an axis, having a front axial end in proximity to the guide structure and a rear axial end, at least one drum channel capable of receiving stock translated from said front end toward said rear end thereof along the downstream transfer path when the drum is rotated to a loading position and discharging stock from the drum channel when the drum is rotated to a discharge position;
• a drive coupled to the drum proximal the front axial end thereof, for rotating the drum, the drive oriented offset from and not impeding the stock transfer path;
• and
• a cooling bed for receiving stock discharged from the drum.

A rolling mill line system with a rotating entry system, comprising coupled in series:

• a roll stand for translating rolled stock along a transfer path;
• a stock shear and transfer switch for respectively shearing stock to a desired length and selectively continuing stock translation along a plurality of downstream transfer paths;
• a plurality of respective guide structures corresponding to each downstream transfer path for guiding stock translation along said downstream transfer path;
• a plurality of respective drums corresponding to each downstream transfer path, each drum rotatable about an axis, having a front axial end in proximity to the respective guide structure and a rear axial end, at least one drum channel capable of receiving stock translated from said front end toward said rear end thereof along the downstream transfer path when the drum is rotated to a loading position and discharging stock from the drum channel when the drum is rotated to a discharge position;
• a drive coupled to at least one respective drum proximal the front axial end thereof, for rotating the respective drum, the drive oriented offset from and not impeding the stock downstream transfer path;
• and
• a cooling bed for receiving stock discharged from at least one respective drum.