Method of and apparatus for shaping metal billets

Abstract

A method of shaping the external surface of a metal billet which comprises holding the billet stationary and moving a pair of grooved rolls which are idly rotatably supported over the billet so that the billet passes through a gap between the rolls and guiding the paths of the rolls to provide the billet with the required shape. This method is preferably carried out by apparatus which comprises a pair of grooved rolls which are idly rotatably supported with a gap between them, means for holding the billet stationary, a mechanism for moving the rolls to cause them to pass along a billet held by the holder so that the billet passes through the gap between the rolls, and at least one guide track for each roll for guiding the path of the roll as it is moved by the mechanism. Preferably each grooved roll is supported on a shaft which extends axially beyond the ends of the roll and two runner rolls, each of which runs along a guide track as the grooved roll is moved, are mounted on the ends of the shaft. The guide tracks of the two rolls are preferably movable relatively to each other to adjust the paths of the grooved rolls and thus adjust the shape to which the billet is shaped.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.