Rolling mill stand

Abstract

The invention focuses on improvements to cantilevered roughing, intermediate and finishing rolling mill stands, primarily for long products. A basic improvement to 2-high and cluster mill stands includes mounting of the rolling bearings upon a stationary cantilevered arbor directly under the roll ring, eliminating heavily-loaded main reaction bearings within the stand housing in limited radial space. Individual drive motor assemblies for each shaft, rigidly coupled and directly supported by the drive shafts, are also advocated, in preference to floor-mounted drives via pinion stands to spindles and couplings. This eliminates drive reaction forces acting against the stand assembly, allowing direct measurement and control of interstand tension/compression, for which appropriate hardware is outlined. A cluster mill assembly features work roll cartridge assemblies adapted for off-line set-up and ultra-fast roll and guide changes, which is particularly adapted to intermediate and finishing pass applications. The work rolls are neckless, with the cartridge frame and bearings serving only to maintain roll position, rather than carry rolling loads. Roll size and material can then be governed entirely by stock size and reduction requirements, rather than by load carrying capacity. Included are means for axial adjustment of roll position, and roll parting adjustment symmetrically about the pass line. Mountings having quickly-interchangeable horizontal, vertical or angular transverse orientation are additional features, as are applications to tandem mill trains incorporating direct, automatic cascade tension-free rolling.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.