Calibration method for a universal roll stand

Abstract

In a calibration method for a universal roll stand with horizontal rolls and vertical rolls, wherein the horizontal rolls are supported in upper and lower horizontal chocks and the vertical rolls are supported in vertical chocks and wherein the horizontal rolls are configured to be screwed down on one another and the vertical rolls are configured to be screwed down on the horizontal rolls, the vertical chocks are moved between the horizontal chocks such that vertical roll gaps remain between the horizontal rolls and the vertical rolls. Subsequently, spacers are arranged between the vertical chocks and at least one of the upper and the lower horizontal chocks. The horizontal chocks are advanced toward one another until the horizontal chocks contact the vertical chocks or the spacers, wherein the horizontal chocks during advancing are loaded maximally with an advancing force. The horizontal chocks are loaded after completion of advancing with a calibration force which is greater than the advancing force. After loading with the calibration force, the reached positional values of the horizontal chocks are measured and reference positions for subsequent rolling processes are determined based on the reached position values.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A calibration method for a universal roll stand with horizontal rolls and vertical rolls, wherein the horizontal rolls are supported in upper and lower horizontal chocks and wherein the vertical rolls are supported in vertical chocks, wherein the horizontal rolls are configured to be screwed down on one another and wherein the vertical rolls are configured to be screwed down on the horizontal rolls; the method comprising the steps: 
 moving the vertical chocks between the horizontal chocks such that vertical roll gaps remain between the horizontal rolls and the vertical rolls;    arranging spacers between the vertical chocks and at least one of the upper and the lower horizontal chocks;    advancing the horizontal chocks toward one another until the horizontal chocks contact the vertical chocks or the spacers, wherein the horizontal chocks during advancing are loaded maximally with an advancing force;    loading the horizontal chocks after completion of advancing with a calibration force which is greater than the advancing force; and,    after loading with the calibration force, measuring the reached position values of the horizontal chocks and determining, based on the reached position values, reference positions for subsequent rolling processes.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to    claim 1   , wherein the step of advancing the horizontal chocks is carried out by position control.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to    claim 1   , further comprising the steps of pre-setting nominal end position values in the control elements for the horizontal chocks and selecting the nominal end position values such that the horizontal chocks, before reaching the nominal end position values, have contacted the vertical chocks or the spacers with certainty.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to    claim 3   , further comprising the steps of preventing further method steps from being carried subsequent to the step of advancing and issuing an error communication when the nominal end position values for the horizontal chocks have been reached.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to    claim 1   , wherein the step of advancing the horizontal chocks comprises two partial advancing steps, the method further comprising the step of measuring forces present in the control elements for the horizontal chocks between the partial advancing steps.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to    claim 1   , wherein the horizontal chocks are advanced successively against the vertical chocks or the spacers.  
     
     
         7 . the method according to    claim 1   , wherein the horizontal chocks are advanced simultaneously against the vertical chocks or the spacers.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to    claim 1   , wherein loading of the horizontal chocks with the calibration force is carried out by force control.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to    claim 1   , wherein at least the horizontal chocks are configured to be hydraulically advanced.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to    claim 1   , wherein the vertical chocks are configured to be hydraulically advanced.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to    claim 1   , wherein the calibration force is smaller than a rolling force to be applied in the subsequent rolling processes.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to    claim 1   , wherein the horizontal chocks and the vertical chocks are moved apart by position control after measuring the reached position values.