Automatic guide adjustment from feedback of rolling parameters

Abstract

In a rolling mill in which a hot rolled product is directed by a guide along a delivery path into a roll pass aligned on a mill pass line, a control system is disclosed for correcting any transverse misalignment of the delivery path with respect to the mill pass line. The system compromises an adjustment mechanism for shifting the guide transversely with respect to the mill pass line. Detectors measure a selected parameter indicative of the transverse misalignment and generate status signals representative thereof. A controller responds to the status signals and automatically and remotely operates the adjustment mechanism to correct the misalignment by transversely shifting the guide with respect to the mill pass line.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a rolling mill in which a hot rolled product is directed by a guide along a delivery path into a roll pass aligned on a mill pass line, a system for correcting any transverse misalignment of the delivery path with respect to the mill pass line, said system comprising:
 an adjustment mechanism for shifting said guide transversely with respect to said mill pass line;   detectors for measuring a selected parameter indicative of said transverse misalignment and for generating status signals representative thereof; and   a controller responsive to said status signals for automatically and remotely operating said adjustment mechanism to correct said misalignment by transversely shifting said guide with respect to the mill pass line.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said guide comprises a roller guide having a pair of rollers between which said product is directed along said delivery path, and wherein said parameter comprises the level of forces exerted by said rollers on said product. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said roll pass comprises a forming pass followed by a slitting device in which the product is separated into multiple strands, and wherein said parameter comprises the velocities of the strands exiting from said slitting device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said guide is mounted for movement along a rest bar extending transversely with respect to said mill pass guide. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a worm track on said rest bar, a worm gear carried by said guide and in meshed relationship with said worm track, and a servo motor for rotatably driving said worm gear. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising a clamping mechanism operable between a clamping mode fixing the position of said guide on said rest bar, and a release mode permitting shifting of said guide along said rest bar. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said clamping mechanism is operated automatically and remotely by said controller. 
     
     
         8 . In a rolling mill in which a hot rolled product is directed by a guide along a delivery path into a roll pass aligned on a mill pass line, a system for correcting any transverse misalignment of the delivery path with respect to the mill pass line, said system comprising:
 a core extending transversely with respect to said mill pass line;
 a saddle movable along said core; 
 a guide carried by said saddle; 
   an adjustment mechanism for moving said saddle along said core, said adjustment mechanism comprising a worm track on said core, a worm gear carried by said saddle and in meshed relationship with said worm track, and a servo motor for rotatably driving said worm gear;   a clamping mechanism operable in a clamping mode to fix the position of said saddle on said core, and in a release mode permitting shifting of said saddle along said core;   detector means for measuring a selected parameter indicative of said transverse misalignment and for generating status signals representative thereof; and   a controller responsive to said status signals for automatically and remotely operating said adjustment mechanism to correct said misalignment by transversely shifting said saddle with respect to the mill pass line, and for automatically and remotely operating said clamping mechanism to accommodate operation of said adjustment mechanism.   
     
     
         9 . In a rolling mill in which a guide directs a hot rolled product along a delivery path into a roll pass aligned on a mill pass line, a method of correcting any transverse misalignment of the delivery path with respect to the mill pass line, said method comprising:
 measuring a parameter indicative of said misalignment and generating a status signal representative thereof; and   correcting said misalignment in response to said status signal by transversely shifting said guide with respect to the mill pass line.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the product is directed along the delivery path between guide rollers, and wherein said parameter comprises the level of forces exerted by said rollers on said product. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said roll pass comprises a forming pass followed by a slitting guide in which the product is separated into multiple strands, and wherein said parameter comprises the velocities of the strands exiting from said slitting pass.