Device and Method for Transforming a Metal Slab from Coil Configuration into Sheet Configuration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for transforming a metal slab from coil configuration into sheet configuration, subsequently comprising: a rotatable coil holder ( 21 ); at least one align unit; and a separator; wherein the rotatable coil holder, the at least one align unit and the separator are placed in line wherein the rotatable coil holder is provided with at least one air knife ( 22 ) that directs an air flow onto the width of the metal slab. The present invention also relates to a method for transforming a metal slab from coil configuration into sheet configuration, comprising the method steps: A) placing a metal slab coil on a rotatable coil holder; B) rotating the metal slab coil and unwinding the coil; C) feeding the unwound metal slab through at least one at align unit; and D) separating individual metal slab sheets wherein an air knife is directs an air flow onto the width of the metal slab before the unwound metal slab is fed through an align unit.

1 . A device for transforming a metal slab from coil configuration into sheet configuration, comprising:
 a rotatable coil holder,   at least one align unit; and   a separator;   wherein the rotatable coil holder, the at least one align unit and the separator are placed in line, wherein the rotatable coil holder is provided with at least one air knife that directs an air flow onto the width of the metal slab.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device also comprises a stacking unit placed in line with the a rotatable coil holder, the least one align unit, and the separator. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air knife is comprising an air feed and a nozzle with a width of at least the width of the metal slab coil to be transformed. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air knife is provided with at least one air heater. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a nozzle of the air knife is mounted on a nozzle carrier that is moveable relative to the rotatable coil holder. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the nozzle carrier is provided with bias means and at least one stop directed towards the rotatable coil holder to contact the outside of the metal slab coil. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the nozzle carrier is pivotable connected to the rotatable coil holder. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the pivotable nozzle carrier is provided with a balance weight to urge the nozzle with a constant pressure against the outside of the metal slab coil. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein parallel to the air knife a subsidiary air blower is situated, which subsidiary air blower comprises at least one air blower fan, an air blower feed and an air blower nozzle with a wide of at least the width of the metal slab coil to be transformed. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air knife is provided with at least one inlet for the extraction of air. 
     
     
         11 . A method for transforming a metal slab from coil configuration into sheet configuration, comprising the method steps:
 A) placing a metal slab coil on a rotatable coil holder,   B) rotating the metal slab coil and unwinding the coil;   C) feeding the unwound metal slab through at least one at align unit; and   D) separating individual metal slab sheets;   wherein an air knife is directs an air flow onto the width of the metal slab before the unwound metal slab is fed through an align unit.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the method also comprises the method step E) stacking the individualised metal slab sheets on at least one stack. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the air flow directed onto the width of the metal slab is heated. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a nozzle directing the air knife onto the metal slab is moved relative to the rotatable coil holder to maintain a substantial constant distance between the nozzle and the metal slab before feeding it through an align unit. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the air knife is directed onto the metal slab with a pulsating variable air speed.