Abstract: An automated trimming system is provided that includes a vision system that identifies the number of rings positioned within a coil and sheared positions where the rings need to be cut. One or more trimming mechanisms receive the sheared positions and proceed to cut the rings at the sheared positions. A hook arrangement interfaces with the coil for transferring the coil to a trimming area, once the coil is positioned in the trimming area the ends of the coil are separated to expose the rings positioned within using a plurality of screw rolls or the one or more trimming mechanisms.

Abstract: An automated trimming system is provided that includes a vision system identifying the number of rings positioned within a coil and sheared positions where the rings need to be cut. One or more trimming mechanisms receive the sheared positions and proceed to cut the rings at the sheared positions. A hook arrangement interfaces with the coil for transferring the coil to a trimming area. Moreover, an automated trimming system is provided that includes a coil having a plurality of rings. One or more trimming mechanisms select a number of rings from the coil and proceed to form a sample of desired length, by cutting a portion of the rings. A receiver unit receives the sample from the one or more trimming mechanisms to evaluate the quality of the sample.

Abstract: A system for isolating each end of a cylindrical coil wall from a tensioned binding medium employed to retain the coil wall in an axially compacted state. The system includes a magazine for containing a supply of pliable inserts. A feeding mechanism advances inserts from the magazine and along a guide for successive delivery to a clamp. The clamp is operative to releasably hold an insert received from the guide. The clamp is shiftable to position the insert in a gap between the end of the coil wall and a path along which a binding medium is directed prior to being tensioned. When the binding medium is tensioned, the insert is pulled from the clamp into a protective position tightly sandwiched between the tensioned binding medium and the coil end.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided includes a target material and a plenum or header structure. A plurality of nozzle structures is coupled to the plenum or header structure that provides a uniform flow stream from each nozzle structure. The nozzle structure are angled away from the center of the target material as well as being angled in the direction of travel of the target material so as to improve cooling uniformity by providing independent fluid paths from each of the nozzle structures to the edge of the target material reducing the interaction of fluid streams from adjacent nozzle structures.

Abstract: A rolling mill for producing rolling mill product is provided. The rolling mill includes a rolling mill line that moves the rolling mill product. A plurality of rolling mill stands are coupled to the rolling mill line that receives the rolling mill product and rolls the rolling mill product. A plurality of speed measuring devices that are positioned in close proximity to each rolling mill stand, where each speed measuring device measures the speed of the rolling mill product as it passes the speed measuring devices. A control device receives information associated with the speed measuring devices and adjusts the speed of the rolling mill product for any speed differential that might exist between any of the rolling mill stands.

Abstract: A laying head for forming an axially moving hot rolled product into a helical series of rings includes a quill rotatable about an axis, with a tubular body journaled for rotation between axially spaced bearings, and a nose projecting axially and forwardly from its tubular body. A product guide is carried by the quill. The product guide is configured to form the product into a helical series of rings. A guide trough provides a helical extension of the product guide. Major portions of the product guide and the guide trough are carried on a continuous helical support on the nose of the quill. The guide trough is channel shaped, with a continuous bottom defining the rim of the helical support, and with segmented detachable side walls.

Abstract: A combined unit comprises an actuator and a plurality of support members coupled together in series connected to the actuator.

Abstract: A system for cooling rolling mill material is provided that includes a conveyor system that receives rolling mill material and passes the rolling mill material through one or more cooling regions. A cooling structure that operates uniformly across the central and edge regions of the conveyor system. The cooling structure uses a first jet of air for cooling the central portion of the rolling mill material. A nozzle deck is positioned on the edge regions of the conveyor system produces a second of jet of air for cooling the edge portions of the rolling mill. The nozzle deck includes one or more adjustable nozzle structures for controlling the air flow produced by the second jet of air by varying the size of their air passage regions.

Abstract: A combined iris and shear unit for a coil forming device is provided that includes an actuator and a plurality of support members coupled together in series to support formation of a coil and connected to the actuator. Each support member further comprises a retractable shear blade. The actuator adapted to cause movement of the support members between an open position with the blades of the combined iris and shear unit being retracted away from the reform tub wall, so that coil forming takes place within the reform tub without interference. A support position with the blades extends into the reform tub and providing support for the coil; or a shear position for cutting the coil before it is extracted.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a circular bearing port in the yoke of a universal joint comprises a plurality of separate cover segments configured and dimensioned for insertion into the port in positions coacting with each other to close the port. Each of the cover segments has an outer edge seated in a locking groove circumscribing an interior surface of the port. The cover segments are interconnected to form an integral circular cover, and the cover is rotationally fixed with respect to the yoke.

Abstract: A rolling mill coil handling system includes a downender for rotating a coil between a vertical position supported on a pallet, and a horizontal position suspended from a hollow stem projecting from the pallet. A hook carrier system includes a C-shaped hook with a horizontally projecting arm. The hook is manipulated by carrier system components to axially insert its arm into the stem, then to raise the arm through a slot in the stem and into contact with the coil, thereby raising the coil to a level at which it is no longer in contact with the stem, and then to axially withdraw the coil from the stem.

Abstract: An oil film bearing for rotatably supporting a roll in a rolling mill is provide that includes a sleeve having an internal bore and an external spherical surface, the internal bore being configured and dimensioned for axial insertion onto a neck of the roll. A bushing includes an internal spherical surface configured and dimensioned to surround and rotatably contain the external spherical surface of the sleeve, the bushing being subdivided into multiple interconnected segments. A chock for containing and radially supporting the interconnected bushing segments.

Abstract: A trim shear is adapted to trim the front and tail ends of a hot rolled product exiting from a rolling mill along a mill pass line and travelling at either high or low speeds, depending on the size of the product being rolled. The trim shear comprises a trim station having a high speed a set of trim knives configured and arranged to trim the front and tail ends of high speed products, and a different low speed set of trim knives disposed laterally from the high speed set of trim knives and configured and arranged to trim the front and tail ends of low speed products; and the trim station is transversely shifted with respect to the mill pass line to alternatively locate either one or the other of the sets of trim knives in an active position on the mill pass line.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a continuous speed in a long rolling mill is provided that includes a plurality of guide rollers that feed a billet product from a caster to an entry roll stand along a mill pass line to an exit roll stand. Also, the system includes a plurality of gauges positioned at a plurality of locations along the mill pass line, the gauges perform speed measurement of the billet product passing along the guide rollers. Furthermore, the system includes a logic controller that receives the speed measurement and maintains a speed relationship where the speed between the caster and the entry roll stand is constant as well as the exit speed of the end roll stand is also constant.

Abstract: A rolling mill coil handling system includes a downender for rotating a coil between a vertical position supported on a pallet, and a horizontal position suspended from a hollow stem projecting from the pallet. A hook carrier system includes a C-shaped hook with a horizontally projecting arm. The hook is manipulated by carrier system components to axially insert its arm into the stem, then to raise the arm through a slot in the stem and into contact with the coil, thereby raising the coil to a level at which it is no longer in contact with the stem, and then to axially withdraw the coil from the stem.

Abstract: A guide is adapted to be positioned for encirclement by a helical formation of rod rings free falling from the delivery end of a conveyor. The guide comprises a vertically projecting mandrel terminating at its upper end in a nose cone. The nose cone has a horizontal profile defined in part by at least one element having an outer edge separated by a variable radial distance from a central axis of the mandrel.

Abstract: A cooling device comprises a manifold housing having a generally concave inner edge configured and dimensioned to surround a surface area of a work roll in a rolling mill. The manifold housing is of a modular design having multiple constituent sections that are internally configured to simultaneously apply both a liquid coolant and a pressurized gas to the surface area of the work roll.

Abstract: A modular rolling mill includes a plurality of rolling units arranged along a mill pass line, each rolling unit being independently driven by a dedicated motor and drive train; and clutches for selectively coupling and de-coupling the drive trains of successive pairs of rolling units.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for receiving a helical formation of rings free falling from the delivery end of a conveyor, and for gathering the rings into a coil. The apparatus comprises a vertically disposed mandrel having an upper end positioned for encirclement by the free falling rings. A vertically disposed support column is positioned adjacent to the mandrel. Upper and lower coil plate assemblies are carried by and vertically adjustable on the support column. A drive system vertically adjusts the coil plate assemblies in a descending manner in which the free falling rings encircling the mandrel are initially accumulated on the upper coil plate assembly before being transferred onto the lower coil plate assembly.

Abstract: Sample extraction or trimming from an end strip of an elongated formed metal that is coiled in layers within a tensioned metal coil resting on driven rollers. A cut channel is formed across the material width. In some embodiments the cut channel is formed between the rollers and by cutting at an angle relative to the coil outer surface. Coil weight and/or a coil tensioner mechanism inhibits coil relaxation along the cut channel by maintaining tension on wrapped layers against each other when the coil is unbanded for sample extraction. The coil is rotated so that the cut channel clears the rollers laterally. Material downstream the cut is then separated from the coil. After trimming and/or sample extraction the coil maintains rolled tautness for ease of rebanding.