Abstract: Disclosed is an annular roll for use in combination with a roll shaft having a tapered portion and an end portion, the roll surrounding the tapered shaft portion and having circumferentially spaced keys in an outer face thereof, an abutment engageable with an inner face of the roll to axially locate the roll on the roll shaft, a tapered sleeve axially received in a tightly wedged position betrween the roll and the tapered portion of the roll shaft, an axially shiftable drive ring connected to the sleeve and spline to the shaft for rotation therewith, the drive ring having lugs rotatably interengaged with the keys on the outer face of the roll, a first retainer engageable with the outer face of the roll to axially urge the roll against the abutment, and a second retainer engageable with and acting through the drive ring to prevent axial removal of the sleeve from between the roll and the tapered portion of the roll shaft, a tool for axially shifting the tapered sleeve into and out of its wedged position betwee

Abstract: A rolling mill roll assembly includes a roll shaft having a tapered portion located adjacent to an end portion. An annular tungsten carbide work roll is received on the tapered shaft portion. The work roll has circumferentially spaced keys integrally formed on its outer face. A tapered sleeve is axially wedged between the work roll and the tapered shaft portion. A drive ring is connected to the sleeve. The drive ring is splined to the shaft end portion and is provided with lug members which are axially received between and which are rotatably engaged with the keys on the outer roll face. Driving torque is thus transmitted from the shaft to the roll via the driving ring, with the roll being concentrically located with respect to the shaft axis by the tapered sleeve.

Abstract: In a rolling mill wherein hot rolled rod is directed along a downwardly curved path into a vertical laying head which forms the rod into a series of rings, a method of and apparatus for propelling the rod through the laying head. The rod is passed between a pair of adjustable driven pinch rolls located in advance of the downwardly curved path. An initial closing force is exerted on the pinch rolls to establish an initial parting prior to entry of a rod front end therebetween. The initial parting is sized to produce at least some rod deformation while providing a driving relationship between the pinch rolls and the rod. The initial closing force is greater than the momentary surge in separating force accompanying impact of a rod front end with the pinch rolls. The initial parting is maintained until the rod front end has negotiated the downwardly curved path and has passed through the laying head, at which time the initial closing force is released.

Abstract: A compact rolling mill has a housing structure divided into a plurality of rolling bays by rigidly interconnected posts extending transversally across the rolling line. Each rolling bay has a window facing a common side of the mill. The rolling bays are adapted to contain roll packages, with each such package including a pair of work rolls straddle mounted between bearings arranged in bearing chocks. The roll packages are movable, either singly or as a group, in a common lateral direction through the windows, between operative rolling positions supported by the housing posts within the rolling bays, and extracted inoperative positions on the aforesaid common side of the mill.