Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for separating and recovering short bars from full length bars in a rolling mill. The bars are initially conveyed on a run-out roller table from a shear to a transfer station where they are accumulated in a layer. The layer is transferred laterally from the transfer station onto a separation roller table at a separation station. An elevator lifts the tail ends of the full length bars off of the separation roller table, and the separation roller table then conveys the short bars to a recovery station. The remaining full length bars are then returned to the transfer station, from where they are sent on to a bundling station.

Abstract: A product handling system comprises a support structure defining a pair of stationary inverted first channels with downwardly facing open sides. At least one cylindrical drum is interposed between each of the first channels and an underlying receiver. The drums are rotatable about their axes, with their surfaces arranged to close the open sides of the respective first channels. The drum surfaces are interrupted by second channels, with the first and second channels and the drum axes being arranged in a parallel relationship. Successive product lengths are alternately delivered longitudinally into one and then the other of the first channels.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for subdividing and decelerating a hot rolled long product advancing along a delivery path from a rolling mill to a cooling bed. The method comprises: (a) arranging a shear and a decelerator in succession along the delivery path, with the decelerator comprising a set of driven pinch rolls preceded by a plurality of deflector rolls; (b) contacting a lead segment of the product with the pinch rolls operating at an initial speed at least equal to that of the advancing product; (c) actuating the shear to separate the lead segment from the remainder of the product; and (d) decelerating the lead segment by: (i) reducing the speed of the pinch rolls; and (ii) actuating the deflector rolls to deflect the product segment from the delivery path into a sinuous path.

Abstract: A modular rolling mill comprises a plurality of separate rolling units arranged along a mill pass line. Each rolling unit includes at least two pairs of work rolls defining oval and round roll passes and carried on roll shafts that are staggered 90° with respect to each other. The rolling units contain intermediate drive trains configured to connect the roll shafts to parallel input shafts projecting to a first side of the pass line from the respective rolling units. A single driven line shaft is parallel to and on the first side of the pass line. Output shafts are mechanically coupled to the line shaft by bevel gear sets. The output shafts project laterally from the line shaft towards the pass line and are connected by separable couplings to the input shafts of the rolling units.

Abstract: A billet is initially rolled into a process section having at least first and second segments joined by an intermediate web, with the cross-sectional area of the second segment being larger than that of the first segment. The intermediate web is slit to separate the first and second segments, and the thus separated segments are simultaneously rolled into finished products having different cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: In a system for subdividing hot rolled product lengths being delivered from a rolling mill along a first path, a first switch acts in concert with a first shear to subdivide each product length traveling along the first path into successive segments including a front end segment, a plurality of intermediate segments, and a tail end segment, and to alternately deliver the successive segments to one or the other of two adjacent downstream second paths leading to a cooling bed. Second switches on the second paths are selectively adjustable between first positions allowing the intermediate segments to continue along the second paths, and second positions diverting the front and tail end segments from the second paths to third paths. A second shear chops the front and tail end segments moving along the third paths into scrap pieces.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for continuously rolling a product exiting from an upstream roll stand at a delivery velocity V1 higher than the take in velocity V3 of a downstream roll stand. The excess product resulting from the velocity differential between V1 and V3 is temporarily accumulated between the roll stands.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is disclosed for rotatably supporting a quill in the housing of a rolling mill laying head. The bearing assembly includes first and second axially spaced roller bearing sets interposed between the quill and the housing. The bearing assembly also includes a force exerting unit for applying a radial preloading force to the first bearing set at a first location around the circumference thereof. The preloading force is opposed by a reactionary force acting on the second bearing set at a second location around the circumference thereof disposed 180° from the first location.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for receiving a hot rolled bar product from a rolling mill, and for delivering the bar product to a cooling bed. A shear subdivides the bar product into bar segments and alternately directs the bar segments to one or the other of two downstream intermediate paths for continued travel thereon. A switch on each of said intermediate paths alternately directs bar segments traveling thereon to one or the other of two respective downstream delivery paths for continued travel thereon to the cooling bed. Decelerators slow the bar segments traveling along the delivery paths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for decelerating and temporarily accumulating a hot rolled product moving longitudinally along a receiving axis at a first velocity V1. The product is directed through a curved guide having an entry end aligned with the receiving axis to receive the product, and an exit end spaced radially from the receiving axis and oriented to deliver the product in an exit direction transverse to the receiving axis. The curved guide is rotated about the receiving axis in a direction opposite to the exit direction of the product and at a speed at which the guide exit end has a velocity V2, thereby decelerating the product being delivered from the guide exit end to a reduced velocity V3 equal to V1?V2. The curvature of the guide and the orientation of its exit end is such as to form the delivered product into a helix deposited and temporarily accumulated on a cylindrical drum.

Abstract: In a laying head for forming a longitudinally moving hot rolled product into a helix, a tubular quill has a central axis of rotation and a through passageway extending along the central axis from a first end to an opposite second end of the quill. The interior quill surface has a cylindrical section leading from the first end of the passageway to a radially outwardly flared section which in turn leads to the second end of the passageway. A laying pipe is received in the through passageway. The laying pipe has an entry end aligned with the central axis at the first end of the passageway, a curved intermediate portion surrounded by the flared section of the interior quill surface, and an end portion projecting axially from the second end of the passageway to a delivery end spaced radially from the central axis.

Abstract: Discrete billets are rolled through a plurality of roll stands arranged along a rolling mill pass line to produce successive product lengths having reduced cross sections and front and tail ends. At a selected location along the pass line, the tail end of each product length is joined to the front end of the next successive product length to thereby permit uninterrupted continuous rolling through the remainder of the mill.

Abstract: A rolling mill roll stand comprises parallel roll shafts rotatably supported by axially spaced first and second bearings contained in parallel eccentric sleeves. The eccentric sleeves are rotatably supported in a housing and the roll shafts have cantilevered ends that project externally from one side of the housing and that are adapted to carry work rolls. Third oil film bearings are contained by the eccentric sleeves and are arranged to rotatably support the roll shafts at intermediate locations between and spaced axially from both the first and second bearings.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotatably mounting and axially fixing a gear on a shaft comprises a bushing fixed within a bore of the gear. A sleeve is received on and fixed relative to the shaft. The sleeve is surrounded by and journalled for rotation within the bushing. A thrust ring is fixed relative to and projects radially from the shaft on one side of the gear. A retainer on the one side of the gear defines a circular channel within which the annular thrust ring is axially confined.

Abstract: A pinch roll unit for either propelling or retarding a product moving along the pass line of a rolling mill comprises a pair of levers mounted for rotation about parallel first axes. Roll shafts are carried by the levers with each roll shaft being journalled for rotation about a second axis parallel to the first axis of its respective lever. Pinch rolls are carried by the roll shafts and are positioned to define a gap therebetween for receiving the product. An electrically powered first motor operates via a linkage to rotate the levers about the first axes and to move the pinch rolls between open positions spaced from the product, and closed positions contacting and gripping the product therebetween. An electrically powered second motor rotatably drives the pinch rolls.

Abstract: An inner seal ring is disclosed for use in an oil film bearing for a roll in a rolling mill. The roll has a neck with an intermediate section tapering from an end face to a reduced diameter end section contained within a sleeve. The sleeve is fixed in relation to the roll neck and is journalled for rotation in a bushing contained within a chock. A flexible neck seal is mounted on the intermediate section of the roll neck for rotation with the roll within a seal end plate fixed to the chock. The inner seal ring comprises a circular midsection with an annular face on one side and with inner and outer flanges projecting from an opposite side. The inner flange is configured to engage the neck seal, the outer flange is configured to coact in spaced relationship with the seal end plate to define a first labyrinth, and the annular face is contoured to coact in an abutting relationship with the roll end face in defining a second labyrinth.

Abstract: A seal end plate is configured and dimensioned to surround the neck of a horizontal roll in a rolling mill and comprises a circular body having a shoulder projecting axially from its outboard side. At least one well is provided on the shoulder, and a drainage passageway leads from the well to the outboard side of the body. The drainage passageway is located in a one angularly spaced from horizontal and vertical reference planes bisecting the seal end plate.

Abstract: A neck seal is disclosed for use in an oil film bearing assembly for a roll in a rolling mill, the roll having a neck with an intermediate tapered section leading to a reduced diameter end section contained within a sleeve, with the sleeve being fixed in relation to the roll neck and being journalled for rotation in a bushing fixed within a chock. The neck seal is adapted to be mounted on the tapered section of the roll neck for rotation therewith at a location surrounded by a seal end plate fixed to the chock. The neck seal comprises a flexible circular body having axially spaced radially outwardly projecting first and second flanges configured and dimensioned to sealingly contact the seal end plate. First and second axially spaced ridges projecting radially inwardly from the circular body for contact with the tapered section of the roll neck.

Abstract: A laying has a quill rotatable about an axis, and a pipe carried on the quill. The pipe has an entry end arranged to receive a product, and an intermediate portion defining a curved guide path leading from the entry and to a delivery end spaced radially from the quill axis and from which the product is discharged as a helical series of rings. A guide defines a helical extension of the guide path, and comprises a helical support plate projecting outwardly from the quill. A plurality of channel-shaped guide sections supported end to end on the support plate. The guide sections form a segmented radially outwardly facing helical trough surrounded by a cylindrical shroud that cooperates with the guide sections to definee radially and axially confined helical extension of the guide path.

Abstract: A flying shear has leader and follower blades rotating in opposite directions about parallel axes located above and below a horizontal plane. The radius of rotation of the leader blade is longer than the radius of rotation of the follower blade. The blades are configured and arranged to coact in a radially overlapping relationship at a cutting zone spaced vertically from the horizontal plane. A switch directs longitudinally moving products such as bars, rods and the like from the horizontal plane across the cutting zone for separation by the rotating blades into leading and trailing segments.