Abstract: An apparatus and method for unscrambling and separating a plurality of elongated elements randomly deposited in a pile at a receiving station, and for delivering the elements individually to a discharge station is disclosed wherein small batches of the elements are removed from the pile at the receiving station into the first of a plurality of element separating stations arranged successively between the receiving station and the discharge station. Thereafter, the elements in each batch are shifted from one separating station to the next. This shifting occurs alternately in a forward direction towards the discharge station, and then in a reverse direction back towards the receiving station, with selected properly aligned elements in the separating stations being rearwardly bypassed and forwardly shifted.

Abstract: A fluidized bed die container holding a lubricant compound receives material which is to be reduced in a die. Pressurized air entering the bed beneath the lubricant agitates the particles to fluidize them so that contact is continually assured between the lubricant and the material, and the pressurized air is used to help cool the die.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus has a first operational mode for bundling elongated elements having round cross-sectional profiles, and a second operational mode for stacking elongated elements having shaped flat-sided cross-sectional profiles.

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 pouring reel has a rotatable tube with a bottom and an upstanding cylindrical side wall open at the top. Pin members are arranged in a circular row concentrically within the side wall. The pin members are pivotally adjustable between vertical positions cooperating with the tub side wall to define an annular coil forming chamber, and inoperative positions inclined inwardly from the side wall. Pivotal adjustment of the pin members from their inoperative to their operative positions is achieved by inserting a carrier into the tub. The carrier has a base which extends across and forms the bottom of the coil forming chamber, and a central core which carries contact membrs arranged to urge the pin members into their operative positions.

Abstract: A process for rolling steel rod is provided whereby rolling rod at delivery speeds in excess of 15,000 fpm and cooling same after laying it in spread-out ring form on a conveyor is made feasible with less risk of cobbles and improved rod quality especially in the medium to high carbon content range by entering the rod after rolling into the laying head and thereafter cooling same non-uniformly through a grain size growing phase and a transformation phase with the non-uniformity of cooling rate during the transformation phase being kept in substantially inverse proportion to the differences in effective grain size established in the first phase.

Abstract: A high reduction method and apparatus for continuously hot rolling a product through a plurality of roll passes, wherein the distribution of horizontal forces in at least one roll pass other than the first is such that spontaneous entry is prevented by a maximum momentary opposing force which is greater than the available delivery force of the preceding roll pass. An additional force is exerted on the product in advance of the preceding roll pass. This additional force, when combined with the available delivery force of the preceding roll pass, is of sufficient magnitude to overcome the maximum momentary opposing force of the said one roll pass and thus achieve forced entry therein.

Abstract: A water guard for use in a rolling mill wherein the neck of a roll is rotatably supported in an oil film bearing contained in a bearing chock, with a seal assembly located between the roll end face and the bearing chock to retain oil in the bearing and to exclude contaminants such as cooling water, mill scale, etc. from the bearing. The seal assembly includes a circular seal end plate fixed relative to the bearing chock at a location surrounding a flexible seal mounted on the roll neck for rotation therewith. The water guard is circular and it has a radially extending mounting flange integrally joined at its inner edge to an angularly outwardly extending sealing flange. The mounting flange is adapted to be surrounded by and to be secured to the seal end plate, and to provide the sole means for supporting and maintaining the sealing flange in frictional contact with the roll end face.

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.

Abstract: A rolling mill laying pipe has a rigid external tube with an entry end for receiving a longitudinally moving mill product and an exit end through which the product is discharged. An intermediate portion of the tube between the entry and exit ends has a three-dimensionally curved configuration. A helical spring is axially received in and is radially confined by the tube. The spring is relatively tightly wound, with an inside diameter appropriately dimensioned to accommodate passage therethrough of the mill product. Retainer elements are provided at the tube ends for axially confining the spring within the tube. At least one of the retainer elements is detachable to permit removal and replacement of the spring.

Abstract: A apparatus for separating unacceptable elongated elements from a batch of such elements being dropped laterally and singly from a delivery mechanism into a receiver. The unacceptable elements are deflected away from their path of descent from the delivery mechanism to a laterally located discharge zone, from which the unacceptable elements are then removed longitudinally to a location remote from the receiver.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a roll neck in a rolling mill includes as an integral component a force exerting means consisting of a nut threaded on a ring. The ring is detachably mounted by means of a bayonet-type connection in a non-rotatable axially confined position on the roll neck. The nut is engageable with other bearing components and is rotatable relative to the ring to axially force the bearing assembly into and out of its operative position on the roll neck.

Abstract: A coil forming apparatus has a pair of mutually perpendicular elongated mandrels mounted on a hub. Rotation of the hub about an axis perpendicular to the mandrel axes results in the mandrels being moved between a collecting station at which they protrude vertically from the hub to receive product rings from an overlying delivery device, and a discharge station at one side of the hub at which they protrude horizontally to accommodate axial removal of the coils. The mandrels are axially adjustable relative to the hub, and each mandrel has oppositely disposed ends adapted to receive rings from the delivery device. A retracting device is employed to withdraw each mandrel across the rotational axis of the hub from the discharge station to an intermediate station on the opposite side of the hub.

Abstract: A laying head is disclosed for forming the longitudinally moving hot rolled product of a rolling mill into a helix. The laying head includes a housing carrying a cone assembly for rotation about an axis. The cone assembly has a support member with a three dimensional configuration curving around said axis. A plurality of clamp members are fixed to the support member at spaced locations along the length thereof. A plurality of discrete tubular guides are removably retained by the clamp members at operative positions collectively defining a guide path which is parallel to the curvature of the support member. Means are provided for receiving the product along said axis and for delivering the product into the first of the guides. Means are also provided for rotating the cone assembly, whereupon passage of the product along the guide path will result in the product exiting from the laying head in the form of a helix.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hot rolling and treating rod first by depositing the rod in spread-out ring form on a moving conveyor, then gathering it into a relatively loose somewhat offset bundle and thereafter subjecting it to batch treatments among which are conventional annealing, and/or coating and baking as well as new forms of annealing not heretofor practiced.

Abstract: A heavy duty axial adjustment mechanism for a rolling mill roll neck which is rotatably supported in a radial bearing contained in a chock. A rolling element thrust bearing has its inner race fixed axially in relation to the roll neck. The outer thrust bearing race is axially confined between separable retainer components which are interconnected by fasteners. The retainer components each have external adjusting threads in engagement with internal adjusting threads on the chock. Rotation of the interconnected retainer components imparts axial adjustments to the roll neck relative to the chock without subjecting the fasteners to damaging thrust forces.

Abstract: A multi-line rolling system having a plurality of rolling positions aligned in the direction of rolling. Each rolling position includes a housing or housing structures supporting at least two sets of work rolls which may be selectively coupled to a common power source, thereby permitting the rolling line formed by one roll set to be rendered inoperative while the rolling line of the other roll set continues to roll product received from a feed line. The system further includes an appropriate switching mechanism for directing product from the feed line to either rolling line.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming elongated elements such as round bars, pipes and the like into a hexagonal bundle. Tiers containing appropriate numbers of elongated elements are deposited one upon the other in an assembly zone. The assembly zone is defined by a plurality of support surfaces, one of which is stationary, and the remainder of which are adjustable in relation to the stationary support surface in order to gradually impart a hexagonal cross section to the elements accumulating in the assembly zone. The completed assemblage of elements is then externally tied into a bundle in order to substantially retain the aforesaid hexagonal cross section after the bundle is removed from the assembly zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rolling and cooling medium to high carbon steel rod is provided wherein the rod is rolled at high speed and laid in rings directly onto a conveyor at high temperature. Thereafter high velocity hot water is sprayed onto the rings to cool them to a temperature near to but above A.sub.3. Transformation is then started while applying air to the rod, and while substantial parts of the rod are transforming, further accelerated cooling is again applied to the rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for laterally arranging bars, particularly ferrous bars, moving longitudinally along a roller conveyor in a rolling mill. The bars are initially confined laterally into a compact group centrally located between the conveyor sides. The compact group is then subdivided into a plurality of laterally spaced bar packs which are then run over one or more magnetic separating rollers to achieve a desired lateral separation between each bar.