Abstract: A laying head assembly for the formation of coils is disclosed and can include a laying head configured to rotate about an axis, a pathway defining an enclosed conduit configured to contain an elongated material, the pathway extending in a helical path around the laying head, and at least one support structure coupling the pathway to the laying head, wherein at least one of the one or more couplings have an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A laying head assembly for the formation of coils is disclosed and can include a laying head configured to rotate about an axis, a pathway defining an enclosed conduit configured to contain an elongated material, the pathway extending in a helical path around the laying head, and at least one support structure coupling the pathway to the laying head, wherein at least one of the one or more couplings have an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A laying head assembly for the formation of coils is disclosed and can include a laying head configured to rotate about an axis, a pathway defining an enclosed conduit configured to contain an elongated material, the pathway extending in a helical path around the laying head, and at least one support structure coupling the pathway to the laying head, wherein at least one of the one or more couplings have an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A coil-forming laying head system including a laying pathway structure defining an elongated hollow pathway adapted to transport elongated materials therein, the laying pathway structure having a flexibility of at least about 50 mm at 23° C.

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: A coil-forming laying head system including a laying pathway structure defining an elongated hollow pathway adapted to transport elongated materials therein, the laying pathway structure having a flexibility of at least about 50 mm at 23° C.

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: 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: A laying head tripper has a ramp with a lip detachably secured to its forward edge. The ramp and/or the lip are contoured to match the curvature of the rings being formed by the laying head.

Abstract: A turn down apparatus is disclosed for guiding a hot rolled product moving along a downwardly curved path. The apparatus comprises a stationary support structure having an open bottomed channel following the contour of the curved path. The channel has a top surface overlying the path, sides extending downwardly from the top surface, and ledges projecting inwardly from the sides. Wear resistant inserts are affixed in place in the channel. The inserts are arranged to line the top surface of the channel, with sides of the inserts overlapping the inwardly projecting ledges, and with the lengths of the inserts defining chords of the curved path.

Abstract: A laying pipe for use in the laying head of a rolling mill is configured for rotation about an axis, with an entry end aligned on that axis to receive a hot rolled product, and with a curved section leading to a delivery end spaced radially from that axis. The curved section defines a guide path configured to form the hot rolled product into a helical formation of rings. The laying pipe comprises a tubular ferrous wall having an interior surface comprising a wear resistant boronized layer against which the hot rolled product is confined for movement along the guide path. A method of enhancing the wear resistance of the laying pipe comprises forming a wear resistant boronized layer on at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of said pipe.

Abstract: A laying head tripper has a ramp with a lip detachably secured to its forward edge. The ramp and/or the lip are contoured to match the curvature of the rings being formed by the laying head.

Abstract: A rolling mill coil-forming apparatus includes a rotating quill that discharges elongated material into an elongated path hollow structure, such as a laying head pipe. The elongated structure is constructed of combinations of ferrous and non-ferrous dissimilar materials. Generally, non-ferrous materials are used in zones that are subject to relatively higher wear. A portion of the elongated path structure can be formed from nested, enveloping layers and/or by joining segments in axial abutting relationship. Components formed from nested layers can be constructed in many three dimensional compound curve shapes that can replicate the smooth, continuous curve elongated material transport path laying head pipes, with localized symmetrical or asymmetrical cross sections.

Abstract: A rolling mill coil-forming apparatus includes a rotating quill that supports an elongated path hollow structure, such as a laying head pipe, for receiving elongated material after it has been rolled. A portion or the entire elongated structure is formed from modular, selectively replaceable components. The fabricated modular structures facilitate formation of zones within the component, such as including by way of example wear-resistant zones, material transport guide structures and friction reducing zones.

Abstract: A rolling mill coil-forming apparatus includes a rotating quill that supports an elongated path hollow structure, such as a laying head pipe, for receiving elongated material after it has been rolled. The elongated structure is constructed of combinations of ferrous and non-ferrous dissimilar materials. Elongated path hollow structures are formed from adjoining, abutting segments, and can be constructed in any three dimensional compound curve shape that can replicate the smooth, continuous curve elongated material transport path of known laying pipes, or any other desired path. A pathway structure segment or plurality of segments may be constructed of a homogeneous material, or alternatively, different materials may be spliced or otherwise joined to form the composite, complete elongated path hollow structure. The adjoining segment portions may be nested within or circumscribe another pathway structure layer.

Abstract: A rolling mill coil-forming apparatus includes a rotating quill that supports an elongated path hollow structure, such as a laying head pipe, for receiving elongated material after it has been rolled. A portion of the elongated structure or the entire structure is formed from nested, enveloping layers by inserting layers of pipe or other elongated hollow structure into each other. Elongated path hollow structures formed from nested layers can be constructed in any three dimensional compound curve shape that can replicate the smooth, continuous curve elongated material transport path of known laying pipes, or any other desired path.

Abstract: A rolling mill coil-forming apparatus includes a rotating quill that supports an elongated path hollow structure, such as a laying head pipe, for receiving elongated material after it has been rolled. Any portion of the elongated path/pipe structure, including the entire structure is formed by a laser sintering (LS) process. Coil-forming apparatus elongated path/pipe components formed by a laser sintering process can be constructed in any three dimensional compound curve shape that can replicate the smooth, continuous curve elongated material transport path of known laying pipes, or any other desired path. Laser sintering path component fabrication processes facilitate construction of asymmetrical structures that cannot be readily fabricated with bent symmetrical wall pipe, tubing or other conduits.

Abstract: A laying pipe configured for rotation about its axis in a rolling mill laying head, comprises a ferrous outer tube having an entry section aligned with its axis, an intermediate section curving away from its axis, and a delivery section having a constant radius measured from its axis. A ferrous inner tube has entry, intermediate and delivery sections respectively lining the entry, intermediate and delivery sections of the outer tube. The inner tube is constrained against movement relative to the outer tube solely by frictional contact with the outer tube. The inner tube is movable incrementally within the outer tube in one direction in response to heating and cooling cycles during rotation of the laying pipe about its axis.

Abstract: A laying pipe configured for rotation about its axis in a rolling mill laying head, comprises a metal outer tube having an entry section aligned with its axis, an intermediate section curving away from its axis, and a delivery section having a constant radius measured from its axis. A metal inner tube has entry, intermediate and delivery sections respectively lining the entry, intermediate and delivery sections of the outer tube. The inner tube is constrained against movement relative to the outer tube solely by frictional contact with the outer tube. The inner tube is movable incrementally within the outer tube in one direction in response to heating and cooling cycles during rotation of the laying pipe about its axis.

Abstract: A laying pipe for use in the laying head of a rolling mill is configured for rotation about an axis, with an entry end aligned on that axis to receive a hot rolled product, and with a curved section leading to a delivery end spaced radially from that axis. The curved section defines a guide path configured to form the hot rolled product into a helical formation of rings. The laying pipe comprises a tubular ferrous wall having an interior surface comprising a wear resistant boronized layer against which the hot rolled product is confined for movement along the guide path.