Abstract: A modular rolling mill has a mill pass line along which products roll. The rolling mill comprises first gear units arranged along a first line parallel to the mill pass line. Each first gear unit is driven individually by a motor and has a pair of mechanically interconnected first shafts. Second gear units are arranged along a second line between and parallel to the first line and the mill pass line. Each second gear unit has a pair of mechanically interconnected second shafts. Rolling units are arranged along the mill pass line, which are driven by an input shaft and has a pair of roll shafts carrying work rolls. First couplings connect the first shafts of each first gear unit to second shafts of two successive gear units, and second couplings releasably connect the second shafts of the second gear units to the input shafts of two successive rolling units.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling bars comprises an accumulator rotatable about a horizontal axis. The accumulator has a plurality of notches spaced angularly around its axis. A drive rotates the accumulator about its axis to sequentially locate the notches at a first station at which long bars are received in the notches and accumulated into batches; a second station at which the batches are tied into bundles; and a third station at which the bundles are delivered from the notches to a bundle collector.

Abstract: A modular rolling mill has a mill pass line along which products roll. The rolling mill comprises first gear units arranged along a first line parallel to the mill pass line. Each first gear unit is driven individually by a motor and has a pair of mechanically interconnected first shafts. Second gear units are arranged along a second line between and parallel to the first line and the mill pass line. Each second gear unit has a pair of mechanically interconnected second shafts. Rolling units are arranged along the mill pass line, which are driven by an input shaft and has a pair of roll shafts carrying work rolls. First couplings connect the first shafts of each first gear unit to second shafts of two successive gear units, and second couplings releasable connect the second shafts of the second gear units to the input shafts of two successive rolling units.

Abstract: A modular rolling mill has a mill pass line along which products are rolled in a rolling direction. The rolling mill comprises first gear units arranged along a first line parallel to the mill pass mill line. Each first gear unit is driven individually by a motor and has a pair of mechanically interconnected output shafts. Second gear units are arranged along a second line between and parallel to both the first line and the mill pass line. Each second gear unit has a pair of mechanically interconnected input shafts driving a pair of output shafts. Rolling units are arranged in succession along the mill pass line. Each rolling unit is driven by an input shaft and has a pair of mechanically interconnected roll shafts carrying work rolls. First couplings connect the output shafts of each first gear unit to input shafts of two successive gear units, and second couplings releasably connect the output shafts of the second gear units to the input shafts of two successive rolling units.

Abstract: A modular rolling mill has a mill pass line along which products are rolled in a rolling direction. The rolling mill comprises first gear units arranged along a first line parallel to the mill pass mill line. Each first gear unit is driven individually by a motor and has a pair of mechanically interconnected output shafts. Second gear units are arranged along a second line between and parallel to both the first line and the mill pass line. Each second gear unit has a pair of mechanically interconnected input shafts driving a pair of output shafts. Rolling units are arranged in succession along the mill pass line. Each rolling unit is driven by an input shaft and has a pair of mechanically interconnected roll shafts carrying work rolls. First couplings connect the output shafts of each first gear unit to input shafts of two successive gear units, and second couplings releasably connect the output shafts of the second gear units to the input shafts of two successive rolling units.

Abstract: Apparatus for bundling bars comprising an accumulator rotatable about a horizontal axis. The accumulator has a plurality of notches spaced angularly around its axis. A drive rotates the accumulator about its axis to sequentially locate the notches at: a) a first station at which long products are received in the notches and accumulated into batches; b) a second station at which the batches are tied into bundles; and c) a third station at which the bundles are delivered from the notches to a bundle collector.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing an inventory of rolls used in a rolling mill, the rolling mill having a plurality of rolling equipment each utilizing a predetermined combination of roll stands and roll guides. Each of the roll stands and roll guides utilizes at least one pair of rolls for respectively working and guiding an entry product of a predetermined size into an output product of a selected size. The method and system operates to compile and store data corresponding to individual rolls in the inventory. Operational parameters are defined for the rolling mill to produce the output product. The data corresponding to the individual rolls is iteratively correlated with the operational parameters to create an array of possible roll combinations for each roll stand or roll guide. Optimal family sets of rolls are determined from the array of possible roll combinations for the rolling mill in accordance with the operational parameters.