Abstract: A system is disclosed for applying a liquid lubricant to first and second components enclosed in a housing, with the lubricant applied to the second components being exposed to contamination by a liquid coolant applied to the exterior of the housing, and with the lubricant applied to the first components being substantially isolated from the liquid coolant. The system includes a partition internally subdividing the housing into a first chamber containing the first components and a second chamber containing the second components. Lubricant is delivered from a storage tank to the housing for application to the first and second components. A first conduit network communicates with the first chamber for returning the lubricant applied to the first components to the storage tank, and a second conduit network communicates with the second chamber for returning lubricant applied to the second components to the storage tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for receiving a helical formation of rings free falling from the delivery end of a conveyor and for gathering the rings into an upstanding cylindrical coil, The free falling rings encircle a vertically disposed guide and are supported initially on elevated intercepting elements. The interceptor elements are gradually lowered past a coil plate onto which the accumulated rings are transferred. The coil plate is then lowered to accommodate continued formation of the coil, and the intercepting elements are returned to their elevated position.

Abstract: In a modular rolling mill gear units are installed between selected rolling units in place of other rolling units which haven removed from the mill pass line to thereby provide a gap in the rolling sequence. Each gear unit is coupled to the drive units previously coupled to the respective removed rolling unit, and is configured to provide a continuation of the mill drive train end to accommodate operation of the next subsequent rolling unit at the speed of the respective removed rolling unit. The gear units carry water boxes or other equivalent cooling devices which serve to lower the temperature of the product between successive roll passes.

Abstract: In a rolling mill where hot rolled steel rod is directed along a delivery path to a laying head which forms the rod into a continuous series of rings, and the rings are deposited in an overlapping pattern on a conveyor for transport along a continuation of the delivery path to a reforming station, the improvement comprising mounting the laying head on an underlying support structure in a manner accommodating a horizontal shifting of the direction of deposit of rings on the conveyor. Clamps releaseably secure the laying head on the support structure at any selected position of adjustment.

Abstract: A housingless roll stand has a pair of work roils supported between bearing chocks for rotation about parallel axes. The bearing chocks are mechanically engaged by nuts which in turn are threadedly engaged by opposite hand screw segments on spindles. The spindles serve both to effect symmetrical roll parting adjustments, and to provide a short stress path loop for absorbing roll separating forces during rolling. The nuts and associated adjusting spindles are separable from the bearing chocks, thus enabling them to remain as permanent on line fixtures when making roll changes.

Abstract: A turndown apparatus has first and second guide rollers arranged respectively along the inside and outside of a curved path along which bendable products such as bars, rods and the like move at high speeds. The guide rollers coact in pairs to define gaps spaced along the curved path, and a mechanism is provided for symmetrically adjusting the gaps defined between the guide rollers in order to accommodate different product sizes.

Abstract: A billet is rolled in a rolling mill into a first process section in a succession of roll stands arranged along a first pass line. The first process section is either delivered as a finished product to a cooling bed or alternatively slit into second and third process sections which are subjected respectively to additional rolling in finishing blocks arranged on second and third pass lines parallel to the first pass line. At least one of the finishing blocks is shiftable onto the first pass line in order to subject the first process section to additional rolling prior to delivering it to the cooling bed.

Abstract: In a rolling mill, a reforming chamber is positioned to receive rings of hot rolled steel rod descending along a vertical path from the delivery end of a conveyor onto a support on an underlying carrier. The carrier has an upstanding stem around which the rings accumulate to form a cylindrical coil. First, interceptor elements operate above the carrier to interrupt the descent of rings, and second interceptor elements supported on the carrier beneath the first interceptor elements operate to subdivide the coil being formed around the stem into upper and lower segments, with a gap therebetween occupied by the second intercepting elements.