MODULAR STAND BASE FOR SPACED STANDS OF A ROLLING MIL

Abstract

The present application relates to a stand base (10) for two or more stands (14) of a rolling mill arranged one behind the other in a rolling direction (W) of a material to be rolled, the stand base (10) comprising two or more receiving modules (12) arranged one behind the other, which are fastened to a common lower base frame (32) and a common upper cover frame (34).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stand base for two or more stands of a rolling mill that are arranged one behind the other in a rolling direction of a material to be rolled.

BACKGROUND

Rolling mills from the above technical field have been known in principle for many decades. Round products are often produced by such rolling mills, which products pass through a plurality of stands in succession, in order to gradually be adjusted to a desired shape and size of a semi-finished product or a finished product, proceeding from a starting product.

In this case, it was conventional hitherto to design a rolling mill for a predetermined number of stands arranged one behind the other. Four stands per rolling mill are typical, the stands always being designed in pairs in such a way that the rollers of a stand contact the material to be rolled at a point not contacted in a previous stand. In this case, in the case of three-roller stands reference is made to a Y-arrangement and an anti-Y-arrangement, which always alternate with one another.

A rolling mill can receive all the stands together. A rolling mill for rolling rod-shaped or tubular products, comprising two or more stands which are arranged one behind the other in the rolling direction of a material to be rolled, is known from DE 10 2016 217 202 B4. It comprises at least one measuring device, which is arranged in front of the stands, between the stands, or behind the stands, in the rolling direction, in order to control or regulate a rolling speed in at least one of the stands on this basis.

A disadvantage of the rolling mills known from the prior art is that they can only receive the entirety of all the stands together, and thus cannot be flexibly adjusted to different requirements.

A disadvantage of the method of determining the forces acting between the stands and the forces acting on the rolling mill from the outside, for example due to a roughing or intermediate mill, is the influence of the common stand clamping on the measuring signals, which are falsified thereby.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, an object of the present invention is that of developing a rolling mill from the prior art in such a way that it can be adjusted more flexibly to different requirements with respect to the number and arrangement of the stands received in the rolling mill.

This object is achieved by a stand base according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

A stand base for two or more stands of a rolling mill, arranged one behind the other in a rolling direction of a material to be rolled, the stands each comprising more than four side surfaces which together form a periphery of the stands viewed from the rolling direction, comprises two or more receiving modules that are mounted individually in a base, each of which receiving modules is designed to receive one of the stands through a lateral opening in such a way that it covers four of the side surfaces and more than half of the periphery of the stand. The stand base comprises a protective flap on the side of the lateral opening, between all the receiving modules arranged adjacently one behind the other, in order to protect an intermediate space between the adjacent receiving modules from rods escaping from the intermediate space or from escaping water, and to protect against people reaching into the intermediate space.

The stand base is thus designed in a modular manner, in that it comprises a plurality of receiving modules which can in each case receive a single stand. In this case, a receiving module of the stand base is to be distinguished from an individual stand base outside of a rolling mill combination. In connection with the present invention, a receiving module is a part of the stand base of a rolling mill.

The receiving modules make it possible to receive individual stands in individual receiving modules, and to thus use the rolling mill in a flexible manner. Furthermore, the rolling mill can be produced and designed in a more cost-effective manner due to the modular design which is made possible by the receiving modules.

The property of the opening being a lateral opening relates to the rolling direction. Viewed along the rolling direction, the receiving modules are thus positioned one behind the other and can in each case receive the stands from a direction transverse to said rolling direction. In this case, the stands are all received from the same side of the receiving modules, for example when they are exchanged in order to be serviced or in order to be replaced by stands having different calibration sizes.

In order to be able to laterally introduce stands into the receiving modules, the receiving modules at least sometimes comprise an opening on the side. The stand base is also accessible from this side, in order to exchange the stands. This also means that people can approach as far as the stands, on this side of the stand base.

The receiving modules are designed for receiving stands having more than four side surfaces in each case. The stands preferably each comprise six side surfaces, and their outside shape forms a regular hexagon, viewed in the rolling direction. Alternatively, the receiving modules can also be designed for receiving stands having four side surfaces in each case. For securely receiving the stands, the receiving modules have a shape which is adapted to the shape of the stands. This means that the shape of the receiving modules is mostly a negative form of the outside shape of the part of the stands which is received by the receiving modules. The fact that each of the receiving modules is designed to cover four of the preferably six side surfaces of the stand means in particular that the receiving modules comprise surfaces which some of the side surfaces of the stand adjoin in part or which some of the side surfaces surround, such that the stand is mounted securely and firmly in the receiving module. For this purpose, further structural measures can also be taken, in particular clamping blocks, strips or anchors. For stands having four side surfaces, the receiving module can be designed to cover three of the side surfaces of the stand.

In the case of a modular design of the stand base having a plurality of receiving modules, it is necessary to ensure that the intermediate space between the receiving modules is secured. This is because, in operation of the rolling mill, large masses of material to be rolled, usually a steel, is guided through the rolling mill at high speeds and high temperatures. Thus, during rolling, what is known as a jam may occur, in which the material to be rolled is not correctly received by a stand and backs up in front of the stand. Material to be rolled may quickly escape from the rolling mill in an uncontrolled manner, if said rolling mill is not secured, which is of course not acceptable, for example with respect to occupational safety. Furthermore, a large amount of cooling water escapes between the stands of a rolling mill into the surroundings, which should also be shielded.

The protective flap or a plurality of protective flaps is used for this purpose, which flap(s) is/are arranged on the side of the lateral openings of at least two of the receiving modules and covers the intermediate space.

For the stand base it is preferred for the receiving modules to be mounted in the base by means of a common lower base frame. The base frame absorbs the forces acting, during operation, on the stands received in the receiving modules, in the rolling direction, and thus prevents said forces from being introduced directly into the base. As a result, greater stability of the stand base and thus higher precision of the relative position of the stands in the receiving modules, relative to one another, is ensured. In this case, the base frame preferably extends over the entire extension of the rolling mill along the rolling direction, but can also cover only a smaller length, and therefore the rolling mill can comprise a plurality of such base frames. However, it is also possible to mount the receiving modules directly in the base, without a base frame.

Preferably, each of the receiving modules comprises an operating substance connection directed towards the lateral opening, in order to be able to supply the stand with the operating substance. Operating substances by way of example are water, in particular cooling water for the rollers, optionally the rolls of a roller guide or the material to be rolled, and compressed air, in particular for sealing the stand. Each of the receiving modules can preferably also comprise a plurality of operating substance connections. If each of the receiving modules comprises one or more operating substance connections, stands, for the operation of which a substance supplied by the operating substance is necessary or expedient, can be inserted into the rolling mill in a modular manner particularly easily. In this way it is for example possible to design uniform connections of the receiving modules, such that all the stands fit into all the receiving modules and can be connected there to the operating substance connections. The operating substance connections are advantageously aligned to the lateral opening, which means that they point in the direction of the lateral opening and are easily accessible from this direction. In this case, the operating substance connections are preferably designed in such a way that a correspondingly designed stand is directly connected to one or more of the operating substance connections by being pushed into the receiving module. This is possible for example by means of a connection socket directed to the lateral opening, into which a corresponding connector on the stand can be pushed when the stand is pushed into the receiving module. An operating substance connection of this kind is not essential, however.

Advantageously, each of the receiving modules comprises a retainer for an electrical or hydraulic remote adjustment means of the stand. A stand received in the receiving module can comprise adjustable rollers. Adjustable rollers and in particular a mechanism for adjusting the rollers have long been known in principle. It is also known to automatically activate the roller by means of a remote adjustment means. An alternative adjustment is the manual adjustment of the rollers by a hand-actuated tool. For the remote adjustment means, an electrically, hydraulically, or otherwise driven shaft is provided, which applies an adjustment torque to the corresponding adjustment mechanism of the stand via a coupling.

According to the above-described preferred feature, each receiving module is provided with a retainer for a remote adjustment means of the rollers of the stand. Specifically, the retainer can for example be a bearing of an adjustment shaft or a coupling, such that the adjustment shaft or coupling is held in the correct position in order to interact with a stand pushed into the receiving module. For this purpose, the stand can comprise a coupling which can be coupled to the coupling of the remote adjustment means of the stand. In the preferred embodiment, the retainer for the remote adjustment means of the stand makes it possible for a remote adjustment means to be prepared or not, depending on the design of the stand housing. In this respect, the existence of a retainer does not depend on the design of the stand, but allows for a particularly versatile use of the stand base for different stands with and without remote adjustment means. The retainer can also be omitted, however.

Advantageously, each of the receiving modules comprises a retainer for an electrical or hydraulic remote adjustment means of a roller guide attached to the stand. Similarly to the adjustable rollers of the stand, the rolls of a roller guide attached to the stand can also be adjustable. Adjustable rolls, similarly to the adjustable rollers, have long been known in principle. It is also known to automatically activate the rolls by means of a remote adjustment means. An alternative adjustment of the rolls is the manual adjustment of the rolls by a hand-actuated tool, or a retainer of the rolls that is preloaded by spring force, said rolls therefore not being adjusted from the outside. For the remote adjustment means of the roller guide, an electrically, hydraulically, or otherwise driven shaft is provided, which applies an adjustment torque to the corresponding adjustment mechanism of the roller guide via a coupling.

According to the above-described preferred feature, each receiving module is provided with a retainer for a remote adjustment means of the roller guide. Specifically, the retainer can for example be a bearing of an adjustment shaft or a coupling, such that the adjustment shaft or coupling is held in the correct position in order to interact with the roller guide of a stand pushed into the receiving module. For this purpose, the roller guide can comprise a coupling which can be coupled to the coupling of the remote adjustment means. In the preferred embodiment, the retainer for the remote adjustment means of the roller guide makes it possible for a remote adjustment means to be prepared or not, depending on the design of the stand housing. In this respect, the existence of a retainer does not depend on the design of the stand and its roller guide, but allows for a particularly versatile use of the stand base. A retainer of this kind can also be omitted, however.

Preferably, each stand is firmly received, by clamps or in another way, in the receiving module in which it is received, such that forces acting on the stand, in particular of the material to be rolled, are transferred to the receiving module. The stand is detachably received in the receiving module, such that the receptacle, in particular the clamping, can be released, and thus the stand freed, for exchanging the stand. The firm receiving fixes the stand in its receiving module.

Thus, the forces acting on the stand can be discharged and also measured, independently of forces acting on other stands, such that improved control or regulation of the rolling process is possible.

Preferably, each of the receiving modules is mounted at the bottom in the base, such that it is tiltable along the rolling direction, each of the receiving modules resting against its own counter bearing. Particularly preferably, each of the receiving modules, if it is mounted in the base by means of the base frame, is mounted on the base frame in a torque-free manner, such that it is tiltable along the rolling direction.

The receiving module is mounted in a torque-free manner, if it is for example hingedly mounted. For this purpose, it can be positioned on a joint, but an arrangement on an edge or the like, which allows tilting along the rolling direction, is also possible. What is important for the torque-free mounting is that the mounting of the receiving module in the base or on the base frame does not counter a tilting movement of the receiving module with any notable torques, i.e. no notable exertion of force is required for tilting the receiving module along the rolling direction.

The fact that the receiving module is tiltable along the rolling direction means that it can tilt about an axis which extends perpendicularly to the rolling direction, and which preferably extends horizontally. The axis, about which the receiving module can tilt due to the torque-free mounting, is preferably arranged so as to be off-center relative to the receiving module. Further preferably, said axis is offset downstream from the center of the receiving module, along the rolling direction. If, as explained above, the receiving module is mounted in a torque-free manner at the bottom, the counter bearing at the top results in a stable arrangement. In the case of an off-center arrangement of the axis about which the receiving module can be tilted downwards in a torque-free manner, the receiving module rests against the counter bearing at the top, owing to a tilting moment of the receiving module due to gravity.

The torque-free mounting of the receiving module makes it possible to tilt the receiving module independently of other receiving modules of the stand base, and to determine forces acting on the stand, along the rolling direction, via the counter bearing, without changing the position of the receiving module in the process. This enables more precise processing of the material to be rolled. However, the receiving module can also be mounted fixedly in the base, in particular base frame, or be displaceable. Alternatively, the receiving module can also be mounted in a torque-free manner at the top, such that it is tiltable along the rolling direction, and can rest against a counter bearing at the bottom.

Preferably, a force measuring device is arranged between the receiving module and the counter bearing in such a way that a force acting on the stand received in the receiving module, along the rolling direction, can be measured. For example the devices listed in DE 10 2016 217 202 B4 are possible as the force measuring device, i.e. in particular a piezo measuring device, because a piezo element has both a high measuring sensitivity and a high rigidity, even under significant loads. Other force measuring devices are also possible. Using a force measuring device, it is possible to determine the force acting on an individual stand, along the rolling direction. On account of the torque-free lower mounting of the receiving module, a force exerted on the stand acts along the rolling direction as a torque about the axis of the torque-free mounting, and thus as a force on the counter bearing. Since each receiving module is mounted in a torque-free manner, independently of other receiving modules of the stand base, a force acting on each individual stand, along the rolling direction, can be determined in this way. This force can be used for controlling or regulating the rolling process, in order to achieve a better rolling result. A force measuring device can also be omitted, however.

Particularly preferably, a limitation element is arranged between the receiving module and the counter bearing, in order to protect the force measuring device against overloading. This can for example be a stop which limits the spring travel of a spring-based force measuring device, and thus prevents too great a deformation of the force measuring device. A limitation element of this kind is not essential, however.

Advantageously, the counter bearings of the receiving modules are fastened to a common cover frame. Similarly to the common base frame, the cover frame absorbs the forces acting, during operation, on the stands received in the receiving modules, in the rolling direction, and thus prevents said forces from being introduced directly into a cover structure. As a result, greater stability of the stand base and thus higher precision of the relative position of the stands in the receiving modules, relative to one another, is ensured. In this case, the cover frame preferably extends over the entire extension of the rolling mill along the rolling direction, but can also cover only a smaller length, and therefore the rolling mill can comprise a plurality of such cover frames. Direct fastening of the counter bearing in a cover structure is also possible, however.

Advantageously, each receiving module comprises a longitudinal drive having a gripper device, such that the stand can be pushed into the receiving module and out of the receiving module through the lateral opening.

The longitudinal drive can for example be a hydraulic cylinder or an electric drive, which is strong enough to be able to pull a stand into the receiving module and to push it out of the receiving module. This movement through the lateral opening makes it possible to exchange the stand for servicing or for other reasons. Alternatively thereto, a correspondingly designed external device can be used for introducing the stand into the receiving module or for removing it therefrom.

Hooks, eyes, slides, or other devices can be used as the gripper device. The specific design of the gripper device can be matched to the stand provided for the receiving module. It is also conceivable for an adapter for different gripper devices to be operatively connected to the longitudinal drive, in order to be able to be used for different stands. Typically, however, the stand base is designed for a predefined type and shape of stands, such that an adapter of this kind will normally not be required.

Advantageously, two different receiving modules for receiving the stands in two different arrangements are arranged alternately behind one another. In the case of a three-roller stand, the different arrangements can be a Y-arrangement and an anti-Y-arrangement. Stands comprising more or fewer rollers can be corresponding arrangements of the stands which complete one another to form a round roller. If the material to be rolled is not intended to be rolled so as to be round, different arrangements can also be provided alternately, if this is advantageous for the rolling result. This does not have to be the case, however.

The protective flap is preferably designed to be hydraulically or electrically pivotable. However, it can also be manually pivotable or removable from and attachable to the intermediate space in another manner. A hydraulically or electrically pivotable design of the protective flap makes it particularly easy to protect the intermediate space in a controlled, reliable, and documented manner.

Advantageously, the protective flap comprises a closable opening in order to allow for brief access to the intermediate space. The brief access to the intermediate space can for example be due to manual operation of a roller guide. Thus, the protective flap does not have to be removed completely, for example pivoted open, in order to allow for brief access to the intermediate space, which allows for more efficient operation of the rolling mill. An opening of this kind can also be omitted, however.

Preferably, a stand is received in each of the receiving modules.

Further advantages and developments of the invention emerge from the following description of the figures and from all the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a preferred stand base.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a preferred mounting of two receiving modules of a stand base.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a preferred receiving module of a stand base.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a preferred protective flap of a stand base.

WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a preferred stand base 10. The stand base 10 comprises four receiving modules 12 that are arranged one behind the other along a rolling direction W. Each receiving module 12 serves to receive one stand 14. A narrow intermediate space 16 is located between adjacent receiving modules, which intermediate space is narrower in the rolling direction W than each of the receiving modules 12.

The receiving modules 12 are shaped in such a way that they can reliably receive stands 14, four of which are shown in FIG. 1. The stands 14 have a base surface which is directed perpendicularly to the rolling direction W and is in the shape of a regular hexagon. The stand housing of the stand is decisive for the shape of the stand 14, and rollers 14.1, connections 14.2, receptacles 14.3 or the like do not preclude the feature of the stand 14 being referred to as hexagonal.

Owing to the hexagonal shape of the stands 14, the receiving modules 12 are in the shape of a partially negative hexagon. The receiving modules 12 shown in FIG. 1 comprise four side surfaces 18, shown in FIG. 2, which are arranged and dimensioned such, in particular are thus of the same length and are arranged at an internal angle of 120° to one another, that they reliably surround the stand 14, of the above-described hexagonal shape, from the top and bottom, and on a first side 68 viewed in the rolling direction W. At the front and back, viewed in the rolling direction W, the receiving modules 12 further comprise protective walls 20, in order to firmly surround the stands 14.

On the side opposite the first side 68, viewed in the rolling direction W, which opposite side faces the viewer in FIG. 1, all the receiving modules 12 comprise a lateral opening 66, through which the stands 14, standing on one of their side surfaces, can be pushed into the receiving modules 12 along an insertion direction E.

Below and to the rear along the insertion direction E, i.e. on the first side of each of the receiving modules 12, sliding rails 22 are furthermore located on the receiving module 12, on which rails the stand 14 can be pushed into the receiving module 12 in a low-wear manner and in a defined position. The sliding rails 22 can also serve as sealing against splashing water.

A protective flap 24 is formed between all adjacent receiving modules 12, which flap covers the intermediate space 16 between the adjacent receiving modules 12. Thus, the intermediate space 16 is protected from rods escaping from the intermediate space 16 or from escaping water, and against people reaching into the intermediate space 16.

The protective flap 24 is designed to be pivotable via a hinge 26 arranged in the upper region between the receiving modules 12. Thus, the intermediate space 16 can be covered and also released by the protective flap 24, for example in order to carry out work in the intermediate space 16 between the receiving modules 12, if rolling is not currently being performed, but also in order to facilitate exchanging of the stands 14, in particular pushing in or out of the stands 14. In order to allow for brief access to the intermediate space 16, the protective flap 24 comprises a closable opening, which is covered by a hand hole cover 30 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Opening of the hand hole cover 30 is significantly quicker and associated with less effort than opening the entire protective flap 24, above all when all the protective flaps 24 of the stand base 10 are pivoted open and closed by a common drive.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a preferred mounting of two receiving modules 12 of a stand base 10. The two receiving modules 12 shown in FIG. 2 are fastened to a common lower base frame 32 and a common upper cover frame 34. The receiving modules 12 are mounted in a base via the common lower base frame 32. The receiving modules 12 are mounted at the bottom in a torque-free manner in a base via the common lower base frame 32, by means of a joint 36 having a tilting axis K. In other words, the receiving modules 12 are mounted at the bottom in such a way that they can tilt about the joint 36, along the rolling direction W which corresponds, in FIG. 2, to the main extension direction of the base frame 32, such that forces acting on the receiving module 12 along the rolling direction W lead to a torque about the tilting axis K of the joint 36.

The receiving module 12 rests, at the top, with a stop 40 of the receiving module 12, on a counter bearing 38. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the joint 36 is located off-center on the receiving module 12, at the bottom, along the rolling direction W, such that the gravity acting on the receiving module 12 induces a tilting moment about the joint 36 to the left in FIG. 2, i.e. counter to the rolling direction W. Said tilting moment counteracts the counter bearing 38, at the top, such that the receiving module 12 rests securely on the counter bearing 38, with the stop 40. An additional force on the stand 14 received in the receiving module 12 is superimposed on the force with which the receiving module 12 rests on the counter bearing 38 at the top, and thus changes the force acting on the counter bearing 38. Conclusions on the forces acting through the stand 14 on the material to be rolled can be drawn from this, which conclusions are valuable for regulating and controlling the rolling process.

For the force measurement, force measuring devices 58 are arranged between the counter bearings 38 and the stops 40 of the receiving modules 12 resting thereon, which force measuring devices can be designed for example as piezo elements.

In FIG. 2, one of the two receiving modules 12 shown is provided with a stand 14, while the remaining of the two receiving modules 12 shown is empty. The empty receiving module 14 also illustrates, in addition to the elements already described above with reference to FIG. 1, a retainer 42 for an electrical or hydraulic remote adjustment means of a roller guide attached to the stand 14. A roller guide of this kind is optional and can furthermore be adjusted by a remote adjustment means, i.e. by motor, or manually, or can be designed such that no adjustment is performed, but rather for example a force is exerted continuously on the roll, in the direction of the material to be rolled, by a spring.

Furthermore, a hook 44 is visible in the empty receiving module 12 in FIG. 2, by means of which hook a stand 14 can be pulled into or pushed out of the receiving module 12. Said hook 44 is operatively connected to a longitudinal drive 46, via which the force required for pushing in and pushing out a stand 14 can be provided.

FIG. 2 shows that the empty receiving module 12 comprises openings 48 in its side surfaces 18. A plurality of openings 48 of this kind are provided for drive shafts of the rollers of the stands 14. Via said openings 48 a coupling of a roller shaft can reach the outside through the receiving module 12, from the side of the stand 14, where the roller shaft can be coupled to a corresponding drive.

Furthermore, two first operating substance connections designed as water connections 50 are shown in the receiving module 12. One or more corresponding connections on the stand 14 can be coupled to said water connections 50, in that the stand 14 is pushed into the receiving module 12. For this purpose, the stand 14 can be provided with a corresponding connector which penetrates into the water connection 50 of the receiving module and thus establishes a watertight connection.

A second operating substance connection designed as an air connection 52 is also shown. The air connection 52 is positioned and designed, similarly to the water connections 50 too, in such a way that the air connection 52 can be coupled to a corresponding connection on the stand 14, in that the stand 14 is pushed into the receiving module 12.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a preferred receiving module 12 of a stand base 10. In this figure, a remote adjustment means 54 for the rolls of a roller guide attached to the stand is indicated, which remote adjustment means is held in the retainer 42 for the remote adjustment means. Furthermore, FIG. 3 also shows an electrical or hydraulic remote adjustment means 56 of the rollers of the stand, attached to the receiving module 12, which is attached obliquely at the top to the receiving module 12 and allows simple coupling to a corresponding remote adjustment connector of the stand. FIG. 3 shows the hooks 44 also illustrated in FIG. 2, and the longitudinal drive 46 that is operatively connected to the hook 44.

A comparison of the empty receiving module from FIG. 2 and the receiving module from FIG. 3 shows that the water connections 50, the air connection 52 and the openings 48 for the roller drive are provided in different positions. The receiving modules 12 are configured for two different arrangements, specifically once for what is known as a Y-arrangement of the rollers and once for what is known as an anti-Y-arrangement of the rollers.

The modular design of the stand base 10 makes it possible to convert between the different arrangements in an extremely flexible manner, in that in each case suitable receiving modules 12 are easily positioned in the stand base 10, which receiving modules can all be mounted in the same way, can be supplied with the same operating substances, and allow the same mechanism for pushing the stands 14 in and out and also for the same force measurement.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a preferred protective flap 24 of a stand base 10. FIG. 4 shows the protective flap 24 in a closed position. The protective flap 24 comprises the hand hole cover 30 already explained above with reference to FIG. 1, and two windows 60, in order to be able to look into the intermediate space 16 between adjacent receiving modules 12. Furthermore, the protective flap 24 is pivotably mounted at the top in a hinge 26, such that it can be pivoted open and closed. For this purpose, FIG. 4 shows a protective flap drive 62, in which a hydraulic cylinder applies the force for opening and closing the protective flap 24. FIG. 4 shows protective plates 64 on the side opposite the lateral opening of the receiving module 12, and the upper and lower edge of the intermediate space 16, which serve above all to discharge splashing water in said intermediate space 16 in as controlled a manner as possible, and to reduce contamination of the stand base 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• • 10 stand base
  • 12 receiving module
  • 14 stand
  • 14.1 roller
  • 14.2 connection
  • 14.3 receptacle
  • 16 intermediate space
  • 18 side surface
  • 20 protective wall
  • 22 sliding rail
  • 24 protective flap
  • 26 hinge
  • 28 opening
  • 30 hand hole cover
  • 32 base frame
  • 34 cover frame
  • 36 joint
  • 38 counter bearing
  • 40 stop
  • 42 retainer
  • 44 hook
  • 46 longitudinal drive
  • 48 opening
  • 50 water connection
  • 52 air connection
  • 54 remote adjustment means of the roller guide
  • 56 remote adjustment means of the rollers
  • 58 force measuring device
  • 60 window
  • 62 protective flap drive
  • 64 protective plate
  • 66 lateral opening
  • 68 first side
  • E insertion direction
  • K tilting axis
  • W rolling direction

Claims

1. A stand base for two or more stands of a rolling mill arranged one behind the other in a rolling direction of a material to be rolled, wherein the stands each comprise more than four side surfaces which together form a periphery of the stand when viewed from the rolling direction, the stand base comprising:

two or more receiving modules mounted individually in a base, each the receiving modules configured to receive one of the stands through a lateral opening such that the receiving module covers four of the side surfaces and more than half of the periphery of the stand, and

a protective flap on the side of the lateral opening, between all the receiving modules arranged adjacently one behind the other, the protective flap configured to protect an intermediate space between the adjacent receiving modules from rods escaping from the intermediate space or from escaping water, and to protect against people reaching into the intermediate space.

2. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the receiving modules are mounted in the base by way of a common lower base frame.

3. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein each of the receiving modules comprises an operating substance connection directed towards the lateral opening, the operating substance connection configured to supply the stand with the operating substance.

4. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein each of the receiving modules comprises a retainer for an electrical or hydraulic remote adjustment means of the stand.

5. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein each of the receiving modules comprises a retainer for an electrical or hydraulic remote adjustment means of a roller guide attached to the stand.

6. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein each of the receiving modules is provided with a clamping mechanism for temporarily fixing a stand in the receiving module.

7. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein each of the receiving modules is mounted at the bottom in the base in a torque-free manner, such that the receiving module is tiltable along the rolling direction,

wherein each of the receiving modules rests, at the top, against a respective counter bearing.

8. The stand base according to claim 7, wherein a force measuring device is arranged between the receiving module and the counter bearing such that a force acting on the stand received in the receiving module, along the rolling direction, can be measured.

9. The stand base according to claim 8, wherein a limitation element is arranged between the receiving module and the counter bearing, the limitation element configured to protect the force measuring device against overloading.

10. The stand base according to claim 7, wherein the counter bearings of the receiving modules are fastened to a common cover frame.

11. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein each receiving module comprises a longitudinal drive having a gripper device, such that the stand can be pushed into the receiving module and out of the receiving module through the lateral opening.

12. The stand base according claim 1, wherein two receiving modules for receiving the stands in two different arrangements are arranged alternately behind one another.

13. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the protective flap is configured to be hydraulically or electrically pivotable.

14. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the protective flap comprises a closable opening in configured to enable access to the intermediate space.

15. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein a stand is received in each of the receiving modules.

16. The stand base according to claim 7, wherein each of the receiving modules is mounted at the bottom on the base frame.