U.S. patent application number 16/339983 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-06 for method and apparatus for processing strip end.
The applicant listed for this patent is BWG Bergwerk- und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH. Invention is credited to Wolfgang KALBFLEISCH, Andreas NOE.
Application Number | 20200038930 16/339983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59997342 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-06 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200038930 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KALBFLEISCH; Wolfgang ; et
al. |
February 6, 2020 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING STRIP END
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for processing an end of a
strip, in particular a metal strip (2), wound up into a coil (1),
in particular for sampling and/or for inspection of the strip, with
a winding device for unwinding the end of the strip. This device is
characterized in that the winding device is formed as a coiler (9)
with one or more rotatable coiler drums (10) for receiving the coil
(1) and in that the coiler (9) is arranged on a transporting system
(11), with which the coiler (9), and the coil (1) arranged on it,
can be moved between various processing stations (3, 5, 6).
Inventors: |
KALBFLEISCH; Wolfgang;
(Alpen, DE) ; NOE; Andreas; (Kerken, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BWG Bergwerk- und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH |
Duisburg |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
59997342 |
Appl. No.: |
16/339983 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
September 22, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2017/073978 |
371 Date: |
April 5, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21C 47/24 20130101;
B21C 47/326 20130101; B21C 47/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B21C 47/24 20060101
B21C047/24; B21C 47/18 20060101 B21C047/18; B21C 47/32 20060101
B21C047/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 2016 |
DE |
10 2016 124 372.8 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for processing an end of a strip, wound into a coil
the apparatus comprising a coiler for unwinding the end of the
strip, wherein the coiler has a reel with one or more rotating
mandrels for receiving the coil and the reel is on a conveyor with
which the reel and the coil attached thereto can be moved between
the individual processing stations.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a tape
stripper, a processing device , downstream from the tape stripper,
and a strapping tool downstream from the processing device between
which the reel can be displaced along a conveying direction.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor has a
trolley that can be displaced on rails preferably displaced a
conveying direction parallel to the coil axis.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reel is
vertically shiftable against or on the conveyor.
5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the trolley has a
chassis movable along rails and a support frame attached to the
chassis in a height-adjustable manner and on which the reel is
mounted.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the support frame is
pivotal on the chassis about an axis that is oriented parallel to
the coil axis.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a first
pusher with at least one adjustable pressure element on the
conveyor on the support frame thereof.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a second
pusher with at least one adjustable pressure element on the
conveyor on the support frame thereof, and offset angularly from
the pressure element of the first pusher on the coil outer surface
by an angle of from 90.degree. to 180.degree..
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: an
additional stationary pusher with an adjustable pressing element
near the processing device so as to be offset from the pressure
elements of the first pusher or of the second pusher relative to
the coil outer surface.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing
device has a lower strip guide or an upper strip guide that is
height-adjustable or pivotable.
11. A method of processing an end of a strip wound into a coil,
with an apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coil is
received by the reel and moved by the conveyor between different
processing stations.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the coil is taken off
the reel and the tape is first removed by a tape stripper, the coil
is then moved into the vicinity of the sampler where the end of the
strip is unwound with the reel and a portion of the end of the
strip is separated as a specimen, and, thereafter, the end of the
strip is rewound with the reel and the coil is transported to the
vicinity of a strapping tool and strapped there with tape.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the end of the strip
is first fixed to the coil with a pusher and then the tape is
removed, that the coil is then transported with the pusher fixing
the end of the strip to the vicinity of the processing device, for
example the sampler, and that the end of the strip is unwound there
with the reel.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the end of the strip
is fixed by the additional stationary pusher and subsequently
released with the first or second pusher, and the end of the strip
is then unwound.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for processing an end
of a strip that is wound into a coil, for example a metal strip,
particularly for sampling and/or inspection of the strip, with a
coiler for unwinding the end of the strip. In the context of the
invention, "strip" refers particularly to a metal strip, for
example steel strip. However, composite strips and/or laminated
strips, which can be made of a metal-plastic composite for example
are also included. Especially preferably, "processing the end of a
strip" means a sampling and/or inspection of the strip. Rolled
metal strips are usually wound into coils during production and
consequently transported as a coil between different processing
stations or processes. Transport systems for such coils are
available for this purpose. In practice, a need exists to check
and/or inspect the quality of the wound metal strip. For this
purpose, it is customary to take a sample of the metal strip and
thus remove a portion of predetermined length as a sample. To do
this, it is necessary to remove the tape with which the wound coil
is enclosed and thus held together, and then unwind the end of the
strip from the coil. Devices for such inspection and/or sampling of
strips are known from the prior art. In the known solutions, the
coils are always unwound from a bottom roller station.
[0002] For example, WO 2006/111259 (or EP 1 888 284) [U.S. Pat. No.
8,096,158] describes a device for trimming the ends of or for
separating test specimens from rolled strip that is wound into
coils that comprises a shear and a first and second bottom roller
whose parallel axes form a substantially horizontal plane, the coil
being received by these bottom rollers with the coil axis aligned
horizontally. A movable pressure roller is also provided. One of
the lower rollers is also movable and designed to lift the outer
surface of the coil. Moreover, one of the bottom rollers and the
pressure roller are equipped with a rotary drive. The end of the
strip is to always be fixed by one of the rollers to prevent
unwanted unwinding of the coil. In order to take a sample, it is
necessary to open the coil and pull a piece of the end of the strip
off of the coil. In doing so, particularly in the case of
relatively high-strength or even thick strips, substantial
deformation work must be performed, since the removed end of the
strip must be bent open and/or directed approximately straight in
order to be fed to the shear or the inspection device. The narrower
the bending radius, the greater the deformation that must be
achieved. According to WO 2006/111259, it is purportedly
advantageous to increase the free strip length between a support
point of the coil and the coil opener while still allowing reliable
guidance of the coil and of the end of the strip at all times
during sampling. The increased free strip length between the
remaining bottom roller and the pressure roller is intended to
reduce the local deformation of the end of the strip without the
risk of a unwinding or loosened coil.
[0003] Similarly, EP 2 688 691 [U.S. Pat. No. 9,770,748] discloses
an apparatus for sampling metal strips that are rolled and wound
into a coil comprising a coil turner and a separator for separating
the sample from the metal strip, the coil turner having at least
two rotatable supports, preferably trough rollers, arranged in the
lower quadrant of the coil resting on the coil turner as well as an
outer guide for the metal strip. The outer guide is intended to
span over a part of the circumference of the coil of greater than
180.degree. in the region toward the direction of unwinding of the
metal strip behind the last support and be provided with the means
for reducing friction of the metal strip on the inside of the outer
guide.
[0004] Furthermore, EP 3 067 127 [US 2018/0021828] discloses An
apparatus for inspecting and sampling a reeled coil of metal strip
that has a support for the reeled coil, this support having at
least two bottom rollers arranged next to one another that have
parallel roller axes and onto which the coil is placed for storage.
In addition to the inspection device, the apparatus has a sampler
located opposite the inspection device relative to the support, so
that the support is located between the inspection device and the
sampler. The sampler is designed to take a sample of the metal
strip at least if the metal strip is a thick metal strip.
[0005] While operating such equipment, it is necessary to remove
the tape from the wound coil. Tape strippers for this purpose are
known from practice in a wide variety of designs. For instance, EP
1 022 222 [U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,582] discloses such a device for
removing tapes from objects, particularly coils, that are strapped
with tapes, with a blade basket that can be placed on a coil with
tape strapping with a blade carriage with a lifting and traction
drive for the blade carriage, which can travel over the width of
the coil and transverse to the tapes.
[0006] Taking the known prior art as a point of departure, the
object of the invention is based to provide an apparatus for
processing an end of a strip, particularly for the purpose of
sampling and/or inspecting the strip, that is characterized by
particularly safe handling and flexible use.
[0007] To attain this object an apparatus of this above-described
type for processing an end of a strip, particularly metal strip,
that is wound into a coil, the invention teaches that the coiler
has a reel with one or more rotatable mandrels for receiving the
coil and that the reel is on a conveyor that can move the reel,
more particularly the coil carried thereby, between different
processing stations. Especially preferably, such a device comprises
a tape stripper, a processing device such as for example a sampler
downstream from the tape stripper, and especially preferably a
strapping tool that is downstream from the processing device, it
thus being possible for the reel to travel between the
above-mentioned devices (tape stripper, processing device, and,
optionally, strapping tool). The processing device is for example a
sampler and/or an inspection device. However, a processing device
can also be understood to be a strip processing line.
[0008] The invention is based on the discovery that it is possible
to achieve especially reliable and flexible processing and, in
particular, sampling of a strip, particularly of a metal strip, if
the coiler allowing the end of the strip to be unwound for
inspection and optionally being cut off does not operate with
bottom rollers, but rather has a reel. First, the use of a reel has
the advantage that a high strip tension for rewinding the unwound
end of the strip can be achieved. Moreover, the strip can be easily
and reliably unwound (and optionally rewound) regardless of the
coil weight and coil diameter, particularly if the reel, more
particularly the mandrels, are height-adjustable. Since the metal
strip can be easily and securely rewound, problems of "telescoping"
that can occur in practice during winding on floor rollers are
reliably avoided. Reels are known from the prior art in the design
as coilers and/or uncoilers. In this respect, use can be made
according to the invention of known constructions. The reel can be
embodied with one or more (for example two) rotatable mandrels for
receiving the coil. Preferably, a reel with two mandrels is used
that engage in the ends of coil and support the coil on both sides.
One or both mandrels can be rotationally driven. Alternatively,
however, reels having only a single mandrel for the overhanging and
hence only one-sided support of the coil can also be used. The
mandrels can always be embodied as (dynamic) expanding mandrels or
as (rigid) conical mandrels. It is of particular importance in the
context of the invention that such a reel be provided as an
auxiliary uncoiler, so to speak, on a conveyor with which the reel
and, consequently, the coil arranged thereon as well can be moved
between different processing stations, for example a tape stripper
and a downstream sampler as well as a downstream strapping tool.
The reel, more particularly its mandrels, are preferably
height-adjustable, for example height-adjustable on the
conveyor.
[0009] Especially preferably, the reel can be moved with the
conveyor on a straight (linear) transport path between the
stations. For this purpose, the conveyor is preferably provided
with a trolley that can be displaced on rails, in which case the
conveyor is preferably moved (linearly) in a conveying direction
parallel to the coil axis. Alternatively, however, it also lies
within the scope of the invention for the reel to be displaced on a
curved or arcuate path. Rails or the like can also be used for this
purpose. In a modified alternative embodiment, however, the
conveyor can also be embodied as a pivot mechanism or rotation
mechanism (for example with a turntable or the like) so that the
reel is pivoted on a horizontal plane about a vertical axis and
thereby moved between the processing stations.
[0010] The various processing stations, for example tape stripper,
sampler, and strapping tool, can be spatially separate from one
another, for which purpose known concepts can be utilized as well.
With the aid of the coiler according to the invention, the coil can
easily travel from station to station and the necessary respective
processing steps can be done. It is especially advantageous in this
regard that the coil can be reliably secured against unwinding by
the mobile uncoiler during the entire transport operation and,
especially preferably, until restrapping has been completed.
[0011] To this end, one or more pushers are especially preferably
arranged on the conveyor, each of which has at least one adjustable
pressure element, for example a pressure roller. The mobile
uncoiler is thus equipped with one or more pushers, so that the
coil is easily and reliably secured against unwinding during the
entire transport operation. Preferably, a conveyor is provided with
at least one first pusher, the at least one adjustable (first)
pressure element having for example a pressure roller. In addition,
a second pusher is especially preferably provided on the conveyor
that has at least one adjustable (second) pressure element, for
example a pressure roller, in which case this second pressure
element is offset angularly from the first pressure element with
respect to the coil circumference, for example by a circumferential
angle of from 90.degree. to 180.degree.. The two pushers can be set
up differently. For instance, the pressure elements (for example
pressure rollers) can be positioned differently and/or dimensioned
differently with respect to the coil axis. It is thus possible for
example for the first pusher to have two juxtaposed, spaced-apart
pressure rollers and for the second pusher to have only one
(central) pressure roller. In this way, it is possible to use the
respectively fitting pushers as a function of the position of the
tape or tapes. In any case, reliable transporting of the coil is
ensured with at least one pusher that can be displaced with the
reel and hence the coil.
[0012] In a preferred development, an additional (stationary)
pusher is provided near the processing device, for example near the
sampler, that has an adjustable pressure element, for example a
likewise adjustable pressure roller. This adjustable pressure
roller arranged on the stationary pusher is preferably positioned
so as to be offset from the aforementioned (displaceable) first
and/or second pressure roller and also relative to the coil outer
surface. This configuration has the advantage that the metal strip
can be stabilized by this additional pusher against unwinding near
the processing device, for example near the sampler, with the
pressure element of this additional pusher being farther away from
the processing device with respect to the coil outer surface or the
strip length than the pressure elements of the pushers arranged on
the conveyor, so that buckling and hence plastic deformation near
the pushers during the unwinding of the end of the strip can be
prevented or minimized. Such a pusher can also be optionally
"non-stationary" or at least attached to the conveyor. The
described advantages are of particular interest in the processing
of coils that spring open in a highly elastic manner in order to
avoid damage to the strip material. Overall, the inventive design
is characterized by a high degree of flexibility and variability.
To wit, metal strips of different thickness and strength can be
used, preferably strips in a thickness range of from 1 mm to 25 mm.
The invention is also characterized by a high degree of flexibility
in terms of the strip material used, so that an apparatus can be
provided that is universally usable. Especially preferably,
however, the apparatus is to be usable inter alia for thick,
high-strength steel strips.
[0013] The conveyor preferably has the above-mentioned trolley,
which is preferably equipped with a height-adjustable support frame
on which the mandrels are arranged. The height adjustment allows
for flexible handling of the coil, so that the coil can be removed
from a treatment station near the tape stripper and subsequently
transported to the vicinity of the sampler. There, it can easily be
raised to the desired height. Structurally speaking, this height
adjustment can for example be achieved by pivoting. For this
purpose, the support frame can be pivotal about an axis on the
chassis, with the axis being preferably parallel to the coil axis
and consequently parallel to the preferred conveying direction of
the coils (in the case of a linear conveying direction).
[0014] Furthermore, the invention optionally proposes that the
processing device, for example the sampler, have a lower strip
guide and/or an upper strip guide. The lower strip guide and/or the
upper strip guide can be preferably height-adjustable and/or
pivotal. Such strip guiding devices or strip guides enable proper
guidance of the strip during unwinding from the coil into the
vicinity of the sampler and, there, particularly into the vicinity
of the separating device that is provided (for example strip
shear). This is because the tape is unwound from the coil by the
uncoiler to the extent that the end of the strip reaches near the
separating device in order to enable a strip portion of
predetermined length to be cut off as a specimen. During uncoiling,
the strip is thus unwound to a free strip length, particularly
relative to the pusher on the coil. In order to ensure uncontrolled
unwinding and reliable guidance near the sampler, one or more strip
guides are provided. By virtue of the possibilities for adjustment,
these strip guides can be adapted to the particular circumstances
and, in particular, to the properties of the strip (elasticity or
strength, thickness, etc.), so that flawless strip guidance is
always achieved. In addition, an adaptation to corresponding coil
thicknesses is performed by these adjustable strip guides.
[0015] The lower strip guide can also be used for peeling the end
of the strip from the coil by having the coil travel with the
uncoiler against the outer edge of the lower strip guide.
[0016] The upper strip guide can be equipped with friction-reducing
means, for example rotating guide rollers.
[0017] Moreover, the possibility exists of a strapping tool being
downstream from the processing device (for example sampler) in the
conveying direction, in which case the coiler can be transported by
the conveyor into the vicinity of this strapping tool, so that the
coil can be restrapped with tape after removal of the sample.
Optionally, an additional eye strapping tool can then also adjoin
such a strapping tool. Such eye strapping tools are also inherently
known from the prior art.
[0018] All in all, a device is provided that is variable and
flexible, so that strips with different properties ranging from
thin to thick and soft to hard can be properly processed. The
auxiliary uncoiler used allows for a high strip tension for
rewinding. The problems of telescoping during winding are reliably
avoided, not least because the strip length to be rewound is short.
The coil is secured against unwinding during the complete transport
operation until it is fully strapped by the mobile uncoiler.
Plastic deformations of the strip during unwinding can be minimized
by the design according to the invention and, in particular, the
different arrangement of the pressure rollers. Unwinding and
winding can be carried out properly independent of the coil weight
and coil diameter. With the aid of the raisable and lowerable
uncoiler and/or with the raisable and lowerable mandrels, the
leading end of the strip can be peeled off the coil flawlessly with
soft or hard strips. Another advantage lies the fact that coils can
be transported in parallel over the rails in the event of
malfunctions of the apparatus. After all, the conveyor does not
travel on the transport path of the coils near the tape stripper
and the strapping, but rather on a transport path arranged parallel
thereto that is defined for example by separate transport rails. In
the event of a malfunction, the reel can be pivoted completely
upward for example so that there is the possibility of transporting
coils between the sampler and the mobile uncoiler via the usual
coil transport.
[0019] The invention also is a method of processing the end of a
strip, particularly metal strip, that is wound into a coil using
the device of the described type. This method is characterized in
that the coil is taken off by the reel and moved by the conveyor
between different processing stations. Preferably, the coil is
taken off by the reel and the tape is first removed with a tape
stripper. Subsequently, the coil is moved into the vicinity of the
sampler, where the end of the strip is unwound by the reel and a
portion of the end of the strip is cut off to serve as a specimen.
Thereafter, the end of the strip is rewound with the reel and the
coil is transported to the vicinity of a strapping tool and
restrapped there with tape.
[0020] The end of the strip is first fixed to the wound coil with a
pusher and then the tape is removed, the coil is then transported
(together) with the pusher fixing the end of the strip to the
vicinity of the processing device, for example the sampler, and the
end of the strip is unwound there with the reel.
[0021] The possibility exists of the end of the strip being fixed
with an additional stationary pusher and subsequently released near
the first and/or second pusher, with the end of the strip being
unwound in the meantime or afterward.
[0022] With regard to the other essential aspects and options of
the method according to the invention, reference is also made to
the description of the drawing.
[0023] The invention is explained in further detail below with
reference to a schematic drawing, which illustrates only one
embodiment. In the drawing:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of an apparatus according
to the invention,
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus according to FIG.
1,
[0026] FIG. 3 is section B-B through the apparatus according to
FIG. 1,
[0027] FIG. 4 is section A-A through the apparatus according to
FIG. 1,
[0028] FIG. 5 is an enlarged section through the apparatus
according to FIG. 1,
[0029] FIG. 6 is an enlarged section from the apparatus according
to FIG. 2, and
[0030] FIG. 7 is a simplified perspective view of the apparatus
according to the invention.
[0031] The figures show an embodiment (or apparatus) for processing
an end of a strip (preferably metal strip) that is wound into coils
1. The invention here is an apparatus for strip sampling and/or
inspection. The metal strip 2 is thus wound into coils that are
strapped with tape in order to prevent unwinding of the strip.
[0032] The apparatus shown has a stripper 3 for taking off the
strapping tape. A processing device in the form of a sampler 5 is
downstream from this strapping tape stripper 3 in a conveying
direction. This sampler 5 can cut a strip portion of predetermined
length from the metal strip 2 as a specimen. A strapping tool 6 is
downstream from this sampler 5 in the transport direction T and
serves to bind the coil again with strapping tape. The coils are
delivered to the strapping tape stripper 3 by a conveyor 7
(schematically indicated) that can for example be a walking beam
conveyor. A treatment station 8 near the strapping tape stripper 3
serves for deposition of the coil near the tape stripper 3.
[0033] In order to take a sample near the sampler 5, it is
necessary to unwind the metal strip 2 by a predetermined amount
after removal of the strapping tape so that a portion of the end of
the strip can be cut off. For this purpose, the apparatus according
to the invention comprises a coiler for unwinding the strip, this
coiler being according to the invention a reel 9. Here, this reel 9
has two rotating mandrels 10 for picking up the coil 1. The reel 9
is on a conveyor that can move the reel 9 and the picked-up coil 1
between the individual processing stations. In the illustrated
embodiment, this conveyor has a trolley 11 that can be move (in the
linear conveying direction T) on rails 12. These rails 12 flank and
are parallel to the conveying direction of the coil defined by the
walking beam conveyor. The trolley 11 can thus be displaced in the
conveying direction T that is parallel to a coil axis. The trolley
11 has a chassis 13 that can travel on the rails 12 for example via
rollers 14 rotatably mounted on the chassis 13. Moreover, the
transport trolley 11 has an adjustable support frame 15 on which
the reel 9 or its mandrels 10 are mounted. Here, this support frame
15 is height-adjustable. This is achieved structurally in that the
support frame 15 is mounted on the chassis 13 so as to be pivotal
about an axis 16 that is parallel to the coil axis and hence
parallel to the conveying direction T. By virtue of the relatively
long lever arm, this pivoting movement about the axis 16
substantially enables the reel 9 attached to the support frame 15
to be height-adjusted, and hence on the coil 1 attached thereto as
well.
[0034] Two displaceable actuating arms 17 are also mounted on the
support frame that carry the mandrels 10 of the reel, so that,
during movement of the actuating arms 17, the mandrels 10 are moved
along the coil axis, so that the mandrels 10 can be extended into
the coil 1 and pulled out of same. Appropriate actuators are
provided for this purpose which need not be discussed in any
further detail. In addition, one or both mandrels 10 are equipped
with rotary drives that also need not be discussed in any further
detail.
[0035] Here, one or more pushers 18, 19 are mounted on the conveyor
and/or to the transport trolley 11, particularly on the support
frame 15 of the transport trolley 11 here, so that the pushers 18,
19 can be raised and lowered with the reel 9 and hence with the
coil 1 and also move with the entire trolley 11.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, a first pusher 18 is provided
that has two adjustable pressure rollers 20 (as a double roller).
In addition, a second pusher 19 is provided that has an adjustable
pressure roller 21. The pressure roller 21 is offset angularly from
the pressure roller 20 and/or pressure rollers 20 on the coil
surface, so that the pressure rollers 20 on the one hand and 21 on
the other hand exert pressure on the coil at different angularly
offset positions and are used as alternatives. The pushers 18, 19
are each equipped with a drive for pressing the respective roller
against the coil. The pusher 18 and the optional pusher 19 can
reliably handle the coil and, in particular, can stabilize the coil
during the entire transport operation to prevent unwinding of the
strip after the strapping tape has been removed. This will be
discussed later.
[0037] In addition to the pushers 18, 19 that travel with the coil,
a stationary pusher 22 is provided in the embodiment that also has
a movable pressure roller 23 and a corresponding actuator for
moving the roller 23. This pressure roller 23 of the stationary
pusher 22 is also offset from the first pressure roller 20 and the
second pressure roller 21 about the surface of the coil. With this
additional pusher 22, the process of unwinding during sampling is
optimized. This will be discussed below as well.
[0038] The sampler 5 has a rack or frame 24. Moreover, a separation
device, for example a shear 25, is provided that can cut a portion
from the end of the strip as a specimen. Furthermore, a lower guide
26 and an upper guide 27 are attached to the rack 24 that are used
to guide the strip or the end of the strip during unwinding and,
optionally, winding. At least the upper strip guide 27 is
height-adjustable and/or pivotable on the rack 24.
[0039] The apparatus according to the invention works as
follows:
[0040] The coil 1 to be processed and/or sampled is transported by
the walking beam conveyor (shown schematically) into the vicinity
of the strapping-tape stripper 3 and deposited there in the
treatment station 8. The coil 1 is still stabilized with the tape
against unwinding. The coiler is now moved with the trolley 11 on
the rails 12 into the vicinity of the tape stripper 3. For this
purpose, the support frame 15 has been raised lifted by drives or
lifters 28, so that the coiler and/or reel 9 can be positioned
above the coil 1 in the treatment station 8. The support frame 15
is then lowered, and the mandrels 10 of the reel 9 are engaged in
the coil 1 or the coil center hole. Thereafter, at least one of the
pushers 18, 19, more particularly both pressure rollers 20, 21
thereof, are pressed radially against the coil and the tape can
then be removed by the tape stripper. The possibility exists of
previously positioning the coil, more particularly the strip end of
the coil 1, in an appropriate orientation by means of the reel 9.
Incidentally, it is possible to use the support arms 15 and hence
the height adjustability of the conveyor to position the coil in an
appropriate angular and vertical position to the tape stripper
3.
[0041] In any case, the coil is secured by the pushers 18 or 19
against unwinding after the removal of the strapping tape.
[0042] The coil can now be transported in this stabilized state
with the aid of the displaceable conveyor into the vicinity of the
sampler 5. In addition, the coil 1 can be lifted by the
height-adjustable support frame 15 to the desired height near the
sampler 5 to a height dependent on the coil diameter, thus making
perfect positioning readily possible for different coil
diameters.
[0043] After the coil 1 has been positioned in an appropriate
position relative to the sampler 5, the end of the strip can be
unwound to the desired extent by the uncoiler or the reel 9, so
that the strip 2 is guided into the sampler and, there,
particularly near the separating device/shear 25. During this
unwinding of the end of the strip, it is possible to variably
position and adjust the end of the strip and the coil with the
height-adjustable support frame 15. In addition, the possibility
exists of appropriately positioning the strip guides 26, 27,
particularly in a variable manner during the process. Here, the
upper strip guide 27 can be both height-adjusted and pivoted for
this purpose. The height of the strip guide 27 can be adjusted on a
guide frame 30 by a drive and pivoted about an axis 29. These
variable setting options enable the apparatus and process to be
adapted to the strip properties. For instance, it is possible to
respond to the elasticity or hardness and hence to the degree of
springiness of the strip.
[0044] The process can be further optimized by the above-mentioned
additional stationary pusher 22 with the pressure roller 23. It is
thus possible, in particular, to first place this pusher or
pressure roller 23 against the coil as soon as the coil has been
positioned in the correct position in front of the sampler.
Subsequently, it is then possible to lift off the pusher 18 and/or
the pusher 19, so that the coil is now stabilized against unwinding
only by the pressure roller 23. However, this pressure roller 23 is
located on the outer surface farther from the end of the strip than
the pressure rollers 20, 21, so that the strip springs up over a
greater free length of strip. This has the advantage that plastic
deformation in the course of unwinding during advancement of the
end of the strip can be avoided or reduced.
[0045] After the end of the strip has been advanced sufficiently, a
desired strip portion can be taken as a specimen that then falls
into a receptacle 31.
[0046] Subsequently, the strip can be rewound with the reel 9,
particularly to the extent that the end of the strip is stabilized
against unwinding with one of the displaceable pushers 18, 19. The
trolley 11 with the coil 1 attached and secured thereto can be
moved away from the sampler into the vicinity of the strapping tool
6. There, restrapping is performed with one or more (new) tapes.
The pushers 18, 19 can then be released, and the strapped coil can
be placed into a treatment station and then further processed or
further transported, for example by a conveyor (for example a
walking beam conveyor), which is also not shown.
[0047] The advantages of the invention have been explained with
reference to the figures in connection with a sampler. However, the
mobile uncoiler according to the invention can also be used in
other applications. Moreover, it is alternatively possible for the
trolley to move not on a straight path or along a straight
conveying direction, but alternatively also on a curved or arcuate
transport path. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible to rotate
or pivot uncoiler from one station to the next. Such options are
not shown in the figures.
[0048] With the apparatus according to the invention, differently
dimensioned strips or coils can be processed in a wide variety of
configurations. The outer diameter of the coils can for example be
1200 mm to 2500 mm, preferably 1400 mm to 2200 mm. The inner
diameter of the coils can for example be 500 to 800 mm, preferably
610 to 762 mm. The coil widths can for example be 500 mm to 2500
mm, preferably 700 mm to 2200 mm. The thickness of the metal strip
can for example be 1 mm to 30 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 25 mm. It
can be metal strip, particularly a steel strip, for example a
hot-rolled steel strip. The temperature of the strip can be up to
650.degree. C. during processing.
* * * * *