[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for winding a wire rod
which is fed from a rolling mill along a predetermined path.
[0002] In the art of winding a wire rod which is run along a predetermined path from a rolling
mill, a wire rod winder of a poling-reel type, for example, is used. In the case where
billets are efficiently rolled into wire rods at relatively short intervals, the successively
produced wire rods are led to alternately or sequentially selected one of plural stationary
winders, along respective paths which lead to the stationary winders. More specifically,
each of the wire rods from a rolling mill is first introduced into a branching or
switching device which selects one of the plural wire paths that leads to the winder
which is currently assigned to wind the wire rod. In this arrangement, the wire rod
which is currently fed from the rolling mill is wound in the form of a coil by one
of the plural winders, while the coil already wound by another winder is taken out
so that this unloaded winder is able to wind a wire rod which will be fed thereto
in the next winding cycle.
[0003] In the above-described arrangement for winding successively produced wire rods, however,
plural wire paths should be provided between the branching device and the respective
stationary wire winders. For example, when two wire winders are used, the corresponding
two wire paths should be formed so as to feed the wire rods from the branching device
to the respective two winders. If it is desired to wind a wire rod in a desired one
of opposite directions (either clockwise or counterclockwise) on each of the two winders,
two wire paths must be provided for each of the two winders, one path for producing
a clockwise coil, and the other path for a counterclockwise coil. Consequently, a
total of four wire paths are required in order to enable each of the two wire winders
to operate in either one of the two winding directions.
[0004] In this connection, it is noted that each wire path extending from a branching device
is formed in a line which is defined by cooling devices, pinch roll units, guide tubes,
guide rolls, support post, wire inlet tube, and other members. Accordingly, the cost
of the wire winding equipment and the required area of installation are increased
as the number of wire paths is increased. In addition to the above inconveniences,
the conventional arrangement suffers a problem that wire rods are likely to be damaged
due to frictional contact with the branching device while the direction of feed of
the wire rod is changed at and by the branching device, whereby the quality of the
produced coil is lowered.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus
for winding a wire rod supplied from a rolling mill, which are capable of producing
coils of wire with improved quality, at high efficiency and with minimum cost.
[0006] According to the invention, there is provided a method of winding wire rods which
are fed in succession from a rolling mill along at least one wire path, comprising
the steps of: (1) providing a plurality of wire winders which are disposed, in a mutually
spaced-apart relation, at one end of the wire path remote from the rolling mill; (2)
positioning one of the wire winders at its winding position and winding the wire rod
as a first coil by this one wire winder; (3) upon completion of winding of the wire
rod as the first coil, positioning the above one wire winder to its non-winding position
before the leading end of the next wire rod fed from the rolling mill reaches the
above-identified one end of the wire path, and positioning another of the wire winders
to its winding position; and (4) winding the next wire rod as a second coil by the
above another wire winder, while concurrently taking out the first coil from the previously
operated one wire winder.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for
winding wire rods which are fed in succession from a rolling mill along at least one
wire path, comprising: a carriage which is movable, at one end of the wire path remote
from the rolling mill, in a direction perpendicular to the wire path; a plurality
of wire winders for winding the wire rods, the wire winders being mounted on the carriage
such that the wire winders are disposed in the direction of movement of the carriage;
and drive means for moving the carriage to position a selected one of the wire winders
in its winding position.
[0008] In the method or apparatus of the present invention described above, the wire winders
are selectively brought into a winding position. Consequently, the wire rods which
are successively fed from the rolling mill at relatively short time intervals may
be led to selected one of the plural wire winders, without branching the wire path
originating from the rolling mill, into plural branch paths corresponding to the plural
wire winders. In other words, the wire rods may be supplied to the appropriate wire
winders along a single wire path. Thus, the instant winding method or apparatus makes
it possible to achieve a considerable reduction in the number of components of the
wire path arrangement such as branching device, cooling device, pinch rolls, guide
tubes, guide rolls, posts and wire inlet tubes, whereby the overall cost of the equipment
and the installation space may be minimized. Moreover, the elimination of a branching
device frees the wire rods from otherwise possible bending stresses and consequent
frictional damages when the direction of feed of the wire rod is changed at the branching
device.
[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the carriage
may be a truck having wheels which roll on rails extending in the direction perpendicular
to the wire path. In this case, the drive means for moving the truck may comprise
a hydraulic cylinder.
[0010] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the wire winders
comprises a substantially cylindrical drum which is rotatable about its vertical axis
and open at its upper end. The wire rod is introduced through the upper open end and
wound in the cylindrical drum.
[0011] In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, the wire rods are fed from
the rolling mill along a single wire path to the carriage, and the plural wire winders
consist of two wire winders which are spaced from each other in the direction perpendicular
to the wire path.
[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will be better understood from reading the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing,
in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of billet rolling and wire winding equipment which
includes one embodiment of a wire winding apparatus of the invention;
Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a wire winding apparatus taken along line II-II of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the wire winders taken along line III-III of Fig.
1; and
Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing a known arrangement
of billet rolling and wire winding equipment.
[0013] To further clarify the concept of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of
the invention will be described by reference to the accompanying drawing.
[0014] Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a general arrangement of billet rolling
and wire winding equipment constructed according to the invention, which is suitable
for practicing the method of the invention. The equipment comprises a finish rolling-mill
stand 10 which is disposed as the last stage of a hot-rolling process. A wire rod
14 fed from the rolling-mill stand 10 is guided along a linear wire path 12 which
leads to a carriage in the form of a truck 20. The truck 20 carries thereon two wire
winders 16, 18 which are spaced from each other along a line transverse, suitably
perpendicular to the wire path 12. The truck 20 is movable in the direction in which
the two wire winders 16, 18 are disposed, i.e., transversely, suitably perpendicularly
to the wire path 12. The wire path 12 is formed in a line which is defined by plural
cooling devices 22 for cooling the wire rod 14, pinch rolls 24 for guiding the wire
rod 14, and other members necessary to guide the wire rod 14 to the truck 20.
[0015] As illustrated in detail in Figs. 2 and 3, there is formed a pit 26 in the ground
floor. On shoulders 29 which partially define the pit 26, a pair of rails 28 are laid
in parallel with each other, so that the rails 28 run perpendicularly to the wire
path 12. The truck 20 is adapted to move with its wheels 30 rolling on the rails 28.
More specifically stated, the truck 20 is connected at its one end to a piston rod
36 of a hydraulic cylinder 34 which is fixedly disposed in the pit 26, so as to serve
as a major component of drive means for moving the truck 20. This drive means further
includes limit switches (not shown) which are disposed at four positions along the
rails 28, so that the piston rod 36 and consequently the truck 20 may be moved to
a desired one of four positions corresponding to the positions of the limit switches.
The four positions of the truck 20 correspond to two winding positions of a first
poling reel 38 (which will be described), and two winding positions of a second poling
reel 40 (which will be described). One of the two winding positions for each poling
reel 38, 40 is assigned for winding the wire rod 14 into a clockwise coil, and the
other winding position is for winding the wire rod 24 into a counterclockwise coil.
Thus, the truck 20 is positioned selectively at one of the four winding positions.
[0016] The wire winders 16, 18 mounted on the truck 20 are of so-called "poling reel" type,
each including the previously indicated poling reel 38, 40 in the form of a cylindrical
winding drum which is rotable about its axis. Since these two winders 16 and 18 are
identical to each other in construction, the following description refers only to
the winder 18.
[0017] The poling reel 40 is rotated by a drive motor 42 via a reduction gear 43, and closed
at its bottom end by a support disc 44 as indicated in Fig. 2, while the wire rod
14 is wound in the reel 40. The support disc 44 is movable in the poling reel 40 in
the vertical direction, by an elevator rod 46 which is disposed co-axially with the
poling reel 40 and movable up and down along the axis of rotation of the reel 40.
Described in greater detail, the elevator rod 46 whose upper end is secured to the
support disc 44, is operatively connected at its lower end to a hydraulic cylinder
50 through a lever 52 and a link 54. The hydraulic cylinder 50 is fixed to a bracket
48 which extends downward from the bottom of the truck 20. The lever 52 is pivotally
supported on the bracket 48 and connected at its opposite ends to the cylinder 50
and the link 54, respectively. Linear movements of the hydraulic cylinder 50 will
cause the lever 52 to pivot in opposite directions, thereby moving the elevator rod
46 up and down via the link 54. In this arrangement, the support disc 44 at the upper
end of the elevator rod 46 is held at its lower position indicated in broken line
in Fig. 2 while the wire rod 14 is being wound as a coil in the poling reel 40, but
after the completion of the winding cycle, the disc 44 on which the coil is wound
is moved upward to its upper position upon activation of the hydraulic cylinder 50,
so that the coil may be pushed out of the poling reel 40.
[0018] Adjacent to the edge of the pit 26, a post 56 is erected for supporting in a known
manner a wire inlet tube 58 which forms the terminal portion of the wire path 12.
This wire inlet tube 58 through which the wire rod 14 is passed, is oriented so that
the wire rod 14 is led into an upper part of the poling reel 40 (38). Depending upon
the specific thickness (diameter or cross sectional area) of the wire rod 14, the
vertical position and angle of inclination of the wire inlet tube 58 with respect
to the post 56 are changed as illustrated in solid and broken lines in Fig. 2. Namely,
the angle of the terminal portion of the wire path 12 is suitably adjusted to the
thickness of the wire rod 14. Alternatively, it is possible to use a switching device
to branch the terminal portion of the wire path 12.
[0019] The operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0020] In the case where the wire rod 14 is wound as a counterclockwise coil by the wire
winder 18, the truck 20 is moved to the position indicated in solid line in Fig. 1,
i.e., to a winding position of Fig. 3, for positioning the poling reel 40 so that
the wire inlet tube 58 points into the upper open end portion of the poling reel 40.
More precisely, the truck 20 is positioned so that the left-hand side end (as viewed
in Fig. 3) of the upper open end of the poling reel 40 is aligned with the wire inlet
tube 58, as shown in Fig. 3. In this position, the poling reel 40 is rotated at a
peripheral speed substantially equal to a feed speed of the wire rod 14 which is fed
from the finish rolling-mill stand 10 which produces the wire rod 14 by rolling a
billet. With the wire rod 14 fed into the rotating poling reel 40, the wire rod 14
is wound as a counterclockwise coil in the reel 40. While the winding operation is
being performed on the poling reel 40, the coil already wound in the other poling
reel 38 is removed out of the reel 38.
[0021] Upon completion of the winding cycle in the poling reel 40, the truck 20 is moved
by the hydraulic cylinder 34 to another winding position, indicated in broken line
in Fig. 1, at which the wire inlet tube 58 is brought into alignment with the upper
open end of the other poling reel 38, before the leading end of the next wire rod
14 reaches the poling reel 38. Thus, the truck 20 is positioned so that the winders
16 and 18 are located at their winding and non-winding positions.
[0022] Subsequently, the new wire rod 14 is wound in the poling reel 38 as a clockwise coil.
In the meantime, the support disc 44 in the poling reel 40 is raised to take out the
counterclockwise coil which has been produced in the poling reel 40.
[0023] With the above winding cycle repeated, the wire rods 14 which are successively fed
along the single wire path 12 from the finish rolling-mill stand 10 at relatively
short time intervals, may be wound alternately by one of the two wire winders 40,
38, with minimum non-productive time, i.e., with high winding efficiency. When it
is desired to wind the wire rods 14 in the counterclockwise direction in the poling
reel 38, or in the clockwise direction in the poling reel 40, this winding operation
in the reverse direction may be readily accomplished by moving the truck 20 to change
the winding position, so that the wire inlet tube 58 is aligned respectively with
the left-hand side edge and the right-hand side edge (in Fig. 3) of the poling reel
38, and 40, in the same way as previously indicated. In this instance, the direction
of rotation of the reels 38, 40 should be reversed. Since the poling reels 38, 40
on the truck 20 are movable, there is no need to branch the single wire path 12 for
feeding the wire rod 14 to different positions for clockwise and counterclockwise
winding operations for each poling reel.
[0024] As described hitherto, the instant winding system or apparatus and method are adapted
to efficiently handle the wire rods 14 which are fed in succession from the finish
rolling-mill stand 10 at comparatively short intervals, and along the single wire
path 12. In other words, the successively fed wire rods 14 are wound alternately in
one of the two wire winders 38, 40 while the winders 38, 40 are held at the appropriate
winding positions. Hence, the instant apparatus and method make it possible to considerably
simplify the wire path, that is, contribute to reduction in the number of components
constituting the wire path 12, such as branching device, cooling device, pinch rolls,
guide tubes, guide rolls, support post and wire inlet tube. Consequently, the cost
of the wire winding equipment as a whole, and the installation area required, are
reduced to an appreciable extent. Further, since the instant apparatus does not require
a branching device for feeding the wire rod along one of plural wire paths as used
in the conventional system, the wire rod 14 is not marred or otherwise damaged due
to a bending force applied during a pass through the branching device. Thus, the conventionally
encountered deterioration of quality of the produced coils is eliminated, or at least
minimized.
[0025] For comparison, an example of a conventional system is shown in Fig. 4, wherein a
single wire path originating from a finish rolling-mill stand 70 is branched by a
branching device 76 into two wire paths which lead to two stationary wire winders
72 and 74 provided for the single finish rolling-mill stand. In the case where the
wire rods 75 are wound selectively in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction
in each of the two winders 72, 74, each of the branch wire paths should be further
branched into two branch paths for the clockwise and counterclockwise coils. This
will increase the number of wire paths, and the total length of the wire paths, thereby
requiring a larger number of components such as cooling devices and pinch rolls for
the entire equipment. Accordingly, the conventional system suffers relatively high
equipment cost and large space requirement for installation. Furthermore, the produced
coils are degraded in quality due to damages of the wire rods which are subjected
to a bending force while they are passed through one or more branching devices.
[0026] While the present invention has been described in its preferred form, it is to be
understood that the invention is not confined to the precise disclosure contained
herein, but may be otherwise embodied, with various changes, modifications and improvements.
[0027] For example, the truck 20 which carries the wire winders 16, 18 and is movable with
its wheels 30 rolling on the rails 28 by the hydraulic cylinder 34, may be moved by
an electric motor. Further, the truck 20 may be replaced by a carriage or other forms
of movable means, which is movable by means of a slide slidable on a suitable bearing
surfaces, or by means of a suitable link mechanism. Further, the carriage may be replaced
by a rotary turning table which is rotatable about the vertical axis.
[0028] While the truck 20 carries the two winders in the illustrated embodiment, three or
more winders may be mounted on the truck or similar movable means indicated above.
[0029] The poling reels 38, 40 used in the illustrated embodiment are provided in the form
of cylindrical drums with a support disc. However, it is possible that the reels be
formed by a plurality of pins which are secured to a suitable base and which are disposed
in mutually spaced-apart relation along a profile of a coil to be produced.
[0030] It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other changes and modifications
may be made, in view of the foregoing teaching, without departing from the scope of
the invention defined in the appended claims.
1. A method of winding wire rods which are fed in succession from a rolling mill along
at least one wire path, comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of wire winders which are disposed, in a mutually spaced-apart
relation, at one end of said at least one wire path remote from said rolling mill;
positioning one of said wire winders at its winding position and winding the wire
rod as a first coil by said one wire winder;
upon completion of winding of the wire rod as said first coil, positioning said one
wire winder to its non-winding position before the leading end of the next wire rod
fed from said rolling mill reaches said one end of the wire path, and positioning
another of said wire winders to its winding position; and
winding said next wire rod as a second coil by said another wire winder, while concurrently
taking out said first coil from said one wire winder.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wire rods are fed from said rolling
mill along a single wire path, and said plurality of wire winders consists of two
wire winders, said wire rods being fed along said single wire path selectively to
one of said two wire winders by alternately positioning said two wire winders to their
winding position.
3. An apparatus for winding wire rods which are fed in succession from a rolling mill
along at least one wire path, comprising:
a carriage which is movable, at one end of said at least one wire path remote from
said rolling mill, in a direction transverse to said at least one wire path;
a plurality of wire winders for winding the wire rods, said wire winders being mounted
on said carriage such that the wire winders are disposed in said direction; and
drive means for moving said carriage to position selected one of said wire winders
to its winding position.
4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said carriage is a truck having wheels
which roll on rails which extend in said direction.
5. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises
a hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor to move said carriage in said direction.
6. An apparatus as recited in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein each of said wire
winders comprises a substantially cylindrical drum which is rotatable about its vertical
axis and open at its upper end, the wire rod being introduced through said upper open
end and wound in said cylindrical drum.
7. An apparatus as recited in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a single wire path
extending to said carriage from said rolling mill is provided and said plurality of
wire winders consists of two wire winders which are spaced from each other in said
direction.
8. An apparatus as recited in any one of Claims 3 to 7, wherein said direction extends
perpendicular to said wire path.