Patent ID: 6464927
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: B21B,C21D

Abstract:
Apparatus for in-line heat treatment of elongated metal stock hot rolled in a rolling mill comprising in-line with the rolling mill:a) a first shear to cut the hot rolled stock into pieces of predetermined length, b) a quenching box for forced cooling of the hot rolled stock, c) a layer preparation system to layer a predetermined number of pieces of cut stock in preparation for further heat treatment thereof, wherein the number of pieces per layer depends on the section of the hot rolled stock, d) an on-line annealing furnace for controlled cooling, holding or heating of the layers of stock, said on-line annealing furnace having two or more levels for placement of one layer of cut stock upon each level, e) means to discharge and separate the layers into individual pieces of stock, and f) a cooling bed for cooling the heat treated stock.