Endless and Continuous Rolling Process for Producing Bar, Band, or Wire-like Goods.
Year: 1894

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Endless and Continuous Rolling Process for Producing Bar, Band, or
Wire-like Goods.
I OTTO KLATTE, Manager of the Firm of Walzwerk Germania, Neuwied
on the Rhine, Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
According to the rolling processes hitherto known for producing bar, band or
wire like goods, the metal under treatment from begining to end of the process
takes the form of a prismatic body, having two end surfaces and varying in section
during the process. Double croppings are consequently unavoidable which may
however occur several times during one rolling. In order to roll the metal from
its original to its final shape the metal must pass through a certain number of
groovings decreasing in section, not gradually but stepwise such groovings being
usually distributed among several rolling trains. In the case of finer products
(band iron and wire) the number of groovings which the metal has to pass is very
considerable. The metal under treatment has to be fed to each groove of the rolls,
nearly always by manual labour (in very few cases does the feed take place
automatically) with the aid of feed hoppers, guides trucks etc. which have to be
differently constructed for the various groovings.
According to the process hereinafter more particularly described, the metal
under treatment takes the form of an endless body i.e. of a ring or annular body
either round or oval in form. The rolling process from the original to the final
section takes place in one and the same grooving in two or three high rolling
trains but in the latter case in two passages through the rolls which are however
formed by one groove of the central roll, the endless form of the metal under
treatment being retained throughout the whole process and the rolls being caused
to rotate uninterruptedly and in one and the same direction.
The characteristic of the present process is that the same enables the production
of bar, band and wire like products from an annular metal body by continuously
rolling the said body between the same rolls and without a change of grooves and
allowing it to retain its endless form until the required final section has been
obtained and the annular body correspondingly enlarged, whereupon the long
endless band produced may be divided. Thus according to this process the waste
caused by croppings will be entirely avoided, less labour and less time will be
required and the production will be increased, guides and feed devices etc. may be
dispensed with as no shifting of the piece of metal under treatment is necessary.
It may be remarked here, that it is customary in making band as also flat iron
to give the same one or two "polishing" or finishing passes through the rolls and
in making wire to give the same a round-oval and finishing passage through the
rolls, thus in this kind of rolling products the term "required final section" above
mentioned must be construed to refer to the section obtained previous to these
finishing passages. And in order to make the present invention more easily
intelligible reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters
denote similar parts throughout the several views.
Figures 1 to 4 are diagrammatical representations of the process as carried out
with two rolls.
Figure 5 shows the construction of a pair of rolls according to the present system,
for making bar iron having a rectangular section.
Figure 5 the final position of the rolls during one rolling.

page_text: Figure 6, is a sectional side elevation, and
Figure 7, an end elevation partly in section of a rolling mill in which the rolls
are supported in bearings at either side of the same.
Figures 8 and 9, similar views of a rolling mill having the rolls supported at one
side only.
Figure 10 is a detail sectional elevation of a roll having double bearings.
Figure 10 a side elevation of the same roll, partly in section with the parts
separated or drawn apart.
Figure 11, is a side elevation of a rolling mill showing the hydraulic pressure
cylinder for keeping the rolls together.
Figure 12, an end elevation of Figure 11.
Figure 13, is a sectional side elevation showing the process as performed with
three high trains.
Figure 14 is a front elevation of Figure 13.
Figure 15, a similar section to Figure 13, showing the process in a more
advanced stage.
Figure 16, is a front elevation partly in section, and
Figure 17, a vertical section showing a modified form of roll for three high
trains.
Figures 18 and 19 represent two complete rolling mills for carrying out the
present process.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4 the original metal body which I shall for the
purposes of this Specification hereinafter term the ring may either be cast, or may
also be formed by bending a metal bar and welding its ends together, the said metal
bar may have been previously rolled, pressed or forged in any desired manner.
The ring a is now placed in the groove formed by the two rolls advantageously
whilst still hot from the mould, or if local circumstances will not admit of this, the
ring should be further heated in a furnace the upper roll being in the position
shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. Immediately after the ring has been placed in
the groove the upper roll is lowered and the rolls set in motion if they were not in
motion at the time the ring was placed between them; the upper roll is now
constantly advanced towards the stationary lower roll by a suitable power acting
upon it vertically from above. The section of the ring will thus be gradually
decreased, its length increasing correspondingly.
After having passed the rolls several times the ring will attain such a size that
it will hang down on the inclined surface 6 arranged under the rolls as shown at
Figure 2 and will be correspondingly diverted. When the ring, or rather the
metal product, under treatment (which has in the meantime passed from the ring
shape to that of a loop or endless band) has attained a certain size, a roll c may be
placed in the same (Figure 3) said roll being guided by any suitable means so as to
exercise a pull on the band in the direction of the arrow and retain the said band
stretched without twisting the same. This arrangement is devised to prevent the
band from getting entangled on the decrease of its rigidity through the rolling
process.
The same object however may be attained as at present by having a boy to keep
the constantly moving loop or band in order. For the more rigid kinds of work
this is not necessary. The upper roll continues to approach the lower one until it
bas reached a certain position corresponding to the desired final section of the metal
when the downward pressure is released or the roll arrested in its end position as
shown at Figure 4. The length of the final product depends upon the size of the
machinery and the original ring and upon the proportion of the final section to the
primary section.
Thus for instance, a ring having a section 40 × 70 mm. and a diameter (on the
centre of gravity) of 500 mm. is to be rolled into a band iron having a section of
45 × 2 mm. The endless band resulting as the final product will be 46.5 m. long
so that a space of half this length or about 23 m. would be necessary behind the
rolls.

page_text: After the metal band has passed the rolls once (or several times) when they are
in position nearest each other or in their end position, the upper roll is again raised
to its highest position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, after the loop or band has
been cut apart and removed from the rolls. The product of the rolls is then
further treated in the usual manner. Thus in making band iron the divided band
may if desired be subjected to further passages through the rolls for polishing
purposes as previously mentioned, wire, again, would have to be further treated to
change it from the square section which it has received to the round-oval and
finally circular section."
In order to carry out the process which has been previously described in
principle, specially constructed rolls and rolling mills are necessary.
Figure 5, shows rolls constructed for producing bar metal having a rectangular
cross section, flat iron, band iron, and the like.
The upper roll forms the top of the groove and consists of a roll having cylindrical
circumferential surface with slightly conical side or lateral surfaces, so that the
length or width of the roll increases towards the axis of the same.
adjustable lengthwise on its shaft.
This roll is
The lower roll has conical lateral flanges forming the sides of the groove and a
cylindrical part forming the bottom of the said groove. The conicity of the lateral
flanges fits that of the upper roll. The part d is adjustable lengthwise on the shaft
the part e being rigidly attached to the same advantageously by means of a
clamping ring by means of which it is pressed or retained firmly against a
shoulder or collar formed on the said shaft. The parts d and e are formed of
several parts as shown in the drawings, so that when the working surfaces wear
down it is only necessary to replace or renew the rings on which these surfaces are
formed. At the beginning of the rolling process the ring of metal to be worked
hangs in the groove (see also Figure 6) and the upper roll is slightly advanced
into the groove of the lower roll. As the rolling progresses the upper roll is
gradually advanced towards the lower one entering further and further into the
groove of the same and according to the conicity of the lateral surfaces gradually
displacing the part d and moving itself slightly to the left. The springs g
advantageously from 4 to 6 in number (which bear against the collar h advan-
tageously made in two parts and fast on the shaft press d properly against the
upper roll and the latter against the part e so that the groove is kept constantly
closed. The final position of the rolls during one rolling operation is shown in
Figure 5. The downward motion of the upper roll is stopped and the part d of
the lower roll contacts with the ends of the (three) set screws i which limit the
lateral motion of same.
After the finished product has been removed from the rolls the upper roll is
raised far enough to allow of the introduction of another metal ring, the springs g
pressing the part d back into its original position (Figure 5) which is limited or
determined by the set screws k. During its upward motion the upper roll also
returns to its original position. The above described roll construction allows of the
adjustment and employment of the lower roll within two once determined limits
for products of any desired width; the breadth of the cylindrical circumferential
surface of the upper roll determines the breadth of the required product, for other
breadths a different roll-ring must be employed. In this kind of rolling machinery
as will be evident, the rolling operation is effected by decreasing the height of the
metal ring under treatment through the gradual approach of the rolls, the conical
lateral surfaces of the said rolls allowing a widening of the metal under treatment
within certain limits.
Under or lower rolls of the kind described may also be employed as head rolls
i.e. rolls having bearings at one side only, as shown at Figure 5 and in connection
with the mill illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 they may however be provided with
two trunnions as shown in connection with the train illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.
In the former case the metal ring to be worked may be conveniently introduced
between the rolls, in the latter case however a special device must be provided to

page_text: enable the performance of this operation, which will be hereinafter described in
connection with the rolling mills illustrated. The one sided mounting of the rolls
is sufficient for the lighter kinds of work, while for the heavier kinds (broad flat
or band iron and the like) it is advisable to provide bearings at each side of the
rolls. A rolling train of the latter description is shown at Figures 10 and 10º.
This train is based on the same principle as that shown in Figure 5, the only
difference being that the part d is not pressed against the upper roll by means of
springs, but by hydraulic pressure, by means of a hydraulic cylinder, double arm
lever and suitable connections (see also Figure 11).
The rolling mill shown in Figures and 7 consists of the standards and m,
with the necessary gearing and the roll standards n and o with rolls as described
having bearings at either side. Between the standards are the elastically supported
shaft connections with the usual jointed couplings. Motion is imparted to the
lower shaft, the coupling and uncoupling of the train as also the starting and
stopping is effected by means of friction couplings which may be worked
hydraulically as shown at the left hand side of the figure. The shaft connections
between the two pairs of standards as also the flexibility of the couplings are kept
at such proportions as to allow of the adjustment of the position of the upper roll
and its vertically adjustable bearings into the upper position shown in dotted lines
in Figure 7, and into its lowest position corresponding to the smallest section of
the metal under treatment. To the standards n and o are attached two hydraulic
cylinders p operated by a common valve motion and having pressure rods 9, 9I,
extending through both cylinder covers, traverses r, r, and stays s, s.
Whilst the
lower roll is as usual mounted in stationary bearings in the standard n, the right
hand trunnion or stub shaft runs on the traverse t which rests on the piston rod u
of the hydraulic cylinder v mounted at the lower part of the standard.
Presuming the rolling process to have been completed and the finished work
removed from the rolls. It is now required to place a fresh ring between the rolls
for which purpose the train is uncoupled. A little practice on the part of the
workman will however enable the introduction of the ring whilst the rolls are
running. The valves are now adjusted so as to raise the plungers of the hydraulic
cylinders and thus lift the upper rolls by means of the rods s, s, into the position
showu in dotted lines in Figure 7. Simultaneously the plunger of the cylinder v
moves downwards, moving the traverse t which is laterally guided in the standard
into the position also shown in dotted lines at the bottom of the said standard. By
this means sufficient room will be left around the lower roll to allow of the ring
being placed over the same through the standard o which is widened out at this
part for the purpose. As soon as this has taken place the valves are reversed,
the plunger u moves upwards until the traverse t closes up under the trunnion of
the lower roll. The plunger is arrested in this position so that it forms a reliable
support for the trunnion or stub shaft of the lower roll. The upper roll has been
simultaneously lowered and exercised a continual pressure on the metal under
treatment by means of the pressure acting on the plunger of the rod q.
By altering the position of the valves the quantity of pressure fluid entering the
cylinder within a certain space of time may be regulated and thus the motion of
the upper roll towards the lower one determined and adjusted to suit various
purposes or even altered during the rolling process. Generally speaking however it
is advantageous to allow the pressure fluid to enter the cylinder without throttling
it so that an even pressure is exercised on the metal under treatment throughout
the whole rolling operation. By this means the approach of the upper roll and
consequent dimunition of the cross section of the metal under treatment will be
regulated automatically i.e. it will regulate itself, accomodating itself to the
properties of the material and will be greater, the less the density of the metal or
at the beginning of the process, decreasing with the increase of density of the
material or towards the end of the rolling operation; the advance of the upper
roll stops entirely as soon as the traverses have reached the nuts w; these latter
thus serve for determining the thickness of the finished product.

page_text: Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a rolling train in which the lower roll is supported in
bearings arranged at one side only of the same. This representation also shows
how a double rolling train may be arranged provided with the present system of
rolls and driven by steam power from an engine. The upper rolls are raised and
lowered in the same manner as just described. The shaft of the lower roll is
provided with a second bearing situated between the gearing standards and the
standards in which the rolls are mounted. The engine drives the shaft and with
it the left hand pair of rolls in the usual manner. The gear y fast on the shaft x
also drives the wheel z and with it the shaft z¹ which carries a gear at its right
hand end driving the gearing of the right hand pair of rolls. Both pairs of rolls
may work entirely independently of each other and yet at the same time. If it
is required to work them one at the time it would be necessary to provide friction
couplings between the gear standards and those of the rolls proper (similar to the
arrangement shown diagrammatically in Figures 18 and 19). The rolling train
shown in Figures 11 and 12 has a roll of the construction shown in Figures 10
and 10. The shaft 1 is adjustable in the direction of its axis. If the same is
pulled to the left by the aid of the hydraulic cylinder 2 (Figure 11) which is
connected to it at 3 the part d of the roll which as above described is pressed to
the right by means of the hydraulic cylinder 4 will remain in the position shown in
Figure 10, until the collar 5 of the shaft 1 strikes the shoulder 6 of the part d when
the latter will be moved with the said shaft. For this purpose the pressure or pull
acting towards the left is somewhat more powerful than that acting to press the
part d to the right.
Figure 10 shows the roll detached or open. The right hand end of the
shaft 1 has passed into the body of the roll d so that sufficient space is left
between d and e to allow of the metal ring to be worked being conveniently
introduced. As soon as this has taken place the shaft 1 and the part d are
returned to their original positions and the top roll which was raised during the
introduction of the ring is lowered down into the latter and the rolling takes place
as previously described. The part d is driven by the shaft 1 the part e of the roll
independently by means of the gearing 7 shaft 8 and the two gears shown at the
right hand side of Figure 11.
This description has hitherto treated of the employment of two high trains only
in connection with the process forming the object of the present invention. Three
high trains may however be employed with equal advantage as shown in
Figures 13, 14 and 15.
The central roll is constructed in the same manner as hitherto described. Since
according to this arrangement an approximately equal pressure is exercised on the
central roll from above and below, the same is in a certain sense relieved or
compensated so that it will be sufficient to support the same in bearings at one side
obly even for doing heavier kinds of work.
The central roll may be arranged in stationary bearings in which case the other
two must have adjustable bearings but if desired the lower roll may be provided
with stationary bearings and the two upper ones with movable bearings. In the
latter case the pressure necessary for performing the rolling operation would be
applied to the top roll which in its turn would communicate it to the central roll
whence it would be imparted to the lower groove. The cylindrical circumferential
>urface of one of the two outer rolls, (in Figures 14 and 15, the top roll) is some-
what broader thau that of the lower roll, the conicity being the same in both rolls
so that the lower one in rolling will penetrate somewhat further into the groove
than the top one (see Figure 14). On this account the top roll is arrested a little
sooner than the lower one so that the metal during the last passage through the rolls
is only subjected to pressure between the central and lower rolls where it is finished
(see Figure 15). When employing two rolls the loop formed- during the process
was guided at one side of the rolls only, but in the present case it will be
necessary to guide the said loop at both sides of the rolls since the same will be
formed at each side.

page_text: With the roll construction hitherto described there is a possibility of a burr
Leing formed on the product at the point of juncture of the parts d and e for
instance when the said parts get worn. As a rule these parts will close properly
-one on the other but any burr may be easily removed by passing the material under
treatment through a second pair of rolls of similar construction but having the
point of juncture of the two roll parts d and e at the opposite side. Such rolls may
be mounted in the same standards so that they only serve as trailing rolls, i.e. they
are not positively driven, the rolls proper pulling the metal through them whilst
the pressure at which they are pressed down one on the other, may be produced by
the application of weights.
In Figures 16 and 17 another application of the invention to three high rollings
trains is illustrated which attains the same effect as an universal rolling train
having two horizontal and two vertical rolls. The top and bottom rolls are
laterally moveable on their shafts, the central roll being fast on its shaft. The
top and bottom rolls are pressed against the central one by vertical pressure and
exert pressure on the metal under treatment in the direction of the small arrows
in Figure 16, said rolls being gradually forced towards the right and left respec-
tively by their contacting angular surfaces i.e. the direction of pressure on the
metal in the upper and lower grooves is diametrically opposite. The rolls are
arrested in their extreme positions by means of set screws and are returned to their
original positions when the rolls are moved apart, by means of springs, their
movement in this direction being also limited by set screws (see dotted lines
Figure 16). This arrangement is specially adapted for producing square bar iron,
quadrilateral and rectangular wire which are the primary shapes for wire having
circular section. In all constructions an interior water cooling is provided for the
rolls, as may be seen from the respective figures.
Figures 18 and 19 show two forms of a general arrangement for rolling mills
constructed for the present endless rolling process double sets of rolls being proposed
in each case.
9, 9, are the rolls for performing the endless process, 10 designates the gears,
11 the friction couplings, 12 are rolls of the ordinary construction for finishing the
product in certain cases after the endless band has been divided (cut, sawn, or
otherwise separated), i.e. dressing the same, or rolling the square sectioned wire
coming from the rolls 9, 9, to a round oval and final circular section.
In the rolling process hereinbefore described, the rolling operation from beginning
to end i.e. from the original ring of metal to the finally attained section of the same
has been conducted in one and the same set of rolls. This is however not absolutely
necessary. The process is equally applicable when one primary and one finishing
set of rolls is employed; thus for instance with a double set of rolls as shown at
Figures 8 and 9, the original ring may be tolled on the left hand set from its
original form to a section about midway between the first and final sections, and the
enlarged loop or band thus formed then transferred to the next rolls, where the
process is completed, another ring being worked in the mean time on first set.
The present process may also be carried out by arranging a second train of rolls
similar to the first behind the latter and driving the same in a similar manner.
The operation would then be carried out by first placing the ring in the first train
and as soon as it had obtained a sufficient size inserting it between the rolls of the
second train whilst the rolls are running, so that the metal would be treated by
both trains simultaneously and in the same manner. In this manner a considerable
saving of time is effected in conducting the process the time required to conduct the
process being reduced to the half of that required when working with one train only.
Even more trains could be employed, but the time taken by the rolling operation
in most cases is so short when employing two trains that there would be hardly
time for the workmen to perform the necessary manual operations between the
trains if more were employed.
It may be briefly mentioned here that the construction and arrangement of the
rolls described with regard to Figures 5 and 5ª, 6 and 7, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.

page_text: may be doubled or trebled etc.; on the same shaft and between the same standards,
so that two or more rings could be worked simultaneously in the same manner as
previously described with regard to one ring.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A process for making bar, band, and wire like products consisting in rolling
an annular metal blank out to the required section between one and the same pair
of rolls, continuously and finally separating the enlarged endless band thus produced
substantially as described.
2. A process for making bar band and wire like products consisting in rolling an
annular metal blank out to the required section between one and the same pair of
rolls continuously, separating the endless band thus produced and finishing or
polishing the same in other rolling trains substantially as described.
3. A process for making bar, band and wire like products consisting in rolling an
annular metal blank out to the required section between one and the same pair of
rolls continuously, stretching the constantly enlarging endless band or loop by
means of an auxiliary roll or rolls, moving outwardly from the rolls, and finally
separating the enlarged endless band thus produced substantially as described.
4. A continuous rolling process for making bar, band and wire like products.
consisting in hanging an annular metal blank between rotary rolls, adjustable
towards and from each other, reducing said blank to the required section by
uninterrupted rolling, and the simultaneous closing of the rolls under pressure
substantially as described.
5. A continuous rolling process for making bar, band and wire like products
consisting in hanging an annular metal blank between rotary rolls adjustable
towards and from each other reducing said blank to the required section
without shifting its position laterally or in the axial direction with regard to
the rolls, by uninterrupted rolling and the simultaneous closing of the rolls under
pressure substantially as described.
6. In combination with rolling machinery substantially as described, an annular
metal body as blank substantially as set forth.
7. The method of making band, bar and wire like goods which consists in
reducing the section of an annular blank by a continuous rolling process in one
operation.
8. In a rolling mill the combination of a rotary grooved roll and a rotary roll or
rolls having annular projection or projections to fit said groove and means for
advancing and retracting said rolls with regard to each other and for introducing
an annular metal blank substantially as described.
9. The combination of a rotary grooved roll having stationary bearings and
a rotary roll or rolls. having annular projection or projections to fit said grooved
roll and mounted in adjustable bearings and means for pressing said moveable roll
or rolls on to the said stationary roll and means for introducing an annular metal
blank between said rolls substantially as described.
10. The combination of a rotary roll having stationary bearings and an annular
groove, conical sides to said groove adjustable to and from each other a rotary roll
or rolls having annular conical projection or projections to fit said groove means for
pressing the sides of said groove on to the annular projection of the engaging roll
or rolls and means for lowering and raising said adjustable rolls to and from said
stationary roll substantially as described.
11. The combination of a rotary roll having stationary bearings and an annular
groove, conical sides to said groove adjustable to and from each other a rotary roll
or rolls having annular conical projection or projections to fit said groove means for
pressing the sides of said groove on to the annular projection of the engaging roll
or rolls and means for lowering and raising said adjustable rolls to and from said

page_text: stationary roll and introducing between said rolls an annular metal blank
substantially as described.
12. The combination of a grooved roll having stationary bearings, and a roll
having annular projection to fit said groove and adjustable bearings means for
pressing said adjustable roll into stationary one, or take up roll or rolls moveable to
and from said rolls and means for actuating said take up roll or rolls substantially
as described.
13. In combination with rolling machinery for producing bar, band and wire like
goods, a divided roll having therein a conical groove adjustable in width, a laterally
moveable side wall to said groove a prolonged cylindrical bottom to said groove
integral with said moveable side wall a sleeve e forming the stationary groove wall
an annular space in said sleeve at the bottom of said groove wall means for
retaining said cylindrical prolongation elastically in said sleeve substantially as
described.
14. The combination of a divided roll having therein a conical groove adjustable
in width and formed by the two parts of said roll, separate shafts and independent
driving gear for each roll part a cylindrical sleeve to the moveable part a recess in
said stationary part to receive said sleeve which forming the bottom of the groove
and means for separating the said parts to allow of the introduction of an annular
metal blank substantially as described.
15. In combination with rolling machinery for producing band, bar and wire like
goods a roll having conical groove adjustable in width, counter pressure roll to
engage said groove and means for pressing same into said groove, bearings at each
side of said groove, means for raising said counter pressure roll from the grooved
roll and simultaneously lowering the bearing of said stationary grooved roll at one
side to allow of the introduction of an annular metal blank between the rolls
substantially as described.
16. The combination of a central roll having angular groove and stationary
bearings, said roll being also fixed laterally, an upper and a lower roll having also
angular grooves to fit said stationary roll groove, said upper and lower rolls being
laterally moveable on their shafts and having moveable bearings and means for
closing said rolls into each other or separating the same for the introduction of an
annular metal blank, substantially as described.
17. Bar, band or wire like goods made by continually rolling an annular or ring
like metal blank, substantially as described and shown.
18. Bar, band or wire like metal goods produced by continuously rolling between
the same rolls an annular metal blank and subsequently separating the endless
band thus obtained and finishing or dressing the same in other rolling trains,
substantially as described and shown and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 9th day of November 1894.
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for Otto Klatte."