Automated Roll Shop Handling

"Parkegate Engineering Consultants Limited in the UK was recently awarded a design and supply contract for the optimisation of roll shop handling practices at a major European aluminium producer. The award reflects the current market trend of optimising and upgrading existing equipment in order to deliver quality product in the most efficient and cost effective manner. The equipment scope includes a semi-automated system for the stripping and re-building of complete mill work roll assemblies, from a tandem hot rolling mill.

Eight individual roll saddle positions are provided each incorporating an electronically controlled rig for the mounting and dismounting of complete scratch brush and stripper assemblies. Two further elevating transfer cars facilitate the removal; transfer and re-assembly of the work roll chocks. Each car incorporates on-board controls and automation, powered by an integral underground busbar system.

The equipment was scheduled for installation and commissioning by mid 2001 to meet a planned mill upgrade requirement and will eliminate the current practices requiring up to 40 individual overhead operations to complete the stripping and rebuilding of each work roll, chock and scratch brush assembly.

Further equipment is envisaged to automate similarly the stripping and re-building of back up roll assemblies as well as the automated transfer of rolls between the roll shop and rolling mill bay area."

Aluminium Today, September 2001