Method and apparatus for aligning equipment in a steel mill

• US 7,221,442 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2004
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mario Fabris
• Original Assignee: Mario Fabris
• Inventors: Fabris, Mario
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr.; Gregory J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Underwood; Jarreas C.
• Application Number:
  US10/912,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20050039513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 348 94- 95, 348/143, 356/154, 356401-399, 356/505, 356/615, 356/620
• US Class Current: 356/154
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 2273/22 Aligning on rolling axis, e.g. of roll calibers
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 38/00 Methods or devices for measuring, detecting or monitoring specially adapted for metal-rolling mills, e.g. position detection, inspection of the product control devices or methods B21B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 38/105 Calibrating or presetting roll-gap
• CPC Class Codes: B21B 39/165 Guides or guide rollers for rods, bars, rounds, tubes B21B39/28 takes precedence; Aligning guides
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/272 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

An alignment device for aligning guiding apparatus with the main axis of a rolling mill comprising a camera and a video display communicating with the camera. The camera is mounted in the steel mill at the position of the guiding apparatus and the camera is moved until it is on the axis of the mill. The camera is then removed to a bench which duplicates the physical characteristics of the mill. The guiding apparatus is mounted on the bench adjacent the camera. The guiding apparatus is physically moved until it is located on the camera axis, which is the mill axis. The guiding apparatus is then remounted in the mill.

Claims

1. A method of aligning a guide assembly with the axis of rolling of a mill stand of a steel mill comprising:

providing a test bench having a corresponding axis and other physical characteristics of the guide mounting bed of said steel mill,

providing a pair of pedestals mounted in a predetermined distal relationship on said test bench having predetermined physical characteristics suitable for mounting a guide assembly thereon;

providing a self contained wireless digital camera having a suitable arrangement for mounting on one of said pedestals,

providing a target temporarily mounted on said test bench having a target located on said axis;

providing a remotely located video monitor capable of receiving signals from said self contained video camera to display an image generated by said camera;

adjusting said camera and one of said pedestals until said monitor shows an image indicating that said camera is now located on said test bench axis.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 where said target is removed from said test bench and

steel mill guide means is mounted on the other of said pedestals,

acquiring an image on said monitor of said steel mill guide means provided by said camera,

adjusting said other of said pedestals until said image of the video monitor indicates that said steel mill guide means is axially located on said test bench.

3. A test bed for axially aligning equipment along an axis correspondent to the axis found in a steel mill comprising:

a bed duplicating the dimensions of guide mounting apparatus of a steel mill;

a pair of pedestals being mounted in a predetermined distal relationship on said bed;

a test target having target means temporarily located on the axis of said test bed;

a camera mounted on one of the pedestals aimed at said test target;

adjustment means on said one of said pedestals to permit adjustment of said one of said pedestals in a horizontal plane to permit said camera to acquire said test target.

4. A test bed for axially aligning selected equipment along an axis correspond to the axis found in a steel mill comprising;

a bed duplicating the dimensions of the bed of a steel mill,

a pair of pedestals being mounted on said bed in a predetermined distal relationship,

a camera mounted on the axis of said bed on one of said pedestals,

a guide for said steel mill being mounted on the other of said pedestals,

adjustment means on said other of said pedestals for adjusting said guide for movement in a horizontal plane.