Roll stand with system for axially displaceable rolls

Abstract

A roll stand comprises a frame, a pair of upper guide members spaced apart on the frame along an upper axis and a pair of lower guide members spaced apart on the frame along a lower axis parallel to the upper axis. Guide formations between the members and the frame prevent the members from moving axially relative to the frame and permit the members to move vertically in the frame. Respective upper and lower journal blocks on the members are prevented from moving vertically relative to the respective members by respective guide formations between the blocks and the members but can move axially on the members. An upper roller is carried between the upper journal blocks, axially coupled thereto, and rotatable thereon about the upper axis and a lower roller is carried between the lower journal blocks, axially coupled thereto, and rotatable thereon about the lower axis. A vertically effective piston-and-cylinder unit can displace the rolls and the respective journal blocks between a use position with the axes relatively far apart and a service position with the rolls relatively closely spaced. Respective upper and lower actuators each have a pair of relatively movable parts one of which is fixed to the respective guide member. Respective interengageable coupling formations on the other parts of the actuators and on the journal blocks are engageable in each other to couple each other part to the respective journal block only in the use position of the rolls.