What quick couplings are the most suitable for use in rolling mills?

Various types of machinery are used in steel production plants that require high pressures and heat to process the metal.

Rolling mills, for example, are used to reduce thickness and shape semi-finished items to make beam profiles, rods or sheets – the steel, rendered malleable by heat, advances along the machinery via a number of machining enclosures equipped with formed rollers which gradually compress the material until the desired result is obtained.

These procedures are carried out using fluid power circuits that feed the rolling mills, supplying the different sections with hydraulic oil (or water and glycol) and lubricating grease.

The hydraulic oil pressurises the cylinders to maintain a constant working pressure and produces beams, rods or sheets with no difference in thicknesses. The grease, however, must continuously lubricate moving parts to ensure that the material advances correctly by counteracting the high mechanical pressures generated by the rolling mill and the operating temperatures.

For the connection of fluid power circuits in rolling mills, quick couplings provide a safe, effective solution in managing operating pressures with no leakage and for connection and disconnection procedures with no risk to operators and with no productivity downtimes.

The use of quick couplings makes it possible to disengage individual machining enclosures in short timeframes without compromising operation of the entire machine – if required (repair, cleaning, maintenance), removal of only the section concerned is possible and production can continue.

In order for this operation to be carried out rapidly and smoothly, couplings must be able to be uncoupled without the use of tools and oil leaks avoided, which would otherwise soil the operating environment and jeopardise the safety of operators.

For over 60 years, Stucchi has been designing and manufacturing quick couplings that guarantee high levels of performance and safety with specific solutions for each sector of application.

For the machining of metals and specifically for rolling mills, Stucchi provides a number of solutions using flat-face valves that guarantee rapid connection/disconnection and limit contact of the circuit with the external environment so as to reduce the risk of contamination and oil leakage once the line is disconnected, thus ensuring optimal operation and a high degree of safety.

The AX series includes flat-face, stainless steel quick couplings with Viton seals. These can be used in highly corrosive conditions and contain a compact, modular structure that makes them compatible with a variety of sizes, threads and fittings.

Stucchi also provides solutions for other steel-making requirements such as multi-connection systems and non-return valves.

For over 60 years, Stucchi has been providing a continuous flow of solutions for all requirements and sectors where couplings and pressure circuits are in use – contact us right away for more information.