Apparatus and method for manufacturing hot rolled metal strip

Abstract

Device (1) for producing a rolled metal strip, preferably a hot-rolled metal strip, wherein the device (1) has a casting machine (10) which is set up to produce a slab (B) and to transport the slab in a transport line (CLC) of the casting machine, a rolling system (50) which is set up to shape the slab (B) by rolling to a corresponding metal strip during transport along a transport line (CLM) of the rolling system, a combined transport and temperature influencing device (40) which is arranged between the casting machine (10) and the rolling system (50) and is set up to transport the slab (B) at least along the transport line (CLM) of the rolling system, to deliver the slab (B) to the rolling system (50) and to adjust the temperature of the slab (B) to a rolling temperature, a surface device (20) which is arranged between the casting machine (10) and the combined transport and temperature influencing device (40) and is set up to at least one of machine and / or process and / or inspect a surface of the slab (B), and a temperature influencing device (30) which is arranged between the casting machine (10) and the combined transport and temperature influencing device (40) and is set up to adjust the temperature of the slab (B).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to equipment and methods for manufacturing rolled metal strip, preferably hot-rolled metal strip. Background Technology

[0002] In continuous casting, a continuous casting process used to manufacture semi-finished products (such as billets formed from ferrous and nonferrous alloys), the metal is poured into a mostly cooled crystallizer and transported downwards, laterally, or in an arc with a hardened outer shell and a still liquid core. Then, typically after cooling in a billet library, the billet is fed into a rolling mill, where it is shaped into metal strip.

[0003] The technical structure and requirements of casting / rolling systems differ depending on whether the system is designed to manufacture so-called "thin slabs" with a thickness range of approximately 40 mm to 110 mm, "medium-thick slabs" with a thickness range of approximately 110 mm to 200 mm, or "thick slabs" with a greater thickness. Facilities for continuous casting and further processing of thin slabs are known, for example, from patent document EP 0 808 672 A1.

[0004] These facilities are typically designed for a single manufacturing focus and are therefore inflexible or less flexible for alternative products. Casting thickness, i.e., thin or medium-thick billets, depends on the specific alloy being manufactured, and is related to the casting speed, which also depends on the alloy; not all alloys are suitable for manufacturing thin billets. Target thickness and process control vary depending on the intended use of the product. For example, temperature control before the start of the rolling process, between different rolling processes, and after final rolling are key process steps for adjusting material properties. For coupled casting / rolling processes, the available components determine the feasible process steps.

[0005] To expand the product range in traditional hot-rolled wide strip mills, it is well known that the rolled pieces are not hot-formed by casting, but rather cooled completely or partially in a billet library, resulting in a separation of processes between billet casting and further processing, particularly rolling. However, this has adverse effects on mechanical engineering, energy, and logistics. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of this invention is to provide improved equipment and methods for manufacturing rolled metal strip, preferably hot-rolled metal strip, particularly to increase the range of products that can be processed without separating the processes between casting and rolling.

[0007] This objective is achieved by the apparatus and method according to the invention. Advantageous improvements are given in the following description of the invention and the illustration of preferred embodiments.

[0008] The equipment according to the invention is used for manufacturing rolled metal strip, particularly hot-rolled metal strip. Here, products made of metal, particularly metal alloys, preferably steel, are cast and processed. The equipment is preferably designed for manufacturing and further processing medium-thick flat billets with a thickness ranging from 90 mm to 250 mm, preferably from 110 mm to 200 mm.

[0009] The equipment includes a casting machine configured to manufacture slabs, which are then conveyed in a conveyor line. The casting machine is preferably implemented as a vertical bending facility, also known as an "arc continuous casting machine." However, the casting machine can also be implemented in other ways, as long as it provides continuously cast slabs that can subsequently be divided into slabs for further processing.

[0010] The equipment also includes a rolling system configured to form the slab into a corresponding metal strip by rolling during the conveying of the slab along the rolling system's conveyor lines. The two conveyor lines—the casting machine's conveyor line and the rolling system's conveyor line—may coincide or differ, wherein, in the latter case, the slab is conveyed laterally from the casting machine to the rolling system. The rolling system typically includes one or more mill stands, preferably in a four-roll design with two work rolls and two support rolls respectively, and may operate in reverse or in series. The rolling system may include, or may be designed as, a roughing mill and / or a finishing mill. The rolling system is particularly preferably a hot rolling system, wherein the slab is at least partially hot-formed by casting, i.e., in this case, the slab is not fully cooled after casting and en route to the rolling system.

[0011] The equipment also includes a combined conveying and temperature-influencing device (also referred to herein as "KTT"), arranged between the casting machine and the rolling system, and configured as a conveyor line to transport the billet to or along the rolling system, delivering the billet to the rolling system and adjusting its temperature to the (suitable) rolling temperature. The KTT is used to initially transport the billet materially to the rolling system at the necessary temperature, which typically depends on process parameters such as the alloy. In this regard, the term "temperature" includes not only absolute temperatures, such as surface and core temperatures, but also temperature distributions (one or more).

[0012] It should be noted that descriptions of spatial relationships, such as "between," "vertical," "horizontal," "above," "below," "upstream," "downstream," "in front of," "behind," etc., are clearly defined by the structure of the equipment and its prescribed use, as well as the conveying direction of the continuously cast billet or slab. If the KTT is arranged between the casting machine and the rolling system in the manner defined above, it includes, for example, the information that the slab manufactured by the casting machine is conveyed through the KTT and then through the rolling system to be formed into the desired metal strip.

[0013] The apparatus also includes a surface treatment device arranged between the casting machine and the KTT, configured to process and / or treat and / or inspect at least one of the surfaces of the billet. Thus, the surface treatment device may include a surface treatment section for removing material, for example, for manufacturing products with specific surface requirements. These specific requirements for the product surface are, for example, for use as automotive housings, electrical strips, or for optical applications. Alternatively or additionally, the surface treatment device may be configured to eliminate any surface defects generated by the casting process, thereby removing these surface defects before further process steps (e.g., subsequent rolling). This means that, in this case, the surface treatment is not merely simple descaling. Alternatively or additionally, the surface treatment device may include an inspection device configured to inspect the surface characteristics of the billet by contact or non-contact.

[0014] The equipment also includes a temperature-influencing device positioned between the casting machine and the KTT (Keeper Tunneling Machine), configured to adjust the temperature of the billet. This temperature-influencing device is particularly useful for manufacturing products prone to cracking, such as microalloyed steel. If such alloys are fed into the KTT immediately after the casting process, the microalloys can undesirably precipitate in layers near the edges, leading to cracks or other quality defects in subsequent steps.

[0015] The billet does not necessarily have to pass through each of the stations mentioned between the casting machine and KTT. Instead, stations can be integrated into or removed from the manufacturing process in relation to the product or application. Therefore, the billet may pass through a surface treatment device or a temperature-affected device, or neither. In this case, the two stations do not necessarily have to be arranged sequentially on the same line, but can be installed in parallel, where appropriate route decisions are made for the billet, or the billet can be driven into the line as needed. Parallel or single-row arrangements can be optionally configured as needed.

[0016] The equipment described above for manufacturing metal strip, particularly hot-rolled metal strip, can be applied in a highly flexible manner in terms of product range while requiring minimal energy consumption. Therefore, the equipment eliminates traditional limitations on product range without interrupting the manufacturing process. The equipment can process microalloyed steels and very soft material qualities or materials designed for special surface finishes completely, uninterruptedly, and without process limitations. Depending on the facility layout, very compact arrangements and / or production modes can be achieved.

[0017] Preferably, the temperature-affecting device comprises a combined heating and cooling unit with heating and cooling devices, allowing selective heating or cooling of the billet. Here, the heating device preferably comprises one or more induction heating devices. The cooling device is designed to rapidly cool the billet by applying a coolant, preferably cooling water. The heating and cooling devices can be installed sequentially or in parallel, wherein the heating and cooling devices preferably form a common assembly. This temperature-affecting device enables the rapid introduction of the surface temperature of the billet to be processed into a desired temperature window or out of an unfavorable temperature window in a compact and flexible manner, without temporary storage in a billet magazine and complete cooling. Core heat can be at least partially retained and subsequently used for rolling.

[0018] Preferably, the surface treatment apparatus is configured to treat at least one surface of a blank (one or more) by grinding and / or milling and / or flame cleaning. Surface treatment is performed on at least one surface of the blank to be processed, wherein, preferably, the top and bottom sides of the blank, as well as the longitudinal edges, are treated. Material removal from each surface is, for example, in the range of 0 mm to 10 mm, preferably in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm. Surface treatment is preferably performed at a blank surface temperature greater than 600°C, particularly preferably greater than 900°C.

[0019] KTT can exist in a variety of feasible configurations. KTT preferably includes: one or more roller conveyors; and / or one or more heat insulation devices; and / or one or more induction heating elements; and / or one or more furnaces; and / or one or more billet discharge devices for discharging billets from the conveyor lines of the foundry and / or the rolling system; and / or one or more billet feeding devices for introducing billets into the conveyor lines of the foundry and / or the rolling system.

[0020] Considering the effects of temperature and logistics, the structure of the KTT is preferably variable. In a simple variant, the KTT includes a roller hearth furnace that can both balance the temperature and transport slabs. In an alternative variant, the KTT includes roller conveyors (preferably insulated) as transport elements combined with at least one, preferably multiple, induction heating elements. Alternatively or additionally, the KTT may have multiple walking beam furnaces arranged sequentially, thereby enabling a very compact structure. Furthermore, the KTT can serve as an interface between a process-separate casting machine and a rolling system. For this purpose, technical fixtures (rollers, slab trolleys, walking beams, etc.) can be installed to transfer slabs from the casting machine's conveyor line to the rolling system's conveyor line. This flexible arrangement also allows for the feeding of slabs from other sources into or out of the corresponding conveyor lines.

[0021] According to the embodiment, the conveyor line of the casting machine and the conveyor line of the rolling system are the same.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, the feed lines of the casting machine and the rolling system are different, wherein they preferably extend in parallel, thereby enabling the facility to be implemented in a particularly compact manner.

[0023] In both cases, the surface device, the temperature-affecting device, and at least a portion of the KTT, up to the entire KTT, can be sequentially positioned in the same conveyor line.

[0024] Preferably, multiple routes are provided, which at least partially realize different process lines for the billet. Here, the surface treatment device can be arranged in the first route, and the temperature-affecting device can be arranged in the second route, and configured such that the billet either passes through the surface treatment device or the temperature-affecting device, rather than both. A third route can also be provided to bypass the surface treatment device and the temperature-affecting device, and can be introduced directly into the combined conveyor and temperature-affecting device after casting. Route decisions can be made on a batch, by product, or for each billet, depending on process parameters such as the alloy or temperature of the billet, or on quality requirements derived, for example, from the intended application of the rolled product.

[0025] Preferably, the rolling system is a hot rolling system configured to at least partially pass through the casting hot-formed slab of the casting machine. In this case, the equipment is designed overall so that the slab does not completely cool down en route to the rolling system after casting. Specifically, the slab is not stored in a slab library. The slab is largely "in motion." The production process is determined by the production cycle of the casting machine.

[0026] In this configuration, the equipment can be implemented in a particularly compact and energy-efficient manner without compromising flexibility. Therefore, the control device described below is preferably configured to supply the slabs cast by the casting machine to the rolling system without temporary storage in the slab library. Here, "temporary storage in the slab library" is understood to mean any interruption in the process control of the slab(s) that results in the slab(s) being substantially completely cooled, including the core, prior to rolling. Temperature reductions within the scope of process control, such as those in thermomechanical rolling, are not considered temporary storage.

[0027] Preferably, the equipment has a control device configured to control the process of the billet according to measured and / or calculated process parameters, which preferably include the alloy and / or temperature of the cast billet.

[0028] The control device is connected in signal technology to the components of the equipment to be controlled and / or read, and therefore particularly to casting machines, surface treatment devices, temperature-influencing devices, KTT systems, and rolling systems. Communication between the control device and the equipment components to be controlled and / or read can be wired or wireless, digital or analog. The control device can accordingly receive and / or transmit signals (control signals, data, etc.), wherein, for this purpose, signal transmission in one direction and in both directions falls within the scope of the term "communication." Here, the control device does not necessarily have to be implemented by a central computing unit or electronic control unit, but includes distributed and / or multi-level systems, control networks, cloud systems, etc. Furthermore, the control unit can also be an integral part of a higher-level facility control unit or communicate with such a facility control unit.

[0029] The control device preferably includes one or more process modules or at least one interface connected to said one or more process modules. For example, the control device can communicate with the process modules of the casting machine and the rolling system. The control device is preferably configured to establish process control and process parameters from the casting machine to the rolling system. Here, relevant data (e.g., billet temperature or final rolling temperature) is transmitted from the process modules of the casting machine and the rolling system to the control device. In this way, data that determines the manufacturing steps and the corresponding adjustments affecting the workstations can be obtained.

[0030] Preferably, the control device is configured to heat or cool the billet (especially alloys prone to cracking) by means of a temperature-influencing device, such that the billet surface temperature is outside a critical temperature range before entering the combined conveyor and temperature-influencing device, which is defined by a lower threshold preferably of 600°C and an upper threshold preferably of 850°C. In this case, the temperature-influencing device may optionally heat or cool the billet passing through it, thereby ensuring that the billet surface temperature is outside the critical temperature range. This preferably relies on the billet surface temperature measured or otherwise determined before the temperature-influencing device. If the control device, in conjunction with a corresponding temperature sensor or calculation module, determines that the billet surface temperature at the inlet of the temperature-influencing device is above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold, then it is not necessary to influence the temperature by means of the temperature-influencing device. If the billet surface temperature is within the critical temperature window, the billet is heated or cooled by the temperature-influencing device depending on which direction the billet can be carried out of the temperature window. If both directions are feasible, the billet is preferably heated by the temperature-influencing device.

[0031] The above objective is also achieved by a method for manufacturing rolled metal strip, preferably hot-rolled metal strip, wherein the method is performed using equipment according to one of the embodiments described above. The method includes: casting a slab using a casting machine; transferring the slab to a KTT (King Wire Transfer Machine); and hot-rolling the slab into metal strip in a rolling system, wherein the cast slab does not undergo complete cooling en route to the rolling system, and the core temperature of the slab is preferably not lower than 600°C.

[0032] The technical effects, advantages, and implementation methods described regarding the device are similarly applicable to the method.

[0033] According to an embodiment, after step a), the blank is directly conveyed to a combined conveying and temperature-affecting device, or the temperature is affected by the temperature-affecting device, and / or at least one surface of the blank is processed and / or treated and / or inspected by a surface device, according to one or more process parameters.

[0034] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. The described features may be implemented individually or in combination with one or more of the features described above, provided that these features do not contradict each other. Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the invention are further illustrated by the following description of the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of equipment for manufacturing metal strip, particularly hot-rolled metal strip, is shown.

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a casting machine is shown;

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing hot-rolled metal strip according to another embodiment is shown;

[0039] Figures 4a to 4e Schematic diagrams of combined conveying and temperature-influencing devices according to different embodiments are shown; and

[0040] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the configuration, communication, and operating principle of the control device 100 according to an embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, identical, similar, or equivalent elements are labeled with the same reference numerals, and to avoid redundancy, some repeated descriptions of these elements have been omitted.

[0042] Figure 1 The basic structure of equipment 1 for manufacturing metal strip, particularly hot-rolled metal strip, is schematically shown.

[0043] The equipment 1 includes a casting machine 10, which is preferably implemented as a vertical bending facility, also known as an "arc continuous casting machine". However, the casting machine 10 can also be implemented in other ways, as long as it provides continuously cast billets that can be subsequently divided into flat billets and further processed. In addition, multiple casting machines 10 can be provided to cast multiple billets in parallel, or the casting machines 10 can be configured to cast multiple billets in parallel.

[0044] Figure 2 An exemplary casting machine 10 is schematically shown. Liquid metal to be cast, for example, is supplied from a steel ladle to a crystallizer 11 of the casting machine 10. The crystallizer 11 shapes the molten metal into a desired billet shape, while the molten metal gradually solidifies from the outside in due to the cold crystallizer walls. The crystallizer 11 is preferably a crystallizer made of copper plate (or a plating copper alloy plate), in the case of medium-thick billets, wherein there are plates with parallel planes on the wide and narrow sides, suitable for relatively high casting thicknesses, such as 140 mm or greater. If casting thickness or casting radius is required, the copper plate may have a funnel-shaped profile and / or bend in the direction of delivery corresponding to the casting radius of the billet guide 12.

[0045] The partially solidified continuous casting billet S flows downward from the crystallizer 11, then continues downward along the billet guide 12 in the conveying direction, and then deflects to a horizontal position in a curved area while gradually cooling. It should be noted that the conveying direction in the casting machine 10 is generally not a constant direction vector, but can depend on the position of the billet or slab along the equipment 100. After deflecting to a horizontal position, the continuous casting billet S is conveyed along the conveyor line CLC of the casting machine.

[0046] The billet guide 12 includes rollers 13 that transport the continuously cast billet S. To reduce thickness according to LCR ("Liquid Core Reduction") or DSR ("Dynamic Soft Reduction"), the rollers can be adjusted such that the transport gap gradually narrows, within which the continuously cast billet is transported along the transport direction. The billet guide 12 can be constructed segmentally, for example, by two or more structurally similar bends forming the curved regions of the billet guide 12. During transport, the continuously cast billet S is actively or passively cooled within the scope of secondary cooling, for example by water spraying, thereby gradually solidifying the billet from the outside in.

[0047] The shaping of the continuously cast billet S caused by the casting machine 10, especially the billet guide section 12, is called "primary shaping"; it is different from "shaping" which describes the shaping through a forming unit (e.g., a rolling system).

[0048] Following the bending zone of the casting machine 10 is a straightening zone, where the continuously cast billet S is horizontally oriented. Rollers 13 are also provided here for guiding and conveying the continuously cast billet S. One or more of the rollers 13 are drive rollers that drive the continuously cast billet S forward in the conveying direction, while the other rollers 13 are used for guiding and orienting the continuously cast billet S. In this respect, the rollers 13 form devices for driving and bending the continuously cast billet S. Additional devices may be arranged downstream of the casting machine.

[0049] Equipment 1 also includes a separating device 14, which is arranged in the conveyor line CLC behind the straightening area of ​​the casting machine 10. The separating device 14 is used to cut or divide the continuously cast billet S into flat billets B. Cutting is performed along the thickness of the flat billet. "Flat billet thickness" refers to the width perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the flat billet B and perpendicular to the width of the flat billet B (in...). Figure 2The billet S is sized B (perpendicular to the paper plane). Here, the separating device 14 is configured to cut the continuously cast billet S during conveying, i.e., during its movement along the conveyor line CLC. The separating device 14 is preferably a shear, particularly a swing shear. In this case, the shear is configured to follow the conveying movement of the continuously cast billet S during the cutting process, and one or more cutting blades cut the billet with a movement perpendicular to the continuously cast billet S. Compared with a flame cutter, the shear has the advantage that the cutting time is less than 5 minutes, preferably less than 1 minute, and deburring of the billet head / foot is not required.

[0050] The blank B to be cast is preferably a medium-thick blank, that is, the thickness of blank B is in the range of about 90 mm to 250 mm, preferably in the range of 110 mm to 200 mm. The casting speed is preferably in the range of 0.5 m / min to 7 m / min, particularly preferably in the range of 1 m / min to 4.8 m / min.

[0051] A decoupler 15 may be provided upstream or downstream of the separation device 14. The decoupler may be constructed, for example, as a sprue bar, and is configured to detach the continuous casting billet S from the process line when necessary, such as when starting the facility.

[0052] The device 1 may have one or more descaling devices 16, which are arranged before and / or after the separation device 14, depending on the configuration.

[0053] One or more heating mechanisms 17 can be installed at different locations in the process line. These heating devices are preferably induction-type, with gas burners or electrically operated. The heating mechanism 17 can perform the function of the heating device 31 individually or in combination. The one or more heating mechanisms 17 are preferably located substantially directly upstream of the separation device 14 or decoupler 15 (if present), and / or downstream of the separation device 14. This type of heating mechanism 17 can help shorten the cooling path and simplify the billet flow.

[0054] In addition, an inspection system 18 for inspecting the quality of the blank, such as the surface of blank B, can be installed near the downstream space of the casting machine 10.

[0055] Back Figure 1The equipment 1 also includes a rolling system 50, which is preferably a hot rolling system. The rolling system 50 has one or more mill stands, preferably of a four-roll design, each with two work rolls forming the roll gap and two support rolls, and can operate in reverse or in series. The rolling system 50 can be configured as a roughing mill and / or a finishing mill. The slab B is conveyed through the rolling system 50 along a conveyor line CLM, which may coincide with the conveyor line CLC of the casting machine (see [link]). Figure 3 , Figure 4a , Figure 4b , Figure 4c ) or different (see Figure 4d and Figure 4e ).

[0056] In terms of process technology, there is a combination of components between the casting machine 10 and the rolling system 50, according to... Figure 1 The embodiments include: a surface device 20, a temperature-affecting device 30, and a combined conveyor and temperature-affecting device 40 (also referred to herein as "KTT"). The characteristics and spatial arrangement of the components can vary, as illustrated by the embodiments below. The combination of components 20, 30, and 40 is selected such that the equipment 1 can process different products along each process step, particularly surface-sensitive and temperature-sensitive products, wherein the products are sent directly to the rolling process after the casting process, i.e., specifically without being temporarily stored in a billet silo.

[0057] In addition to the surface device 20, the temperature-affecting device 30, and the KTT 40, other components may be arranged between the casting machine 10 and the rolling system 50, such as additional separation devices, emergency roller conveyors, additional heating / cooling elements, heat shields, common conveyor rollers, etc. These components / devices are preferably arranged between the casting machine 10 and the KTT 40.

[0058] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, the surface device 20 and the temperature-affecting device 30 are arranged in parallel to form an alternative route for the billet B. A third route, which acts as a bypass, is also provided such that the billet B bypasses (i.e., skips) the surface device 20 and the temperature-affecting device 30 and can be directly introduced into the KTT 40 after casting.

[0059] Figure 3An alternative embodiment is shown in which the surface device 20, temperature influencing device 30, and KTT 40 are arranged in the same conveyor line. Furthermore, exemplarily, an additional heating device 60, preferably in the form of an induction heating element, is provided immediately after the outlet of the casting machine 10. This provides additional flexibility in temperature control, particularly for slow-cast slabs B. Additionally, the aforementioned separation device 14 can be installed as a component of the casting machine 10 or separately in the process line. An additional separation device 70 can be installed for emergency / accident situations to further divide and convey the continuously cast slab S leaving the casting machine.

[0060] A control device 100 is provided, which communicates with various components 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, actuators, sensors, etc., and is configured to control the process based on process parameters, such as the alloy and temperature of the casting product.

[0061] A method for manufacturing hot-rolled metal strip directly after the casting process, i.e., without temporarily storing the billet B in a billet warehouse, may include the following steps: a) manufacturing a billet B with a predetermined alloy and dimensions using a casting machine 10; b) transferring the billet B to a KTT 40; and c) hot-rolling the billet B into strip in a rolling system 50. Here, the forming in the rolling system 50 is at least partially carried out by the heat of casting, i.e., the billet B is not fully cooled en route to the rolling system 50 after casting. Therefore, the phrase "directly after the casting process" implies that the billet B is not physically stored in a billet warehouse, and the billet temperature at the core is preferably not lower than 600°C. The billet is largely "in motion." The production process is determined by the production cycle of the casting machine.

[0062] Additional processing steps can be introduced between steps a) and b) based on signals from control device 100. In other words, a routing decision can be made after the casting process to convey billets B(one or more) through surface device 20, temperature-affected device 30, or to bypass both and immediately convey billets B(one or more) to KTT 40. Routing decisions can be made manually or automatically for product batches or individual billets, for example, based on at least one measured or calculated process characteristic parameter. Figure 1 In some embodiments, route decisions imply at least locally different transport paths, while Figure 3 In this case, the route decision only involves selectively processing the blank B through the corresponding components 20, 30, and 40, or not processing it at all. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of components 20, 30, and 40 may be moved into or out of the process line as needed.

[0063] The surface apparatus 20 is an apparatus for processing and / or handling and / or inspecting one or more surfaces of the blank B.

[0064] Therefore, the surface treatment device 20 may include a surface treatment section for removing material, for example, for treating products with special surface requirements. These special requirements for the product surface are, for example, for use as automotive housings, electrical strips, or for optical applications. Alternatively or additionally, the surface treatment device 20 may be configured to eliminate any surface defects generated by the casting process, thereby removing these surface defects before further process steps (such as subsequent rolling). This means that, in this case, the surface treatment is not merely a simple descaling process.

[0065] Surface treatment is performed on at least one surface of the blank B to be treated, wherein, preferably, the top and bottom sides and the longitudinal edges of the blank B are treated. The amount of material removed from each surface is preferably in the range of 0 mm to 10 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm. The feed rate of the blank B can be in the range of 5 m / min to 50 m / min. Surface treatment is preferably performed at a blank surface temperature greater than 600°C, particularly preferably greater than 900°C, thereby eliminating the need to store and cool the blank B in a blank magazine for surface treatment.

[0066] The surface treatment device 20 is preferably a flame cleaning device configured to treat the relevant surface of the blank B in a material-removing manner. According to an alternative embodiment, the surface treatment device 20 may include a grinding or milling device for machining one or more blank surfaces. Alternatively or additionally, the surface treatment device 20 may include an inspection device configured to detect the surface characteristics of the blank B by contact or non-contact means. The surface information thus determined can be used by the control device 100 for further process control.

[0067] In terms of process, the surface treatment device 20 is implemented without temporary storage. Regarding the layout of the equipment 1, this could mean that the surface treatment device 20 is arranged in the feed line CLC of the casting machine. If necessary, the surface treatment device 20 can be configured to be removed from the process line when it is not in use. Alternatively, the surface treatment device 20 can be arranged outside the process line, but still near the process line, so that the billet B is discharged from the process line for processing and then returned to the process line. In this case, the billet B is preferably returned at a billet surface temperature exceeding 600°C.

[0068] The temperature-affecting device 30 preferably includes a combined heating and cooling device having a heating device 31 and a cooling device 32.

[0069] The temperature-affected device 30 is specifically used in the manufacture of products prone to cracking, such as microalloyed steel. If such an alloy is fed into the KTT 40 immediately after the casting process, i.e., within a specific temperature range, the microalloying can undesirably precipitate in layers near the edges, which can lead to cracking or other quality defects in subsequent steps. This critical temperature range is related to the surface temperature of the billet B and is referred to as having a lower threshold T. u and upper threshold T o T kritisch For most alloys prone to cracking, T u Approximately 600℃ and T o It is approximately 850℃.

[0070] In cases where such products are prone to cracking, the temperature-affecting device 30 selectively heats or cools the blank B passing through it, thereby ensuring that the surface temperature of the blank is within the critical temperature range T. kritisch In addition, the control device 100 accordingly manipulates the heating device 31 or the cooling device 32 so that the surface temperature of the blank B does not fall within the aforementioned temperature window. This is preferably based on the measured or otherwise determined surface temperature of the blank. If the control device 100, if necessary, works in conjunction with a corresponding sensor, it determines that the surface temperature of the blank at the inlet of the temperature-influencing device 30 is higher than T. o or below T u Then, the temperature does not need to be affected by the temperature-affecting device 30. If the surface temperature of the blank is at T... kritisch Inside, the temperature window T is determined based on the direction along which the blank B can be appropriately brought out. kritisch The blank B is heated or cooled by the temperature-affecting device 30. If both directions are feasible, the blank B is preferably heated by the temperature-affecting device 30.

[0071] The heating device 31 is preferably an induction heating device, which allows for rapid and individual setting of heating power in a compact configuration. Alternatively or additionally, a continuous gas furnace or a continuous electric furnace may also be used.

[0072] The cooling device 32 is preferably configured to rapidly cool the flat billet B by applying a coolant, preferably cooling water. The applied cooling water volume is preferably greater than 500 m³. 3 / h / m 2 Particularly preferred is a length greater than 650 m 3 / h / m 2 The cooling is applied over a cooling section of preferably 3 to 10 m, particularly preferably 4 to 6 m in length, such that the near-surface temperature is reduced to below T at different blank speeds. uThe temperature. In this sense, "near surface" refers to a depth of up to 15 mm penetrating from the surface of the blank. The cooling water action time is preferably less than 3 minutes. As an alternative or additional solution to rapid cooling, laminar flow cooling devices or other cooling devices may be installed.

[0073] The advantage of near-surface cooling is that the core temperature of slab B is unaffected or only slightly affected, while the surface temperature drops to a level that avoids cracking due to microprecipitation. The unreduced or only slightly reduced core temperature facilitates subsequent reheating of slab B to the required hot rolling temperature, where the required heating power and time can be minimized compared to heating a fully cooled slab B from the slab magazine. This results in significant energy savings.

[0074] The heating element 31 of the temperature-affected device 30 is also advantageous for manufacturing silicon steel because it maintains the overall temperature at the desired level and reduces fluctuations in the pre-rolling temperature setting, which is set to ensure the final rolling temperature. The aluminum nitride precipitated on the surface during the curing of the slab B is redissolved and retained there so that it can be purposefully reprecipitated during hot rolling. Therefore, the time required to dissolve the aluminum nitride can be allocated to different units, namely the temperature-affected device 30 and the KTT 40 described below, enabling more flexible process control, shorter facility layout, and shorter residence time in the KTT 40.

[0075] A combined conveying and temperature-affecting device 40 is used to supply a billet B to the rolling system 50, the billet having an alloy-related, process-necessary, or desired temperature and temperature distribution. Temperature affecting and material conveying of the billet B occur simultaneously.

[0076] Depending on whether the billet B is fed directly from the casting machine 10 into the KTT 40 or undergoes intermediate technological steps, such as surface treatment and / or temperature effects, a separate inlet temperature is generated for entering the KTT 40. Therefore, the heating power and / or residence time of the billet B in the KTT 40 are preferably adjustable to maintain the temperature at the exit of the KTT 40, which ensures an appropriate rolling temperature at the inlet of the rolling system 50.

[0077] KTT 40 is controlled by control device 100, which takes into account process steps that have been pre-executed if necessary.

[0078] The structure of KTT 40 is preferably variable depending on the type of temperature influence and the material flow. This is explained below with reference to the embodiments.

[0079] In a simple first variant, the KTT 40 includes a roller hearth furnace that performs temperature balancing and conveys the billet B. However, the use of a roller hearth furnace can lead to surface defects and / or running marks in the product due to the scale buildup on the furnace rolls. Therefore, it is meaningful to consider alternative constructions for the KTT 40, particularly for products prone to cracking and / or with sensitive surfaces.

[0080] Figure 4a An alternative variation is shown in which the KTT 40 comprises a combination of a roller conveyor 41, preferably with a heat-insulating device, serving as a conveying element, and at least one, preferably multiple, induction heating elements 45. The heating elements 45 can be integrated throughout the roller conveyor section. Individual temperature setting is particularly easy by arranging multiple induction heating elements 45.

[0081] according to Figure 4a A simple mechanical variation achieves a compact structure, which is particularly suitable for facility configurations where the feed line CLC of the casting machine 10 and the feed line CLM of the rolling system are the same. If the feed line CLC of the casting machine 10 and the feed line CLM of the rolling system 50 are the same, then each slab B or a continuous rolled piece can be conveyed to the rolling system 50.

[0082] Figure 4b Another variation is shown in which KTT 40 includes one or more walking beam furnaces 42 arranged in succession. Such a series of walking beam furnaces 42 preferably allows for a very compact configuration with identical facilities for the feed line CLC of the casting machine 10 and the feed line CLM of the rolling system 50. If the feed line CLC and the feed line CLM are identical, then individual slabs B or continuous rolled pieces can be conveyed to the rolling system 50.

[0083] Figure 4c Another variant is shown, in which, based on Figure 4a In this configuration, one or more billet discharge devices and / or billet feeding devices are installed transversely to the conveyor lines CLC, CLM. This improves facility flexibility, allowing billet B to be conveyed to the rolling system 50 immediately after the casting process, and also to be discharged to another station, such as a billet silo, or introduced into the conveyor lines CLC, CLM from another station, such as a billet silo. Furthermore, this allows for emergency discharge, for example, in the event of an accident in the casting machine 10 or the rolling system 50. For example, the billet can be conveyed transversely to the conveying direction via a billet trolley 43 and / or a corresponding roller conveyor element 44. This feasible method of introducing and / or discharging billet B transversely to the conveyor lines CLC, CLM is not only based on… Figure 4a The basic structure, and can generally be implemented for any configuration of KTT 40, such as based on Figure 4b The structural form.

[0084] According to another variant of KTT 40, the conveyor line CLC of the casting machine 10 and the conveyor line CLM of the rolling system 50 are not the same, but are arranged separately and in parallel, such as... Figure 4d and Figure 4e As shown in the embodiment, this achieves a particularly compact construction.

[0085] according to Figure 4d In one embodiment, the billet B is conveyed via multiple roller conveyors 41 in corresponding conveyor lines CLC and CLM, with insulation provided if necessary. Conveying transversely to the conveyor lines CLC and CLM can be carried out by one or more walking beam furnaces 46. The walking beam furnaces 46 can be electric and / or gas-fired. Temperature can be simultaneously conveyed and influenced by the walking beam furnaces 46. When multiple walking beam furnaces 46 are used, the furnaces can vary their operating range of temperature levels and / or cycle times. This allows for individual control of the residence time of the billet B in the walking beam furnace 46.

[0086] according to Figure 4e In a variant, the blank B is conveyed and heated in the conveyor line CLC and / or conveyor line CLM via a roller conveyor 41 having an integrated heating element 45, which is preferably an induction heating element. The blank B is conveyed transversely to the conveyor lines CLC and CLM by means of one or more blank trolleys 43.

[0087] The feasible combinations of conveying and heating elements in KTT can be further combined arbitrarily as needed.

[0088] based on Figure 4d and Figure 4e The configuration allows for the installation of one or more billet discharge devices and / or billet feeding devices along the conveyor lines CLC and CLM. This expands the flexibility of the facility, enabling billet B to be delivered not only immediately after the casting process to the hot rolling system 50, but also to be discharged to another station, such as a billet silo, or introduced from another station, such as a billet silo, into the corresponding conveyor lines CLC and CLM. Furthermore, this allows for emergency discharge, for example, in the event of an accident in the casting machine 10 or the rolling system 50. For example, the billet can be conveyed transversely to the conveying direction via a billet trolley 43 and / or a corresponding roller conveyor element 44.

[0089] The following is for reference. Figure 5 An exemplary configuration of the control device 100 is described.

[0090] The control device 100 is connected in signal technology to the components of the equipment 1 to be controlled and / or read, and therefore particularly to the casting machine 10, surface device 20, temperature-influencing device 30, KTT 40, and rolling system 50. Communication between the control device 100 and the equipment components to be controlled and / or read can be wired or wireless, digital or analog. The control device 100 can accordingly receive and / or transmit signals (control signals, data, etc.), wherein, in this regard, signal transmission in one direction and in both directions falls within the scope of the term "communication". Here, the control device 100 does not necessarily have to be implemented by a central computing unit or electronic control unit, but includes distributed and / or multi-level systems, control networks, cloud systems, etc. Furthermore, the control unit can also be an integral part of a higher-level facility control unit or communicate with such a facility control unit.

[0091] The control device 100 preferably includes one or more process modules or at least one interface connected to one or more process modules. Whether the necessary calculations are performed in the process module connected to the control device 100 and communicated to the control device 100, or whether the control device 100 itself includes a process module, is irrelevant for communication with the device to be controlled or read.

[0092] exist Figure 5 In this embodiment, the control device 100 communicates with the process module PMC of the casting machine and the process module PMM of the rolling system. The process modules PMC and PMM may include overlapping portions of the module, which preferably cover the area between the casting machine 10 and the rolling system 50 associated with the control device 100. Alternatively, only one of the mentioned areas may cover the associated area, or a separate submodule may be implemented.

[0093] The control device 100 can communicate with a lower-level facility control unit, i.e., a control unit assigned to the corresponding device.

[0094] The control device 100 is configured to establish process control and process parameters from the casting machine 10 to the rolling system 50. Here, relevant data, such as slab temperature or final rolling temperature, are communicated from the casting machine's process module PMC and the rolling system's process module PMM to the control device 100.

[0095] Data exchange with production planning systems or process control planning systems can reduce the workload of control unit 100 and automate the forwarding of process control, necessary calculations, and adjustment signals.

[0096] exist Figure 5In this embodiment, control device 100 obtains data items of the product to be manufactured from process control planning, such as a so-called "Level-3 System," and thus obtains information about the planned production steps and the final specifications of the finished product. This data is now available in control device 100, defining the manufacturing steps and influencing the corresponding settings of devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50.

[0097] The setup of the casting machine 10 and the rolling system 50 can be based on extensive process-physics module calculations, such that information about the billet alloy, billet geometry, billet temperature, billet speed, and / or billet surface is available at the output of the casting machine 10. This information can be determined through calculation and / or measurement (e.g., temperature measurement, surface inspection, etc.). The corresponding values / information are provided in the control device 100.

[0098] The control device 100 now determines the parameters required for additional process control, particularly the billet speed after the casting machine 10, taking into account the information provided by the casting machine 10, and sets these parameters at the relevant components.

[0099] The control device 100 determines whether the blank B needs to be processed and / or inspected in the surface device 20, and initiates the process if necessary.

[0100] Based on the transmitted billet temperature, the control device 100 calculates whether temperature influence is necessary in the temperature influence device 30 for the current alloy. If such temperature influence is necessary, the control device 100 calculates the appropriate cooling or heating power setting for the temperature influence device 30 based on the required heat flow.

[0101] The control device 100 calculates the blank temperature to be maintained at the end of KTT 40 and related parameters, such as the blank speed in KTT 40, minimum dwell time, and, if necessary, the heating power to be set based on the geometry, especially the thickness and length of the blank B.

[0102] Depending on the requirements, additional data from intermediate steps may need to be supplied to the control device 100 as the basis for calculations, such as in... Figure 5 The arrows indicate this.

[0103] The equipment 1 described herein for manufacturing metal strip, particularly hot-rolled metal strip, can be applied in a highly flexible manner in terms of product range, while requiring minimal energy consumption. Depending on the facility layout, very compact arrangements and / or production modes can be achieved.

[0104] Where applicable, all individual features presented in the embodiments may be combined and / or interchanged with each other without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0105] List of reference numerals

[0106] 1 Equipment for manufacturing metal strip

[0107] 10 Casting machines

[0108] 11 Crystallizer

[0109] 12. Billet guiding section

[0110] 13 rollers

[0111] 14 Separation device

[0112] 16 Descaling device

[0113] 17 Heating Mechanism

[0114] 18 Inspection System

[0115] 20 Surface apparatus

[0116] 30 Temperature-affecting device

[0117] 31 Heating device

[0118] 32 Cooling device

[0119] 40 Combined Conveying and Temperature Influencing Device

[0120] 41 Roller Conveyor

[0121] 42 Walking beam furnace

[0122] 43 Flat billet cart

[0123] 44 roller conveyor segments

[0124] 45 Heating element

[0125] 46 Walking beam furnace

[0126] 50 Rolling System

[0127] 60 Additional heating device

[0128] 70. Other separation devices

[0129] 100 Control device

[0130] S continuous casting billet

[0131] B flat blank

[0132] PMC casting machine process module

[0133] PMM rolling system process module

[0134] Conveyor line of CLC casting machine

[0135] The conveyor line of the CLM rolling system.

Claims

1. Equipment for manufacturing rolled metal strip (1), wherein, The device (1) has: A casting machine (10) configured to manufacture a flat billet (B) and transport the flat billet in a conveyor line (CLC) of the casting machine; A rolling system (50) configured to form the blank (B) into a corresponding metal strip by rolling during transport along the conveyor line (CLM) of the rolling system; A combined conveying and temperature-influencing device (40) is arranged between the casting machine (10) and the rolling system (50) and is configured to convey the billet (B) to the conveyor line (CLM) of the rolling system or to convey the billet (B) along the conveyor line of the rolling system, transport the billet (B) to the rolling system (50), and adjust the temperature of the billet (B) to the rolling temperature; A surface device (20) is disposed between the casting machine (10) and the combined conveying and temperature-affecting device (40), and is configured to process and / or treat and / or inspect at least one of the surfaces of the blank (B); and A temperature-influencing device (30) is arranged between the casting machine (10) and the combined conveyor and temperature-influencing device (40), and is configured to adjust the temperature of the billet (B). The invention is characterized by having multiple routes, which at least partially implement different process lines for the blank (B), wherein the surface device (20) is arranged in a first route and the temperature-affecting device (30) is arranged in a second route, and is configured to allow the blank (B) to pass through the surface device (20) or the temperature-affecting device (30). The temperature-influencing device (30) includes a combined heating and cooling device having a heating device (31) and a cooling device (32), which enables the flat blank (B) to be selectively heated or cooled by the temperature-influencing device (30).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface device (20) is configured to treat at least one surface of the blank (B) by grinding and / or milling and / or flame cleaning.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The combined conveying and temperature-affecting device (40) includes: One or more roller conveyors (41); and / or One or more insulation devices; and / or One or more induction heating elements (45); and / or One or more furnaces (42, 46); and / or One or more billet discharge devices for discharging the billet (B) from the feed line (CLC) of the casting machine and / or the feed line (CLM) of the rolling system; and / or One or more billet feeding devices for introducing the billet (B) into the feed line (CLC) of the casting machine and / or the feed line (CLM) of the rolling system.

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The feed line (CLC) of the casting machine coincides with the feed line (CLM) of the rolling system.

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The surface device (20), the temperature-affecting device (30), and the combined conveying and temperature-affecting device (40) are arranged successively in the same conveying line.

6. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The feed line (CLC) of the casting machine and the feed line (CLM) of the rolling system are different and extend in parallel.

7. The device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The combined conveying and temperature-affecting device (40) is also configured to convey the billet (B) from the conveyor line (CLC) of the casting machine to the conveyor line (CLM) of the rolling system.

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, A third route is provided along which the blank (B) skips the surface device (20) and the temperature-affecting device (30), and thereby can be directly introduced into the combined conveying and temperature-affecting device (40).

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The rolling system (50) is a hot rolling system and is configured to form the billet (B) at least in part by the casting heat of the casting machine (10).

10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The equipment has a control device (100) configured to control the process of the blank (B) based on measured and / or calculated process parameters.

11. The device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The process parameters include the alloy and / or temperature of the cast billet (B).

12. The device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control device (100) is configured to heat or cool the blank (B) via the temperature influencing device (30) so that the surface temperature of the blank before entering the combined conveying and temperature influencing device (40) is within the critical temperature range (T). kritisch In addition to the critical temperature range, the critical temperature range is defined by a lower threshold (T) of 600°C. u ) and the upper threshold of 850℃ (T o )definition.

13. The device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The flat blank (B) is a flat blank of an alloy that is prone to cracking.

14. The device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control device (100) is configured to supply the billet (B) cast by the casting machine (10) to the rolling system (50) when it is not temporarily stored in the billet warehouse.

15. The device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The control device (100) is configured to supply the billet (B) cast by the casting machine (10) to the rolling system (50) when it is not temporarily stored in the billet warehouse.

16. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The casting machine (10) is configured to cast medium-thick flat billets with a thickness ranging from 90 mm to 250 mm.

17. The device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that, The casting machine (10) is configured to cast medium-thick flat blanks with a thickness ranging from 110 mm to 200 mm.

18. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The metal strip is a hot-rolled metal strip.

19. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in, The heating device (31) includes an induction heating device, and / or the cooling device (32) is configured to achieve rapid cooling of the blank (B) by applying a coolant.

20. A method for manufacturing rolled metal strip using the apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the method comprising: a) Casting a flat billet (B) using a casting machine (10); b) Conveying the blank (B) to the combined conveying and temperature-affecting device (40); and c) The billet (B) is hot-rolled into a metal strip in a rolling system (50), wherein the billet (B) is not completely cooled on its way to the rolling system (50) after casting.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, After step a), the blank (B) is directly conveyed to the combined conveying and temperature-affecting device (40) according to one or more process parameters, and temperature-affecting is performed by the temperature-affecting device (40) and / or at least one surface of the blank (B) is processed and / or treated and / or inspected by the surface device (20).

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The flat blank is a medium-thickness flat blank with a thickness ranging from 90 mm to 250 mm.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The flat blank is a medium-thickness flat blank with a thickness in the range of 110 mm to 200 mm.

24. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The metal strip is a hot-rolled metal strip.

25. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The temperature of the flat blank in the core of the flat blank is not lower than 600°C.

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