Cutting control system for hot rolling operation

Abstract

A tailoring system for tailoring a metal slab (102) includes at least one of a tailoring length (1035, 524) system and a slab positioning system. The cut length (1035, 524) system includes an optical sensor (118A, 118B, 318A, 318B, 518) for detecting a defect in an end (1031) of the sheet metal blank (102), and the cut length (1035, 524) system may determine a cut position on the sheet metal blank (102) based on the detected defect. The slab positioning system includes optical sensors (118A, 118B, 318A, 318B, 518) for measuring a position of an end (1031) of the metal slab (102) relative to a cutting device of the cutting system.

Description

[0001] Citation of Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 364,684, filed on May 13, 2022, entitled “CROPPING CONT ROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOT MILL OPERATIONS,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates generally to metalworking and, more particularly, to systems and methods for controlling the shearing of metal slabs, particularly but not limited to, during hot rolling operations. Background Art

[0004] Metalworking of a metal sheet, such as a hot rolling operation, often requires trimming one or both ends of the metal sheet (commonly referred to as the head and tail of the metal sheet) to eliminate defects such as flanging and / or delamination.

[0005] Traditionally, the length of a particular end that needs to be trimmed is determined by an operator based on his or her assessment of the defect, and the slab is manually positioned under the trimming device for trimming without any additional guidance. Although the operator may be skilled in such assessment and positioning of the slab, prior art techniques are prone to operator error or subjectivity, and the trimming length may vary from operator to operator.

[0006] Other conventional operations may use encoders on the rollers of the roller table to measure the speed of the slab and thus the length of the slab below the cutting device, but the encoders are not very accurate because the metal slab can slip on the rollers, thereby generating length calculation errors. Other conventional techniques include using Doppler to measure the length of the metal slab, but this technique is inaccurate and unreliable because the surface roughness of the metal slab can cause speed calculation errors, and such devices cannot measure metal slabs moving at slow speeds, which may be necessary to properly position the metal slab. Therefore, the existing technology is susceptible to accuracy and repeatability issues, resulting in increased material waste (e.g., due to over-cutting the metal slab) and / or leaving defects in the slab (e.g., due to under-cutting the metal slab), which may cause problems in subsequent metal processing processes. Summary of the invention

[0007] The embodiments covered by this patent are defined by the following claims rather than by this summary. This summary is a high-level summary of various embodiments and introduces some concepts that will be further described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used alone to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. This subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all of the drawings, and each claim.

[0008] According to certain embodiments, a cutting system for cutting a sheet metal blank includes a sheet metal blank positioning system. The sheet metal blank positioning system includes an optical sensor for measuring a position of an end of the sheet metal blank relative to a cutting device of the cutting system. The control system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller can generate a position control response based on the measured position of the end of the sheet metal blank from the optical sensor.

[0009] According to some embodiments, a cutting system for cutting a sheet metal blank includes a sheet metal positioning system. The sheet metal positioning system includes an optical sensor for detecting an end of the sheet metal blank and a controller communicatively coupled to the optical sensor. In some embodiments, the controller can receive visual data including the detected end of the sheet metal blank from the optical sensor; measure a length of a target area of ​​the end of the sheet metal blank based on the received visual data; and generate a position control response based on the measured length of the target area of ​​the end of the sheet metal blank.

[0010] According to various embodiments, a method for cutting a metal sheet blank using a cutting system includes: receiving a measured position of an end of the metal sheet blank relative to a cutting device of the cutting system from an optical sensor; and controlling the end of the metal sheet blank relative to the cutting device based on the measured position of the end of the metal sheet blank.

[0011] According to certain embodiments, a cutting system for cutting a sheet metal blank includes a cut-to-length system. The cut-to-length system includes an optical sensor for detecting a defect in an end of the sheet metal blank and a controller communicatively coupled to the optical sensor. The controller can determine a cutting position in the sheet metal blank based on the defect detected by the optical sensor.

[0012] According to various embodiments, a method for cutting a metal sheet blank using a cutting system includes receiving a detection of a defect in an end of the metal sheet blank from an optical sensor; determining a cutting position in the metal sheet blank based on the defect detected by the optical sensor; and controlling the metal sheet blank relative to a cutting device of the cutting system based on the determined cutting position.

[0013] According to some embodiments, a cutting system for cutting a metal sheet blank includes a cutting length system and a sheet blank positioning system. The cutting length system includes a first optical sensor for detecting defects in an end of the metal sheet blank. The sheet blank positioning system includes a second optical sensor for measuring the position of the end of the metal sheet blank relative to a cutting device of the cutting system. In some embodiments, the cutting system includes a controller, which can determine a cutting position in the metal sheet blank based on the detected defects from the first optical sensor; and determine an actual position of the cutting position relative to the cutting device based on the measured position of the end of the metal sheet blank from the second optical sensor. In some embodiments, the controller can generate a position control response based on the actual position of the cutting position relative to the cutting device.

[0014] The various embodiments described herein may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages that may not necessarily be explicitly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages should be included in this disclosure and protected by the following claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] This description refers to the following drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used in different drawings to indicate the same or similar components.

[0016] Figure 1 A shows a cutting system according to an embodiment, wherein the metal sheet blank is in a first position relative to the cutting device.

[0017] Figure 1B yes Figure 1 Top view of the cutting system showing the sensing area on the metal blank.

[0018] Figure 2 A shows Figure 1 A to Figure 1B A cutting system in which the metal sheet blank is in a second position relative to the cutting device.

[0019] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A top view of the cutting system showing the sensing area on the metal blank.

[0020] Figure 3 A cutting system according to an embodiment is shown wherein the sheet metal blank is in a first position relative to the cutting device.

[0021] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 A cutting system, wherein the metal sheet blank is in a second position relative to the cutting device.

[0022] Figure 5 A cutting system according to an embodiment is shown.

[0023] Figure 6 A cutting system according to an embodiment is shown.

[0024] Figure 7 is through Figure 6 Image of the metal blank obtained by the cutting system.

[0025] Figure 8 A cutting system according to an embodiment is shown.

[0026] Fig. 9 is through Figure 8 Thermal image of a metal sheet obtained with a cutting system.

[0027] Fig.10 is a perspective view of a cutting system according to an embodiment.

[0028] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 End view of the cutting system.

[0029] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 Top view of the cutting system.

[0030] Fig.13 is through Fig.10 The image of the defect obtained by the cropping system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Systems and methods for cutting sheet metal blanks are described herein. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provided herein may be particularly suitable for cutting sheet metal blanks of aluminum or aluminum alloys; however, in other embodiments, the systems and methods described herein can be used with any type of sheet metal blank as needed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein provide improved identification of defects in the ends of sheet metal blanks (e.g., the head or tail of sheet metal blanks) and determination of the cutting length based on the detected defects. Additionally or alternatively, the disclosed systems and methods can provide improved measurements of the cutting length of sheet metal blanks. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods provided herein can generate or cause various output responses based on the determined cutting length or the measurement of the cutting length. Compared with conventional cutting systems, the disclosed systems and methods can provide optimized cutting operations to improve accuracy and minimize waste. Various other benefits and advantages can be achieved using the systems and methods provided herein, and the above advantages should not be considered limiting.

[0032] Figure 1 A to Figure 1B and Figure 2 A to Figure 2B A shearing system 100 and a shearing control system 112 for a metal sheet blank 102 according to various embodiments are shown. In certain embodiments, the shearing system 100 is optionally located downstream of the hot rolling mill 101, but in other embodiments, the shearing system 100 can be provided at other locations as needed. In addition to the shearing control system 112, the shearing system 100 generally includes one or more shearing devices 104 and one or more supports 106. The one or more supports 106 can be various devices or mechanisms suitable for supporting the metal sheet blank 102 when the metal sheet blank 102 moves through the shearing system 100 (indicated by arrows 111). In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more supports 106 include a plurality of rollers 108, and these rollers 108 can be supported by a workbench or other support structure. The shearing device 104 can be various devices or mechanisms suitable for shearing or shearing the metal sheet blank 102 as needed, including but not limited to heavy shears or light shears.

[0033] In certain embodiments, such as due to rolling in the hot rolling mill 101, at least one of the head end 103 or the tail end 105 of the metal sheet 102 may have defects and / or require trimming before further processing of the metal sheet 102. In such embodiments, the trimming control system 112 can be used to improve the trimming operation performed by the trimming device 104. In various embodiments, the trimming control system 112 includes a controller 114 and a sheet positioning system (see, e.g., Figure 1 A to Figure 1B , Figure 2 A to Figure 2B and Figures 3 to 9 ) and / or cut-to-length systems (see e.g. Figure 10 to Figure 1 4) one or more. Therefore, although Figure 1 and Figure 2 1, but in other embodiments, the cutting system 100 may include only a cutting length system or both a cutting length system and a cutting length system. As discussed in detail below, the cutting control system 112 can be used to determine and / or control the position of the metal sheet 102 relative to the cutting device 104 for the cutting operation, and the cutting length system can be used to determine and / or control how much of a particular end should be cut during the cutting operation.

[0034] The controller 114 of the cropping control system 112 may include one or more processing units and / or one or more memory devices. The processing unit of the controller 114 may be various suitable processing devices or combinations of devices, including but not limited to one or more application specific integrated circuits, digital signal processors, digital signal processing devices, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units and / or combinations thereof. The one or more memory devices of the controller 114 may be any machine-readable medium accessible by the processor, including but not limited to any type of long-term, short-term, volatile, non-volatile or other storage media, and are not limited to any specific type of memory or amount of memory, or the type of medium storing the memory. In addition, as disclosed herein, the term "storage medium", "storage device" or "memory" may represent one or more memories for storing data, including read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, magnetic core memory, magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" includes but is not limited to portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels and / or various other storage media capable of storing or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the controller 114 may optionally include an associated user interface, including but not limited to a graphical user interface or a human-machine interface, so that the controller 114 may obtain information from a user and / or provide information to a user. In such embodiments, the user interface and / or the human-machine interface may be located on the controller 114 itself or may be located remote from the controller 114. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 114 may optionally include various communication modules so that the controller 114 may receive and / or send information as needed. Non-limiting examples of communication modules may include implementing wired communication and / or wireless communication (e.g., near field, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth low energy, etc.) systems and mechanisms.

[0036] In certain embodiments, controller 114 may be communicatively coupled to cutting device 104 and the cut-to-length system and / or the slab positioning system to control the cutting operation based on information from the cut-to-length system and / or the slab positioning system, as discussed in detail below.

[0037] Slab positioning system

[0038] In various embodiments, the cutting control system 112 includes a sheet blank positioning system for determining and / or controlling the position of the metal sheet blank 102 relative to the cutting device 104 during the cutting operation. Such a sheet blank positioning system can provide improved detection and / or control of the metal sheet blank 102 relative to the cutting device 104.

[0039] Figure 1 A to Figure 1B and Figure 2 A to Figure 2B An example of a cutting control system 112 and a slab positioning system 116 is shown. Figure 1 A to Figure 1B and Figure 2 A to Figure 2B As shown, in certain embodiments, the sheet blank positioning system 116 includes one or more optical sensors 118 that are positioned relative to the cutting device 104 and are used to measure the position of the end of the metal sheet blank 102 relative to the cutting device 104. Figure 1 A to Figure 1B and Figure 2 A to Figure 2B , the sheet blank positioning system 116 is shown measuring the head end 103 of the metal sheet blank 102 and is discussed in the context of measuring the head end 103. However, the sheet blank positioning system 116 can be similarly used to measure the position of the tail end 105 of the metal sheet blank 102.

[0040] exist Figure 1 A to Figure 1B and Figure 2 A to Figure 2BIn the embodiment of the present invention, the sheet blank positioning system 116 includes two optical sensors 118A to 118B, wherein the optical sensor 118A is disposed upstream of the cutting device 104, and the optical sensor 118B is disposed downstream of the cutting device 104. However, any number of optical sensors 118 may be used in other embodiments. One or more optical sensors 118 may be various types of optical sensors as needed, including but not limited to laser-based optical sensors, cameras for various wavelengths as needed (e.g., ultraviolet cameras, visible light cameras, infrared cameras, etc.), machine vision cameras, combinations thereof, and / or other optical sensors as needed. In some non-limiting examples, the optical sensor 118 may obtain and / or output visual data of the metal sheet blank 102, but this is not required in other embodiments.

[0041] exist Figure 1 A to Figure 1B and Figure 2 A to Figure 2B In the embodiment of the present invention, the optical sensors 118A to 118B are laser-based sensors. In this embodiment, each optical sensor 118A to 118B is mounted above the rolling line of the metal sheet 102 and is optionally located at the center of the support 106. Figure 1B and 2B As best shown, each optical sensor 118A-118B generates a sensing area 120 (e.g., a laser) in a plane extending parallel to the rolling direction 111. In certain embodiments, the optical sensors 118A-118B can automatically provide measurements of the position of the head end 103 of the metal sheet blank 102 relative to the cutting device 104. In some examples, the optical sensors 118A-118B can use a projected laser line to measure the cross-sectional 3D geometry of a portion or surface of the metal sheet blank 102 and / or other parts. In other embodiments, the optical sensors 118A-118B can automatically measure the head end 103 using other techniques as needed. For example, the optical sensor 118A can measure the position of the head end 103 of the metal sheet blank 102 upstream of the cutting device 104 ( Figure 1 A to Figure 1B ), and the optical sensor 118B can measure the position of the head end 103 of the metal sheet blank 102 downstream of the cutting device 104 ( Figure 2 A to Figure 2B). In various embodiments, the controller 114 of the cutting control system 112 can generate a position control response based on the position of the head end 103 relative to the cutting device 104 detected from the optical sensor 118. In some embodiments, the position control response from the controller 114 based on the detected position from the slab positioning system 116 can include generating an alert (e.g., text, audio, image, etc.) on a display of a human-machine interface associated with the controller 114. In such an embodiment, the alert can include the detected position of the head end 103, and optionally, the alert can include a comparison (or other indication) of the detected position relative to the expected position of the head end 103 relative to the cutting device 104.

[0042] Additionally or alternatively, the position control response from the controller 114 may include controlling the position of the metal sheet blank 102 relative to the cutting device 104. In such an embodiment, the position control response may include actuating a positioning device, such as but not limited to the roller 108. In such an embodiment, actuating the positioning device may move the metal sheet blank 102 upstream or downstream relative to the cutting device 104 as needed and / or cause the metal sheet blank 102 to be in a desired (e.g., predetermined or detected) position relative to the cutting device 104. As a non-limiting example, based on the optical sensor 118A detecting that the head end 103 is located upstream of the cutting device 104, the controller 114 may actuate the positioning device so that the metal sheet blank 102 moves downstream. In such an embodiment, the metal sheet blank 102 may optionally move downstream until the optical sensor 118B detects that the head end 103 is located downstream of the cutting device 104 and / or until the head end 103 is located at a desired position downstream of the cutting device 104. As another non-limiting example, based on the optical sensor 118B detecting that the head end 103 is located downstream of the cutting device 104, but the distance relative to the cutting device 104 is less than or greater than the desired distance, the controller 114 can control the positioning device to move the metal sheet blank 102 upstream or downstream to position the metal sheet blank 102 at the desired position. The controller 114 can implement various other position controls based on the position information from the sheet blank positioning system 116 with the optical sensor 118, and the foregoing examples should not be considered limiting.

[0043] Figure 3 and Figure 4Another cutting system 300 is shown, which is substantially similar to the cutting system 100 and includes a slab positioning system 316. The slab positioning system 316 is substantially similar to the slab positioning system 116, except that the slab positioning system 316 includes different types of optical sensors 318A-318B. However, similar to the optical sensors 118A-118B, the optical sensors 318A-318B are laser-based sensors that are mounted above the rolling line of the metal slab 102 and generate a sensing area 320 in a plane extending parallel to the rolling direction 111. In these embodiments, similar to the optical sensors 118A-118B, the optical sensors 318A-318B can automatically provide a measurement of the position of the head end 103 of the metal slab 102 relative to the cutting device 104. Figure 3 The optical sensor 318A is shown measuring the position of the head end 103 of the metal sheet blank 102 upstream of the cutting device 104, and Figure 4 Optical sensor 318B is shown measuring the position of head end 103 of metal blank 102 downstream of cutting device 104. Similar to cutting system 100, cutting system 300 may include controller 114 for controlling positioning of metal blank 102 and / or at least a portion of the cutting operation based on information from blank positioning system 316.

[0044] Figure 5 Another cutting system 500 is shown that is substantially similar to the cutting system 100 and includes a sheet blank positioning system 516. In contrast to the sheet blank positioning system 116, the sheet blank positioning system 516 includes an optical sensor 518, which is a laser velocimeter that directs a laser 520 onto the metal sheet blank 102. In this embodiment, the optical sensor 518 may be disposed at a known distance 522 from the cutting device 104. In such an embodiment, based on the known distance 522 and the scan distance or length 524 measured by the optical sensor 518, the controller 114 may determine the position of the head end 103 relative to the cutting device 104. As a non-limiting example, if the known distance 522 is 250 cm and the scan length 524 is 275 cm, the controller may determine that the position of the head end 103 is 25 cm downstream of the cutting device 104. Similar to the sheet blank positioning system 516, various position control responses may be implemented based on the determined position of the head end 103.

[0045] Figure 6 and Figure 7Another cutting system 600 is shown, which is substantially similar to the cutting system 100 and includes a slab positioning system 616. Compared with the slab positioning system 116, the slab positioning system 616 includes a camera 618 having a sensing area 620. The camera 618 can be various types of cameras as desired, including but not limited to optical or video cameras, monocular or multi-eye stereo cameras, RGB-D cameras, and / or other types of cameras as desired, alone or in any combination. Although a single camera 618 is shown, in other embodiments, the slab positioning system 616 may include multiple cameras, and in such embodiments, the cameras do not have to be the same type of camera. In addition, the camera 618 can be provided in various positions or orientations as desired.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the camera 618 may be calibrated using various techniques or mechanisms as desired so that a defined portion of the visual data from the camera 618 (e.g., pixels in an image or video) corresponds to a known measurement (e.g., millimeters). In such embodiments, the camera 618 may detect a portion of the sheet metal blank 102 within the sensing region 620 and may automatically determine a length or position from the head end 103 based on the calibration. Figure 7 An example of a sheet metal blank 102 and a portion (red line 628) of the sheet metal blank 102 detected using the sheet metal positioning system 616 are shown. In embodiments such as the sheet metal positioning system 616 including optics or a camera, various auxiliary devices, techniques, or mechanisms may be utilized to facilitate detection of the sheet metal blank 102 on the support 106 and / or to improve the accuracy of the detected sheet metal blank 102. Non-limiting examples of such auxiliary devices, techniques, or mechanisms may include filters for enhancing the contrast between the sheet metal blank 102 and the support 106, lighting devices for highlighting the sheet metal blank 102, lighting devices for enhancing the contrast between the sheet metal blank 102 and the support 106, combinations thereof, and / or other devices, techniques, or mechanisms as desired.

[0047] In various embodiments, in addition to detecting the position of the head end 103 of the metal sheet blank 102, the sheet blank positioning system 616 with the camera 618 can also selectively allow for the definition of a cutting area. As a non-limiting example, based on the visual data from the camera 618, the controller 114 can define the area to be cut on the visual data. Additionally or alternatively, the visual data can be provided to the operator (e.g., on a human-machine interface), and the operator can provide an identification of the portion of the metal sheet blank 102 to be cut. In such an embodiment, the controller can use the calibrated visual data from the camera 618 to determine the cutting area identified by the operator. Additionally or alternatively, the sheet blank positioning system 616 with the camera 618 can allow for the estimation of the volume of the metal sheet blank 102 to be cut. As an example, based on the known or detected thickness of the metal sheet blank 102 and the defined cutting area, the controller 114 can use the calibrated visual data from the camera 618 to determine the volume to be cut.

[0048] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Another cutting system 800 is shown, which is substantially similar to the cutting system 100 and includes a slab positioning system 816. Compared to the slab positioning system 116, the slab positioning system 816 includes a thermal camera 818 having a sensing area 820. Fig. 9 As best shown, the thermal image or video from the thermal camera 818 can help detect the metal sheet blank 102 because the metal sheet blank 102 is much hotter than its environment and therefore stands out in the thermal image. In this embodiment, the head end 103 of the metal sheet blank 102 can be detected based on the initial detection of the highlighted head end 103. As described above, regardless of the specific sheet blank positioning system used with the cutting control system 112, the controller 114 can use information from the sheet blank positioning system to generate one or more position control responses.

[0049] Reference again Figure 1 and 2 , a method for controlling a cutting operation using a sheet blank positioning system 116 may include receiving, by a controller 114, a detected position of a head end 103 (and / or a tail end) of a metal sheet blank 102 from one or two optical sensors 118A to 118B. The method includes generating, by the controller 114, a position control response based on the detected position of the head end 103. In some embodiments, generating a position control response includes generating an alarm or warning to an operator using a human-machine interface and / or controlling the position of the metal sheet blank 102 relative to the cutting device 104. The method may include cutting the metal sheet blank 102 using the cutting device 104 based on the metal sheet blank 102 being in a desired position relative to the cutting device 104. Various other processes may be performed using the sheet blank positioning system 116, and the aforementioned control process should not be considered limiting.

[0050] Cut to length system

[0051] In some embodiments, as previously described, the cutting control system 112 includes a cutting length system for determining and / or controlling how much a particular end should be cut during a cutting operation. The cutting length system can be provided with the slab positioning system described herein, but need not be so in other embodiments.

[0052] Figures 10 to 13 An example of a cutting system 1000 is shown, wherein the cutting control system 112 includes a cutting length system 1026. In certain embodiments, the cutting length system 1026 includes one or more optical sensors 1028 that are positioned relative to the rolling line of the metal sheet 102 (e.g., as Figures 11 to 13 and is used to measure the end of the metal sheet blank 102. Figure 10 to Figure 1 5, the optical sensor 1028 is shown as measuring the head end 103, but the cut-to-length system 1026 can similarly measure the tail end 105.

[0053] exist Figures 10 to 13 In some embodiments, the cut-to-length system 1026 includes two optical sensors 1028A to 1028B. The one or more optical sensors 1028 can be various types of optical sensors as needed, including but not limited to laser-based optical sensors, thermal (e.g., infrared) cameras, visible light cameras, other wavelength cameras, machine vision cameras, combinations thereof, and / or other optical sensors as needed. In some non-limiting examples, the optical sensor 1028 can obtain and / or output visual data of the metal sheet blank 102, but this is not required in other embodiments. Figure 10 to Figure 1 4, the optical sensors 1028A-1028B are laser-based sensors (e.g., lasers) having a sensing area 1030. In some examples, the optical sensors 1028A-1028B can use a projected laser line to measure the cross-sectional 3D geometry of a portion or surface of the metal sheet blank 102 and / or other parts. Figure 10 to Figure 1 4 and as Fig.10 As best shown, the optical sensors 1028A- 1028B configured to measure the head end 103 in the thickness direction may allow the cut-to-length system 1026 to detect and / or measure defects in the metal sheet blank 102 , such as a delamination cavity 1029 in the head end 103 of the metal sheet blank 102 .

[0054] like Fig.11 and Fig.12As best shown, the optical sensors 1028A-1028B are disposed on opposite sides of the rolling line of the metal sheet 102. The optical sensors 1028A-1028B may be disposed at different heights relative to the rolling line as desired, and Fig.11 The height of the sensors shown in should not be considered limiting. In addition, the optical sensors 1028A to 1028B need not be located at the same height. The optical sensors 1028A to 1028B may similarly be disposed at different distances relative to the rolling line of the metal sheet 102, and the distances shown should not be considered limiting.

[0055] In some embodiments, and as Fig.12 As best shown, the optical sensors 1028A-1028B are optionally oriented at an oblique angle relative to the width direction of the metal sheet blank 102. As a non-limiting example, one or two optical sensors 1028A-1028B may be disposed at an angle of 30° to less than 90°, such as 45° to less than 90°, such as 60° to less than 90°, relative to the width direction of the metal sheet blank 102. In other embodiments, one or two optical sensors 1028A-1028B may be disposed at a right angle (or 90°) relative to the width direction of the metal sheet blank 102.

[0056] In certain embodiments, the optical sensors 1028A-1028B can automatically provide measurements of the head end 103 of the metal sheet blank 102. In various embodiments, and as Fig.13 As shown, optical sensors 1028A-1028B may provide measurements of at least a portion 1033 of the delamination cavity 1029 in the head end 103. Fig.13 As shown, in some embodiments, the optical sensors 1028A to 1028B may not be able to measure the end 1031 of the delamination cavity 1029 (i.e., the end 1031 is hidden and cannot be optically detected). In such an embodiment, if the detected portion 1033 is determined to be the cut length, a portion of the delamination defect will remain in the metal sheet blank 102 and may cause problems during subsequent processing of the metal sheet blank 102. In various embodiments, the actual length 1035 of the delamination cavity 1029 can be determined by the controller 114 (and / or the operator) by adding an adjustment value 1037 for the hidden length to the portion 1033 measured by the optical sensors 1028A to 1028B. In various embodiments, the adjustment value 1037 can be determined statistically, by modeling, and / or using other techniques as needed. In some embodiments, the adjustment value 1037 can be predetermined; however, in other embodiments, the adjustment value 1037 can be determined based on the portion 1033 of the delamination cavity 1029 and / or other characteristics or properties of the metal sheet blank 102.

[0057] In various embodiments, based on the measured values ​​from the optical sensors 1028A to 1028B and / or the determined actual length 1035 of the lamination cavity 1029 in the head end 103, the controller 114 of the cutting control system 112 can generate a length control response. In some embodiments, the length control response can include generating an alarm (e.g., text, audio, image, etc.) on a display of a human-machine interface associated with the controller 114. In such an embodiment, the alarm can include a determined cutting length, or a distance from the head end 103 at which the cutting device should cut. Additionally or alternatively, the length control response from the controller 114 can include controlling the cutting device 104 so that the metal sheet blank 102 is cut at the determined cutting length. Optionally, such control can optionally include providing the determined cutting length to a sheet blank positioning system, and the sheet blank positioning system can position the metal sheet blank based on the determined cutting length. The controller 114 can implement various other position controls based on the determined cutting length information from the cutting length system 1026, and the foregoing examples should not be considered limiting.

[0058] The method of controlling the cutting operation using the cutting length system 1026 may include receiving, by the controller 114, a measured length of at least a portion 1033 of the delamination cavity 1029 from one or two optical sensors 1028A to 1028B. The method optionally includes determining the actual delamination cavity length by adding an adjustment value to the measured cavity length, which may be a minimum cutting length. In some embodiments, the method includes determining the adjustment value by the controller 114 based on modeling or other techniques as needed. The method includes generating a length control response by the controller 114 based on the cutting length determined for the head end 103. In some embodiments, generating a length control response includes generating an alarm or an alert to an operator using a human-machine interface and / or controlling the position of the metal sheet blank 102 relative to the cutting device 104 so that the cutting device 104 cuts the metal sheet blank at the determined cutting length. Optionally, the method includes controlling the position of the metal sheet blank 102 using one or more sheet blank positioning systems described herein. Various other processes can be performed using the cutting length system 1026, and the aforementioned control process should not be considered limiting.

[0059] Examples

[0060] A collection of exemplary embodiments is provided below, including at least some embodiments that are expressly listed as "illustrative" to provide additional descriptions of various exemplary embodiments according to the concepts described herein. These examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or limiting; and the present disclosure is not limited to these exemplary examples, but covers all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the claims set forth and their equivalents.

[0061] Example 1. A cutting system for cutting a metal sheet blank, the cutting system comprising a sheet blank positioning system, the sheet blank positioning system comprising: an optical sensor, the optical sensor configured to measure the position of an end of the metal sheet blank relative to a cutting device of the cutting system; and a controller, the controller being communicatively coupled to the optical sensor, the controller being configured to generate a position control response based on the position of the end of the metal sheet blank measured by the optical sensor.

[0062] Example 2. A cutting system according to any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is a first optical sensor configured to measure the position of the end of the metal sheet blank upstream of the cutting device, and wherein the sheet blank positioning system also includes a second optical sensor configured to measure the position of the end of the metal sheet blank downstream of the cutting device.

[0063] Example 3. A cutting system according to any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is located above a rolling line of the metal sheet through the cutting system, and wherein the optical sensor is configured to measure the metal sheet in a plane parallel to a machining direction of the metal sheet.

[0064] Example 4. The cutting system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is a laser-based optical sensor.

[0065] Example 5. The cropping system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is a thermal camera.

[0066] Example 6. The cutting system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the controller is configured to position the metal sheet blank relative to the cutting device or generate a display on a human-machine interface as the position control response.

[0067] Example 7. The cutting system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is a machine vision camera located above a pass line of the metal slab through the cutting system.

[0068] Example 8. A cutting system for cutting a metal sheet blank, the cutting system including a sheet blank positioning system, the sheet blank positioning system including: an optical sensor, the optical sensor being configured to detect an end of the metal sheet blank; and a controller, the controller being communicatively coupled to the optical sensor, the controller being configured to: receive visual data including the detected end of the metal sheet blank from the optical sensor; measure a length of a target area of ​​the end of the metal sheet blank based on the received visual data; and generate a position control response based on the measured length of the target area of ​​the end of the metal sheet blank.

[0069] Example 9. The cutting system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is a machine vision camera located above a pass line of the metal slab through the cutting system.

[0070] Example 10. The cropping system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is a thermal camera.

[0071] Example 11. A method for cutting a metal sheet blank using a cutting system, the method comprising: receiving a measured position of an end of the metal sheet blank relative to a cutting device of the cutting system from an optical sensor; and controlling the end of the metal sheet blank relative to the cutting device based on the measured position of the end of the metal sheet blank.

[0072] Example 12. A method according to any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is a first optical sensor located upstream of the cutting device, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a measured position of the end of the metal sheet blank located downstream of the cutting device relative to the cutting device from a second optical sensor located downstream of the cutting device.

[0073] Example 13. The method of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, further comprising trimming the metal blank based on the measured position of the end of the metal blank.

[0074] Example 14. A cutting system for cutting a metal sheet blank, the cutting system comprising a cutting length system, the cutting length system comprising: an optical sensor, the optical sensor being configured to detect defects in an end of the metal sheet blank; and a controller, the controller being communicatively coupled to the optical sensor, the controller being configured to determine a cutting position in the metal sheet blank based on the defects detected by the optical sensor.

[0075] Example 15. The cutting system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is a laser-based optical sensor.

[0076] Example 16. The cutting system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is mounted at an angle between a rolling direction and a width direction defined by the cutting system of the metal sheet blank.

[0077] Example 17. The cutting system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the angle is 45° to less than 90°, inclusive, relative to the width direction.

[0078] Example 18. The cutting system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is configured to detect defects in a thickness direction of the metal blank.

[0079] Example 19. A cutting system according to any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the optical sensor is a first optical sensor, wherein the cutting length system further includes a second optical sensor, wherein the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are each configured to detect the defect in the thickness direction of the metal sheet blank, wherein the first optical sensor is at a first angle between a rolling direction and a width direction defined by the cutting system of the metal sheet blank, and wherein the second optical sensor is at a second angle different from the first angle and located between the rolling direction and the width direction.

[0080] Example 20. A cutting system according to any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the controller is configured to determine the cutting position by determining the total length of the defect, wherein the controller is configured to determine the total length of the defect by: determining a measured length of the defect based on the detection of the optical sensor; and adding a hidden length of the defect to the measured length of the defect to determine the total length of the defect.

[0081] Example 21. The cropping system of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the hidden length of the defect is a predetermined estimated hidden length.

[0082] Example 22. A method for cutting a metal sheet blank using a cutting system, the method comprising: receiving a detection of a defect in an end of the metal sheet blank from an optical sensor; determining a cutting position in the metal sheet blank based on the defect detected by the optical sensor; and controlling the metal sheet blank relative to a cutting device of the cutting system based on the determined cutting position.

[0083] Example 23. A method according to any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, further comprising detecting the defect in the end of the metal sheet using the optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor is mounted at an angle between a rolling direction and a width direction defined by the cutting system of the metal sheet.

[0084] Example 24. A method according to any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein determining the cutting position includes determining a total length of the defect, wherein determining the total length of the defect includes: determining a measured length of the defect based on the detection of the optical sensor; and adding a hidden length of the defect to the measured length of the defect to determine the total length of the defect.

[0085] Example 25. The method of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein determining the total length of the defect further comprises determining the hidden length of the defect based on modeling.

[0086] Example 26. A cutting system for cutting a metal sheet blank, the cutting system comprising: a cutting length system comprising a first optical sensor, the first optical sensor being configured to detect defects in the end of the metal sheet blank; and a sheet blank positioning system, the sheet blank positioning system comprising a second optical sensor, the second optical sensor being configured to measure the position of the end of the metal sheet blank relative to a cutting device of the cutting system; and a controller, the controller being configured to: determine a cutting position in the metal sheet blank based on the detected defect from the first optical sensor; determine an actual position of the cutting position relative to the cutting device based on the measured position of the end of the metal sheet blank from the optical sensor; and generate a position control response based on the cutting position relative to the actual position of the cutting device.

[0087] The subject matter of the embodiments is specifically described herein to meet the statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between the various steps or elements, except when the order of the arrangement of the various steps or elements is clearly described. Directional references such as "upward", "downward", "top", "bottom", "left side", "right side", "front" and "rear" are intended to refer to the orientation shown and described in one (or more) figures of the reference parts and directions. Throughout this disclosure, reference numerals with letters refer to specific instances of elements, and reference numerals without letters refer to elements generally or collectively. Therefore, as an example (not shown in the figure), device "12A" refers to an instance of a device class, which may be collectively referred to as device "12", and any of which may be collectively referred to as device "12". In the drawings and descriptions, the same reference numerals are intended to represent the same elements. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings of "one", "a kind of" and "the" include singular and plural references.

[0088] The above-mentioned various aspects are only possible examples of implementation, which are only set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure, many changes and modifications may be made to the above-mentioned one or more embodiments. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included in the scope of the present disclosure herein, and all possible claims for various aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. In addition, although specific terms are used herein and in the appended claims, these specific terms are used only in a general and descriptive sense and are not used to limit the described embodiments nor the purpose of limiting the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cutting system for cutting a metal sheet blank, the cutting system comprising a sheet blank positioning system, the sheet blank positioning system comprising: an optical sensor configured to measure a position of an end of the metal sheet blank relative to a cutting device of the cutting system; as well as A controller is communicatively coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to generate a position control response based on the position of the end of the sheet metal blank measured by the optical sensor.

2. A cutting system according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is a first optical sensor configured to measure the position of the end of the metal sheet blank upstream of the cutting device, and wherein the sheet blank positioning system also includes a second optical sensor configured to measure the position of the end of the metal sheet blank downstream of the cutting device.

3. The cutting system according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is located above a rolling line of the metal sheet blank through the cutting system, and wherein the optical sensor is configured to measure the metal sheet blank in a plane extending in a direction parallel to a processing direction of the metal sheet blank.

4. The cutting system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is a laser-based optical sensor.

5. The cropping system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is a thermal camera.

6. The cutting system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to position the metal sheet blank relative to the cutting device or generate a display on a human-machine interface as the position control response.

7. The shearing system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is a machine vision camera located above a pass line of the metal slab through the shearing system.

8. A cutting system for cutting a metal sheet blank, the cutting system comprising a sheet blank positioning system, the sheet blank positioning system comprising: an optical sensor configured to detect an end of the metal sheet blank; as well as a controller communicatively coupled to the optical sensor and configured to: receiving visual data including the detected end of the metal sheet blank from the optical sensor; measuring a length of a target area of ​​the end portion of the metal sheet blank based on the received visual data; as well as A position control response is generated based on the measured length of the target region of the end of the sheet metal blank.

9. The shearing system of claim 8, wherein the optical sensor is a machine vision camera located above a pass line of the metal slab through the shearing system.

10. The cropping system of claim 8, wherein the optical sensor is a thermal camera.

11. The cutting system of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to position the metal sheet blank relative to a cutting device or generate a display on a human-machine interface as the position control response.

12. The cutting system according to claim 8, further comprising a cutting device for cutting the metal sheet blank.

13. A cutting system for cutting a metal sheet blank, the cutting system comprising a cutting-to-length system, the cutting-to-length system comprising: an optical sensor configured to detect defects in an end of the sheet metal blank; as well as A controller is communicatively coupled to the optical sensor and is configured to determine a cut location in the metal blank based on defects detected by the optical sensor.

14. The cutting system of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is a laser-based optical sensor.

15. The cutting system of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is mounted at an angle between a rolling direction and a width direction defined by the cutting system for cutting the metal sheet blank.

16. The cutting system of claim 15, wherein the angle is 45° to less than 90°, inclusive, relative to the width direction.

17. The cutting system of claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is configured to detect defects in a thickness direction of the metal blank.

18. A cutting system according to claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is a first optical sensor, wherein the cutting length system further includes a second optical sensor, wherein the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are each configured to detect the defect in the thickness direction of the metal sheet blank, wherein the first optical sensor is at a first angle between a rolling direction and a width direction defined by the cutting system for cutting the metal sheet blank, and wherein the second optical sensor is at a second angle different from the first angle and located between the rolling direction and the width direction.

19. The cutting system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to determine the cutting position by determining a total length of the defects, wherein the controller is configured to determine the total length of the defects by: determining a measured length of the defect based on the detection by the optical sensor; and The hidden length of the defect is added to the measured length of the defect to determine the total length of the defect.

20. The cropping system of claim 19, wherein the hidden length of the defect is a predetermined estimated hidden length.

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