Method and control device for operating a strip treatment installation for processing a strip, in particular a metal strip or rolling material
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2022792788
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing strip treatment systems face challenges with rapid changes in strip shape, such as 'dog-legs' at weld seams and larger defects transverse to the longitudinal direction, known as 'band sabers,' leading to significant deviations and control issues, which result in damage, accidents, and increased costs due to the need for wider transport rollers and longer processing systems.
Implementing a method with multiple successive strip running control devices that proactively adjust the strip position based on sensor data, using sensors to detect properties like dog-legs and band sabers, and transmitting this information downstream to adjust the strip position ahead of time, optimizing the strip's path through the system using machine learning and simulations to minimize delays and damage.
This approach reduces control delays, minimizes unnecessary interventions, and optimizes the strip's position, leading to smoother handling, reduced damage, lower manufacturing costs, and improved system efficiency by anticipating and adjusting for rapid changes in strip shape.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Method and control device for operating a strip processing plant for processing a strip, in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock
[0002] The invention relates to a method for operating a strip processing plant for processing a strip, in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock. The invention further relates to a control device for operating a strip processing plant for processing a strip, in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock.
[0003] During the production, treatment, and processing of metal strip, the strip, especially a metallic strip or rolled stock, is guided through the processing plant along a transport direction. If necessary, the strip, which is delivered in material rolls, so-called coils, is unwound at the inlet of the strip processing plant. After processing in the processing plant, the processed strip can be rewound into a coil to simplify transport.
[0004] The belt is guided through the processing system by transport rollers. Due to its geometric shape, the belt tends to run laterally, i.e., perpendicular to the transport direction, from the transport rollers, especially deflection rollers. To ensure the belt's position on the transport rollers, the processing system comprises several consecutive, spaced-apart belt tracking devices along the transport direction. The distance between the belt tracking devices in a belt processing system can be several hundred meters, for example, 300 to 500 meters, with the belt tracking devices typically being independent of one another.
[0005] The belt tracking devices are designed to keep the belt centered on the transport rollers, perpendicular to the transport direction, or at another specified position perpendicular to the transport direction. This ensures even treatment of the belt by the treatment system and prevents damage to the belt or the treatment system. The belt tracking devices are designed to detect and adjust the position of the belt perpendicular to the transport direction. For this purpose, the belt tracking devices each comprise sensors for determining the position of the belt perpendicular to the transport direction and actuators for adjusting the position of the belt perpendicular to the transport direction.
[0006] The sensors detect, for example, one or both lateral edges of the strip. Inductive measuring frames or image sensors including image analysis are also known from the state of the art.
[0007] The actuators are designed, for example, as pivoting rollers that transmit a movement component transverse to the main transport direction to the belt. The sensors and actuators of a belt guide system are connected to a control logic that controls the actuators based on the sensor data.
[0008] The belt tracking devices use sensors to detect the position of the belt in the belt processing system, particularly transversely to the transport direction. From the sensor data, the logic calculates any deviation of the belt from the target position, usually the center of the transport rollers transversely to the transport direction, and uses the actuators to correct the belt's position transversely to the transport direction.
[0009] A corresponding belt guide control device is disclosed, for example, in WO 2009 / 030388 A1.
[0010] However, the current state of the art presents a problem with rapid changes in strip shape, such as a so-called dog-leg in the area of weld seams, for example when welding consecutive strips to be treated. This results in a rapid change in the strip position and, with it, a large deviation and rapid change from the target strip position. The logic of a strip guidance control system reacts to this with strong correction via the actuators. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the sensor and actuator of the strip guidance control system are sometimes several meters apart. Overall, therefore, rapid changes in strip shape lead to strong control interventions or even incorrect interventions, which can have a negative impact on the strip treatment, the strip itself and / or the positioning of the strip.
[0011] Another problem with the state of the art arises with rolled goods that have large defects perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip, also known as strip camber. If the strip exhibits such a pattern perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, there is a significant deviation from the target strip position up to the next strip guidance device. Since the target strip position is usually in the center of the strip transport rollers, depending on the direction of the defect perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, deviations can occur in both directions perpendicular to the center of the strip transport rollers. To compensate for such defects, the width of the transport rollers and, if applicable, the clear throughput width of the strip processing line are increased accordingly in the state of the art. Since strip processing lines can be several hundred meters long, this results in considerable additional costs.
[0012] Furthermore, errors can occur during strip processing if the strip is not in the desired position, especially the center of the transport rollers. This is particularly the case with inline skin-pass lines, coaters, heat treatment systems, or trimming shears.
[0013] Based on the cited prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a method and a control device for operating a strip processing plant for processing a strip, in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock, which reduces the negative influences of both rapid changes in the strip shape, such as so-called dog-legs in the area of weld seams, as well as larger defects transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strip, such as so-called strip sabers, and thereby prevents damage to the strip and the strip processing plant, avoids malfunctions and additionally reduces the manufacturing costs of the strip processing plant.
[0014] The object is achieved according to the invention by a method for operating a strip processing plant for processing a strip, in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock, wherein the strip is guided along a transport direction through the strip processing plant by means of transport rollers and the strip processing plant comprises at least two successive strip guide devices along the transport direction, wherein the strip guide devices are designed to detect and adjust the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction, comprising the steps:
[0015] Detecting the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction by means of sensors, in particular sensors of the belt guide devices of the belt treatment system,
[0016] Detection of belt properties by means of sensors that influence the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction,
[0017] Assigning the detected properties of the belt to corresponding points or segments of the belt, and proactively adjusting the position of the belt transversely to the transport direction at the belt guide devices following in the transport direction on the basis of the properties detected by upstream sensors, in particular upstream belt guide devices, for the corresponding points or segments of the belt.
[0018] Strip, as defined by the invention, refers in particular to metallic strips or rolled goods. According to the invention, transverse to the transport direction corresponds to a movement transverse to the transport direction in the plane of the strip.
[0019] According to the invention, the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction is continuously detected using suitable sensors. These are, in particular, sensors of the belt tracking devices of the belt processing system. The sensors detect, for example, one or both lateral edges of the belt. Furthermore, inductive measuring frames or image sensors including image analysis known from the prior art can also be used. The sensors for detecting the position transverse to the transport direction can thus be optical, inductive, or radar-based.
[0020] Based on the sensor data, properties of the belt which influence the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction are subsequently determined according to the invention. The properties are therefore derived from the recorded sensor data. The properties determined are in particular so-called doglegs in the area of weld seams, belt cambers or similar belt properties. For example, the sensor data can be used to detect when the position of the belt changes quickly transversely to the transport direction, which corresponds to a dogleg of the belt. A rapid change in the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction within the meaning of the present invention is an abrupt or sudden change in the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction. A slow and steady change in the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction results in a so-called belt camber.Other belt properties that influence the belt's position transverse to the transport direction include belt waviness such as edge waves, bulges, or the like. Thus, irregularities in the belt edge in the transport direction that influence the belt's position transverse to the transport direction are generally detected. This process step is performed, for example, by a computing device that receives the sensor data as input.
[0021] For example, the edge of the belt is continuously monitored by an optical sensor to determine the position of the edge of the belt transverse to the transport direction. From this sensor data, it can be determined whether the position transverse to the transport direction changes slowly and steadily, changes abruptly or abruptly, or remains essentially constant.
[0022] Based on the sensor data, the first belt tracking device will, unless further information is available, take control action and, using the associated actuators of the belt tracking device, correct the belt position transversely to the transport axis. In the event of a dog-leg, this can lead to abrupt changes that may have a negative impact on the belt and / or the belt processing system, in particular the corresponding belt tracking device. Since there is usually a certain distance between the sensor and the actuator of the belt tracking device, and continuous changes such as those caused by a belt saber are always associated with a control delay, the belt initially moves out of the target belt position, i.e. in a direction transverse to the transport direction, before the belt tracking device corrects the belt position back to the target belt position.Therefore, the width of the transport rollers must be larger than the actual width of the belt, which can lead to considerable additional costs, especially for very long belt processing systems. Transport rollers in the sense of the invention refer not only to individual rollers, but also to transverse areas with multiple rollers to form a transport surface.
[0023] The properties detected by the invention that influence the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction are assigned to the corresponding points or segments of the belt. The data recorded by the sensors and subsequently evaluated are thus assigned to the corresponding points or segments of the belt.
[0024] According to the invention, the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction is proactively adjusted at the belt guidance control devices downstream in the transport direction on the basis of the properties detected by upstream sensors, in particular by upstream belt guidance control devices, for the corresponding points or segments of the belt. Proactive adjustment within the meaning of the invention relates in particular to early preparation of the adjustments to be made to the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction, so that the adjustments can be carried out when the detected properties of the belt occur. This significantly reduces the control delay that otherwise usually occurs. Furthermore, the proactive adjustment can also comprise a more uniform adjustment of the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction, even though the detected property relates to a rapid change in the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction.This significantly improves smoothness. Furthermore, proactive adjustment can also involve omitting adjustments to the belt's position transverse to the transport direction, especially in the case of fast and short-term characteristics that only affect the belt's position transverse to the transport direction over a very limited range.
[0025] According to the invention, based on the recorded and evaluated sensor data, the strip guiding systems react proactively to the detected strip properties in a timely manner, thus avoiding unnecessary or abrupt control interventions and making the strip transport smoother and more harmonious overall. The proactive adjustments can be carried out by the strip guiding systems at the optimal time because the detected properties have been assigned to corresponding points or segments of the strip, and the position of the points or segments in the strip processing system can be easily determined at any time.
[0026] According to one variant of the invention, the method comprises the step of forwarding the detected properties with the corresponding points or segments of the belt from an upstream belt tracking device to at least the belt tracking device following in the transport direction, preferably several of the following belt tracking devices. The method according to the invention is thus implemented in the controls of the belt tracking devices, and the corresponding data is transmitted from the upstream belt tracking devices to one or more of the following belt tracking devices. This can preferably be done via existing communication means, also using other components or system parts, such as a central control device.
[0027] In an alternative or additional variant of the invention, the method comprises transmitting the detected properties with the corresponding points and segments of the strip from the strip guide devices to a computing device, wherein the computing device optimizes the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction for the transport of the strip through the strip processing system based on the transmitted properties with the corresponding points and segments. In particular, the computing device can optimize the transport of the strip through the entire strip processing system and perform corresponding proactive adjustments of the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction for all strip guide devices. The computing device enables holistic optimization for the transport of the strip through the strip processing system.According to a suitable variant of the invention, the optimization is based on machine learning methods or simulations, in particular to minimize strip damage, avoid uneven strip treatment by the strip treatment system, minimize the width of the strip treatment system, avoid damage to the strip treatment system, in particular to the transport device and strip guide devices, avoid unnecessary downtimes of the strip treatment system, for example, due to accidents, or for similar optimization goals. Thus, in particular, a data-driven model is used to optimize the target strip position of the strip for the entire transport through the strip treatment system.
[0028] According to a variant of the invention, the proactive adjustment of the belt position transversely to the transport direction is carried out at the belt guide device downstream in the transport direction based on the optimization of the computing device. For this purpose, the result of the optimization is transmitted from the computing device to the downstream belt guide device, with the optimization expediently taking into account the data of all upstream belt guide devices.
[0029] In an advantageous variant of the invention, the method comprises the step of comparing the optimized position of the belt transverse to the transport direction determined by the computing device with the actual position of the corresponding points or segments of the belt on the belt tracking devices and, if necessary, adjusting the actual position of the belt transverse to the transport direction by the belt tracking devices. For each belt tracking device, the actual position of the belt is compared with the optimized position of the belt determined by the computing device, and any deviations are corrected accordingly.
[0030] According to one variant, the method according to the invention comprises feeding back the deviations between the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction optimized by the computing device and the actual position of the corresponding points or segments of the belt to the computing device in order to improve the optimization. Based on this information, the proactive adjustment of the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction at the corresponding belt guide device downstream in the transport direction can be further improved, in particular carried out more uniformly. The computing device can also use this information to assess and improve the quality and accuracy of the optimization. In particular, the machine learning algorithms can be further trained based on this feedback.
[0031] According to a variant of the invention, the method comprises taking into account past optimizations relating to the processing of another strip by the strip processing system when optimizing the position of the current strip transversely to the transport direction by the computing device. Experience from previous optimizations is thus taken into account in the current optimization. If the previous proactive adjustments have proven effective for certain previously identified properties that influence the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction, these proactive adjustments can be applied accordingly or in a modified form to similarly identified properties that influence the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction in order to take into account any special features of the current strip.
[0032] In a particularly advantageous variant, the method according to the invention comprises training optimization algorithms based on past optimizations regarding the processing of another strip by the strip processing system. The algorithms used for optimization, i.e., for determining the proactive adjustment of the position of the strip transverse to the transport direction at the strip guide devices downstream in the transport direction, are trained with past data sets, including those from other comparable strip processing systems. This improves the initial accuracy of the optimization algorithms used.
[0033] According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the proactive adjustment of the belt position transversely to the transport direction at the belt tracking devices downstream in the transport direction takes into account the adjustments of the belt position transversely to the transport direction made at the upstream belt tracking devices. If the proactive adjustment performed at the previous belt tracking device has proven advantageous, the proactive adjustment at the downstream belt tracking device can adopt this adjustment or at least use it as a basis for its own proactive adjustment. This allows the proactive adjustments of the belt tracking devices along the belt processing system to be continuously improved.This is particularly advantageous in conjunction with the computing device for optimizing the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction, as the computing device can thereby better optimize the transport of the strip through the entire strip processing line. To this end, the computing device can compare and evaluate the proactive adjustments of the successive strip guidance control devices along the strip processing line. Using this variant, changes to the detected properties that influence the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction can be identified along the strip processing line and taken into account in the optimization. For example, the strip processing line contains stretch levelers, furnaces, or other devices that change the properties of the strip, thus also the properties of the strip that influence the position transversely to the transport direction.By taking into account the proactive adjustments of the successive strip guiding devices along the strip processing line, such changes can be detected and taken into account in the optimization.
[0034] According to a further preferred variant of the invention, the method comprises the step of taking into account information and / or data from systems upstream of the strip treatment plant when proactively adjusting the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction and / or optimizing the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction by the computing device, in particular for proactively adjusting and / or optimizing the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction at the first strip treatment plant in the transport direction of the strip treatment plant. According to an expedient variant, the upstream systems are selected from: hot rolling mill, cold rolling mill, pickling line, welding machines, in particular four-point sensors or quality monitoring systems of the welding machine, coiling device, or the like.As a result, the method according to the invention already has information and / or data about the strip available before processing in the strip processing plant, which can be taken into account during optimization. In particular, this already enables proactive adjustment of the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction at the first strip travel control device of the strip processing plant. For example, properties of the strip that influence the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction can be determined from the information and / or data from the upstream plants. The information and / or data from the upstream plants include, for example, asymmetries from a rolling mill (wedge, force difference, asymmetrical setting force, signal from a flatness measuring roll), information from the setting system (flattener, tension leveler, skin-pass mill), or the like.
[0035] In an expedient variant, the method according to the invention further comprises the step of determining the position of points or segments of the strip in the strip processing system, in particular based on tracking systems of the strip processing system. This ensures that the downstream strip processing system makes the proactive adjustments for optimization precisely at the time or time window when the strip exhibits the corresponding properties that influence the position of the strip transverse to the transport direction. The position determination is based, for example, on monitoring the transport speed, for example, using drive rollers of the strip processing system or the like.
[0036] According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the method comprises the step of detecting the position of the belt transversely to the transport direction between two belt tracking devices and transmitting the detected position to the upstream belt tracking device, the downstream belt tracking device, and / or the computing device. This makes it possible, for example, to check whether the proactive adjustments made are achieving the desired result. The downstream belt tracking device or the computing unit can also detect newly occurring changes in the belt's position relative to the transport direction and take them into account in the downstream belt processing system or generally during optimization.
[0037] According to a further preferred variant of the invention, the distance between two consecutive belt tracking devices is smaller at the beginning of the belt processing system than at the end of the belt processing system; in particular, the distance between two consecutive belt tracking devices increases in the transport direction. As a result, more information is available for optimization at the beginning of the belt processing system, and the position of the belt transverse to the transport direction can be adjusted more precisely at the beginning of the belt processing system. As the transport length increases, more information is available, in particular regarding the optimized positioning of the belt transverse to the transport direction to compensate for belt irregularities.
[0038] In an advantageous variant of the invention, the process is carried out continuously.
[0039] According to a particularly advantageous variant of the invention, the method includes taking into account information from the belt tracking devices, in particular current information regarding the adjustment of the belt position transversely to the transport direction. The information to be taken into account includes, for example, the current setting angles of transport rollers of the belt tracking device, the alignment of parts or the entire belt tracking device, or comparable information. The information is taken into account in particular when detecting belt properties that influence the belt position transversely to the transport direction or when proactively adjusting the belt position transversely to the transport direction.
[0040] In a further variant of the invention, adjustments to the belt guidance devices are taken into account when proactively adjusting the belt position transversely to the transport direction. The properties of the belt guidance devices can change, for example, due to maintenance work or the replacement of components, or due to wear over time—generally long-term changes.
[0041] The object is further achieved by a control device for operating a strip treatment plant for processing a strip, in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock, wherein the strip is guided through the strip treatment plant by means of transport rollers along a transport direction and the strip treatment plant comprises a plurality of successive strip travel control devices along the transport direction, wherein the strip travel control devices are designed to detect and adapt the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction, wherein the control device is designed to implement the method according to the invention.
[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show:
[0043] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a strip processing plant for processing a strip, which implements the method according to the invention,
[0044] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a strip section on transport rollers of a strip processing plant with a strip saber, and
[0045] Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of a strip section on transport rollers of a strip processing plant with a dog-leg.
[0046] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a strip treatment plant 1 for processing a strip 2, in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock. In the strip treatment plant 1, the strip 2 is guided through the strip treatment plant 1 by transport rollers 3 along a transport direction. In the exemplary embodiment from Fig. 1, the transport direction is horizontal from left to right. Furthermore, the strip treatment plant comprises at least two consecutive strip guiding devices 4, 5, 6 along the transport direction. According to the exemplary embodiment from Fig. 1, the strip treatment plant 1 comprises a total of n strip guiding devices 4, 5, 6. The strip guiding devices 4, 5, 6 are each designed to detect and adapt the position of the strip 2 transversely to the transport direction.
[0047] Since the strip 2 is often delivered in material rolls, so-called coils, there is often an uncoiler 7 at the inlet of the strip processing plant 1. For easier further transport, a take-up reel 8 can be arranged at the end of the strip processing plant 1 in order to wind the strip 2 back into a coil.
[0048] The belt 2 is guided through the treatment system 1 by the transport rollers 3. The individual transport rollers 3 can each comprise several separate rollers, which form a support and transport surface for the belt 2. Due to its geometric shape, the belt 2 tends to run laterally, i.e., transversely to the transport direction, from the transport rollers 3, in particular deflection rollers. The belt guide devices 4, 5, 6 serve to ensure the position of the belt 2 on the transport rollers 3. In particular, the belt guide devices 4, 5, 6 hold the belt in the center of the transport rollers 3 transversely to the transport direction or in another specified position transversely to the transport direction.
[0049] The belt guide control devices 4, 5, 6 each comprise sensors for determining the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction and actuators for adjusting the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction.
[0050] The sensors detect, for example, one or both lateral edges of the strip 2. Furthermore, inductive measuring frames or image sensors including image evaluation are known from the prior art.
[0051] The actuators are designed, for example, as pivoting rollers which transmit a speed component transverse to the main transport direction to the belt 2.
[0052] The strip processing plant 1 of Fig. 1 implements the method according to the invention for operating a strip processing plant 1 for processing a strip 2, in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock, comprising the steps:
[0053] Detecting the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction by means of sensors, in particular sensors of the belt running control devices 4, 5, 6 of the belt treatment system 1,
[0054] Detecting properties of the belt 2 by means of the sensors which influence the position of the belt 2 transverse to the transport direction,
[0055] Assigning the detected properties of the belt 2 to corresponding points or segments of the belt 2, and proactively adjusting the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction at the belt guide control devices 5, 6 following in the transport direction on the basis of the properties detected by upstream sensors, in particular upstream belt guide control devices 4, 5, for the corresponding points or segments of the belt 2.
[0056] According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction is detected at the first belt guide device 4 using suitable sensors, in particular sensors of the first belt guide device 4. The sensor data are used to detect belt properties that influence the position of the belt transversely to the transport direction. The detected belt properties are assigned to the corresponding points or segments of the belt 2.
[0057] At the belt guide control devices 5, 6 following in the transport direction, i.e. from the second belt guide control device 5 to the n-th belt guide control device 6, the position of the belt 2 transverse to the transport direction can be proactively adjusted on the basis of the detected properties for the corresponding points or segments of the belt 2.
[0058] For this purpose, for example, the detected properties with the corresponding points or segments of the belt 2 are forwarded by the first belt tracking device 4 at least to the second belt tracking device 5 following in the transport direction, preferably to all subsequent belt tracking devices 6. Alternatively or additionally, the detected properties with the corresponding points and segments of the belt 2 are transmitted from the belt tracking devices 4, 5, 6 to a computing device 9. Based on the transmitted properties with the corresponding points and segments, the computing device 9 optimizes the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction for the transport of the belt 2 through the belt processing system 1, in particular the transport of the belt 2 through the entire belt processing system 1.
[0059] The optimization is based, for example, on machine learning methods or simulations, in particular to minimize strip damage, avoid uneven strip treatment by the strip treatment system, minimize the width of the strip treatment system, avoid damage to the strip treatment system, in particular the transport device and strip guide devices, avoid unnecessary downtimes of the strip treatment system, for example due to accidents, or comparable optimization goals.
[0060] The proactive adjustment of the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction at the belt guide control device 5, 6 downstream in the transport direction is preferably carried out on the basis of the optimization of the computing device 9. The position of the belt 9 transversely to the transport direction optimized by the computing device 9 is compared with the actual position of the corresponding points or segments of the belt 9 at the downstream belt guide control devices 5, 6 and, if necessary, the actual position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction is adjusted by the belt guide control devices 5, 6. The detected deviations between the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction optimized by the computing device 9 and the actual position of the corresponding points or segments of the belt 2 are fed back to the computing device 9 to improve the optimization.
[0061] To improve the optimization of the position of the current belt 2 transversely to the transport direction by the computing device 9, according to the invention, past optimizations regarding the processing of another belt 2 by the belt processing system 1 can be taken into account. In particular, optimization algorithms can be trained based on the past optimizations regarding the processing of another belt 2 by the belt processing system 1.
[0062] According to a preferred variant of the invention, the proactive adjustment of the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction at the belt guide control devices 5, 6 downstream in the transport direction takes into account the adjustments to the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction made at the upstream belt guide control devices 4, 5. For this purpose, the belt guide control devices 4, 5, 6 can transmit the adjustments made to the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction to the computing device 9, and the computing device 9 can take the transmitted adjustments into account when optimizing the position transversely to the transport direction.
[0063] According to a particularly advantageous variant, the method comprises the step of taking into account information and / or data from systems upstream of the strip treatment plant 1 when proactively adjusting the position of the strip 2 transversely to the transport direction and / or optimizing the position of the strip 2 transversely to the transport direction by the computing device 9. This is particularly advantageous for proactively adjusting and / or optimizing the position of the strip transversely to the transport direction at the first strip treatment plant 4 in the transport direction of the strip treatment plant 1. The upstream systems are selected, for example, from: hot rolling mill, cold rolling mill, pickling line, welding machines, in particular four-point sensors or quality monitoring systems of the welding machine, uncoiling device 7, or the like. According to the exemplary embodiment from Fig.1, in particular, information from the unwinding device 7 can be taken into account, so that information for proactively adjusting the position of the strip 2 transversely to the transport direction is already available at the first strip guide device 4. The method according to the invention further determines the position of points or segments of the strip 2 in the strip processing system 1, in particular based on tracking systems of the strip processing system 1.
[0064] The method according to the invention can further comprise the step of detecting the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction between two belt tracking devices 4, 5, 6 and transmitting the detected position to the upstream belt tracking device 4, 5, the downstream belt tracking device 5, 6, and / or the computing device 9. For this purpose, separate sensors are preferably used to detect the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction. In particular, such a sensor can be arranged at the beginning of the belt processing system 1, so that information for proactively adjusting the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction is already available at the first belt tracking device 4.
[0065] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distance between two consecutive belt guide control devices 4, 5, 6 at the beginning of the belt treatment plant 1 is smaller than at the end of the belt treatment plant 1, in particular the distance between two consecutive belt guide control devices 4, 5, 6 increases in the transport direction.
[0066] The process according to the invention is expediently carried out continuously.
[0067] Furthermore, the method according to the invention comprises the step of taking into account information from the belt guiding devices 4, 5, 6, in particular current information regarding the adjustment of the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction. The information to be taken into account is, for example, current setting angles of transport rollers of the belt guiding device 4, 5, 6, alignments of parts or of the entire belt guiding device 4, 5, 6, or comparable information. The information is taken into account in particular when detecting properties of the belt 2 that influence the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction or when proactively adjusting the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction. In a further variant according to the invention, adjustments to the belt guiding devices 4, 5, 6 are taken into account during the proactive adjustment of the position of the belt 2 transversely to the transport direction.The properties of the belt guide devices 4, 5, 6 can change, for example, due to maintenance work or replacement of components or due to wear over time, i.e. generally long-term changes.
[0068] Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a belt section 2 on transport rollers 3 of a belt processing system 1. According to the invention, the position of the belt 2 transverse to the transport direction is continuously detected by suitable sensors. The sensors detect, for example, one or both lateral edges of the belt 2. The sensors for detecting the position transverse to the transport direction are designed, for example, to be optical, inductive, or radar-based.
[0069] Based on the sensor data, the properties of belt 2 that influence its position transverse to the transport direction are subsequently determined according to the invention. The properties are thus derived from the acquired sensor data. According to Fig. 2, the position of the belt changes slowly and continuously transverse to the transport direction. In such a case, it is also referred to as a belt saber.
[0070] Fig. 3 shows another schematic plan view of a belt section 2 on transport rollers 3 of a belt processing system 1. In the belt section 2 shown in Fig. 3, two sections are joined together with belt sabers. In the connecting area, the position of the belt changes abruptly transversely to the transport direction, corresponding to a dog-leg.
[0071] List of reference symbols
[0072] 1 strip processing plant
[0073] 2 volumes
[0074] 3 transport rollers 4 first belt guide device
[0075] 5 second belt guide device
[0076] 6 n-th belt guide device
[0077] 7 unwinder
[0078] 8 Reel 9 Screening device
Claims
Patent claims 1. A method for operating a strip processing plant (1) for processing a strip (2), in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock, wherein the strip (2) is guided along a transport direction through the strip processing plant (1) by means of transport rollers (3), and the strip processing plant (1) comprises at least two successive strip guiding devices (4, 5, 6) along the transport direction, wherein the strip guiding devices (4, 5, 6) are designed to detect and adjust the position of the strip (2) transversely to the transport direction, comprising the steps: Detecting the position of the belt (2) transversely to the transport direction by means of sensors, in particular sensors of the belt running control devices (4, 5, 6) of the belt treatment system (1), Detecting properties of the belt (2) by means of the sensors which influence the position of the belt (2) transverse to the transport direction, Assigning the detected properties of the belt (2) to corresponding points or segments of the belt (2), and proactively adjusting the position of the belt (2) transversely to the transport direction at the belt guide control devices (4, 5, 6) following in the transport direction on the basis of the properties detected by upstream sensors, in particular upstream belt guide control devices (4, 5, 6), for the corresponding points or segments of the belt (2).
2. Method according to claim 1, comprising forwarding the detected properties with the corresponding points or segments of the strip (2) from an upstream strip guide control device (4, 5, 6) at least to the strip guide control device (4, 5, 6) following in the transport direction, preferably several of the following strip guide control devices (4, 5, 6).
3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising transmitting the detected properties with the corresponding points and segments of the strip (2) from the strip running control devices (4, 5, 6) to a computing device (9), wherein the computing device (9) optimizes the position of the strip (2) transversely to the transport direction for the transport of the strip (2) through the strip treatment system (1) on the basis of the transmitted properties with the corresponding points and segments.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the optimization is based on machine learning methods or on simulations, in particular for minimizing strip damage, avoiding uneven strip treatments by the strip treatment plant (1), minimizing the width of the strip treatment plant (1), avoiding damage to the strip treatment plant (1), in particular the transport device and strip travel control devices (4, 5, 6), avoiding unnecessary downtimes of the strip treatment plant (1), for example due to accidents, or comparable optimization goals.
5. Method according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the proactive adjustment of the position of the belt (2) transversely to the transport direction at the belt guide control device (4, 5, 6) following in the transport direction is carried out on the basis of the optimization of the computing device (9).
6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of comparing the position of the belt (2) transverse to the transport direction optimized by the computing device (9) with the actual position of the corresponding points or segments of the belt (2) on the belt guide devices (4, 5, 6) and, if necessary, adjusting the actual position of the belt (2) transverse to the transport direction by the belt guide devices (4, 5, 6).
7. Method according to claim 6, comprising feeding back the deviations between the position of the belt (2) transverse to the transport direction optimized by the computing device (9) and the actual position of the corresponding points or segments of the belt (2) to the computing device (9) in order to improve the optimization.
8. Method according to one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising taking into account optimizations from the past with regard to the processing of another strip (2) by the strip treatment system (1) when optimizing the position of the current strip (2) transversely to the transport direction by the computing device (9).
9. The method according to claim 8, comprising training optimization algorithms based on the optimizations from the past with respect to the processing of another strip (2) by the strip processing plant (1).
10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the proactive adjustment of the position of the belt (2) transversely to the transport direction at the belt guide control devices (4, 5, 6) following in the transport direction, the adjustments carried out at the upstream belt guide control devices (4, 5, 6) Adjustments to the position of the belt (2) transverse to the transport direction are taken into account.
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the belt travel control devices (4, 5, 6) transmit the adjustments made to the position of the belt (2) transversely to the transport direction to the computing device (9) and the computing device (9) takes the transmitted adjustments into account when optimizing the position transversely to the transport direction.
12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising the step of taking into account information and / or data from systems upstream of the strip treatment system (1) when proactively adjusting the position of the strip (2) transversely to the transport direction and / or optimizing the position of the strip (2) transversely to the transport direction by the computing device (9), in particular for proactively adjusting and / or optimizing the position of the strip (2) transversely to the transport direction at the first strip treatment system (4) in the transport direction of the strip treatment system (1).
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the upstream facilities are selected from: hot rolling mill, cold rolling mill, pickling line, welding machines, in particular four-point sensors or quality monitoring system of the welding machine, coiling device (7), or the like.
14. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising the step of determining the position of points or segments of the strip (2) in the strip treatment plant (1), in particular on the basis of tracking systems of the strip treatment plant (1). Method according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the step of detecting the position of the belt (2) transversely to the transport direction between two belt guide control devices (4, 5, 6) and transmitting the detected position to the upstream belt guide control device (4, 5, 6), the downstream belt guide control device (4, 5, 6) and / or the computing device (9). Method according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the distance between two consecutive belt guide control devices (4, 5, 6) is smaller at the beginning of the belt treatment system (1) than at the end of the belt treatment system (1), in particular the distance between two consecutive belt guide control devices (4, 5, 6) increases in the transport direction. Method according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the method is carried out continuously.Method according to one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising taking into account information from the strip travel control devices (4, 5, 6), in particular current information regarding the adjustment of the position of the strip (2) transversely to the transport direction. Control device for operating a strip treatment plant (1) for processing a strip (2), in particular a metallic strip or rolled stock, wherein the strip (2) is guided through the strip treatment plant (1) along a transport direction by means of transport rollers (3), and the. A strip treatment plant (1) comprising a plurality of successive strip guide devices (4, 5, 6) along the transport direction, wherein the strip guide devices (4, 5, 6) are designed to detect and adapt the position of the strip (2) transversely to the transport direction, characterized in that the control device is designed to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 18.