Scrap clearing system, metal-strip production line, and scrap clearing method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a scrap clearing system (1) for a metal-strip production line (50), in particular a combined casting and rolling system, to a metal-strip production line (50) having a scrap clearing system (1) of this type, and to a method (100) for clearing scrap from a metal-strip production line (50). A cutting means (10) for cutting up a metal strip (2) fed to the scrap clearing system (1) and a strip catcher (20) located upstream of the cutting means (10) in a transport direction (T) of the metal strip (2) are provided. The strip catcher (20) has a pivotably mounted catching arm (21).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Scrap clearance system, metal strip production line and scrap clearance process

[0003] field of technology

[0004] The present invention relates to a scrap removal system for a metal strip production line, in particular a combined casting and rolling plant, a metal strip production line with such a scrap removal system and a method for removing scrap from a metal strip production line.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] In metal strip production lines, particularly combined casting and rolling plants for endless strip production (endless strip production plants), (continuously) cast strands or slabs made from them are rolled into strips using a rolling mill. At the end of each production line, the rolled strip can then be wound up by a reel. Once the metal coil created during winding has reached a specified size or the wound strip has reached a specified length, the strip is cut upstream of the reel in the direction of transport using a traveling strip shear that follows the speed of the strip, such as a drum shear or similar. Winding of a new metal coil can then begin. To enable continuous production, additional reels are usually provided, to which the rolled strip can be selectively fed.

[0007] Particularly with thin-rolled strip, for example with a thickness of 1 mm or less, problems can arise due to the failure of components in the production line or when threading the strip into the reel due to the high elasticity or flexibility compared to thicker strips and the high conveying speed. For example, a so-called "gobble" can develop, i.e. severe deformation of the strip in a section of the strip, which prevents further conveyance of the strip. In this case, operation of the production line or combined casting and rolling plant must be interrupted and the affected section of the strip removed. This requires manually cutting the strip, for example by several flame cuts, and lifting it from the production line, for example using an overhead crane. Such a procedure is usually very complex due to the length of the strip section to be removed.For example, if cobbles occur in the coiling area, the strip to be scrapped must be removed from the entrance of an induction furnace upstream of a finishing mill to the coiling area, including from a laminar cooling area between the finishing mill and the coiling area. This scrap must then be manually cut into a manageable size and disposed of.

[0008] From WO 2009 / 121678 it is known that in the event of an unplanned production interruption, the continuous casting process in a combined casting and rolling plant can be maintained by a) cutting off a strand section with a first shear, b) lifting a base part of the strand section from a roller table by means of a lifting device, c) cutting up the primary material passing through the first shear into scrap pieces by means of the first shear, conveying out the scrap pieces and removing the strand section until the combined casting and rolling plant is ready for operation again.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to improve, in particular to facilitate and / or accelerate, the scrapping of a strip section in a metal strip finishing line.

[0011] This object is achieved by a scrap removal system for a metal strip production line, a metal strip production line and a method for removing scrap from a metal strip production line according to the independent claims.

[0012] Preferred embodiments are the subject of the independent claims and the following description.

[0013] A scrap removal system for a metal strip production line, in particular a combined casting and rolling plant, according to a first aspect of the invention comprises a cutting device for cutting a metal strip fed to the scrap removal system and a strip catcher arranged upstream of the cutting device in a transport direction of the metal strip. The strip catcher has a pivotably mounted catcher arm.

[0014] A cutting device within the meaning of the present invention is preferably a device designed to cut a metal strip. The cutting device can, for example, cut a metal strip into a first strip section and a second strip section following it in a transport direction. The cutting device can, for example, be designed as a strip shear, such as a hydraulically actuated toggle-lever shear.

[0015] A strip catcher within the meaning of the present invention is preferably a device designed to catch or intercept a metal strip, in particular an incoming metal strip head end. The strip catcher can, for example, prevent the metal strip from being conveyed in an uncontrolled or at least unbraked manner beyond the end of a production line, in particular a combined casting and rolling mill. For this purpose, a conventional strip catcher has a collecting basket that blocks the transport path of the metal strip. A strip catcher is expediently arranged behind the last reel in the production line in a transport direction.

[0016] One aspect of the invention is based on the approach of providing an arrangement comprising a cutting device for cutting a metal strip and, with respect to a transport direction of the metal strip, a strip catcher with a pivoting catching arm upstream thereof. This arrangement can be provided, for example, downstream of the last reel of a metal strip production line, in particular a combined casting and rolling plant, and expediently forms a scrap removal system. With the aid of the pivoting catching arm, a transport path to the cutting device that is blocked during normal operation of the production line can be released. The cutting device at the end of the production line enables the automatic or at least semi-automatic shredding of a metal strip section to be scrapped, without the need for this metal strip section to be lifted out of the production line at great expense and subsequently (manually) shredded.As a result, the scrap removal system can significantly accelerate the removal of a strip section from the production line, thus reducing the downtime associated with a production loss. In addition, the end-cutting device reduces the risk of injuries such as lacerations or burns when manually cutting the strip. At the same time, the risk of damaging production line components, such as rollers or cooling heads, when performing the required flame cuts can be reduced.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the invention and their further developments are described below. These embodiments can be combined with each other and with the aspects of the invention described below, unless expressly excluded.

[0018] In order to be able to selectively release the transport path to the cutting device, in particular downstream of a last reel in the production line, the catch arm is pivotable between a catch position and a release position. The catch arm blocks the transport path through the scrap removal system in the catch position. For example, in the catch position, the catch arm can protrude at least partially into a transport path of the metal strip in such a way that the metal strip is guided by the catch arm out of the transport direction into a catch basket. In this way, the catch arm in the catch position can reliably prevent the metal strip from being undesirably conveyed to the cutting device during normal operation of the production line. This can prevent any damage to the cutting device and / or uncontrolled escape of the metal strip from the production line at the end of the line.In the release position, however, a metal strip fed into the scrap removal system can pass through the strip catcher. In the release position, the catcher arm can, for example, be pivoted out of the transport path of the metal strip.

[0019] In order to enable reliable transport of the metal strip to the cutting device and, if necessary, to position the metal strip in a suitable manner for cutting, it is advantageous if a first transport means is provided for conveying the metal strip past the strip catcher. The transport means can, for example, be designed as a roller conveyor, in particular as a roller table with several rollers. Expediently, at least some of the rollers are actively drivable, i.e. provided with a drive or coupled. In this respect, the first transport means is preferably an active transport means. The first transport means also enables seamless integration of the scrap clearance system into the production line, for example by connecting it to the transport path to the last reel of the production line.

[0020] The first transport means preferably extends over a transport section in the transport direction upstream of the strip catcher and a transport section in the transport direction downstream of the strip catcher, in particular up to the cutting means. For example, rollers of the first transport means can be provided both upstream and downstream of the strip catcher. In this respect, the transport means can transport the metal strip from the last reel of the production line to the cutting means or at least past the strip catcher.

[0021] To assist the transport of a metal strip located in the scrap removal system, a second transport means is preferably provided for feeding the metal strip, in particular selectively or specifically, into the cutting means. This second transport means is expediently arranged behind the strip catcher and immediately before the cutting means in the transport direction. The second conveyor means can, for example, comprise a conveyor roller, also referred to as a driver roller, which is designed to actively transport the metal strip. The second conveyor means is expediently arranged or can be arranged such that the transport path through the scrap removal system runs at least partially between the first and second transport means.It is preferred that the metal strip is supported on an underside by the first transport means, such as the roller table, while the second transport means, such as the drive roller, is positioned against an upper side of the metal strip with a predetermined pressure.

[0022] By means of the first and / or second transport means, a head end, i.e. the front end in the transport direction, of the metal strip or metal strip section to be scrapped can be positioned, for example, downstream of the cutting means in such a way that actuation of the cutting means produces a manageable metal strip or scrap part. In order to be able to transport this scrap part away easily, a container is preferably provided for receiving metal strip sections cut by the cutting means. The container is expediently arranged behind the cutting means in the transport direction, for example in such a way that the scrap parts can fall into the container. The container, also referred to as a scrap bucket, can in particular be a container.

[0023] The metal strip production line, in particular the combined casting and rolling plant, according to a second aspect of the invention comprises a scrap removal system according to the first aspect of the invention. The scrap removal system can shorten downtimes and associated production losses of the production line caused by cobbles. At the same time, the scrap removal system enables increased operational reliability, since fewer operating personnel are required to remove a metal strip section from the production line and, in particular, fewer manual work steps, such as flame cutting, must be performed. Furthermore, less overhead crane activity may be required.

[0024] The metal strip production line may, for example, comprise a roughing mill, an induction furnace, a finishing mill, a cooling section, and one or more coilers. To enable the metal strip to be removed from such a production line automatically or semi-automatically and scrapped, for example, if problems arise when threading the strip into one of the coilers, the scrap removal system is preferably arranged downstream of the last component of the production line in the direction of transport of the metal strip through the production line, in particular downstream of the last coiler in the direction of transport. The scrap removal system can, in particular, be attached to the production line, thus extending the production line.

[0025] In a method for removing scrap from a metal strip production line, in particular from a combined casting and rolling plant, according to a third aspect of the invention, a metal strip located in a metal strip production line is divided into a first metal strip section and a second metal strip section, wherein the first metal strip section lies in front of the second metal strip section in a transport direction through the metal strip production line. In this sense, the first metal strip section can be considered the preceding metal strip section and the second metal strip section the following metal strip section.

[0026] After cutting, the first metal strip section is removed from the metal strip production line. The second metal strip section is conveyed through the metal strip production line to a scrap removal system, in particular arranged downstream of a final reel, with a cutting means for cutting a metal strip fed to the scrap removal system and a strip catcher arranged upstream of the cutting means in a transport direction of the metal strip. The strip catcher has a pivotably mounted catching arm, wherein the catching arm is pivotable between a catching position, in which the catching arm blocks a transport path through the scrap removal system, and a release position, in which a metal strip fed to the scrap removal system can pass through the strip catcher.The second metal strip section is then cut into a plurality of metal strip pieces, also referred to as scrap parts, using a cutting device of the scrap removal system. The cutting of the second metal strip section can be done automatically or at least semi-automatically, thus reducing the need for operating personnel and increasing operational reliability.

[0027] Advantageously, the metal strip is first divided such that the first metal strip section comprises a cobble, i.e., an undesirably deformed strip section. Since such deformation makes further transport of the first metal strip section through the production line difficult or even impossible, the first metal strip section is preferably lifted out of the metal strip production line. For example, the first metal strip section can be lifted out of the production line by means of a crane.

[0028] In order to initiate the removal of scrap from the production line, a catching arm of a strip catcher of the scrap removal system, which is arranged upstream of the cutting device in the transport direction, is preferably pivoted from a catching position to a release position before the second metal strip section is conveyed to the scrap removal system. In the catching position, the catching arm expediently blocks a transport path through the scrap removal system. In particular, the catching arm in the catching position can reliably prevent the metal strip from being undesirably conveyed to the cutting device during normal operation of the production line. This can prevent any damage to the cutting device and / or uncontrolled escape of the metal strip from the production line at its end.

[0029] In the release position, however, the metal strip fed into the scrap removal system can conveniently pass through the strip catcher.

[0030] Once the transport path into or through the scrap removal system is cleared, the metal strip conveyed to the cutting device can be cut into pieces. Preferably, the metal strip pieces are transported into a container located behind the cutting device in the transport direction. For example, the metal strip pieces can fall into the container, also known as a scrap bucket. Collecting the scrap pieces in the container allows for easy and efficient removal of these scrap pieces.

[0031] A further increase in the efficiency of scrapping metal strip sections in the production line can be achieved by only manually dividing the metal strip into the first and second metal strip sections and removing the first metal strip section. In contrast, at least the dividing of the second metal strip section into a plurality of metal strip pieces by means of the dividing means, but preferably also the conveying of the second metal strip section to the scrap clearance system, in particular by the scrap clearance system to the dividing means, is carried out expediently automatically or semi-automatically. This means that control or operation of the production line, in particular of the scrap clearance system, for example of corresponding conveyor devices and / or that of the dividing means, by operating personnel is not necessary or only necessary to a limited extent, at least as far as the second metal strip section is concerned.

[0032] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understood in connection with the following description of an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. These show, at least partially schematically:

[0033] FIG 1 shows an example of a metal strip production line with a scrap removal system;

[0034] FIG 2 shows an example of a method for removing scrap from a metal strip production line; and

[0035] FIG 3 an example of a scrap clearance system.

[0036] Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used in the figures for the same or corresponding elements of the invention.

[0037] Description of the embodiments

[0038] FIG 1 shows an example of a metal strip production line 50 with a scrap removal system 1. In addition to the scrap removal system 1, the metal strip production line 50, in the present example a combined casting and rolling plant for the continuous production of metal strips 2, has a casting machine 51, descaling devices 53, a roughing mill 54, an induction furnace 55, a finishing mill 56, a cooling section 57, a cutting device 58, and several, in the present example three, reels 59, 60, 61. The scrap removal system 1 is located downstream of the last reel 61 with respect to a transport direction T of the metal strip 2 through the production line 50.

[0039] A partially solidified metal strand 63 is produced using a mold 62 of the casting machine 51. The casting machine 51 is followed by the descaling device 53 for descaling the strand 63. The strand 63 is then rolled into a rough strip 65 through several roughing stands 64a, 64b, 64c of the roughing train 54 (three in the example shown). The roughing strip 65 is heated by the induction furnace 55 and descaled again by another descaling device 53 to prevent scale from being rolled into the strip in the subsequent finishing train 56. To achieve the desired final strip thickness, the finishing train 56 has several finishing stands 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, 66e (five in the example shown). In the cooling section 57, for example a laminar cooling area, the thinly rolled metal strip 2 is cooled to a temperature suitable for winding.After a metal coil wound from wound metal strip 2 by means of one of the three reels 59, 60, 61 has reached a predetermined size, the metal strip 2 can be cut by means of the cutting means 58 and further wound into a new metal coil on another of the three reels 59, 60, 61.

[0040] In particular, when changing the currently active reel 59, 60, 61, i.e., when threading the metal strip 2 into another reel 59, 60, 61, deformations of the metal strip 2 may occur due to the high elasticity or flexibility of the metal strip 2 compared to the strand 63 or the pre-strip 65. Such a deformed area of ​​the metal strip 2 cannot then be transported or wound any further, resulting in a build-up of the metal strip 2.

[0041] However, unwanted deformation of the metal strip 2 and the associated buildup can also occur in other components of the finishing train 50. This is particularly the case if, in the transport direction T, additional cutting means (not shown) are provided upstream of the roughing train 54 or the finishing train 56, for example, to produce slabs or to cut the metal strip 2 after reaching a predetermined length.

[0042] The buildup and the associated further deformation of the metal strip 2 is referred to as "gobble" 71 and forces production in the production line 50 to be stopped. In order to restart the production line 50, the cobble 71 must first be removed. Since the shutdown of the production line 50 and the subsequent resumption of operation results in undefined production parameters or at least the specified production parameters cannot be maintained, it often occurs that a section of the metal strip 2 located in the area of ​​the cooling section 57 and / or the finishing rolling mill 56 upon resumption of operation does not meet any specified quality criteria. Therefore, in addition to the cobble 71 or a first metal strip section 2a containing the cobble 71, this additional second metal strip section 2b must also be removed from the production line 50.For this purpose, the scrap clearance system 1 can be used, as explained below in connection with FIG 2.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a method 100 for removing scrap from a metal strip production line, in particular a combined casting and rolling plant. In a method step S1, the metal strip located in the metal strip production line is divided into the first metal strip section and the second metal strip section. The first metal strip section lies in front of the second metal strip section in the transport direction. The metal strip is expediently divided manually, for example, by means of appropriate flame cuts. This allows, in particular, the cobble to be separated from the metal strip. Expediently, a strip section forming the cobble corresponds accordingly to at least a part of the first metal strip section.Accordingly, the second metal strip section conveniently corresponds to the section of the metal strip which, although it can in principle be further processed after the production line has been restarted, would then not meet the specified quality criteria.

[0044] The first metal strip section cut from the metal strip is removed from the metal strip production line in a further process step S2. This is also preferably done manually. An overhead crane can be used for this purpose, for example.

[0045] By removing the first metal strip section, in particular the strip section containing the cobble, from the production line, the metal strip or the second metal strip section can again be transported unhindered in the transport direction through the metal strip production line. Accordingly, in a further process step S3, the second metal strip section is expediently conveyed through the metal strip production line, past the reels, to the scrap removal system. There, in a further process step S4, the second metal strip section can be cut into a plurality of metal strip pieces by means of a cutting device of the scrap removal system. The metal strip pieces can be collected, for example, in a container arranged downstream of the cutting device, and then transported away with little effort.

[0046] The conveyance of the second metal strip section in process step S3 can be at least partially automated. Alternatively or additionally, the cutting of the second metal strip section in process step S4 can also be at least partially automated. The conveyance in process step S3 and the cutting in process step S4 can also be understood together as a scrapping step, in which the metal strip or the second metal strip section is moved stepwise a distance in the transport direction and a portion at the head end, i.e., the leading end of the strip in the transport direction, is cut off.

[0047] FIG 3 shows a scrap removal system 1 , for example for the production line 50 from

[0048] FIG 1, in detail. The scrap removal system 1 comprises a cutting means 10, a strip catcher 20 arranged upstream of the cutting means 10 in the transport direction T of a metal strip 2, a first transport means 30, a second transport means 32, and a container 40. The cutting means 10 is configured to cut the metal strip 2 fed to the scrap removal system 1 and to be scrapped into metal strip pieces 3, which are collected by the container 40.

[0049] The metal strip 2 can be fed to the scrap clearance system 1, for example, by means of a lower driver roller 67 that is longitudinally adjustable parallel to the transport direction T in the area of ​​a last reel 61 of the production line 50. The metal strip 2 runs between the lower driver roller 67 and an upper driver roller 68 that is stationary in the transport direction T. If a rotational axis 70 of the lower driver roller 67 is positioned in front of a rotational axis 69 of the upper driver roller 68 in the transport direction T, so that a tangent of the lower driver roller 67 or the upper driver roller 68 at the intersection point of a connecting line that connects the rotational axes 69 and 70 and the lower driver roller 67 or the upper driver roller 68 is tilted relative to the transport direction T, the metal strip 2 can run in the direction of the reel 61 below the lower driver roller 67.If, on the other hand, the rotation axes 69 and 70 are positioned at the same height in the transport direction T, so that a tangent of the lower drive roller 67 or the upper drive roller 68 at the intersection point of the connecting line which connects the rotation axes 69 and 70 and the lower drive roller 67 or upper drive roller 68 runs parallel to the transport direction T, the metal strip 2 can continue to run in the transport direction T.

[0050] The first transport means 30, for example a roller conveyor or roller table with a plurality of transport rollers 31 indicated in FIG. 3, is used to transport the metal strip 2 in the scrap clearance system 1. For reasons of clarity, only one of the transport rollers 31 is provided with a reference symbol. Expediently, at least some of the transport rollers 31 can be actively driven, for example by means of a motor (not shown). The first transport means 30 thus enables the metal strip 2 to be conveyed in the transport direction T, in particular past the strip catcher 20 to the cutting means 10. In order to be able to support the metal strip 2 during this conveyance, the second transport means 32, for example in the form of a drive roller, is provided, preferably on an (upper) side of the metal strip 2 facing away from the first transport means 30, so that the metal strip 2 can run between the first and second transport means 30, 32.

[0051] Of course, the lower drive roller 67 and upper drive roller 68 arranged upstream of the scrap clearance system 1 in the transport direction T can also serve to transport the metal strip 2 in the scrap clearance system 1 or at least assist the transport. In particular, alternatively or in addition to the first and / or second transport means 30, 32, the drive rollers 67, 68 can transport the metal strip 2 to be scrapped to or into the cutting means 10 or at least a metal strip section through the cutting means 10. The strip catcher 20 has a catch arm 21 that can be pivoted between a catch position indicated by a dotted line, in which the catch arm 21 blocks the transport of the metal strip 2 through the scrap clearance system 1, and a release position in which the metal strip 2 can pass through the strip catcher 20.In the catching position, the catching arm 21 can thus in particular prevent the metal strip 2 from being transported beyond the end of the production line 50 during normal operation of the production line 50 in the event of a malfunction, for example an unsuccessful threading of a strip end at the front in the transport direction T into the last reel, in the example the reel 61, and thereby possibly endangering material and persons in an area at the end of the production line 50.

[0052] The catching arm 21 can in particular be a hydraulically actuated catching arm 21.

[0053] The cutting means 10 expediently has two cutting tools 11, 12, for example two cutting edges or one cutting edge and an anvil, which are arranged such that the metal strip 2 can be guided between them in the transport direction T. Once a predetermined length of the metal strip 2 has been conveyed through the cutting tools 11, 12, the cutting tools 11, 12 can be moved towards one another so that a piece of metal strip 3 is severed. Since, when scrapping the metal strip 2, unlike in the regular operation of a combined casting and rolling plant, in which a metal strand must be continuously produced and transported away, no continuous transport of the metal strip 2 is necessary, the cutting means 10 can be designed as a strip shear with cutting tools 11, 12 that are stationary in the transport direction T, in particular as a hydraulically actuated toggle lever shear.A more complex drum or pendulum shear with cutting tools that move along sections is not necessary. Using the transport means 30 and the conveyor means 32, the metal strip 2 can be transported step by step in the transport direction T, and one piece of metal strip 3 can be cut off at a time.

[0054] Alternatively, a continuous conveyance of the metal strip 2 through the scrap removal system 1 and cutting it up using a suitably configured cutting device 10, such as a drum or pendulum shear, is also conceivable. This can further accelerate the scrapping of the metal strip 2.

[0055] The container 40, also referred to as a scrap bucket, is expediently arranged directly behind the cutting means 10 in the transport direction T. The container 40 can in particular be arranged such that the severed metal strip pieces 3 do not need to be transported further, but instead automatically fall into the container 40 after being separated from the metal strip 2. For this purpose, the container 40 is expediently arranged slightly below a plane defined by the metal strip 2. If necessary, a guide for the metal strip pieces 3 can also be provided to ensure reliable collection by the container 40. Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0056] List of reference symbols

[0057] 1 scrap clearance system

[0058] 2 metal bands

[0059] 2a, 2b first, second metal strip section

[0060] 3 metal band pieces

[0061] 10 cutting agents

[0062] 11 , 12 Cutting tools

[0063] 20 band catchers

[0064] 21 tentacle

[0065] 30 first means of transport

[0066] 31 Transport roller

[0067] 32 second means of transport

[0068] 40 containers

[0069] 50 metal strip production line

[0070] 51 Casting machine

[0071] 53 Descaling device

[0072] 54 Roughing mill

[0073] 55 Induction furnace

[0074] 56 Finishing rolling mill

[0075] 57 Cooling section

[0076] 58 Cutting agents

[0077] 59, 60, 61 reel

[0078] 62 mold

[0079] 63 metal strand

[0080] 64a-c roughing stand

[0081] 65 Support act

[0082] 66a-e finishing rolling stand

[0083] 67 lower driver roller

[0084] 68 upper driver roller

[0085] 69, 70 axis of rotation

[0086] 71 Cobble

[0087] 100 procedures

[0088] S1-4 Process steps

[0089] T Transport direction

Claims

Claims 1. Scrap removal system (1) for a metal strip production line (50), in particular a combined casting and rolling plant, comprising a cutting means (10) for cutting a metal strip (2) fed to the scrap removal system (1) and a strip catcher (20) arranged in a transport direction (T) of the metal strip (2) in front of the cutting means (10), which has a pivotably mounted catcher arm (21) , wherein the catching arm (21) is pivotable between a catching position, in which the catching arm (21) blocks a transport path through the scrap clearance system (1), and a release position, in which a metal strip (2) fed to the scrap clearance system (1) can pass the strip catcher (20).

2. Scrap clearance system (1) according to claim 1, comprising a first transport means (30) for transporting the metal strip (2) past the strip catcher (20), wherein the first transport means (30) extends over a transport section in the transport direction (T) in front of the strip catcher (20) and a transport section in the transport direction (T) behind the strip catcher.

3. Scrap clearance system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a second transport means (32) for feeding the metal strip (2) into the cutting means (10), wherein the second transport means (32) is arranged or can be arranged in the transport direction (T) behind the strip catcher (20) and immediately in front of the cutting means (10) such that a transport path through the scrap clearance system (1) runs at least in sections between the first and second conveyor means (30, 32).

4. Scrap clearance system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a container (40) arranged behind the cutting means (10) in the transport direction (T) for receiving metal strip sections (2b) cut by the cutting means (10).

5. Metal strip production line (50), in particular a combined casting and rolling plant, with a scrap removal system (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

6. Metal strip production line (50) according to claim 5, wherein the scrap removal system (1) is arranged in a transport direction (T) of a metal strip (2) through the production line (50) behind a last reel (61) in the transport direction (T).

7. A method (100) for removing scrap from a metal strip production line (50), in particular a combined casting and rolling plant, comprising: - dividing (S1) a metal strip (2) located in a metal strip production line (50) into a first metal strip section (2a) and a second metal strip section (2b), wherein the first metal strip section (2a) lies in front of the second metal strip section (2b) in a transport direction (T) through the metal strip production line (50); - removing (S2) the first metal strip section (2a) from the metal strip production line (50), - conveying (S3) the second metal strip section (2b) through the metal strip production line (50) to a scrap removal system (1) having a cutting means (10) for cutting a metal strip (2) fed to the scrap removal system (1) and a strip catcher (20) arranged in a transport direction (T) of the metal strip (2) upstream of the cutting means (10) and having a pivotably mounted catching arm (21), wherein the catching arm (21) is pivotable between a catching position, in which the catching arm (21) blocks a transport path through the scrap removal system (1), and a release position, in which a metal strip (2) fed to the scrap removal system (1) can pass the strip catcher (20); and - Dividing (S4) the second metal strip section (2b) by means of the dividing means (10) of the scrap removal system (1) into a plurality of metal strip pieces (3).

8. The method (100) according to claim 7, wherein the first metal strip section (2a) is lifted out of the metal strip production line (50).

9. Method (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, before conveying the second metal strip section (2b) to the scrap removal system (1), a catching arm (21) of a strip catcher (20) of the scrap removal system (1), arranged in front of the cutting means (10) in the transport direction (T), is pivoted from a catching position, in which the catching arm (21) blocks a transport path through the scrap removal system (1), into a release position, in which the second metal strip section (2b) can pass the strip catcher (20).

10. Method (100) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the metal strip pieces (3) are conveyed into a container (40) arranged behind the cutting means (10) in the transport direction (T).

11. Method (100) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein - the cutting of the metal strip (2) into the first and second metal strip sections (2a, 2b) and the removal of the first metal strip section (2a) are carried out manually and - the cutting of the second metal strip section (2b) into a plurality of metal strip pieces (3) is carried out automatically or semi-automatically by means of the cutting means (10).

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