Method for optimising the strand guide of a continuous casting machine, in particular a slab casting machine or a billet continuous casting machine
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024700670
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-30
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-11
AI Technical Summary
Continuous casting systems face challenges in optimizing strand guidance, leading to surface and internal defects in semi-finished products due to inaccuracies in roller alignment and wear, which can result in costly rework or scrap, and damage to the strand guide components.
A method that involves detecting the system status of the strand guide, evaluating its influence on the semi-finished product, determining adjustments to reduce these influences, and implementing those adjustments to ensure precise guidance and prevent defects, using tools like roll gap checkers and secondary cooling system sensors, with optional automated data cleaning and visualization for maintenance personnel.
This method reduces defects and deformations in semi-finished products by accurately determining and addressing the impact of strand guide conditions, minimizing rework, and extending the lifespan of strand guide components through targeted maintenance and adjustments.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024050068_03102024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Method for optimizing the strand guidance of a continuous casting plant, in particular a slab caster or billet caster
[0002] The invention relates to a method for optimizing the strand guidance of a continuous casting plant, in particular a slab caster or billet caster. The invention further relates to a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to the invention.
[0003] Continuous casting is a process for the continuous production of metallurgical semi-finished products, such as slabs or billets. However, special profiles such as round and beam blanks, flat or polygonal profiles can also be cast. Non-ferrous metals (NF metals) and their alloys, steel and iron alloys, or heavy metals and their alloys can be cast using a continuous casting process.
[0004] Continuous casting is a continuous process in which molten metal is poured through a cooled, bottomless mold. Within the mold, the formation of the strand shell (semi-finished product shell) begins, which is then conveyed to the mold by a strand guide. Within the strand guide, the cast strand is further cooled with water until it completely solidifies.
[0005] A strand guide suitable for secure strand guidance generally comprises a large number of individual strand guide segments that closely interact as a guide, with guide and / or drive rollers arranged in a loose-side and a fixed-side frame, which together form a so-called roller carpet. The rollers can be continuous or, in the case of comparatively large strand widths, can be intermediately mounted. The rollers on the fixed and loose sides have different diameters in some sections at the distance from the meniscus in the mold, while opposite pairs of rollers usually have the same diameter. The individual segments of the strand guide comprise a support frame for the support and guide rollers, with the support frame in turn being mounted on a solid base such as concrete, steel, reinforced concrete or the like.
[0006] Even a small misalignment between the individual segments of the strand guide can lead to surface and / or internal defects in the transported strand. The slabs, billets, or the like resulting from the transported strand cannot, for example, be immediately processed due to the surface and / or internal defects, but may have to be manually reworked using time-consuming and costly finishing work such as grinding and / or scarfing. However, it is also possible that the defects in the strand are so severe that manual rework is insufficient and the defective slabs or the like are scrap. Furthermore, the incorrect alignment between the segments of the strand guide can also lead to damage to strand guide components.It is therefore essential that the transitions between the segments of the strand guide, but also the guidance within the individual segments, follow an ideal course to avoid damage to the strand shell.
[0007] It is known from the prior art to check the strand guide of a continuous casting plant using a so-called roll gap checker in order to reduce damage to the strand caused by inaccurate segment transitions in the strand guide. The roll gap checker is moved through the strand guide, simultaneously recording the distances between the rollers of the strand guide, in particular the loose side and the fixed side of the strand guide, and the roller movement. Based on the measurement data recorded by the roll gap checker, inaccurate segment transitions, stiff rollers, or increased roller body wear of rollers within a segment are identified. The strand guide elements identified in this way as potentially causing damage are repaired through appropriate maintenance measures or replaced for repair.However, the evaluation of the roll gap checker's measurement data is usually performed manually and thus largely relies on the experience of the responsible employee. Furthermore, inaccuracies between segment transitions or due to stiff rollers within a segment have a different impact on different semi-finished products transported through the strand guide. For example, an inaccurate segment transition may be unproblematic for one semi-finished product, while an inaccurate segment transition may be problematic for another. This depends, for example, on the quality requirements or the subsequent processing, the alloy / composition of the semi-finished product, or similar variables. The evaluation of the roll gap checker's measurement data, however, is carried out independently of the semi-finished product actually transported; rather, it only concerns the identification of inaccuracies in the strand guide without any direct reference to the transported semi-finished product.
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to optimize the strand guidance of a continuous casting plant, in particular taking into account the transported semi-finished product.
[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention by a method for optimising the strand guidance of a continuous casting plant, in particular a slab casting plant or billet continuous casting plant, comprising the steps:
[0010] Recording the system status of the strand guide,
[0011] Evaluating the recorded system condition to determine the influence of the system condition on a semi-finished product transported in the strand guide, in particular on the semi-finished product shell, determining adjustments to the strand guide based on the evaluation of the system condition to reduce the influence of the system condition on the semi-finished product transported in the strand guide, and
[0012] Implement the determined adjustments to the strand guide.
[0013] According to the method according to the invention, the system condition of the strand guide is measured in a first step. For this purpose, testing devices known from the prior art, in particular roll gap checkers and / or spray nozzle checkers, are used, for example. These testing devices are moved through an empty strand guide and measure, for example, parameters of rollers in the strand guide (roll gap checker) or spray nozzles (spray nozzle checker). According to the prior art, the data recorded in this way regarding the system condition of the strand guide is searched for conspicuous measurement data and the corresponding areas of the strand guide are adjusted accordingly. In contrast, according to the invention, the recorded system condition is first evaluated in order to determine the precise influence of the system condition on a semi-finished product transported in the strand guide, in particular on the semi-finished product shell.This means that we don't simply look for conspicuous measurement data; rather, we determine the actual influence of the recorded system condition on the semi-finished product transported in the strand guide. Based on the analysis of the system condition, adjustments to the strand guide are then determined in order to reduce the influence of the system condition on the semi-finished product transported in the strand guide. This means that the actual cause of the influence of the system condition on the transported semi-finished product is identified, and this identified cause is reduced or completely avoided through targeted adjustments to the strand guide. The adjustments to the strand guide thus identified are then implemented so that the negative influence of the strand guide on the semi-finished product transported in the strand guide is reduced or avoided.According to a variant of the invention, the system condition of the strand guide relates to one or more of the following parameters: distance between two segment rollers, in particular on the loose side and the fixed side, rotatability of the segment rollers, change in angle between two segment rollers, in particular on the loose side and / or fixed side, or the like. In particular, maintaining a defined distance between segment rollers on the loose side and the fixed side is essential, whereby the distance between segment rollers on the loose side and the fixed side is reduced along the conveying direction of the strand guide in order to accommodate the continuous shrinkage of the semi-finished shell. Due to cooling, the semi-finished shell shrinks along the conveying direction of the strand guide (thermal shrinkage) and in order to ensure reliable guidance, the distance between the segment rollers on the loose side and the fixed side is reduced along the conveying direction of the strand guide.
[0014] According to an expedient variant of the invention, the semi-finished product is a slab or a billet.
[0015] In an advantageous variant of the invention, the evaluation of the recorded system condition determines a load on the semi-finished product, in particular the semi-finished product shell, due to the system condition, and the determined adjustments to the strand guide reduce the load determined by the evaluation. The influence of the system condition according to the invention is preferably a load on the semi-finished product transported in the strand guide. The load affects in particular the semi-finished product shell, which leads to so-called strand shell deformation. The method according to the invention thus preferably determines the load on the transported semi-finished product, in particular the semi-finished product shell, caused by the system condition. Thus, inadmissible loads on the semi-finished product, in particular the semi-finished product shell, are avoided or reduced by the method according to the invention.
[0016] According to a variant of the invention, the load relates to a strain and / or stress state of the semi-finished product, in particular the semi-finished product shell, and the determined adjustments to the strand guide prevent exceeding a maximum permissible strain and / or stress state of the semi-finished product.
[0017] According to a further variant of the invention, the condition of a secondary cooling system of the strand guide is recorded, whereby the recorded condition of the secondary cooling system is taken into account during the evaluation and in the determination and implementation of adjustments. When recording the condition of the secondary cooling system of the strand guide, the nozzle condition of the individual nozzles of the secondary cooling system is recorded in particular. Acoustic sensors or membrane sensors, for example, are used to record the nozzle condition.
[0018] In a preferred variant of the invention, the method comprises the step of cleaning the acquired data regarding the system status and / or the status of the secondary cooling system. The data is preferably cleaned after it has been acquired but before it is evaluated. The data cleaning serves to identify abnormal measured values and to correct or delete them. The abnormal measured values are, for example, incorrect measurements, caused, for example, by external influences in the strand guide or by faulty further processing of the measurement signals. An offset can also be taken into account, which corrects the position of acquired measurement data within the strand guide. Errors in the measured value acquisition can lead to incorrect assignment of the measured values to positions in the strand guide.This incorrect assignment is corrected by the offset, whereby the offset concerns, for example, length specifications or specifications regarding the strand guide such as + / - 1 to X rolls.
[0019] According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the cleanup is performed manually and / or automatically, in particular based on an algorithm. The algorithm can, for example, provide a user with suggested corrections, which are then evaluated by the user and either accepted or rejected. Based on the user's decisions, the algorithm can improve its future predictions (self-learning algorithm).
[0020] In an advantageous variant, the method according to the invention comprises the step of visualizing the recorded system status and / or the status of the secondary cooling system for the strand guide operating personnel. Visualizing the recorded system status has the advantage that operating personnel, especially maintenance personnel, can quickly and reliably identify the critical components of the strand guide, for example, to implement determined adjustments. The visualization can also be used by development engineers or metallurgists, for example, during the development of a new continuous casting plant or the operation of a comparable continuous casting plant.
[0021] According to an expedient variant of the invention, the recorded data relating to the plant status and / or the status of the secondary cooling system are visualized in a virtual model of the strand guide with accurate positional accuracy. This significantly simplifies, in particular, the determination of the location within the strand guide. The strand guide is part of a metallurgical production plant, which is typically subject to adverse environments such as heat, dirt, and noise. Furthermore, the strand guide extends over many meters in the horizontal and vertical direction. It is therefore advantageous if the exact position of conspicuous measurement data and, in particular, of the adjustments to be made to the strand guide are visualized as accurately as possible in advance, so that the operating personnel can locate the position in the actual strand guide as quickly as possible in the event of manual adjustments to the strand guide.
[0022] According to an expedient variant of the invention, the visualization comprises two parallel diagrams, wherein a first diagram depicts the recorded system state and / or state of the secondary cooling system, and a second diagram depicts the virtual model of the strand guide. Selecting a data set of the recorded system state and / or state of the secondary cooling system visually displays the corresponding position in the strand guide model. A diagram within the meaning of the invention is a diagram, in particular a graphical representation of data, facts, or information.
[0023] In one variant of the invention, the visualization additionally visualizes the influences of the strand guide on the transported semi-finished product, in particular local exceedances of strain limits in the shell of the semi-finished product. The visualization therefore also includes information from the evaluation of the recorded system status. If strain limits are exceeded in the half-shell of the semi-finished product transported in the strand guide, strand shell deformations occur which have a negative influence on the quality of the semi-finished product and must therefore be avoided. By means of the visualization according to the invention, it is possible to quickly, easily and reliably identify which areas of the strand guide have a certain influence on the transported semi-finished product. It is therefore preferably shown which area, which segment or even which component (e.g. one or more rollers) of the strand guide has a certain influence, in particular which precise load (e.g.B. exceeding the elongation limit) on the semi-finished product.
[0024] According to a further variant of the invention, the determination of adjustments to the strand guide is carried out automatically, in particular by means of an algorithm. The algorithm is in particular a self-learning algorithm and is based, for example, on artificial intelligence, a neural network, numerical methods, or the like.
[0025] According to a preferred variant of the invention, the adjustments to the strand guide relate to one or more of the following activities: replacing individual segments of the strand guide, shimming adjacent segments of the strand guide, adjusting secondary cooling nozzles, adjusting the roll rotatability, or comparable adjustments. Replacing individual segments of the strand guide requires an interruption in production, so that this adjustment of the strand guide is mainly considered in the event of serious influences on the semi-finished product transported in the strand guide. However, since regular maintenance intervals are provided, the segments to be replaced in the next maintenance interval can be identified according to the invention and preparatory measures can be initiated. In the event of less serious influences on the semi-finished product or in the time until segments of the strand guide are replaced, adjacent segments can be "shimmed".Shimming involves adjusting the alignment of adjacent segments to ensure the smoothest possible transition. For this purpose, the support points of segment frames, for example, can be adjusted in their alignment, particularly in terms of height. By separately adjusting individual support points, the alignment of a single segment of the strand guide can be adjusted and aligned with the neighboring segment.
[0026] In a variant according to the invention, the determined adjustments to the strand guide are implemented automatically or semi-automatically after manual approval. For example, the adjustments can be suggested automatically and manually approved by an operator. However, adjustments can also be implemented fully automatically without prior manual approval. Fully automatic adjustments concern, for example, mechanical / electronic adjustments to the strand guide, such as drive speeds. The manually approved adjustments can subsequently be evaluated, for example, by self-learning algorithms, to optimize the suggested adjustments.
[0027] According to a variant of the invention, the method further comprises modifying the continuous casting process to avoid influences of the strand guide on the transported semi-finished product. For example, the upstream casting process can be adapted to avoid negative influences caused by the strand guide. For example, a slower casting process gives the semi-finished product shell more time to grow in the mold, which can reduce subsequent negative influences caused by the strand guide. However, the specifications of the other processes must also be taken into account so that they can be carried out properly.
[0028] According to an expedient variant of the invention, the method comprises the step of determining a strand quality (e.g., steel grade) that can be produced after making the determined adjustments to the strand guide. This determination takes into account the strand shell deformation determined by the evaluation, as well as process data and temperatures from the continuous casting plant, in particular the strand guide. This information can be transmitted to higher-level and / or downstream processes. On this basis, for example, the further processing of the semi-finished product can be determined, for example, whether the semi-finished product is suitable for the intended further processing.
[0029] In a variant according to the invention, the determination of adjustments to the strand guide also takes into account process data from the strand guide. These include, for example, technical specifications of the strand guide such as permissible loads, speeds, hydraulic adjustment of the segments, or temperatures, especially the casting temperature.
[0030] According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the method further comprises the step of detecting damage to the surface of the transported semi-finished product after the strand guide and feeding back the detected information to optimize the evaluation of the detected system condition. Thus, the evaluation, which concerns the influence of the system condition on a semi-finished product transported in the strand guide, can be optimized by comparing it with the detected damage to the surface of the semi-finished product. It is thus checked whether the detected damage corresponds to the influences of the strand guide determined during the evaluation.
[0031] According to an expedient variant, the method according to the invention comprises the step of measuring temperatures in the strand guide and taking the measured temperatures into account when evaluating the recorded system status and determining adjustments to the strand guide.
[0032] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to the invention.
[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show:
[0034] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a continuous casting plant with associated strand guide,
[0035] Fig. 2 is a flow chart according to a first embodiment of the method according to the invention for optimizing the strand guidance of a continuous casting plant, and
[0036] Fig. 3 is a flow chart according to a second embodiment of the method according to the invention for optimizing the strand guidance of a continuous casting plant,
[0037] Fig. 4 a visualization of a recorded system status,
[0038] Fig. 5 a visualization of influences on the semi-finished product transported in a strand guide, and
[0039] Fig. 6 a visualization according to Fig. 5 with the effects of shimming segments of the strand guide.
[0040] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a continuous casting plant 1 with associated strand guide 2. The continuous casting plant 1 from Fig. 1 comprises a pouring ladle 3 containing a melt 4 (liquid metal). The melt 4 is delivered to a mold 6 via an intermediate container 5. The intermediate container 5 provides a buffer volume to ensure continuous casting operation, for example, during a pouring ladle change. The melt 4 is delivered to the mold 6, which is cooled. Within the mold 6, the formation of the so-called strand shell (semi-finished product shell) of the semi-finished product 7 (cast strand) begins.
[0041] Downstream of the mold 6 is the strand guide 2 for further transporting the semi-finished product 7. Within the strand guide 2, the semi-finished product 7 is further cooled with water until the strand has completely solidified. The cooling within the mold 6 is referred to as primary cooling, and the cooling within the strand guide 2 is referred to as secondary cooling.
[0042] The strand guide generally comprises a large number of individual strand guide segments 8 which closely interact as a guide and have guide and / or drive rollers arranged in a loose-side and a fixed-side frame, which together form a so-called roller carpet. The rollers can be continuous or, in the case of comparatively large strand widths, can be intermediately mounted. The rollers on the fixed and loose sides have different diameters in sections at the distance from the meniscus in the mold 6, while opposite pairs of rollers usually have the same diameter. Fig. 1 shows a curved strand guide 2 with vertical and horizontal sections, starting from the vertical section beneath the mold 6 and ending at the horizontal outlet 9. The individual segments 8 of the strand guide 2 comprise a support frame for the support and guide rollers, whereby the support frame is in turn fixedly mounted.
[0043] Even a small offset between the individual segments 8 of the strand guide 2 can lead to quality problems in the transported semi-finished product 7. The slabs, billets, or the like resulting from the transported semi-finished product 7 cannot, for example, be immediately further processed due to surface defects, but may have to be manually reworked using time-consuming and costly finishing work such as grinding and / or scarfing. However, it is also possible that the quality defects in the semi-finished product are so severe that manual rework is insufficient and the defective slabs or the like are scrap. Furthermore, the incorrect alignment between the segments 8 of the strand guide 2 can also lead to damage to components of the strand guide 2.It is therefore essential that the transitions between the segments 8 of the strand guide 2, but also the guidance within the individual segments 8, is as precise as possible in order to avoid damage to the strand shell.
[0044] To avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, the present invention discloses a method 10 for optimizing the strand guide 2 of a continuous casting plant 1, in particular a slab casting plant or billet continuous casting plant.
[0045] Fig. 2 shows a flow chart according to a first embodiment of the method 10 according to the invention for optimizing the strand guide 2 of a continuous casting plant 1. In a first step of the method according to the invention
[0046] 10, the system status of the strand guide 2 is recorded 11. The system status of the strand guide 2 relates in particular to one or more of the following parameters: distance between two segment rollers, in particular the loose side and the fixed side, rotatability of the segment rollers, angle change between two segment rollers, in particular on the loose side and / or fixed side, or the like. The recording 11 of the system status can also include the status of a secondary cooling system of the strand guide 2, wherein the recorded
[0047] 11 The state of the secondary cooling system is taken into account in the subsequent steps of the method 10 according to the invention. The state of the secondary cooling system can be detected, for example, using acoustic sensors, membrane sensors, or other sensors 11 .
[0048] In a second step of the method 10 according to the invention, the recorded plant state is evaluated 12. By means of the evaluation 12, the influence of the plant state on a semi-finished product 7 transported in the strand guide 2, in particular on the semi-finished product shell, is determined. The semi-finished product 7 is, for example, a slab or a billet. The evaluation 12 of the recorded plant state determines in particular a load on the semi-finished product 7, in particular on the semi-finished product shell, due to the plant state. Load on the semi-finished product shell can lead to strand shell deformation. The load relates in particular to a strain and / or stress state of the semi-finished product 7, in particular of the semi-finished product shell.
[0049] In a third step of the method 10 according to the invention, adjustments to the strand guide 2 are determined 13 based on the evaluation 12 of the system condition in order to reduce the influence of the system condition on the semi-finished product 7 transported in the strand guide 2. The determined 13 adjustments to the strand guide 2 particularly reduce the load, optionally determined by means of the evaluation 12, on the semi-finished product 7 transported in the strand guide 2. The determined 13 adjustments to the strand guide 2 preferably prevent a maximum permissible strain and / or stress state of the semi-finished product 7 from being exceeded. The determination 13 of adjustments to the strand guide 2 is preferably carried out automatically, in particular by means of an algorithm. The algorithm is in particular a self-learning algorithm, an artificial intelligence, a neural network or the like.The 13 adjustments to the strand guide 2 identified relate, for example, to one or more of the following activities: replacing individual segments 8 of the strand guide 2, shim- ming adjacent segments 8 of the strand guide 2, adjusting secondary cooling nozzles, adjusting the roll rotatability, or similar adjustments. The determination of 13 adjustments to the strand guide 2 can also take process data from the strand guide 2 into account.
[0050] Optionally, temperatures in the strand guide 2 can also be measured, with the measured temperatures subsequently being taken into account in the evaluation 12 of the recorded 11 system state and the determination 13 of adjustments to the strand guide 2. In a fourth, concluding step of the method 10 according to the invention, the determined 13 adjustments to the strand guide 2 are carried out 14. The implementation 14 of the determined 13 adjustments to the strand guide 2 takes place automatically or semi-automatically after a manual release. The manual release can be used, for example, to improve self-learning algorithms so that the self-learning algorithm subsequently suggests adjustments that are very likely to be carried out 14.
[0051] A subsequent extension of the method 10 according to the invention relates to the step of detecting damage to the surface of the transported semi-finished product 7 after the strand guide 2 and feeding back the detected information to optimize the evaluation 12 of the detected system condition.
[0052] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart according to a second embodiment of the method 10 according to the invention for optimizing the strand guide 2 of a continuous casting plant 1. According to the second embodiment, the method 10 according to the invention additionally comprises the step of cleaning 15 the acquired data regarding the system status and / or the status of the secondary cooling system. The cleaning 15 takes place before the evaluation 12 of the acquired system status. The cleaning 15 takes into account, for example, an offset and / or identifies incorrect measurements, which are then corrected or deleted. The cleaning 15 is carried out manually and / or automatically, in particular based on an algorithm.
[0053] The second embodiment of the method 10 according to the invention from Fig. 3 further comprises the additional step of visualizing 16 the recorded 11 system state and / or the state of the secondary cooling system for the operating personnel of the strand guide 2. This makes it easier to identify problematic areas of the strand guide. The visualization 16 can also be used by development engineers or metallurgists, for example, during the development of a new continuous casting plant 1 or the operation of a comparable continuous casting plant 1. The recorded 11 data relating to the system state and / or the state of the secondary cooling system are expediently visualized in a virtual model of the strand guide 2 with accurate positional accuracy.A visualization 16 with two parallel diagrams is particularly advantageous, wherein the recorded 11 system state and / or state of the secondary cooling system is shown in a first diagram and the virtual model of the strand guide 2 is shown in a second diagram, wherein the selection of a data set of the recorded 11 system state and / or state of the secondary cooling system visually indicates the corresponding position in the model of the strand guide 2. The visualization 16 can additionally visualize the influences of the strand guide 2 on the transported semi-finished product 7, in particular local exceedances of strain limits in the shell of the semi-finished product 7. The visualization 16 can (dashed arrow in Fig. 3) thus also include information from the evaluation 12 of the recorded 11 system state. The visualization 16 can (dashed arrow in Fig.3) be used to help a user decide whether the 13 identified adjustments should actually be implemented.
[0054] The method 10 according to the invention can further comprise modifying the continuous casting process to avoid influences of the strand guide 2 on the transported semi-finished product 7. For example, casting parameters such as the casting speed are adjusted.
[0055] A further optional step of the method 10 according to the invention is the determination of a strand quality that can be produced after carrying out 14 of the determined 13 adjustments to the strand guide 2, in particular the steel grade that can be produced.
[0056] Fig. 4 shows a visualization of a recorded system status of a strand guide 2. The visualization 16 shows a first diagram 17 in the upper area, which represents the recorded system status 11. In this case, the roller spacing within a strand guide 2 is shown, wherein the first diagram 17 represents a first curve 19 for the gap between the rollers on the fixed and loose sides at a specific point in time. The second curve 20 also shows the aforementioned gap for a second point in time. Furthermore, the upper limit 21 and lower limit 22 of permissible gaps are shown in the first diagram 17. In the lower area of the visualization 16, a second diagram 18 is shown, which represents a virtual model of the strand guide 2. The individual segments 8 of the strand guide 2 are shown in Fig. 4.
[0057] Fig. 5 shows a visualization 16 of influences on the semi-finished product 7 transported in a strand guide 2. The influences of the strand guide 2 on the semi-finished product 7 transported in the strand guide 2 are shown in Fig. 5 in the upper, first diagram 17. Curve 23 shows the expansion of the semi-finished product shell. Furthermore, a permissible strand shell deformation is shown in the first diagram 17 as curve 24. In the lower area of the visualization 16, a second diagram 18 is shown, which represents a virtual model of the strand guide 2 with the associated individual segments 8. It can be directly seen from the visualization 16 in Fig. 5 that the semi-finished product shell expansion 23 in the area between the second and third segment 8 of the strand guide 2 exceeds the permissible strand shell expansion 24.According to the method 10 according to the invention, the transition between the second and third segments 8 of the strand guide 2 would be adjusted to reduce the determined elongation 23 of the semi-finished shell. This can be achieved by shimming the second and third segments 8 of the strand guide 2, i.e., by optimizing their alignment to one another to reduce the elongation 23 of the semi-finished shell so that the permissible strand shell deformation 24 is not exceeded.
[0058] Fig. 6 shows a visualization 16 according to Fig. 6, wherein the effects of shimming the second and third segments 8 are additionally visualized. The second diagram 18 of Fig. 6 also shows the support points 25 of the individual segments 8. These support points 25 are adjustable in order to adapt the alignment of the individual segments 8. By adjusting the support points 25 of the second and third segments 8 of the strand guide 2 from the second diagram 18 of Fig. 6, these can be shimmed, i.e. the alignment of the second and third segments 8 of the strand guide 2 is adjusted. By optimizing, the stretching of the semi-finished product shell of the semi-finished product 7 transported in the strand guide 2 can be reduced. This is illustrated by the dashed area 26 in the first diagram 17 of Fig. 6.
[0059] List of reference symbols
[0060] 1 continuous casting plant
[0061] 2 strand guide
[0062] 3 ladle
[0063] 4 Melt
[0064] 5 intermediate tanks (buffer volume)
[0065] 6 mold
[0066] 7 Semi-finished products
[0067] 8 segments (strand guide)
[0068] 9 Outlet
[0069] 10 procedures
[0070] 11 Recording system status (line routing)
[0071] 12 Evaluate system status
[0072] 13 Determining adjustments (strand routing)
[0073] 14 Implementing identified adjustments
[0074] 15 Cleaning up collected data
[0075] 16 Visualizing the system status
[0076] 17 second diagram (visualization)
[0077] 18 first diagram (visualization)
[0078] 19 Gap (fixed side)
[0079] 20 gap (loose side)
[0080] 21 upper limit (gap dimension)
[0081] 22 lower limit (gap dimension)
[0082] 23 Stretching semi-finished shell
[0083] 24 permissible strand shell deformation 25 support points (segments)
[0084] 26 reduced elongation (semi-finished shell)
Claims
Patent claims 1. Method (10) for optimising the strand guidance (2) of a continuous casting plant (1), in particular a slab casting plant or billet continuous casting plant, comprising the steps: Recording (11) the system status of the strand guide (2), Evaluating (12) the recorded (11) system status in order to determine the influence of the system status on a semi-finished product (7) transported in the strand guide (2), in particular on the semi-finished product shell, Determining (13) adjustments to the strand guide (2) based on the evaluation (12) of the system condition, in order to reduce the influence of the system condition on the semi-finished product (7) transported in the strand guide (2), and Carrying out (14) the determined (13) adjustments to the strand guide (2).
2. Method (10) according to claim 1, wherein the system condition of the strand guide (2) relates to one or more of the following parameters: distance between two segment rollers, in particular the loose side and the fixed side, rotatability of the segment rollers, condition of the segment roller bearings, condition of the spray nozzles, segment roller wear, position of the segmentless side, pressures of the hydraulic cylinders, change in angle between two segment rollers, in particular on the loose side and / or fixed side, or the like.
3. Method (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the semi-finished product (7) is a slab or a billet.
4. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the evaluation (12) of the detected (11) system state includes a load on the semi-finished product (7), in particular of the semi-finished shell, is determined by the plant condition, and the determined (13) adjustments to the strand guide (2) reduce the load determined by means of the evaluation (12).
5. Method (10) according to claim 4, wherein the load relates to a strain and / or stress state of the semi-finished product (7), in particular of the semi-finished product shell, and the determined (13) adjustments to the strand guide (2) prevent exceeding a maximum permissible strain and / or stress state of the semi-finished product.
6. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the state of a secondary cooling system of the strand guide (2) is further detected, wherein the detected state of the secondary cooling system is taken into account in the evaluation (12) and the determination (13) and implementation (14) of adjustments.
7. The method (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising the step of cleaning (15) the acquired (11) data relating to the system status and / or the status of the secondary cooling system.
8. The method (10) according to claim 7, wherein the cleanup (15) takes into account an offset with respect to the data and / or identifies incorrect measurements and corrects or deletes the incorrect measurements.
9. Method (10) according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the cleaning (15) is carried out manually and / or automatically, in particular on the basis of an algorithm.
10. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the step of visualizing (16) the detected (11) system state and / or the state of the secondary cooling system for the operating personnel of the strand guide (2). 11 . Method (10) according to claim 10, wherein the acquired (11) data relating to the system status and / or the status of the secondary cooling system in a virtual model of the strand guide (2) can be visualized (16) in a positionally accurate manner.
12. The method (10) according to claim 11, wherein the visualization (16) comprises two parallel diagrams, wherein the detected (11) system state and / or state of the secondary cooling system is shown in a first diagram and the virtual model of the strand guide (2) is shown in a second diagram, wherein the selection of a data set of the detected (11) system state and / or state of the secondary cooling system visually indicates the associated position in the model of the strand guide (2).
13. Method (10) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the visualization (16) additionally visualizes the influences of the strand guide (2) on the transported semi-finished product (7), in particular local exceedances of strain limits in the shell of the semi-finished product (7).
14. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the determining (13) adjustments to the strand guide (2) are carried out automatically, in particular by means of an algorithm.
15. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the adjustments to the strand guide (2) relate to one or more of the following activities: replacement of individual segments (8) of the strand guide (2), shimming of adjacent segments (8) of the strand guide (2), adjustment of secondary cooling nozzles, adjustment of the roll rotatability, or comparable adjustments.
16. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the carrying out (14) the determined adjustments to the strand guide (2) are carried out automatically or semi-automatically after a manual release.
17. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising modifying the continuous casting process to avoid influences of the strand guide (2) on the transported semi-finished product (7).
18. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising the step of determining a strand quality that can be produced after carrying out the determined (13) adjustments to the strand guide (2).
19. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the determination (13) of adjustments to the strand guide (2) additionally takes into account process data from the strand guide (2).
20. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising the step of detecting damage to the surface of the transported semi-finished product (7) after the strand guide (2) and feeding back the detected information to optimize the evaluation (12) of the detected (11) system condition.
21. Method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising the step of measuring temperatures in the strand guide (2) and taking the measured temperatures into account in the evaluation (12) of the detected system state and in the determination (13) of adjustments to the strand guide (2).
22. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 21.