Roll steering control systems and methods for tandem mills

Abstract

To provide systems and methods for controlling roll steering of one or more work rolls of a work stand of a rolling mill during rolling.SOLUTION: Systems and associated methods for controlling roll steering during rolling of a metal substrate may include a steering control actuator adapted to control an inclination of a work roll of a work stand of a rolling mill, a sensor configured to measure a parameter of a metal substrate upstream from the work stand, and a controller operably connected with the steering control actuator and the sensor. The controller may generate a model for the work stand, determine an adjustment value for the work stand, receive the measured parameter from the sensor, and determine an expected output parameter by adjusting the measured parameter by the adjustment value. The controller may also compare the expected output parameter with a target output parameter and actuate the steering control actuator such that the expected output parameter is within a predefined tolerance of the target parameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 177,129, filed April 20, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002] Technical Field This application relates generally to metal processing, and more particularly to a system and method for roll steering control in a rolling mill. [Background technology]

[0003] Rolling is a metal forming process in which a metal substrate is passed through a pair of work rolls in a workstand. The resulting contact between the metal substrate and the work rolls affects the thickness profile, flatness, and quality of the metal substrate. The tilting of the work rolls relative to the substrate's pass line through the workstand, i.e., roll steering, is one mechanism that can be used to influence the parameters of the metal substrate as it exits the workstand. Traditionally, roll steering required manual control by an operator to set and adjust the steering (tilt) value of each work roll during production. This control is time-consuming, subject to operator error, and can be inaccurate due to not taking into account (and therefore potentially inaccurate) actual rolling mill conditions, preventing proper control in real time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, rather than this Summary. This Summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used alone to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the entire specification of this patent, any or all of the drawings, and appropriate portions of each claim.

[0005] According to certain embodiments, a method for controlling roll steering during rolling of a metal substrate includes generating a model of a workstand of a rolling mill based on configuration data. Generating the model may include determining adjustments for the workstand. The method may also include receiving measured parameters for the metal substrate at a location upstream of the workstand from a sensor and determining expected output parameters for the workstand by modifying the measured parameters with the adjustments. In various embodiments, the method includes comparing the expected output parameters to target output parameters for the workstand and actuating a steering control actuator for the workstand such that the expected output parameters are within a predetermined tolerance of the target output parameters. The steering control actuator is adapted to control the tilt of at least one work roll of the workstand relative to a pass line of the metal substrate.

[0006] According to various embodiments, a rolling mill includes a steering control system including a steering control actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The steering control actuator controls tilt of work rolls in a workstand of the rolling mill, and the sensor measures a parameter of a metal substrate upstream of the workstand. The controller is operably connected to the steering control actuator and the sensor and includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor for generating a model of the workstand and determining adjustment values ​​for the workstand, receiving measured parameters from the sensor, and determining expected output parameters by adjusting the measured parameters by the adjustment values. The memory may also include instructions executable by the processor for comparing the expected output parameters to target output parameters and operating the steering control actuator such that the expected output parameters are within a predetermined tolerance of the target parameters.

[0007] According to certain embodiments, a steering control system for a rolling mill includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor for generating a model of the workstand and determining adjustment values ​​for the workstand, receiving measured parameters for the metal substrate from a sensor upstream of the workstand, and determining a predicted output parameter by adjusting the measured parameter by the adjustment value. The memory may also include instructions executable by the processor for comparing the predicted output parameter to a target output parameter and generating a control response based on the predicted output parameter being outside a predetermined tolerance range of the target parameter.

[0008] The various embodiments described herein may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages that may not necessarily be explicitly disclosed herein, but will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

[0009] This specification refers to the following accompanying drawings, in which the use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or similar components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a rolling mill equipped with a steering control system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a rolling mill equipped with a steering control system according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is an exemplary method for controlling roll steering with a steering control system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Described herein are systems and methods for controlling roll steering of one or more work rolls of a workstand of a rolling mill during rolling. The systems and methods described herein can be used with any metal, but can be particularly useful for aluminum or aluminum alloys. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein can automatically control roll steering during rolling. In various embodiments, a model of the workstand is generated based on configuration data, and the model includes adjustments for the workstand. In embodiments where the rolling mill includes multiple workstands, a model of each workstand can be generated based on the configuration data for each workstand, and each model includes adjustments specific to the particular workstand. In various embodiments, the adjustments are corrections that indicate the actual efficiency of the workstand or a deviation of the workstand's actual performance from expected performance.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the setup data may include measured data from a previous rolling operation, but not necessarily in other embodiments. In various embodiments, the setup data may include parameters measured by sensors, input parameters, or various combinations thereof. As some non-limiting examples, the measured parameters may be measured by one or more sensors, including, but not limited to, a tension meter, a gauge meter, a flattened roll, an optical sensor, a camera, a temperature sensor, combinations thereof, or other sensors as desired. Measured parameters may include, but are not limited to, tension in the metal substrate, the chemistry and / or composition of the metal substrate, the temperature of the metal substrate, etc. Input parameters may also be other desired parameters that do not necessarily need to be measured by sensors. As some non-limiting examples, input parameters may include, but are not limited to, the width or thickness of the metal substrate. The above parameters are provided for reference and should not be considered limiting, as models and / or adjustments for each work stand may be generated using various setup data, including two or more measured parameters, as desired.

[0013] During rolling, sensors may measure parameters of the metal substrate at predetermined positions relative to the workstand. The controller may use the measured parameters as inputs to a model and determine expected output parameters by modifying the measured parameters with adjustment values. The expected output parameters may be compared to target output parameters of the workstand and may actuate steering control actuators for the work roll stands to adjust the expected output parameters to within a predetermined tolerance of the target output parameters. In certain aspects, by modifying the measured parameters with adjustment values ​​based on actual rolling conditions, the controller may more accurately predict output results from the rolling mill. Furthermore, comparing the expected output parameters (i.e., the measured parameters modified with adjustment values) with the target output parameters may enable the system to obtain the target output parameters faster and with improved accuracy.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a rolling mill 100 for rolling a metal substrate 102. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the rolling mill 100 includes multiple work stands 104A-104C, although in other embodiments, the rolling mill 100 may include any number of work stands, including a single work stand, two work stands, or more than three work stands, as desired. Each work stand 104A-104C includes a pair of work rolls 106. Each work roll 106 may be supported by one or more intermediate rolls 108. Bearings or actuators (not shown) may be provided along the intermediate rolls 108. The bearings may apply bearing loads to the intermediate rolls 108, which transfer the loads to the work rolls 106 such that the work rolls 106 apply work roll pressure to the metal substrate 102 as the metal substrate 102 moves between the work rolls 106 in a processing direction 109 along a pass line.

[0015] In various embodiments, each work stand 104A-104C optionally includes a steering control actuator 110A-110C that can be used to control the tilt or inclination of the work rolls 106 relative to the pass line of the metal substrate 102 and across the width of the metal substrate (i.e., out of the plane of FIG. 1). In other words, in FIG. 1, the steering control actuators 110A-110C control the tilt or inclination of the work rolls 106 up or down. The steering control actuators 110A-110C may be various suitable devices or mechanisms, including, but not limited to, bearings, hydraulic cylinders, backup rolls, combinations thereof, or other suitable devices or mechanisms, as desired, for adjusting the tilt or inclination of the work rolls 106. In certain embodiments, each work roll 106 of a particular work stand (e.g., the upper work roll 106 and the lower work roll 106 of work stand 104A) may have an associated or dedicated steering control actuator.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the rolling mill 100 includes a steering control system 112. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the steering control system 112 includes multiple controllers 114A-114C and multiple sensors 116A-116C, although the number of controllers 114 and / or sensors 116 shown in FIG. 1 should not be considered limiting of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the steering control system 112 need only include one controller and / or one sensor. In certain embodiments, each controller 114A-114C and sensor 116A-116C is associated with a particular workstand 104A-104C, but in other embodiments, this is not necessarily the case. As a non-limiting example, each workstand 104A-104C may have an associated sensor 116A-116C, but the steering control system 112 includes a single controller. Additionally, while FIG. 1 shows a single sensor 116A-116C associated with each work stand 104A-104C, in other embodiments, multiple sensors may be associated with each work stand 104A-104C such that multiple parameters may be measured during rolling of the metal substrate 102, as described below.

[0017] Each controller 114A-114C includes a processor and memory and is operatively connected to a corresponding sensor 116A-116C and a corresponding steering control actuator 110A-110C. The memory is coupled to the processor and includes instructions executable by the processor to perform various functions, which will be described in detail below. The sensors 116A-116C can be various devices or mechanisms suitable for measuring at least one parameter of the metal substrate 102 during rolling. As some non-limiting examples, each of the sensors 116A-116C can be a tension meter that measures the tension of the metal substrate 102, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the metal substrate 102, a gauge or thickness gauge that measures the thickness of the metal substrate 102, a position sensor that measures the position of the metal substrate 102 relative to the centerline of one of the workstands (e.g., the midpoint of the workstand widthwise, which is transverse to the machine direction 109), a flatness sensor that measures the flatness of the metal substrate 102 widthwise, an optical sensor, a camera, a combination of these, or other suitable sensors as desired. In certain embodiments, sensors 116 may be located at interstand positions between adjacent workstands, although in other embodiments, such locations are not required. In the example of FIG. 1, sensors 116B-116C are located at interstand positions, and sensor 116A is located upstream of workstand 104A. Sensors 116A-116C do not all need to be the same type of sensor and / or measure the same parameters; in certain embodiments, one sensor (e.g., sensor 116A) measures a first parameter (e.g., tension) and another sensor (e.g., sensor 116B) measures a second parameter (e.g., thickness). In the embodiment of FIG. 1, sensors 116A-116C are tension meters that detect tension in metal substrate 102.

[0018] Optionally, steering control system 112 may include an exit sensor 118 after the last workstand (e.g., workstand 104C). Exit sensor 118 may be a variety of devices or mechanisms that may be similar to or different from the devices used as sensors 116A-116C. In one non-limiting embodiment, exit sensor 118 is a flatness sensor that measures the flatness profile of metal substrate 102 across the width of metal substrate 102. In certain embodiments, exit sensor 118 may be operably connected to one or more of controllers 114A-114C or to another controller that is operably connected to other processing equipment (e.g., a controller for a sprayer in a coolant distribution system).

[0019] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, steering control system 112 may be a feedforward control system, i.e., parameter data collected by a particular sensor may be used to control a workstand downstream of the particular sensor. For example, in FIG. 1, sensor 116A is upstream of workstand 104A, and controller 114A uses data from sensor 116A to control workstand 104A. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, steering control system 112 may be a feedback control system, and parameter data collected by a particular sensor 116 may be used to control a workstand upstream of the particular sensor. For example, in FIG. 2, sensor 116A is downstream of workstand 104A, and controller 114A uses data from sensor 116A to control workstand 104A. In further embodiments, steering control system 112 may be both a feedforward control system and a feedback control system, and parameter data collected by a particular sensor may be used to control a workstand upstream of the particular sensor as well as a workstand downstream of the particular sensor.

[0020] An exemplary method 300 for controlling work rolls of a rolling mill with a steering control system provided herein will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 3. In certain embodiments, method 300 may be stored in one or more memories of one or more controllers 114A-114C of steering control system 112 as instructions that may be executable by one or more processors of one or more controllers 114A-114C.

[0021] At block 302, method 300 includes generating a model of each workstand of the rolling mill. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, block 302 includes generating a model of each workstand 104A-104C. In various embodiments, generating the model of each workstand of the rolling mill includes generating the model based on setup data, which may include, but is not limited to, one or more measured parameters, one or more input parameters, combinations thereof, and / or other data as desired. In one non-limiting example, the setup data includes both measured parameters and input parameters.

[0022] In various embodiments in which the setup data includes one or more measured parameters, the measured parameters may be obtained using one or more sensors that measure parameters of the metal substrate during the current rolling operation or during a previous rolling operation. As some non-limiting examples, the measured parameters may be measured with one or more sensors, including, but not limited to, a tension meter, a gauge meter, a flattened roll, an optical sensor, a camera, a temperature sensor, a combination thereof, or other sensors as desired. The measured parameter(s) may include, but are not limited to, tension in the metal substrate, the chemistry and / or composition of the metal substrate, the chemistry or composition of the metal substrate, the temperature of the metal substrate, a combination thereof, or other parameters as desired. As one non-limiting example, the setup data used to generate the model of the workstand may include tension in the metal strip measured by a tension meter during a previous rolling operation, the thickness of the metal substrate measured by a gauge meter during a previous rolling operation, and the temperature of the metal substrate measured by a temperature sensor during a previous rolling operation.

[0023] In various embodiments where the configuration data includes one or more input parameters, the input parameters may be other parameters that may not necessarily be measured by a sensor, as desired. As some non-limiting examples, the input parameters may include, but are not limited to, the width of the metal substrate, the chemistry or composition of the metal substrate, and / or the thickness of the metal substrate.

[0024] Based on the configuration data, a model is generated for each workstand. Generating the model includes generating an adjustment value for the particular workstand based on the configuration data. In various embodiments, the adjustment value is a correction value that indicates the actual efficiency of the workstand or a deviation of the workstand's actual performance from expected performance.

[0025] In block 304, method 300 includes receiving measurement parameters for the metal substrate from one or more sensors during rolling. In certain embodiments, block 304 includes receiving measurement parameters from an immediately upstream sensor and / or an immediately downstream sensor. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, block 304 includes receiving measurement parameters from each sensor 116A-116C upstream of a particular workstand 104A-104C, while in the embodiment of FIG. 2, block 304 includes receiving measurement parameters from each sensor 116A-116B downstream of a particular workstand 104A-104B. As previously mentioned, the sensors measuring the particular parameters during rolling may be a variety of sensors as desired, including, but not limited to, tension sensors, temperature sensors, gages or thickness gauges, position sensors, flatness sensors, optical sensors, combinations thereof, or other suitable sensors as desired. In certain embodiments, block 304 includes receiving multiple measurement parameters from multiple sensors for a particular workstand of the rolling mill.

[0026] At block 306, method 300 includes determining expected output parameters and comparing the expected output parameters to target output parameters. In certain embodiments, determining the expected output parameters includes modifying the measured parameters with the adjustment values ​​determined at block 302. In certain embodiments, modifying the measured parameters with the adjustment values ​​may more accurately predict the output of a particular workstand because the adjustment values ​​are based on the actual efficiency of the workstand (e.g., based on configuration data).

[0027] At block 308, method 300 includes generating a control response based on a comparison of the expected output parameter and the target output parameter. In some embodiments, block 308 includes actuating a steering control actuator for the workstand such that the expected output parameter determined in block 306 is within a predetermined tolerance of the target output parameter. In various embodiments, generating a control response and actuating a steering control actuator may include sending a control to the steering control actuator to control the tilt or inclination of one or more work rolls of a particular workstand. In one non-limiting embodiment, block 308 may include actuating a backup roll, a hydraulic cylinder, a bearing, a combination thereof, or other suitable steering control actuator as desired.

[0028] Optionally, if the particular workstand is the last workstand of the rolling mill, method 300 may include receiving measured parameters from an exit sensor 118 downstream of the last workstand, determining predicted exit parameters based on the measured parameters from the exit sensor 118 and the adjustments, and actuating a steering control actuator such that the predicted exit parameters are within a predetermined tolerance of a target exit parameter. In one non-limiting embodiment, the exit sensor 118 may be a flatness sensor that measures a flatness profile across the width of the metal substrate, and the measured flatness profile may be used to actuate a steering control actuator such that the predicted flatness profile is within a predetermined tolerance of the target flatness profile.

[0029] As one non-limiting example of using method 300 to control roll steering, block 302 may include generating a model of a workstand, such as workstand 104A, and block 304 may include receiving a measured thickness of the metal substrate 102 from sensor 116A (e.g., in this example, sensor 116A is a gauge or thickness sensor). In this example, block 306 may include comparing an expected output thickness from workstand 104A to a target output thickness from workstand 104A. Block 308 may include actuating steering control actuator 110A to control the tilt or inclination of work roll(s) 106 of workstand 104A so that the expected output thickness is within a predetermined tolerance of the target output thickness.

[0030] As another non-limiting example of using method 300 to control roll steering, block 302 may include generating a model of a workstand, such as workstand 104A, and block 304 may include receiving a measured flatness profile across the width of the metal substrate 102 from sensor 116A (e.g., in this example, sensor 116A is a flatness sensor). In this example, block 306 may include comparing an expected output flatness profile from workstand 104A to a target output flatness profile from workstand 104A. Block 308 may include actuating steering control actuator 110A to control the tilt or inclination of work roll(s) 106 of workstand 104A so that the expected output flatness profile is within a predetermined tolerance of the target output flatness profile.

[0031] As an additional non-limiting example of using method 300 to control roll steering, block 302 may include generating a model of a workstand, such as workstand 104A, and block 304 includes receiving a measured position of the metal substrate 102 relative to a centerline of workstand 104A (e.g., whether the metal substrate 102 is substantially aligned with the centerline of workstand 104A, offset to the left, offset to the right, etc.). In this example, sensor 116A is a position sensor. Block 306 may include comparing an expected output position of the metal substrate 102 upon exiting workstand 104A to a target output position. Block 308 may include actuating steering control actuator 110A to control the tilt or inclination of work roll(s) 106 of workstand 104A so that the expected output position is within a predetermined tolerance of the target output position.

[0032] As another non-limiting example of using method 300 to control roll steering, block 302 may include generating a model of a workstand, such as workstand 104A, and block 304 may include receiving a measured tension in the metal substrate 102 from sensor 116A (e.g., in this example, sensor 116A is a tensiometer). In this example, block 306 may include comparing the expected output tension from workstand 104A to a target output tension from workstand 104A. Block 308 may include actuating steering control actuator 110A to control the tilt or inclination of work roll(s) 106 of workstand 104A so that the expected output tension is within a predetermined tolerance of the target output tension.

[0033] The above examples are provided for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. Further, as previously mentioned, in certain embodiments, more than one parameter may be used to generate a model and / or subsequent control of the workstand using the steering control system 112.

[0034] Provided below is a collection of exemplary embodiments, including at least some explicitly listed as "exemplary," that provide further explanation of various exemplary embodiments in accordance with the concepts described herein. These examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or limiting, and the present disclosure is not limited to these example illustrations, but rather encompasses all feasible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

[0035] Example 1. A method for controlling roll steering during rolling of a metal substrate, the method comprising: generating a model of a workstand of a rolling mill based on configuration data, wherein generating the model includes determining adjustment values ​​for the workstand; receiving measured parameters for the metal substrate at a location upstream of the workstand from a sensor; determining expected output parameters of the workstand by modifying the measured parameters by the adjustment values; comparing the expected output parameters with target output parameters for the workstand; and operating a steering control actuator for the workstand such that the expected output parameters are within a predetermined tolerance of the target output parameters, wherein the steering control actuator is adapted to control the inclination of at least one work roll of the workstand relative to a pass line of the metal substrate.

[0036] Example 2. The method of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the measured parameter comprises a measured thickness, the expected output parameter is an expected output thickness, and the target output parameter is a target output thickness.

[0037] Example 3. The method of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the measured parameter comprises a measured flatness profile across the width of the metal substrate, the expected output parameter is an expected output flatness profile, and the target output parameter is a target output flatness profile.

[0038] Example 4. The method of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the measured parameter includes a measured position of the metal substrate relative to a centerline of the workstand, the expected output parameter is an expected output position, and the target output parameter is a target output position.

[0039] Example 5. The method of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the workstand is a first workstand of a plurality of workstands, and the method includes generating a model of each workstand of the plurality of workstands based on configuration data for each workstand.

[0040] Example 6. The method of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein actuating the steering control actuator includes controlling at least one hydraulic cylinder or at least one backup roll.

[0041] Example 7. The method of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the measured parameter comprises tension in the metal substrate, the predicted output parameter is predicted tension, and the target output parameter is target tension.

[0042] Example 8. The method of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein generating the model of the workstand includes generating the model prior to rolling the metal substrate, and wherein the configuration data includes data from a previous rolling operation.

[0043] Example 9. The method of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, further comprising: receiving from a sensor a measured thickness for the metal substrate at a position after a last workstand of the rolling mill; determining a predicted thickness for the workstand by modifying the measured thickness by the adjustment value; comparing the predicted thickness to a target thickness for the workstand; and actuating the steering control actuator for the workstand such that the predicted thickness is within a predetermined tolerance of the target thickness.

[0044] Example 10. The method of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the workstand is a first workstand, the rolling mill further comprises a second workstand upstream of the first workstand, the sensor being between the first workstand and the second workstand, the method further comprising generating a model of the second workstand based on configuration data, wherein generating the model of the second workstand comprises determining an adjustment value for the second workstand, and after rolling the metal substrate, updating the model of the second workstand by updating the adjustment value based on the measured parameter of the metal substrate from the sensor during rolling being outside a predetermined tolerance range of a target output parameter of the second workstand.

[0045] Example 11. A rolling mill having a steering control system, the steering control system comprising: a steering control actuator adapted to control the tilt of a work roll of a work stand of the rolling mill; a sensor configured to measure a parameter of a metal substrate upstream of the work stand; and a controller operably connected to the steering control actuator and the sensor, the controller comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to: generate a model of the work stand and determine adjustment values ​​for the work stand; receive the measured parameters from the sensor; determine predicted output parameters by adjusting the measured parameters by the adjustment values; compare the predicted output parameters to target output parameters; and operate the steering control actuator so that the predicted output parameters are within a predetermined tolerance of the target parameters.

[0046] Example 12. The rolling mill of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, further comprising the work stand and the work roll, the work roll comprising an upper work roll or a lower work roll adapted to contact the metal substrate during rolling.

[0047] Example 13. The rolling mill of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the workstand is a first workstand of a plurality of workstands, and the memory includes instructions executable by the processor for generating a model of each workstand of the plurality of workstands based on configuration data for each workstand.

[0048] Example 14. The rolling mill of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the measured parameter includes a measured thickness, the predicted output parameter is a predicted output thickness, and the target output parameter is a target output thickness.

[0049] Example 15. The rolling mill of any preceding or subsequent example or combination of examples, wherein the measured parameter includes a measured flatness profile across the width of the metal substrate, the expected output parameter is an expected output flatness profile, and the target output parameter is a target output flatness profile.

[0050] Example 16. The rolling mill of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the measured parameter includes a measured position of the metal substrate relative to a centerline of the workstand, the expected output parameter is an expected output position, and the target output parameter is a target output position.

[0051] Example 17. The rolling mill of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the steering control actuator comprises controlling at least one hydraulic cylinder or at least one backup roll.

[0052] Example 18. A steering control system for a rolling mill, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including a plurality of instructions executable by the processor for: generating a model of a workstand and determining adjustment values ​​for the workstand; receiving measured parameters for a metal substrate from a sensor upstream of the workstand; adjusting the measured parameters by the adjustment values ​​to determine predicted output parameters; comparing the predicted output parameters to target output parameters; and generating a control response based on the predicted output parameters being outside a predetermined tolerance range of the target parameters.

[0053] Example 19. The steering control system of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the processor is configured to generate the control response by actuating a steering control actuator of the workstand to control tilt of a work roll of the rolling mill workstand.

[0054] Example 20. The steering control system of any preceding or following example or combination of examples, wherein the measured parameters include at least one of a thickness of the metal substrate, a flatness of the metal substrate, or a position of the metal substrate relative to a centerline of the rolling mill.

[0055] While the subject matter of the embodiments has been described herein with specificity to meet statutory requirements, this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be construed as implying a particular order or arrangement among or between the various steps or elements, unless the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. References to directions such as "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are intended to refer to the orientations shown and described in the figure(s) to which the components and directions are specifically referred. References to an embodiment having element A and / or element B extend to embodiments having element A alone, element B alone, or elements A and B combined.

[0056] The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations and are set forth merely for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims directed to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed in this specification and the following claims, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limiting the described embodiments, nor the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for controlling roll steering during rolling of a metal substrate, comprising: generating a model of a workstand of a rolling mill based on configuration data, said generating including determining adjustment values ​​for said workstand; receiving a measured parameter about the metal substrate from a sensor located upstream of the workstand; determining expected output parameters of the workstand by modifying the measured parameters with the adjustment values; comparing the predicted output parameters to target output parameters of the workstand; actuating a steering control actuator for the workstand to control the tilt of at least one work roll of the workstand relative to a pass line of the metal substrate so that the expected output parameter is within a predetermined tolerance of the target output parameter; The method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measured parameter comprises a measured thickness, the expected output parameter is an expected output thickness, and the target output parameter is a target output thickness.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the measured parameter comprises a measured flatness profile across the width of the metal substrate, the expected output parameter is an expected output flatness profile, and the target output parameter is a target output flatness profile.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measured parameter comprises a measured position of the metal substrate relative to a centerline of the workstand, the expected output parameter is an expected output position, and the target output parameter is a target output position.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measured parameter comprises a tension in the metal substrate, the predicted output parameter is a predicted tension, and the target output parameter is a target tension.

6. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the workstand is a first workstand of a plurality of workstands, the method including generating a model of each workstand of the plurality of workstands based on configuration data for each workstand.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein actuating the steering control actuator comprises controlling at least one hydraulic cylinder or at least one backup roll.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the model of the workstand includes generating the model prior to rolling the metal substrate, and the configuration data includes data from a previous rolling operation.

9. receiving a thickness measurement from a sensor for the metal substrate at a position after a last workstand of the rolling mill; determining an expected thickness of the work stand by modifying the measured thickness by the adjustment value; comparing the predicted thickness to a target thickness for the workstand; operating the steering control actuator for the workstand so that the predicted thickness is within a predetermined tolerance of the target thickness; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

10. The workstand is a first workstand, the rolling mill further includes a second workstand upstream of the first workstand, the sensor is between the first workstand and the second workstand, and the method further includes: generating a model of the second workstand based on configuration data, wherein generating the model of the second workstand includes determining adjustment values ​​for the second workstand; updating the model of the second workstand by updating the adjustment value based on the measured parameter of the metal substrate by the sensor during rolling being outside a predetermined tolerance range of a target output parameter of the second workstand after rolling the metal substrate; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

11. 1. A rolling mill equipped with a steering control system, the steering control system comprising: a steering control actuator adapted to control the tilt of work rolls of a workstand of the rolling mill; a sensor configured to measure a parameter of a metal substrate upstream of the workstand; a controller operably connected to the steering control actuator and the sensor, the controller comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising: generating a model of the workstand and determining adjustments for the workstand; receiving the measured parameters from the sensors; determining an expected output parameter by adjusting the measured parameter by the adjustment value; comparing the predicted output parameters to target output parameters; operating the steering control actuator so that the predicted output parameter is within a predetermined tolerance of the target parameter; the controller including instructions executable by the processor for: The rolling mill.

12. 12. The rolling mill of claim 11, further comprising the work stand and the work rolls, the work rolls comprising upper and / or lower work rolls adapted to contact the metal substrate during rolling.

13. 13. The rolling mill of claim 12, wherein the workstand is a first workstand of a plurality of workstands, and the memory includes instructions executable by the processor for generating a model of each workstand of the plurality of workstands based on configuration data for each workstand.

14. 12. The rolling mill of claim 11, wherein the measured parameter comprises a measured thickness, the expected output parameter is an expected output thickness, and the target output parameter is a target output thickness.

15. 12. The rolling mill of claim 11, wherein the measured parameter comprises a measured flatness profile across the width of the metal substrate, the expected output parameter is an expected output flatness profile, and the target output parameter is a target output flatness profile.

16. 12. The rolling mill of claim 11, wherein the measured parameter includes a measured position of the metal substrate relative to a centerline of the workstand, the expected output parameter is an expected output position, and the target output parameter is a target output position.

17. The rolling mill of claim 11 , wherein the steering control actuator comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder or at least one backup roll.

18. 1. A steering control system for a rolling mill, comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising: generating a model of a workstand and determining adjustments for said workstand; receiving a measurement parameter for the metal substrate from a sensor upstream of the workstand; determining an expected output parameter by adjusting the measured parameter by the adjustment value; comparing the predicted output parameters to target output parameters; generating a control response based on the predicted output parameter being outside a predetermined tolerance range of the target parameter; the memory containing a plurality of instructions executable by the processor for: The steering control system.

19. 20. The steering control system of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to generate the control response by actuating a steering control actuator of a workstand of the rolling mill to control tilt of a work roll of the workstand.

20. 20. The steering control system of claim 18, wherein the measured parameters include at least one of a thickness of the metal substrate, a flatness of the metal substrate, or a position of the metal substrate relative to a centerline of the rolling mill.

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