A continuous casting and rolling plant for manufacturing metal strips, and related methods when the rolling mill is stopped.

Abstract

This is a continuous casting and rolling plant for manufacturing strips. The plant comprises a continuous casting machine (1) configured to cast flat material along a casting curve (7) along a processing line; a rolling mill (35, 39) comprising a rough rolling row (35) including at least one rough rolling stand having a corresponding work roll, and a finish rolling row (39) located downstream of the rough rolling row (35) including at least one finish rolling stand having a corresponding work roll. At least one second cutting device (2) is provided located downstream of the casting curve (7) and upstream of the first cutting device (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous casting and rolling plant for producing metal strip from cast flat slabs such as slabs, and to a related method for stopping a rolling train. Said stop may be a planned stop, such as for replacement of worn work rolls, change of production, or other planned maintenance work, or may be an unplanned stop due to cobbling, accidents or the like. Background Art

[0002] In conventional continuous casting and rolling plants used for producing metal strip, for example made of steel, the machines forming the casting line are not arranged in line with the rolling mill.

[0003] In fact, in a standard plant, the casting line is separated from the rolling line. Therefore, cast material such as slabs is cut and stored in a dedicated storage facility. Slabs are fed from such storage facilities to a heating furnace. This heating furnace normally uses gas to heat the slabs to a temperature suitable for rolling in the rolling line, which is generally arranged downstream of the heating furnace. The casting line and the rolling mill are often arranged in different areas of the plant.

[0004] Therefore, since the continuous caster and the rolling mill are partially disconnected and operate discontinuously, significant constraints are imposed on the efficiency and productivity of the plant. Therefore, there still remains a need to provide intermediate storage facilities that can accommodate the different operating requirements of these components.

[0005] Second-generation plants overcome these limitations by arranging the plant machinery, including the machinery forming the casting line and the rolling mill, along the same production line.

[0006] In particular, in such second-generation plants, a single product conveying line is formed without intermediate storage and refeeding of material.

[0007] Therefore, a continuous casting and rolling process is possible in a coil-to-coil (also called "batch") or semi-endless, or more generally, discontinuous, manner. In this process, upstream of the rolling mill, the slab is cut into segments or sections of predetermined dimensions, the length of which generally corresponds to the weight of the final rolled coil or a multiple thereof.

[0008] An endless, or seamless, continuous casting and rolling process is also possible. In this process, the casting machine and the rolling mill are directly connected and in contact with each other, and the rolled strip is cut to a predetermined length only downstream of the rolling mill before being wound onto the downcoiler.

[0009] In any case, this second-generation plant offers significantly greater production flexibility and can also be configured more compactly compared to conventional plants.

[0010] While this second-generation plant is particularly impressive, there is still room for improvement in terms of both plant size (which significantly impacts the construction cost of the plant itself) and energy efficiency.

[0011] In an endless operation system, the rolling and casting processes are closely coupled. Therefore, if the rolling mill needs to be stopped due to, for example, planned replacement or inspection of the work rolls, or due to an accident, sudden interruption, or minor malfunction, the continuous casting process must be stopped. In some cases, this may even necessitate stopping the upstream steelmaking process, potentially leading to production losses and problems related to the solidification of molten steel. All of these issues occur when no storage device or buffer, such as an intermediate heating furnace, is located downstream of the casting process. On the other hand, if such an intermediate heating furnace is provided, it needs to be sufficiently long (over 80m) to function properly. This, in turn, impacts the plant's CAPEX, OPEX, and space requirements.

[0012] Therefore, in endless operation where no buffer exists, stopping a rolling mill is a major factor in reducing plant productivity and utilization, increasing management costs, and increasing the energy required for the process.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need for a continuous casting and rolling plant and related methods for producing metal strips that overcome the aforementioned drawbacks when a rolling mill is shut down, whether it is a planned or unexpected shutdown. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a continuous casting and rolling plant (co-rolling) and related processes for manufacturing metal strips in an endless or discontinuous manner. This allows for handling situations such as planned replacement of work rolls or other maintenance interventions, or mill shutdowns due to accidents such as cobbles, without interrupting casting, thus without production losses, and without affecting upstream steelmaking processes. In particular, it allows for handling situations without interrupting downstream production of rolled strips, even when there is no specific buffer device downstream of casting.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to significantly reduce the length of buffer devices located downstream of casting in plants equipped with buffer devices.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to enable the horizontal portion of the casting machine, i.e., the portion from roughly the end of the curve to the casting machine exit, to be used as a buffer for the co-rolling line without extending the layout, by installing a cutting system at the exit of the casting curve.

[0017] The present invention achieves at least one of the aforementioned objectives and other objectives evident from this specification by a continuous casting and rolling plant for manufacturing metal strips. The aforementioned plant, along the processing line, A continuous casting machine configured to cast flat material along a casting curve and comprising at least two horizontal containment segments for accommodating the flat material downstream of the casting curve, A rolling mill comprising a rough rolling row including at least one rough rolling stand having a corresponding work roll, and a finish rolling row located downstream of the rough rolling row and including at least one finish rolling stand having a corresponding work roll, A first cutting device is provided, located downstream of the at least two horizontal containment segments. At least one second cutting device is provided, located downstream of the cast curved portion and upstream of the first cutting device. The distance between the first cutting device and the second cutting device is within the range of 18m to 40m, preferably within the range of 20m to 35m, and more preferably within the range of 20m to 30m.

[0018] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for performing operations in a rolling mill of the continuous casting and rolling plant, which involves switching from an endless method to a discontinuous method without interrupting the casting process. The continuous casting machine is configured to cast the plate material at a first speed v1 and a second speed v2 that is greater than the first speed v1. The aforementioned method, a) A step of cutting the plate material with the first cutting device to separate the continuous casting machine from at least a part of the rolling mill, and reducing the casting speed of the continuous casting machine from the second speed v2 to the first speed v1 so that the liquid core end position of the plate material can be moved backward, b) A step of cutting the plate material with the first cutting device to obtain a first portion of the plate material that moves toward at least one rolling stand belonging to the rolling mill, c) After the liquid core end position retracts upstream of the second cutting device, the second cutting device cuts the plate material to obtain a second portion of the plate material that advances toward the rolling mill, The first and second portions are each transported at a third speed at least greater than the first speed v1, thereby providing time available for operations to be performed in at least a portion of the rolling mill, so that the space in at least the at least two horizontal containment segments downstream of the second cutting device is used as a buffer for the portion of the plate upstream of the second portion.

[0019] In particular, the control of the first and second cutting devices, and the control of the casting and conveying speeds of the first and second parts (accelerating the first and second parts to the third speed) makes it possible to form a buffer within the area occupied by the casting machine. This provides sufficient time to perform necessary operations in the rolling mill, such as the planned replacement of the work rolls, which takes about 10 minutes. Such a buffer is formed by decelerating the casting machine to a first casting speed v1, thereby moving the liquid core upstream of the second cutting device which is closer to the casting curve, and while maintaining the first casting speed v1, cutting the slab with the second cutting device, conveying the cut portion from the casting machine to the rolling mill for rolling, and accelerating these to a third speed greater than the first casting speed v1. This ensures that in at least two horizontal containment segments, there is space for the leading edge of the newly formed slab to advance at a low speed v1. Thus, this space constitutes a buffer that can be used in place of, or in addition to, a heating furnace that may be provided. As a result, it becomes possible to make the heating furnace smaller, which offers advantages from the perspectives of CAPEX, OPEX, and the environment.

[0020] Therefore, operations in the rolling mill, such as the replacement or maintenance of the work rolls, are performed after the first and second portions of the plate material have been rolled, and before the leading edge of the new plate material reaches the rolling mill.

[0021] Since the working cylinders or rolls can be appropriately replaced as needed without stopping the production of rolled strips, the plant of the present invention can produce multiple types of steel such as peritectic steel, silicon steel grades and IF steel grades.

[0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments.

[0023] The dependent claims describe particular embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example.

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a side view of three embodiments of the plant according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of a first modification of the cutting device of the plant according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a side view of a second modification of the cutting device. [Figure 4] It is a side view of a third modification of the cutting device. [Figure 5] It is a further side view of the second and third modifications of the cutting device. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing the movement of cutting a slab by the cutting device.

[0026] The same reference signs and characters in the drawings indicate the same elements or components. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Figure 1 shows several layout examples of a continuous casting and rolling plant for continuously producing strips according to the present invention.

[0028] In all embodiments of the present invention, along the processing line, the plant comprises: A continuous casting machine 1 is configured to cast flat material such as a slab along a casting curved section 7, and is equipped with at least two horizontal containment segments 3 downstream of the casting curved section 7 for accommodating the progress of the flat material, A rolling mill 35, 39 comprising a rough rolling row 35 including at least one rough rolling stand having a corresponding work roll, and a finish rolling row 39 located downstream of the rough rolling row 35 and including at least one finish rolling stand having a corresponding work roll, Preferably a cooling device 40, particularly a laminar flow cooling device, It comprises a winding reel or a downcoiler 42.

[0029] The continuous casting machine 1 is configured to cast flat material at a first speed v1 and a second speed v2 which is greater than the first speed v1.

[0030] The second speed v2 is the speed at which the plant operates at full capacity in an endless loop system, and can be, for example, 6 m / min.

[0031] The first cutting device 4 is located downstream of the at least two horizontal containment segments 3 and may be located upstream or downstream of the roughing row 35, but in either case it is located upstream of the finishing row 39.

[0032] Preferably, at least one second cutting device 2 is provided, positioned downstream of the casting curved section 7 and upstream of the first cutting device 4. This second cutting device 2 is used to cut the casting material after the casting speed has decreased from a second speed v2 to a first speed v1, and after the end position of the liquid core of the casting material has moved upstream of the second cutting device 2. For example, the first speed v1 can be in the range of 2 to 3 m / min.

[0033] The cast material is preferably a slab, for example, with a thickness of 150 to 170 mm, preferably 160 mm, at the crystallizer exit. After thickness reduction by soft reduction, the slab is discharged from containment segment 3 with a thickness of approximately 140 mm.

[0034] Preferably, in all modified layouts of the plant, the hot rolling mill is (Figure 1), A rough rolling row or first rolling row 35, which preferably includes 2 to 4 rough rolling stands, for hot rough rolling of slabs to obtain blanks called transfer bars, The system comprises a finish rolling row or second rolling row 39, which preferably includes 4 to 7 finish rolling stands, for hot finish rolling of transfer bars to obtain strips.

[0035] In its first embodiment, the plant according to the present invention may include the following in order (Figure 1a): • Cast curved section 7 ·Cutting device 2 • At least two horizontal containment segments 3, 3' ·Cutting device 4 • Heating furnaces 5 and 6 (which also function as buffers. Preferably, a tunnel furnace 5 having a heating element is provided. The heating element can be any known type, such as a gas burner or hydromethane burner, or an electrical resistor. These may be used in combination. A terminal section may also be provided with an induction heating device 6 for maintaining, homogenizing, or raising the temperature of the slab.) • A vertical rolling stand 33 (edger) may be provided as needed (to reduce the slab width, bringing it closer to the desired strip width, thereby reducing waste and improving yield). • A first descaler 34 may be provided as needed (placed immediately before the roughening arrangement 35). ·Rough rolling row 35 • Shears 36 may be provided as needed (to cut the transfer bar in an emergency or remove any irregularly shaped ends. This avoids damage to the work rolls of the finishing rolling row 39, reduces the probability of cobble formation, and suppresses waste generation.) • Heating device, preferably a rapid induction heating device 37 (its output is adjustable. It can be operated as appropriate to restore the temperature lost by rough rolling and allow the product to be discharged from the finish rolling mill while maintaining the austenite region.) • A second descaler 38 may be provided as needed (located immediately before the finishing rolling row 39). Finished roll row 39 • Laminar flow cooling device 40 (for example, having the shape of a roller table. It is positioned downstream of the second rolling row 39 and immediately before the cutting means 41. The roller table is equipped with a laminar flow cooling system for cooling the upper and lower surfaces of the rolling strip.) • At least two winding devices 42 (located downstream of the cutting means 41 and forming a winding station 9. Preferably, these include, for example, a gripping roll, a deflecting roll, a winding reel, a winding roll, and a coil discharge system.)

[0036] The lengths of the heating furnaces 5 and 6 are preferably 80m or less, more preferably 60m or less, and even more preferably 40m or less, for example, in the range of 20 to 40m.

[0037] The length from the top of the crystallizer to the exit of at least two horizontal containment segments 3 is preferably 60 m or less, more preferably in the range of 40 to 50 m. This length is measured along the casting curve and the initial horizontal section of the plant.

[0038] A second embodiment of the plant according to the present invention (Figure 1b) differs from the first embodiment in that it includes the following features. • Tunnel furnace 5 (located between the cutting device 4 and the rough rolling row 35. Similar to or shorter than the heating furnace in the first embodiment.) • Another tunnel furnace 5' (located between the rough rolling row 35 and the finish rolling row 39, in place of the rapid induction heating device 37 provided in the first embodiment.)

[0039] The tunnel reactor 5 may be provided with at least one compartment equipped with an induction heating device.

[0040] The length of the tunnel furnace 5 is preferably 60m or less, more preferably 40m or less, for example, in the range of 20 to 40m.

[0041] In the third embodiment of the plant shown in Figure 1c, no heating furnace is provided between the casting machine and the rough rolling row 35. Therefore, the rough rolling row is positioned immediately after the casting machine, and there is virtually no intermediate space for inserting buffers. The following are provided in order: • Cast curved section 7 ·Cutting device 2 • At least two horizontal containment segments 3 • Vertical rolling stand 33 (edger) provided as needed • A first descaler 34 may be provided as needed (placed immediately before the roughening arrangement 35). ·Rough rolling row 35 ·Cutting device 4 • Rapid induction heating device 37 (Raises the temperature of the transfer bar.) • A second descaler 38 may be provided as needed (located immediately before the finishing rolling row 39). Finished roll row 39 ·Laminar flow cooling device 40 ·Cutting means 41 • At least two winding devices 42 (forming the winding station 9).

[0042] In all embodiments of the plant according to the present invention, the distance between the cutting device 2 and the cutting device 4 may be in the range of 18 to 40 m, preferably in the range of 20 to 35 m. In an advantageous modification, the distance between the cutting device 2 and the cutting device 4 may be in the range of 20 to 30 m, preferably in the range of 20 to 25 m.

[0043] The cutting device 4 is, for example, a pendulum-type shear for cutting slabs.

[0044] Preferably, the cutting device 2 may include one or more hydraulic shears, one or more oxygen acetylene torches, one or more rotary disc shears, one or more milling cutters having a rotary tool, or other suitable cutting tools.

[0045] Furthermore, in all embodiments of the plant, each containment segment 3, 3' comprises an upper member 10 having an upper containment roll 11 and a lower member 12 having a lower containment roll 13.

[0046] In a preferred modification that can be implemented in all of the above embodiments of the plant, the at least one cutting device 2 is positioned in a standby position to the side of one of the at least two horizontal containment segments 3', and is movable from the standby position to the cutting position and in the reverse direction. This preferred modification allows for a further compaction of the plant layout length.

[0047] The containment segment 3' in which the cutting device 2 is positioned laterally may be the containment segment closest to the cast curved portion 7, as shown in Figure 1, or it may be an intermediate containment segment within the group of containment segments 3, as shown in Figure 2.

[0048] In the first embodiment of the preferred modification shown in Figure 2, both the cutting device 2 and the containment segment 3' are positioned side by side laterally with respect to the processing line, i.e., laterally with respect to the conveying line for the cast slab material 14, and are movable laterally with respect to the processing line. This ensures that only one of the cutting device 2 or the containment segment 3' is positioned on the processing line.

[0049] The example in Figure 2 specifically shows the intermediate containment segment 3' moving laterally outward in a first direction, while the cutting device 2 is moving from a standby position to a cutting position in the same first direction. Preferably, the cutting device 2 is also configured to move parallel to the conveying direction of the flat material 14 and at the same conveying speed as the flat material when it moves to the cutting position. This allows for complete cutting across the entire width of the flat material 14.

[0050] If necessary, the upper member 10 of the intermediate containment segment 3' is preferably configured to rotate approximately 90° to reach a substantially vertical position in order to avoid the risk of contact with the material during movement.

[0051] In the example shown in Figure 2, the cutting device 2 is equipped with multiple oxygen acetylene torches, as an example only. The torches are configured to move parallel to the transport direction of the casting material 14 and at the same transport speed as the casting material while the cutting device 2 moves to the cutting position, in order to make a complete cut across the entire width of the flat material 14. Alternatively, any cutting tool capable of cutting a casting flat material in transit can be used.

[0052] In another embodiment, at least one of the upper member 10 and lower member 12 of a containment segment 3' in which at least one cutting device 2 is positioned laterally is configured to be displaceable in such a way as to ensure space for the cutting device 2 to move from a standby position to a cutting position and in the reverse direction.

[0053] In particular, in the second embodiment, both the upper member 10 and the lower member 12 of the containment segment 3', on which at least one cutting device 2 is positioned laterally, are configured to be movable in order to secure the space.

[0054] For example, Figure 3 shows an example configuration in which both the upper member 10 and the lower member 12 of the containment segment 3' rotate by approximately 90° to reach a substantially vertical position in order to secure the aforementioned space.

[0055] Alternatively, in the third embodiment, only the lower member 12 is configured to be movable, preferably rotatable, in order to secure the space.

[0056] For example, Figure 4 shows an example configuration in which the lower member 12 of the containment segment 3' is divided into two parts 12' and 12'', each hinged at its outer end, and each rotates to secure the space.

[0057] In these examples in Figures 3 and 4, the cutting device 2 includes, for illustrative purposes only, a rotating disc shear 15 as shown in Figure 5.

[0058] Such a rotating disc shear 15 is fixed to a support structure 16.

[0059] In particular, the shear 15 is slidable on the guide 17 provided on the support structure 16, and can move from the standby position 18 to the cutting position 19, or in the reverse direction.

[0060] Furthermore, the support structure 16 is also slidable, for example, within the frame 20, parallel to the transport direction of the cast material 14 and at the same transport speed as the cast material. This allows the shear 15 to perform a complete cut across the entire width of the product 14 when it moves to the cutting position. Figure 6 schematically shows different positions of the shear 15. The shear 15 cuts the flat material 14 laterally with respect to the transport direction A, while simultaneously moving parallel to the transport direction A. Arrows B and C indicate the two components of the movement of the shear 15 during cutting.

[0061] Alternatively, any cutting tool capable of cutting the cast plate material while it is being transported can be used.

[0062] In both the second and third embodiments, it is also possible to provide two second cutting devices 2 (not shown) located on the side of the containment segment 3' at their respective standby positions, opposite each other with respect to the processing line.

[0063] The following describes a method for performing operations in the rolling mills 35 and 39 of a continuous casting and rolling plant according to any of the embodiments described above, while transitioning from an endless system to a discontinuous system without interrupting the production of castings and rolled strips.

[0064] The continuous casting machine 1 is configured to cast slabs at a first speed v1 and a second speed v2 greater than the first speed v1.

[0065] In all of the above modifications, the method includes the following steps: a) A step of cutting the slab with the first cutting device 4 to separate the material and detach the continuous casting machine 1 from at least a part of the rolling mills 35 and 39, and reducing the casting speed of the continuous casting machine 1 from the second speed v2 to the first speed v1 so that the liquid core end position of the casting slab can be moved back. b) A step of cutting the cast slab with the cutting device 4 to obtain a first portion of the slab that advances toward at least one rolling stand belonging to the rolling mills 35, 39. Preferably, each of the first portions has a length corresponding to the weight of a single coil of the rolled product formed in the winding device 42. c) After the liquid core end position has retracted upstream of the cutting device 2, the cutting device 2 cuts the cast slab to obtain a second portion of the slab that advances toward the rolling mills 35 and 39. Preferably, the second portion has a length corresponding to the weight or a multiple of the weight of a single coil of the rolled product.

[0066] Advantageously, the first and second portions of the slab are transported toward at least one rolling stand belonging to the rolling mills 35 and 39 at a third speed greater than at least a first speed v1, respectively. This provides time available for operations to be performed in at least a portion of the rolling mills 35 and 39. In addition, this allows space in at least the two horizontal containment segments 3 downstream of the cutting device 2 to be used as a buffer for the upstream portion of the slab of the second portion.

[0067] For example, this third velocity may be greater than, equal to, or less than the second velocity v2.

[0068] Therefore, operations in the rolling mill, such as changing the work rolls or maintenance interventions, are performed during the time between the completion of rolling the first and second portions of the casting slab and the start of rolling the upstream portion of the second portion.

[0069] Preferably, a drive roller table is provided for transporting the slab or portion thereof to at least one rolling stand belonging to the rolling mills 35, 39.

[0070] In particular, the roller table comprises at least a first section 43 positioned between the cutting device 2 and the cutting device 4, and a second section 44 positioned directly downstream of the cutting device 4.

[0071] Both the first section 43 and the second section 44 of the drive roller table are controlled independently of each other by their respective control systems or by a single control system. This allows for adjustment of the transport speed of the second portion of the slab cut by the cutting device 2 and the first portion of the slab cut by the cutting device 4, respectively.

[0072] The first section of the drive roller table includes at least the lower containment roll 13 of the containment segment 3, which is located downstream of the cutting device 2 (Figures 1 and 2).

[0073] A first modification of the method of the present invention is carried out using the plant of the embodiment shown in Figures 1a and 1b. This plant has heating furnaces 5 and 6 between the cutting device 4 and the rough rolling row 35. After step c), the cutting device 2 cuts the cast slab, thereby obtaining at least one third portion of the slab. The third portion preferably has a length corresponding to the weight of the coil of the rolled product. The third portion is held in the heating furnaces 5 and 6, thereby obtaining the time interval between the end of rolling the second portion and the start of rolling the third portion.

[0074] In this case, the space used as a buffer includes both the space in at least two horizontal containment segments 3 and the spaces in the heating furnaces 5 and 6.

[0075] Preferably, at least one third portion of the slab is conveyed in the heating furnaces 5, 6 at a fourth speed lower than the third speed and preferably greater than at least the first speed v1. The control system or single control system that controls the first and second sections of the drive roller table also allows for adjustment of the conveying speed of at least one third portion of the slab.

[0076] The fourth velocity is lower than the third velocity, but may be greater than, equal to, or less than the second velocity v2.

[0077] A second modification of the method of the present invention is carried out using the plant of the embodiment shown in Figure 1c. This plant does not have a heating furnace that functions as a buffer between the casting machine and the rough rolling row 35.

[0078] In this case, the space used as a buffer includes only the space of at least two horizontal containment segments 3.

[0079] In all variations of the method of the present invention, after operations in the rolling mills 35 and 39 are performed during the time period, the casting speed of the continuous casting machine 1 is increased from a first speed v1 to a second speed v2, and the plant can resume operation from a discontinuous mode to an endless mode.

[0080] Preferably, operations in the rolling mills 35 and 39 may include replacing work rolls, planned maintenance interventions, or sudden maintenance interventions in the event of cobble or malfunction.

Claims

1. A method for performing operations in a rolling mill (35, 39) of a continuous casting and rolling plant for manufacturing strips, the method being performed while switching from an endless method to a discontinuous method without interrupting casting, The aforementioned plant, along the processing line, A continuous casting machine (1) is configured to cast flat plates along a casting curved section (7), and has at least two horizontal containment segments (3) downstream of the casting curved section (7) for accommodating the flat plates, A rolling mill (35, 39) comprising a rough rolling row (35) including at least one rough rolling stand having a corresponding work roll, and a finish rolling row (39) located downstream of the rough rolling row (35) and including at least one finish rolling stand having a corresponding work roll, A first cutting device (4) is located downstream of the at least two horizontal containment segments (3), The system comprises at least one second cutting device (2) located downstream of the cast curved portion (7) and upstream of the first cutting device (4), The continuous casting machine (1) has at least a first speed v １ , and the first speed v １ A larger second velocity v ２ The system is configured to cast the aforementioned flat plate material, The aforementioned method, a) The first cutting device (4) cuts the plate material, separating the continuous casting machine (1) from at least a part of the rolling mill (35, 39), and the casting speed of the continuous casting machine (1) is set to the second speed v so that the liquid core end position of the plate material can be moved backward. ２ From the first velocity v １ A process to reduce the value, b) A step of cutting the plate material with the first cutting device (4) to obtain a first portion of the plate material that moves toward at least one rolling stand belonging to the rolling mill (35, 39), c) After the liquid core end position retracts upstream of the second cutting device (2), the second cutting device (2) cuts the plate material to obtain a second portion of the plate material that advances toward the rolling mill (35, 39), The first and second parts each have at least the first velocity v １ The material is transported at a greater third speed, thereby providing time available for operation in at least a portion of the rolling mill (35, 39), so that the space in at least the two horizontal containment segments (3) downstream of the second cutting device (2) is used as a buffer for the portion of the plate material upstream of the second portion. method.

2. The first cutting device (4) is positioned between the at least two horizontal containment segments (3) and the rough rolling row (35), A heating furnace (5, 6) is provided between the first cutting device (4) and the rough rolling row (35). After step c), the flat plate material is cut by the second cutting device (2), thereby obtaining at least one third portion of the flat plate material. Preferably, the at least one third portion has a length corresponding to the weight of the coil of the rolled product, The at least one third portion is held in the heating furnace (5, 6) which is used as an additional buffer, thereby providing the time interval between the end of rolling of the second portion and the start of rolling of the at least one third portion. Preferably, the at least one third portion of the flat plate material operates at a speed lower than the third speed, and preferably at least the first speed v, within at least one of the heating furnaces (5, 6). １ Transported at a higher fourth velocity, The method according to claim 1.

3. After the operation is performed in at least a part of the rolling mills (35, 39), the casting speed of the continuous caster (1) is adjusted to the first speed v １ from the first speed v to the second speed v ２ can be increased, and the plant restarts operation from a discontinuous mode to an endless mode, Preferably, the operation includes replacing or maintaining the work roll. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In step b), each of the first parts has a length corresponding to the weight of a single coil of the rolled product, In step c), the second portion has a length corresponding to the weight or multiple of the weight of a single coil of the rolled product. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A drive roller table is provided for transporting the flat plate material or a portion thereof to at least one rolling stand belonging to the rolling mill (35, 39), The drive roller table comprises at least, A first section (43) is positioned between the at least one second cutting device (2) and the first cutting device (4), The system comprises a second section (44) located directly downstream of the first cutting device (4), Both the first and second sections of the drive roller table are controlled independently of each other by their respective control systems or by a single control system, and the transport speeds of the second portion of the flat material cut by the second cutting device (2) and the first portion of the flat material cut by the first cutting device (4) are adjusted, respectively. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A continuous casting and rolling plant configured to produce strips by performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The aforementioned plant, along the processing line, The continuous casting machine (1) is configured to cast flat plates along a casting curved section (7) and includes at least two horizontal containment segments (3) downstream of the casting curved section (7) for accommodating the flat plates, A rolling mill (35, 39) comprises a rough rolling row (35) including at least one rough rolling stand having a corresponding work roll, and a finish rolling row (39) located downstream of the rough rolling row (35) and including at least one finish rolling stand having a corresponding work roll, A first cutting device (4) is provided, located downstream of the at least two horizontal containment segments (3). At least one second cutting device (2) is provided, which is located downstream of the cast curved portion (7) and upstream of the first cutting device (4). The distance between the first cutting device (4) and the second cutting device (2) is within the range of 18 m to 40 m, preferably within the range of 20 m to 35 m, and more preferably within the range of 20 m to 30 m. plant.

7. The at least one second cutting device (2) is positioned in a standby position to the side of one of the at least two horizontal containment segments (3) (3'), and is movable from the standby position to the cutting position and in the reverse direction. The plant according to claim 6.

8. Both the second cutting device (2) and the containment segment (3') are movable laterally relative to the processing line, so that only one of the second cutting device (2) or the containment segment (3') is positioned on the processing line. The plant according to claim 7.

9. The containment segment (3') of the at least two horizontal containment segments (3) is the containment segment closest to the cast curved portion (7), or the intermediate containment segment among the at least three containment segments. The plant according to claim 8.

10. The containment segment (3') comprises an upper member (10) having an upper containment roll (11) and a lower member (12) having a lower containment roll (13), At least one of the upper member (10) and the lower member (12) is configured to be displaceable so as to secure space for the at least one second cutting device (2) to pass from the standby position to the cutting position and in the reverse direction. The plant according to claim 7.

11. Both the upper member (10) and the lower member (12) are configured to be movable so as to secure the space, or The lower member (12) is divided into two parts (12', 12''), each hinged at its outer end, and is configured to move to secure the space. The plant according to claim 10.

12. Two second cutting devices (2) are provided, positioned on the side of the containment segment (3') and in their respective standby positions opposite each other with respect to the processing line. The plant according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The at least one second cutting device (2) is one or more hydraulic shears, one or more oxygen acetylene torches, one or more rotary disc shears, or one or more milling cutters having a rotary tool. The plant according to any one of claims 6 to 12.

14. The first cutting device (4) is positioned between the at least two horizontal containment segments (3) and the rough rolling row (35), Between the first cutting device (4) and the rough rolling row (35), at least one heating furnace (5, 6) having a length of 80 m or less, more preferably 60 m or less, and even more preferably 40 m or less is provided. The plant according to any one of claims 6 to 13.

15. The at least one heating furnace (5, 6) comprises a tunnel furnace (5) having a heating element, and preferably has at least one compartment equipped with an induction heating device (6). The plant according to claim 14.

16. At least one rapid induction heating device (37) or tunnel furnace (5') is provided downstream of the rough rolling row (35) and upstream of the finish rolling row (39). The plant according to any one of claims 6 to 15.

17. The first cutting device (4) is positioned between the rough rolling row (35) and the finish rolling row (39), preferably between the rough rolling row (35) and a rapid induction heating device (37) positioned downstream of the rough rolling row (35) and upstream of the finish rolling row (39). The plant according to any one of claims 6 to 13.

18. A drive roller table is provided for transporting the flat plate material, or the portion of the flat plate material cut by the first cutting device (4) or the second cutting device (2), to at least one rolling stand belonging to the rolling mill (35, 39). The drive roller table comprises at least, A first section (43) is positioned between the at least one second cutting device (2) and the first cutting device (4), The system comprises a second section (44) located directly downstream of the first cutting device (4), Both the first and second sections of the drive roller table are controlled independently of each other by their respective control systems or by a single control system, and are configured to adjust the transport speed of the flat material section. The plant according to any one of claims 6 to 17.

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