Strand guide of a continuous-casting installation having a movable separating device

Abstract

Liquid metal (3) is cast to form a metal strand (4) by means of a continuous-casting die (2) of a continuous-casting installation (1). The cast metal strand (4) is drawn off from the continuous-casting die (2) at a drawing-off rate (vA) in a drawing-off direction (x) by means of a strand guide (5) of the continuous-casting installation. When it is being drawn off from the continuous-casting die (2), the cast metal strand (4) has a solid strand shell (6) and a still-liquid core (7), which gradually solidifies while the cast metal strand (4) is running through the strand guide (5). A control device (14) controls a separating device (10) of the continuous-casting installation (1) as and when required in such a way that the separating device (10) detaches an already solidified portion (11) of the metal strand (4) from the cast metal strand (4) at a cutting location (12). The cutting location (12) is that location along the strand guide (5) at which the detachment of the already solidified portion (11) from the cast metal strand (4) begins. Before the respective detachment, the respective cutting location (12), as seen in the drawing-off direction (x), is known to the control device (14) individually for the respective detaching operation. Before the respective detachment, the control device (14) positions the separating device (10) at the respective cutting location (12), as seen in the drawing-off direction (x).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention

[0003] Strand guide of a continuous casting plant with movable separating device

[0004] field of technology

[0005] The present invention is based on an operating method for a plant in the metal industry,

[0006] - whereby liquid metal is poured into a metal strand by means of a continuous casting mould of a continuous casting plant in the metal industry,

[0007] - wherein the cast metal strand is withdrawn from the continuous casting mould by means of a strand guide of the continuous casting plant at a withdrawal speed in a withdrawal direction,

[0008] - the cast metal strand has a solid strand shell and a still liquid core when withdrawn from the continuous casting mould,

[0009] - whereby the core gradually solidifies while the cast metal strand passes through the strand guide,

[0010] - wherein a control device controls a separating device of the continuous casting plant as required in such a way that the separating device separates an already solidified section of the metal strand from the cast metal strand at a cutting location,

[0011] - the cutting location being the location along the strand guide at which the separation of the already solidified section from the cast metal strand begins.

[0012] In most cases, the metal strand emerges from the continuous casting mold vertically downwards and is gradually deflected horizontally later on. This situation also generally applies within the scope of the present invention. However, it is of secondary importance for the purposes of the invention. It is important, however, to note that the term "withdrawal direction" does not refer to a direction that is fixed once and then remains unchanged throughout the entire strand guide, but rather always locally refers to the direction in which the cast metal strand is currently moving. The withdrawal direction can therefore depend on the location within the strand guide. At a specific location, the withdrawal direction is naturally constant over time.

[0013] The cutting device can be designed as a flame cutting machine or hydraulic shears, as required, both in the prior art and within the scope of the present invention. The cutting location is the point along the strand guide where the cutting of the respective section begins.

[0014] The present invention further relates to a control program for a control device for at least one separating device of a continuous casting plant of a plant in the metal industry, wherein by means of a continuous casting mold of the continuous casting plant, liquid metal is cast into a metal strand, which is withdrawn from the continuous casting mold by means of a strand guide of the continuous casting plant at a withdrawal speed, so that the cast metal strand, when withdrawn from the continuous casting mold, has a solid strand shell and a still liquid core, which gradually solidifies while the metal strand passes through the strand guide, wherein the control program comprises machine code which can be processed by the control device, wherein the processing of the machine code by the control device causes

[0015] - that the control device controls the separating device, if necessary, in such a way that the separating device separates an already solidified section of the metal strand from the metal strand at a cutting location, wherein the cutting location is the location along the strand guide at which the separation of the already solidified section from the cast metal strand begins.

[0016] The present invention further relates to a control device for at least one separating device of a continuous casting plant of a metal industry plant, wherein the control device is programmed with such a control program so that it carries out such an operating method during operation.

[0017] The present invention is further based on a plant in the metal industry,

[0018] - the metal industry plant includes a continuous casting plant,

[0019] - wherein the continuous casting plant comprises a continuous casting mold for casting liquid metal into a metal strand,

[0020] - wherein the continuous casting plant has a strand guide arranged downstream of the continuous casting mould for withdrawing the cast metal strand from the continuous casting mould at a withdrawal speed,

[0021] - the metal strand has a solid strand shell and a still liquid core when withdrawn from the continuous casting mould, and the core gradually solidifies as the metal strand passes through the strand guide,

[0022] - wherein the continuous casting plant has a separating device for separating a respective already solidified section of the metal strand from the metal strand,

[0023] - wherein the metal industry plant has a control device that controls at least the separating device. State of the art

[0024] Such an operating method and the associated plant in the metal industry are known from WO 2019 / 193 512 A1. DE 24 37 294 B1, AT 301 778 B and DE 28 24 699 A1 can also be mentioned in this context.

[0025] Summary of the invention

[0026] During the continuous casting of metal—for example, steel—the cast metal strand emerges from the continuous casting mold with an already solidified strand shell and a still-liquid core. It is intensively cooled in the subsequent strand guide and gradually solidifies until it is completely solidified. After complete solidification, sections of the cast metal strand are often cut off and then further processed, for example, fed directly or indirectly to a rolling mill. However, processes are also known in which a casting-rolling mill is operated in continuous operation.

[0027] In the prior art, the cutting location—that is, the location where the cutting device is located and where the cutting of the respective section begins—is fixed. The cutting location is determined such that the metal strand is completely solidified at the cutting location, even when the metal strand is withdrawn from the continuous casting mold at the maximum possible withdrawal speed. The maximum possible withdrawal speed is determined by the design of the continuous casting plant, in particular the casting format.

[0028] If possible, the continuous caster is operated at the maximum possible take-off speed (or slightly below it). However, this is not always possible. For example, disruptions in the casting process can occur that require the take-off speed to be reduced. One example of such a disruption is shell stickiness, which must be eliminated in time before a strand breakage occurs. Disruptions in downstream processes can also occur. An example of a planned "disruption" is a roll change in a rolling stand of a rolling mill downstream of the continuous caster. An unplanned disruption is, for example, a walkover when threading a rolled product into a rolling stand. Even in the event of disruptions, casting as such is maintained as far as possible. However, the take-off speed must be reduced.Reducing the withdrawal speed results in the point at which the core has completely solidified, i.e. where the metal strand has solidified, moving towards the continuous casting mold. Furthermore, this means that the cast metal strand has already cooled down considerably by the time it reaches the cutting point in the prior art. This means that high forces or large amounts of energy are required to separate the respective section from the cast metal strand. Downstream processes, such as rolling in a downstream rolling mill or heating up prior to rolling in the rolling mill, are also adversely affected. If a casting and rolling mill is operated in continuous operation, it may also be necessary to switch from continuous operation to batch operation. Under certain circumstances, it may even be possible that separation is no longer possible at all, resulting in the casting being aborted.

[0029] From WO 2019 / 193 512 A1, it is known to provide a further separation device in addition to the separation device, which is always present in the prior art. The further separation device is arranged upstream of the first-mentioned separation device in the withdrawal direction. Depending on the operating conditions of the continuous casting plant, one or the other separation device is operated.

[0030] The teaching of WO 2019 / 193 512 A1 leads to a certain improvement. However, it is disadvantageous because two separate cutting devices are required. The operating mode is also relatively rigid, since the metal strand can only be separated at the cutting location of one cutting device or at the cutting location of the other cutting device.

[0031] The object of the present invention is to create possibilities by means of which the disadvantages of the prior art can be avoided in a simple manner.

[0032] The object is achieved by an operating method having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the operating method are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 8.

[0033] According to the invention, an operating method of the type mentioned at the outset is designed in that

[0034] - that the control device knows the cutting location individually for each cutting process in the pull-off direction before each cutting operation and

[0035] - that the control device positions the separating device at the respective cutting location, seen in the pull-off direction, before the respective separation.

[0036] The control system therefore always positions the separating device according to the cutting location known to it for the respective separation process. As a rule, the cutting location is determined, if possible, so that the cutting location is as close as possible to the solidification point—while maintaining a safety margin if necessary. The solidification point is the location of the liquid core's sump tip.

[0037] It is possible for the control system to receive the respective cutting location from an operator before each cut. In this case, the specification is made as required as an absolute value ("move the cutting device to the specified position") or by issuing movement commands ("continue to move as long as the operator requests"). This procedure is particularly simple.

[0038] Alternatively, it is possible for the control device to be informed of a solidification point within the strand guide at which the cast metal strand has completely solidified before each cutting operation, and for the control device to determine the cutting point based on the solidification point. The solidification point can be known to the control device, for example, through a specification from the operator.

[0039] It is also possible for the control system to determine the solidification location based on operating data of the continuous casting plant known to the control system. This approach is particularly flexible. The operating data that can be considered include, in particular, the casting format (width and thickness of the cast metal strand) and the withdrawal speed. If necessary, the extent to which the cast metal strand is cooled in the strand guide may also be relevant. The control system determines the solidification location by modeling the solidification behavior of the cast metal strand. In particular, when determining the solidification location, the control system takes into account the period of time during which the individual regions of the cast metal strand are cooled.

[0040] Preferably, the severed section is transported further by means of the strand guide from the point of separation from the cast metal strand at a transport speed which is greater than the withdrawal speed. This minimizes the time required to reach the next processing station. The severed section can therefore be fed to the next treatment facility with relatively low thermal losses. If the metal industry plant includes a rolling mill arranged in line with the strand guide, the severed sections of the metal strand can in particular be fed to the rolling mill and rolled in the rolling mill using the casting heat. The metal industry plant is therefore preferably designed not as a pure continuous casting plant, but as a casting and rolling plant. If necessary, a furnace can be arranged between the strand guide and the rolling mill.

[0041] During the cutting of the respective section of the metal strand, the control device often moves the cutting device by a cutting path in the withdrawal direction, starting from the cutting location.

[0042] The extent by which the control device moves the cutting device while severing each section of the metal strand, i.e. the cutting path, is quite small. The cutting path is usually in the low single-digit meter range, for example in the case of hydraulic shears in the range between 1 m and 2 m, and for a flame cutting machine between 2 m and 4 m. The possible travel path within which the control device can position the cutting device is, however, greater than the cutting path, often even considerably greater. As a rule, the possible travel path satisfies the condition that the possible travel path is at least three times, preferably at least five times, and particularly preferably at least ten times as large as the cutting path and / or at least 10 m and preferably at least 25 m. Of course, even greater values ​​are also possible, for example 20 times, 30 times, or an even greater multiple of the cutting path.a possible travel range of 50 m, 80 m, or 100 m. The numerical values ​​given are purely exemplary.

[0043] During transport through the strand guide, the cast metal strand is guided on at least one side (namely at the bottom) by transport rollers of the strand guide. As soon as the cast metal strand has reached the horizontal, transport rollers are generally only attached to the cast metal strand on the underside of the cast metal strand. Preferably, those transport rollers of the strand guide that are located between an initial position, where the cutting device is located before positioning at the cutting location, and the cutting location are retracted from the metal strand during positioning of the cutting device and then reattached to the metal strand. This results in considerable structural simplifications of the strand guide. The retraction and re-attachment can be carried out individually for the respective transport roller or in groups for several transport rollers as required.

[0044] The retraction and repositioning of the transport rollers can be implemented as required. For example, corresponding actuators can be assigned to the transport rollers. In this case, the actuators can be controlled in particular by the control device. The actuators can be designed, for example, as hydraulic cylinders. It is also possible for the transport rollers to be pivotally mounted and for counterweights to apply a force which deflects them upwards until they hit either stationary stops on the strand guide or the cast metal strand. In this case, the cutting device or a carriage on which the cutting device is arranged can, for example, have a slotted guide which temporarily deflects the transport rollers downwards from their raised position. The retraction of the transport rollers from the metal strand preferably takes place downwards.However, it doesn't have to be directed completely downwards. Rather, it's possible to first move the transport rollers slightly downwards, so that they no longer touch the metal strand, and then move them sideways. In this case, repositioning them onto the metal strand also occurs in the reverse order.

[0045] The object is further achieved by a control program having the features of claim 9. An advantageous embodiment of the control program is the subject of dependent claim 10. According to the invention, the processing of the control program by the control device - in addition to controlling the separating device for separating the respective section

[0046] - that the control device knows the cutting location individually for each cutting process in the pull-off direction before each cutting operation and

[0047] - that the control device positions the separating device at the respective cutting location, seen in the pull-off direction, before the respective separation.

[0048] The advantages achieved thereby correspond to those of the operating procedure.

[0049] Preferably, the processing of the machine code by the control device further causes the control device to execute the method steps of at least one of the advantageous embodiments of the operating method explained above. The advantages achieved in each case correspond, as before, to those of the operating method.

[0050] The object is further achieved by a control device having the features of claim 11. According to the invention, the control device is programmed with a control program according to the invention, so that the control device executes an operating method according to the invention during operation.

[0051] The advantages achieved in this way correspond to those of the corresponding design of the operating procedure.

[0052] The problem is further solved by a metal industry plant having the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments of the metal industry plant are the subject of dependent claims 13 to 15.

[0053] According to the invention, a plant in the metal industry of the type mentioned at the outset is designed in such a way that

[0054] - that the separating device is movable in the withdrawal direction over a possible travel path and can be positioned at a respective cutting location within the possible travel path, wherein the cutting location is the location along the strand guide at which the separation of the already solidified section from the cast metal strand begins, and

[0055] - that the control device is designed as a control device according to the invention.

[0056] The advantages achieved thereby correspond to those of the operating procedure.

[0057] Preferably, a rolling mill of the metal industry plant is arranged downstream of the strand guide, whereby the separated sections of the metal strand can be fed to the rolling mill via the strand guide and rolled by the rolling mill from the casting heat. This allows the separated sections to be fed to the rolling mill immediately after cutting and rolled there with minimal temperature loss.

[0058] Advantageously, the possible travel distance is at least 10 m and preferably at least 25 m. Furthermore, the cutting device is generally moved from the cutting location by one cutting distance in the withdrawal direction during the cutting of the respective section of the metal strand. In this case, the possible travel distance is advantageously greater than the cutting distance, preferably at least three times as large, particularly preferably at least five times as large, and especially at least ten times as large as the cutting distance. This increases the flexibility in operating the plant in the metal industry.

[0059] Typically, the strand guide comprises transport rollers for transporting the cast metal strand and / or the separated sections. Preferably, those transport rollers located within the possible travel path are designed as transport rollers that can be retracted from the metal strand and then repositioned against the metal strand. This design leads to a significant structural simplification in the design of the strand guide, particularly in the implementation of the movable cutting device.

[0060] Short description of the drawings

[0061] The above-described properties, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understood in connection with the following description of an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings.

[0062] FIG 1 a metal industry plant,

[0063] FIG 2 a flow chart,

[0064] FIGS 3 and 4 embodiments of the procedure of FIG 2,

[0065] FIG 5 a section of a metal strand and a separating device before separating the section,

[0066] FIG 6 a section of a metal strand and a separating device immediately after the section has been separated,

[0067] FIG 7 a section of a metal strand and a separating device after the section has been separated,

[0068] FIG 8 shows a simplified representation of a continuous casting plant and a downstream rolling mill and

[0069] FIGS 9 to 16 each show an area of ​​a strand guide with transport rollers.

[0070] Description of the Embodiments According to FIG. 1, a metal industry plant comprises at least one continuous casting plant 1. The metal industry plant may comprise further components in addition to the continuous casting plant 1. This will become apparent from later explanations.

[0071] The continuous casting plant 1, in turn, has a continuous casting mold 2. Liquid metal 3 is fed into the continuous casting mold 2 from above. The liquid metal 3 is poured into a metal strand 4 by means of the continuous casting mold 2. The feeding of the liquid metal 3 is generally known to those skilled in the art and is of secondary importance within the scope of the present invention. It will therefore not be explained in detail. The liquid metal 3 can be, for example, liquid steel or liquid aluminum. Other metals or metal alloys are also possible.

[0072] The continuous casting mold 1 further comprises a strand guide 5. The strand guide 5 is arranged downstream of the continuous casting mold 2. By means of the strand guide 5, the cast metal strand 4 is withdrawn from the continuous casting mold 2 at a withdrawal speed vA in a withdrawal direction x. The cast metal strand 4 is also intensively cooled in the strand guide 5.

[0073] When withdrawn from the continuous casting mold 2, the withdrawn metal strand 4 initially has only a relatively thin, solid (= solidified) strand shell 6. The strand shell 6 surrounds a core 7 of the metal strand. The core 7 is initially still liquid and gradually solidifies as the metal strand 4 passes through the strand guide 5. The metal strand 4 therefore has a slump tip 8. The slump tip 8 is the area of ​​the metal strand 4 in which the metal strand 4 has completely solidified.

[0074] The strand guide 5 has a plurality of transport rollers 9 for conveying the metal strand 4. The cast metal strand is transported by means of the transport rollers 9. Only a few of the transport rollers 9 are shown in FIG. 1. As a rule, the transport rollers 9 follow one another in a relatively close sequence in the withdrawal direction x.

[0075] The transport rollers 9 can surround the metal strand 4 on several sides. The metal strand 4 is often initially cast vertically, as shown in FIG 1, and then gradually deflected to the horizontal. As long as the metal strand 4 is guided essentially vertically, and also during the deflection to the horizontal, the metal strand 4 is generally supported on both sides by the transport rollers 9. After the deflection to the horizontal, it is possible for the metal strand 4 to be supported only on its underside by the transport rollers 9. Alternatively, it is possible for the metal strand 4 to be supported in this area on both its top and bottom sides by the transport rollers 9. The continuous casting plant 1 furthermore has a separating device 10. By means of the separating device 10, an already solidified section 11 of the metal strand 4 can be separated from the metal strand 4.To separate a respective section 11, the separating device 10 is always arranged at a location 12 (hereinafter referred to as cutting location 12) located behind the sump tip 8 in the withdrawal direction x. The cutting location 12 is the location at which the separation of the respective section 11 begins. As shown in FIG. 1, the separating device 10 can be moved in the withdrawal direction x over a possible travel path 13. The cutting location 12, at which the separating device 10 is positioned to separate the respective section 11, is therefore adjustable. FIG. 1 shows the separating device 10 in a central region between the limits of the possible travel path 13.

[0076] The metal industry plant also includes a control device 14. The control device 14 controls at least the separating device 10. It therefore outputs control signals C to the separating device 10. Furthermore, the control device 14 can also receive information from the separating device 10 or other components, as well as from outside. This is not shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity.

[0077] The control device 10 can also control other components of the metal industry plant, for example the strand guide 5 and / or the continuous casting mold 2. The control device 14 can also control these components if the metal industry plant has other components.

[0078] The control device 14 is programmed with a control program 15. The control program 15 includes machine code 16 that can be executed by the control device 14. Based on the programming of the control device 14 with the control program 15 or based on the execution of the machine code 16, the control device 14 controls (at least) the separating device 10 according to a procedure that is explained in more detail below in connection with FIG. 2.

[0079] According to FIG. 2, a cutting location 12 is known to the control device 14 in a step S1. The cutting location 12 is the location, viewed in the withdrawal direction x, at which a section 11 is to be separated from the metal strand 4 the next time. The cutting location 12 must be located behind a solidification location 17, viewed in the withdrawal direction x. According to FIG. 1, the solidification location 17, viewed in the withdrawal direction x, is the location at which the cast metal strand 4 has completely solidified (add: for the first time). The solidification location 17 is therefore the location within the strand guide 5 at which the sump tip 8 has transitioned into the solidified state.

[0080] In a step S2, the control device 14 positions the separating device 10 at the cutting location 12, as viewed in the withdrawal direction x. In a step S3, the control device 14 checks whether a condition for separating the section 11 from the cast metal strand 4 has occurred. If the condition has occurred, the control device 14 proceeds to a step S4. Otherwise, the control device 14 returns to step S1.

[0081] In step S4, the control device 14 controls the cutting device 10 such that the cutting device 10 separates the section 11 to be separated from the cast metal strand 4. Due to the positioning of the cutting device 10 at the cutting location 12, the section 11 to be separated has already completely solidified, thus no longer having a liquid core 7. From step S4, the control device 14 returns to step S1.

[0082] When the control device 14 returns from step S3 to step S1, a new positioning of the separating device 10 naturally only takes place if the specification of step S1 has changed.

[0083] Steps S1 and S2, as well as step S3, are performed before the respective section 11 is severed. In particular, step S2 (and this applies even more to step S1) is completed before the respective section 11 is severed. Step S4 is the separation itself.

[0084] The conditions of step S3 can be configured in various ways. For example, in step S3, the control device 14 can wait until a head 18 of the metal strand 4 (see FIG. 1) is at a predetermined distance from the cutting location 12, so that the section 11 to be severed now has a predetermined length. In this case, the corresponding control of the cutting device 10 is carried out iteratively and repeatedly. The control device 14 can also check whether a fault has occurred that requires a section 11 to be severed from the metal strand. Other conditions are also possible. In any case, however, the section 11 is severed from the metal strand 4 as needed.

[0085] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cutting location 12 is directly communicated to the control device 14. For example, the cutting location 12 can be specified directly as such to the control device 14 ("move to a specific cutting location 12"). Alternatively, the cutting location 12 can be specified by specifying travel commands ("move in or against the withdrawal direction x, as long as the corresponding travel command is present").

[0086] According to FIG. 3, it is possible for the solidification location 17 to be specified to the control device 14 in a step S11. In this case, the control device 14 itself determines the cutting location 12 in a step S12. The determination is made depending on the solidification location 17.

[0087] Alternatively, according to FIG 4, it is possible for operating data of the continuous casting plant 1 to become known to the control device 14 in steps S21 and S22. For example, a casting format F of the continuous casting mold 2 can become known to the control device 14 in step S21, and the withdrawal speed vA can become known to the control device 14 in step S22. For example, the control device 14 can have made the corresponding settings itself, provided that it controls the corresponding components of the continuous casting plant 1 itself. It is also possible for the aforementioned variables to be specified to the control device 14 in another way. Based on the now known operating data F, vA, the control device 14 can therefore independently determine the solidification location 17 (i.e., in essence, the position of the sump tip 8) in a step S23.For example, the control device 14 can implement a solidification model of the Meta II strand 4 and continuously determine and update the solidification location 17 using the solidification model.

[0088] The casting format F of the continuous casting mold 2 either does not change at all or changes only rarely. Therefore, in many cases, it is sufficient for the control device 14 to return to step S22 from step S4, i.e., step S21 is only executed once or is only executed again if the casting format F changes.

[0089] In the following, the separation of the respective section 11 from the metal strand 4 is explained in more detail in connection with FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0090] According to FIG. 5, the separating device 10 is positioned at the cutting location 12 before the respective section 11 is separated from the metal strand 4 and thus also at the beginning of the separation. The metal strand 4 is conveyed at the withdrawal speed va by means of the strand guide 5 (not shown in FIGS. 5 to 7). In the illustration according to FIG. 5, the separation of the respective section 11 from the metal strand 4 has just begun. This is indicated in FIG. 5 by a small notch 19.

[0091] The separation process requires a certain amount of time. During this time, the separating device 10 is moved at the withdrawal speed vA in the withdrawal direction x. Until the end of the separation process, i.e., during the separation of the respective section 11 of the metal strand 4, the separating device 10 is therefore moved, starting from the cutting location 12, by a specific distance 20—hereinafter referred to as cutting distance 20—in the withdrawal direction x of the metal strand 4. FIG. 6 shows the state at which the separation of the respective section 11 from the metal strand 4 has just been completed. The cutting path 20 is - depending on the type of cutting device 10 - usually between 1 m and 4 m, but in any case less than 6 m. The possible travel path 13, within which the control device 14 positions the cutting device 10 for positioning the cutting device 10 at the cutting location 12, is, however, larger than the cutting path 20, often even considerably larger.In most cases, the possible travel path 13 is at least three times, usually even at least five times, and preferably at least ten times as large as the cutting path 12. In absolute terms, the possible travel path 13 is usually at least 10 m and preferably at least 25 m. The possible travel path 13 can also be even larger - both relative to the cutting path 20 and absolutely.

[0092] Various configurations are possible for moving the separating device 10 along the cutting path 20 and for moving the separating device 10 along the possible travel path 13. For example, it is possible for the separating device 10 to be arranged immovably on a carriage, and for moving the separating device 10 along the cutting path 20 as well as for moving the separating device 10 along the possible travel path 13, the carriage is always moved as a whole. The carriage can be guided on rails, for example. Alternatively, it is possible for the separating device 10 to be arranged movably on the carriage. In this case, the extent to which the separating device 10 can be moved on the carriage is generally (slightly) greater than the maximum expected cutting path 20.In this case, for example, to move the cutting device 10 along the cutting path 20, the carriage can remain fixedly positioned and only the cutting device 10 can be moved relative to the carriage. Only to move the cutting device 10 along the possible travel path 13, i.e. to a new cutting location 12, is the carriage moved as a whole in this case. Other configurations in which simultaneous movements of the carriage as a whole and of the cutting device 10 relative to the carriage overlap are also possible. Furthermore, the carriage itself can also have rollers which essentially have the same function as the transport rollers 9 of the strand guide 5. However, unlike the transport rollers 9 of the strand guide 5, these rollers 5 move together with the carriage.

[0093] The severed section 11 is also transported or further transported by means of the strand guide 5 (more precisely: by means of the transport rollers 9 of the corresponding area of ​​the strand guide 5). From the moment the section 11 is severed from the cast metal strand 4, the transport takes place at a transport speed vT. The transport speed vT is generally greater than the take-off speed vA. A certain time after the section 11 has been severed from the cast metal strand 4, a gap 21 has therefore formed between the head 18 of the (remaining) metal strand and the section 11, as shown in FIG. 7. During the time that elapses until the next section 11 is severed from the cast metal strand 4, the separating device 10 is repositioned, if necessary (see the explanations for FIG. 2).Purely by way of example, it is assumed in FIG 7 that the separating device 10 for separating the next section 11 from the cast metal strand 4 is positioned at the (new) cutting location 12 indicated by dashed lines in FIG 7.

[0094] Due to the fact that the severed sections 11 of the metal strand 4 - regardless of the specific cutting location 12 - can be immediately accelerated to the transport speed vT upon separation from the metal strand 4 and then transported at the transport speed vT, the severed sections 11 can be very quickly fed by means of the strand guide 5 to a component of the metal industry plant arranged downstream of the strand guide 5. Such a component can, for example, be a rolling mill 22, as shown in FIG 8, which is arranged in line with the strand guide 5. The severed sections 11 can be fed to the rolling mill 22. In the rolling mill 22, the sections 11 can be rolled from the casting heat. If necessary, a furnace 23, for example an induction furnace or a tunnel furnace, can be arranged between the strand guide 5 and the rolling mill 22 - also in line with the strand guide 5.Furnace 23 can also be considered as a component of the metal industry plant.

[0095] The transport rollers 9, as already mentioned, usually follow one another relatively closely in the transport direction x. Therefore, as a rule, several transport rollers 9 are arranged within the possible travel path 13, as shown in FIG 9. The distance between the transport rollers 9 can even be smaller than the length of the separating device 10. Preferably, the transport rollers 9 located within the possible travel path 13 are designed as transport rollers 9 that can be retracted from the metal strand 4 and then placed back on the metal strand 4. This is indicated in FIG 9 for one of the corresponding transport rollers 9. The corresponding transport roller 9 is shown in solid lines in the position in which it is placed on the metal strand 4. The position in which this transport roller 9 is retracted from the metal strand 4 is shown in dashed lines in FIG 9.

[0096] The positioning of the corresponding transport roller 9 against the metal strand 4 and the retraction of the corresponding transport roller 9 from the metal strand 4 can be carried out, for example, by means of an actuator 24. The actuator 24 can be designed, for example, as a hydraulic cylinder unit, as shown in FIG. 9. However, other configurations of the actuator 24 are also possible. It is also possible for the transport rollers 9 to be moved passively, for example, by a slotted guide arranged on the cutting device 10. If actuators 24 are used, the actuators 24 can be controlled, in particular, by the control device 14. The following explanations always refer to the transport rollers 9 within the possible travel path 13.

[0097] For proper transport of the metal strand 4 or the sections 11, at least most of the transport rollers 9 arranged below the metal strand 4 must be positioned against the metal strand 4 or the corresponding section 11 to ensure support from below. To position the cutting device 10 from a starting location 25 (see FIG. 10) to the cutting location 12, one can proceed, for example, by retracting the transport rollers 9 from the metal strand 4 during the positioning of the cutting device 10 and then positioning them again against the metal strand 4. The starting location 25 is the location at which the cutting device is located before being positioned at the cutting location 12. The starting location 25 can, for example, be the cutting location 12 for the previous separation of a section 11 from the metal strand 4.

[0098] To move the separating device 10 from the starting location 25 to the cutting location 12, the procedure can be as explained below in conjunction with FIGS. 10 to 16. Arrows 26 shown in FIGS. 10 to 16 are intended to indicate the respective directions of movement. It should be noted in advance that alternative procedures to the procedure explained below are also possible.

[0099] Initially – see FIG. 10 – the cutting device 10 is located at the starting location 25. The transport rollers 9 are all raised – possibly with the exception of those transport rollers 9 located in the area of ​​the cutting device 10 itself. The cutting device 10 is to be positioned at a new cutting location 12 (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 10).

[0100] To move the separating device 10 to the cutting location 12, those transport rollers 9 that are located both between the starting location 25 and the cutting location 12 and in the vicinity of the separating device 10 are first lowered individually or in groups. For purely exemplary purposes, FIG. 11 shows that the nearest transport roller 9 has already been lowered and that the next transport roller 9 is currently being lowered.

[0101] As soon as sufficient transport rollers 9 have been lowered, the movement of the separating device 10 towards the (new) cutting location 12 begins as shown in FIG. 12. During the movement of the separating device 10 to the cutting location 12, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the transport rollers 9 located in the travel path from the starting location 25 to the cutting location 12 are gradually lowered individually or in groups before passing the separating device 10 and raised again individually or in groups after passing the separating device 10.

[0102] Further configurations are also possible. For example, the strand guide 5 and / or the cutting device 10 can have so-called pinch rolls on the input side and / or output side with respect to the withdrawal direction x. By means of such pinch rolls, it can be ensured that the metal strand 4 or the sections 11 are reliably conveyed in the withdrawal direction x. Furthermore, a deburring device can be arranged downstream of the cutting device 10, viewed in the withdrawal direction x. Such a deburring device - often referred to as a deburrer - can be necessary in particular when the cutting device 10 is designed as a flame cutting machine. The deburring device can, as required, be a component of the strand guide 5 as such and thus be arranged in a stationary manner, or it can be a component of the cutting device 10 and thus be arranged to be movable.Furthermore, the strand guide 5 can have a transport device by means of which short sections 11 can be laterally removed from the line defined by the strand guide 5. In this case, the transport device is arranged behind the possible travel path 13, as seen in the withdrawal direction x. Due to the fact that, within the scope of the present invention, the solidification location 17 often also has to be known, a stirring coil can also be positioned such that it is arranged shortly before the sump tip 8 or in the region of the sump tip 8, as seen in the withdrawal direction x. A similar procedure is possible with an inductive heating device.

[0103] The present invention offers many advantages. In particular, the cutting location 12 can be individually adjusted for each cut. The so-called operating window (i.e., the range from the minimum possible to the maximum possible take-off speed vA) can be optimized.

[0104] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0105] List of reference symbols

[0106] 1 continuous casting plant

[0107] 2 continuous casting molds

[0108] 3 liquid metal

[0109] 4 metal strands

[0110] 5 Strand guide

[0111] 6 strand shell

[0112] 7 core

[0113] 8 Swamp Peak

[0114] 9 transport rollers

[0115] 10 Separator

[0116] 11 sections

[0117] 12 Cutting location

[0118] 13 possible travel paths

[0119] 14 Control device

[0120] 15 Control program

[0121] 16 Machine code

[0122] 17 Solidification site

[0123] 18 heads

[0124] 19 Notch

[0125] 20 Cutting path

[0126] 21 gap

[0127] 22 Rolling mill

[0128] 23 Oven

[0129] 24 Actuator

[0130] 25 Starting point

[0131] 26 arrows

[0132] C Control signals

[0133] F casting format

[0134] S1 to S23 steps vA, vT speeds x withdrawal direction

Claims

Claims 1. Operating procedure for a metal industry plant, - wherein liquid metal (3) is cast into a metal strand (4) by means of a continuous casting mould (2) of a continuous casting plant (1) of the metal industry plant, - wherein the cast metal strand (4) is withdrawn from the continuous casting mold (2) by means of a strand guide (5) of the continuous casting plant at a withdrawal speed (vA) in a withdrawal direction (x), - wherein the cast metal strand (4) has a solid strand shell (6) and a still liquid core (7) when withdrawn from the continuous casting mould (2), - the core (7) gradually solidifies while the cast metal strand (4) passes through the strand guide (5), - wherein a control device (14) controls a separating device (10) of the continuous casting plant (1) as required in such a way that the separating device (10) separates an already solidified section (11) of the metal strand (4) from the cast metal strand (4) at a cutting location (12), - wherein the cutting location (12) is the location along the strand guide (5) at which the separation of the already solidified section (11) from the cast metal strand (4) begins, characterized in that - that the control device (14) is informed of the cutting location (12) individually for each cutting process in the withdrawal direction (x) before the respective cutting and - that the control device (14) positions the separating device (10) at the respective cutting location (12) before the respective separation, as seen in the withdrawal direction (x).

2. Operating method according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (14) receives the respective cutting location (12) from an operator before the respective separation or that the control device is informed of a solidification location (17) within the strand guide (5) at which the cast metal strand (4) has completely solidified before the respective separation, and the control device (14) determines the cutting location (12) depending on the solidification location (17).

3. Operating method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the severed section (11) is transported further by means of the strand guide (5) from the separation from the cast metal strand (4) at a transport speed (vT) and that the transport speed (vT) is greater than the withdrawal speed (vA).

4. Operating method according to claim 3, characterized in that the separated sections (11) of the metal strand (4) are fed to a rolling mill (22) of the metal industry plant arranged in line with the strand guide (5) and are rolled in the rolling mill (22) from the casting heat.

5. Operating method according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the control device (14) moves the cutting device (10) during the cutting of the respective section (11) of the metal strand (4) starting from the cutting location (12) by a cutting path (20) in the withdrawal direction (x) of the metal strand (4).

6. Operating method according to claim 5, characterized in that the control device (14) positions the separating device (10) for positioning the separating device (10) at the cutting location (12) within a possible travel path (13) which is greater than the cutting path (20), preferably at least three times as large, particularly preferably at least five times as large and in particular at least ten times as large as the cutting path (20).

7. Operating method according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the control device (14) positions the cutting device (10) for positioning the cutting device (10) at the cutting location (12) within a possible travel path (13) which is at least 10 m and preferably at least 25 m.

8. Operating method according to one of the above claims, characterized in that transport rollers (9) of the strand guide (5), which are located between a starting location (25) at which the separating device (10) is located before positioning at the cutting location (12), and the cutting location (12), are withdrawn from the metal strand (4) during the positioning of the separating device (10) and are then placed back on the metal strand (4).

9. Control program for a control device (14) for at least one separating device (10) of a continuous casting plant (1) of a plant in the metal industry, wherein by means of a continuous casting mold (2) of the continuous casting plant (1) liquid metal (3) is cast to form a metal strand (4), which is withdrawn from the continuous casting mold (1) by means of a strand guide (5) of the continuous casting plant (1) at a withdrawal speed (vA), so that the cast metal strand (4) when withdrawn from the continuous casting mold (2) has a solid strand shell (6) and a still liquid core (7), which gradually solidifies, while the metal strand (4) leaves the strand guide tion (5), wherein the control program comprises machine code (16) which can be processed by the control device (14), wherein the processing of the machine code (16) by the control device (14) causes - that a control device (14) controls a separating device (10) of the continuous casting plant (1) as required in such a way that the separating device (10) separates an already solidified section (11) of the metal strand (4) at a cutting location (12) from the cast metal strand (4), wherein the cutting location (12) is the location along the strand guide (5) at which the separation of the already solidified section (11) from the cast metal strand (4) begins, - that the control device (14) is informed of the cutting location (12) individually for each cutting process in the withdrawal direction (x) before the respective cutting and - that the control device (14) positions the separating device (10) at the respective cutting location (12) before the respective separation, as seen in the withdrawal direction (x).

10. Control program according to claim 9, characterized in that the processing of the machine code (16) by the control device (14) causes the control device (14) to carry out the method steps of at least one of claims 2 to 8.

11. Control device for at least one separating device (10) of a continuous casting plant (1) of a metal industry plant, wherein the control device is programmed with a control program (15) according to claim 9 or 10, so that it carries out an operating method according to one of claims 1 to 8 during operation.

12. Metal industry plant, - the metal industry plant comprising a continuous casting plant (1), - wherein the continuous casting plant (1) has a continuous casting mold (2) for casting liquid metal (3) into a metal strand (4), - wherein the continuous casting plant (1) has a strand guide (5) arranged downstream of the continuous casting mould (2) for withdrawing the cast metal strand (4) from the continuous casting mould (2) at a withdrawal speed (vA), - wherein the metal strand (4) has a solid strand shell (6) and a still liquid core (7) when withdrawn from the continuous casting mould (2), and the core (7) gradually solidifies while the metal strand (4) passes through the strand guide (5), - wherein the continuous casting plant (1) has a separating device (10) for separating a respective already solidified section (11) of the metal strand (4) from the metal strand (4), - wherein the metal industry plant has a control device (14) controlling at least the separating device (10), characterized by - that the separating device (10) is movable in the withdrawal direction (x) over a possible travel path (13) and can be positioned at a respective cutting location (12) within the possible travel path (13), wherein the cutting location (12) is the location along the strand guide (5) at which the separation of the already solidified section (11) from the cast metal strand (4) begins, and - that the control device (14) is designed as a control device according to claim 11.

13. Plant of the metal industry according to claim 12, characterized in that the strand guide (5) is followed in line by a rolling mill (22) of the plant of the metal industry, that the separated sections (11) of the metal strand (4) can be fed to the rolling mill (22) by means of the strand guide (5) and that the separated sections (11) of the metal strand (4) can be rolled by the rolling mill (22) from the casting heat.

14. Plant of the metal industry according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the possible travel path (13) is at least 10 m and preferably at least 25 m and / or that the cutting device (10) is moved by a cutting path (20) in the withdrawal direction (x) starting from the cutting location (12) during the cutting of the respective section (11) of the metal strand (4) and the possible travel path (13) is greater than the cutting path (20), preferably at least three times as large, particularly preferably at least five times as large and in particular at least ten times as large as the cutting path (20).

15. Plant of the metal industry according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the strand guide (5) has transport rollers (9) for transporting the cast metal strand (4) and / or the severed sections (11) and that those transport rollers (9) which are located within the possible travel path (13) are designed as transport rollers (9) which can be retracted from the metal strand (4) and can be placed back on the metal strand (4).

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