Method for operating a strip processing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a strip processing system having at least two units arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction for processing an endless metal strip which passes through the units in the material flow direction, as a result of which the units are coupled to one another. In order to improve the productivity of the individual units and the strip processing system as well as the quality of the processed endless metal strip in such a coupled operation, the invention proposes determining the (longest) throughput time of a volume portion of the metal strip through the slowest unit and specifying it as the target throughput time for at least one of the remaining units of the strip processing system. Furthermore, a target processing time is specified for the processing of a volume portion of the metal strip during at least one processing step. This target processing time is set so that it, or — in the case of a plurality of processing steps when passing through the remaining unit — the sum of their target processing times, is less than or equal to the specified target throughput time for the volume portion through the entire remaining unit.

Description

[0001] Method for operating a strip processing plant

[0002] The invention relates to a method for operating a strip processing plant with at least two units arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction for processing an endless metal strip, which passes through the units in the material flow direction. Furthermore, the invention relates to the strip processing plant itself. These include, for example, continuous lines, such as a combination of a pickling line with a downstream tandem rolling mill for processing the metal strip.

[0003] The pickling device and the tandem mill are then, for example, aggregates within the meaning of the invention.

[0004] In the current state of the art, the individual units of such a strip processing system, despite their technical linkage through the continuous process or the endless metal strip passing through the units, are not operated in a networked manner, but are only controlled individually. This has the disadvantage that the units frequently have to correct their set points during operation, which leads to a deterioration in product quality and poorer utilization of the overall capacity of the strip processing system.

[0005] This will be briefly explained using the example of a combined pickling line-tandem mill PL-TCM. When the pickling line and the tandem mill are operated together, two technologically different boundary conditions must be taken into account for both units. The maximum process speed of the pickling process is determined in particular by the main parameters of scale type and scale thickness on the metal strip to be pickled, by the thermal design of the pickling process and by limitations generally specified by the design of the pickling line, e.g. with regard to its main drive. In contrast, when determining the maximum process speed of the tandem mill, the inlet speed of the metal strip into the tandem mill as well as any limitations due to the design of the units, i.e. the rolling stands or their drives, must be taken into account. In addition, for both units, i.e.Both in the pickling line and the tandem mill, downtime and any limitations from the respective inlets and outlets or from intermediate process areas must be taken into account. While individual and separate control of the individual units, as is common in the state of the art, may be able to accommodate the individual criteria mentioned, this individual control, given the mechanical coupling required by the endless belt, ultimately leads to the aforementioned deterioration in product quality and the aforementioned poorer utilization of the overall capacity of the belt processing system.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of developing a known method for operating a strip processing plant and a known strip processing plant itself in such a way that, when the individual units of the strip processing plant are operated in conjunction, their productivity is improved, the quality of the processed endless metal strip is improved and the energy consumption of the strip processing plant is reduced.

[0007] This object is achieved by the method claimed in patent claim 1. Specifically, this method is characterized by the following method steps: a) For at least two of the units: determining the throughput time of a predefined volume section of the endless metal strip through the unit, wherein the volume section is subjected to one or more processing steps during the throughput time, and wherein each processing step is implemented by a different operating state of the unit; b) determining the slowest unit in the strip processing system with the longest throughput time for the volume section of the metal strip; c) specifying the longest throughput time of the slowest unit as the target throughput time for at least one of the other units in the strip processing system;d) specifying a target processing time for processing the volume section of the metal strip during at least one processing step; and e) setting the target processing time such that it, or in the case of multiple processing steps during the pass through the rest of the unit, the sum of their target processing times, is less than or equal to the specified target throughput time for the volume section through the entire rest of the unit.

[0008] The term "volume element" always refers to the endless metal strip, but its size is completely scalable. It can refer to the entire endless metal strip, a portion of this endless metal strip with a predetermined length, a strip of the metal strip extending in the width direction, or indeed a volume element in the narrower sense, e.g., a cubic centimeter or cubic millimeter at any position within the metal strip.

[0009] The terms “band” and “metal band” are used synonymously.

[0010] The term “product” refers in particular to a metal band.

[0011] The claimed method is based on a so-called "bottleneck" analysis, which preferably monitors all units of the strip processing plant and their respective maximum possible operating speeds. As a result, according to method step b), the slowest unit of the strip processing plant with the longest throughput time for the volume section of the strip can be determined. The slowest unit therefore represents the "bottleneck." According to method step c), its (longest) throughput time is then specified as the target throughput time for at least one of the other units of the strip processing plant. Furthermore, the method according to the invention provides that a target processing time is specified for at least one, preferably for all, processing steps to which the endless metal strip is subjected as it passes through the remaining unit.According to the invention, according to method step e), the target processing time must then be determined such that it is less than or equal to the specified target throughput time of the volume section through the entire remaining unit. In the case of multiple processing steps to which the endless metal strip is subjected as it passes through the remaining unit, care must be taken to ensure that the sum of their target processing times is less than or equal to the specified target throughput time for the entire volume section through the entire remaining unit.

[0012] All times specified in the description, e.g., the target throughput time or the target processing times, are time ranges or durations.

[0013] The claimed solution according to the invention provides a higher-level driving strategy that intelligently networks the at least two units of the strip processing system. This networking consists in particular of the method steps c), d), and e).

[0014] In other words: The "bottleneck" analysis according to the invention checks, according to method step a), the various throughput times of a predefined volume section of the metal strip through the individual units, from which the slowest unit and its longest throughput time for the volume section are determined in the subsequent method step b). According to method step c), the thus determined longest throughput time of the slowest unit ("bottle neck") is also specified as the target throughput time for at least one of the other units of the strip processing system. Knowing the length of the volume element in the direction of material flow, this target throughput time corresponds to an at least theoretically constant optimized conduction speed not only for the individual units, but for the entire strip processing system or the entire processing process performed by this system.All the process steps claimed in patent claim 1 in combination ultimately ensure an increase in productivity and energy savings in the strip processing plant as well as an increase in the quality of the metal strips processed by this plant.

[0015] According to a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, the target processing time for the at least one processing step is specified based on a constant throughput speed of the volume section through the rest of the unit. This is particularly advantageous for a unit in the form of a pickling device, through which the metal strip should pass at the most constant pickling speed possible in order to achieve maximum quality or pickling grade. This preferably takes place at the maximum possible production speed, thereby increasing or maximizing the productivity of the unit and the strip processing plant. Assuming a constant throughput speed is also advantageous for the unit in the form of a tandem mill, because for this, the aim is generally to achieve the most trouble-free constant operation possible in order to maximize the quality of the rolled metal strip or volume section.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, in the method according to the invention, the target processing time for the at least one processing step is specified taking into account a desired looper fill level at the end of the processing step. A looper fill level that is too low would be disadvantageous for a subsequent coil join cycle or for a subsequent processing step, because too little time could then be available for this cycle or processing step. To prevent such an undesirable situation, it is important that a looper is always sufficiently filled, which can be achieved preventively by appropriately adjusting the process speed, in particular by reducing it. This ultimately leads to an improvement in the quality of the processed metal strip. By reducing the process speed, the emptying of the looper can be delayed and its filling can be promoted.

[0017] When specifying the target throughput time for a volume section of the metal strip or for a portion of the volume section by a unit and / or the target processing time for at least one processing step, one or more non-productive times can also be taken into account. Non-productive times can include, for example, the following:

[0018] - changing a coil

[0019] - passing through an inlet area of ​​one of the units

[0020] - passing through a run-out area of ​​one of the units

[0021] - the transfer between two consecutive processing steps.

[0022] After carrying out method step e), the method according to the invention advantageously provides for the execution of the following steps: f) recording an actual processing time that is actually required for the current processing of a first part of the predefined volume section during a predetermined processing step when passing through the remaining unit; g) specifying a target processing time for the processing of the first part of the predefined volume section during the predetermined processing step, wherein the target processing time for the first part of the volume section is shorter than the target processing time for the entire volume section; h) comparing the target processing time with the actual processing time, in each case for the first part of the volume section; and

[0023] - in the event of a deviation between the target and actual processing time for the first part of the volume section: adjusting the throughput speed for at least one second part of the volume section still to be processed by the remaining unit for processing the second part within the framework of the predetermined processing step in such a way that the specified target throughput time for the entire volume section is maintained by the remaining unit.

[0024] This sequence of steps is used to check whether the target processing time specified for the respective processing steps is actually being adhered to in practice, i.e. during actual operation of the processing system. If a deviation is detected in this regard for a first part of the volume element, method step h) in particular provides that the throughput speed for at least one previously unprocessed, i.e. a second part of the volume section that is still to be processed, is suitably adjusted so that the specified target throughput time for the entire volume section is adhered to by the rest of the unit. This then ensures that the above-mentioned advantages of the method according to the invention are nevertheless retained.

[0025] Specifically, the method according to the invention provides that in the event of an increase in the throughput speed for the second part of the volume section, the target throughput time for the entire volume section through the remaining unit is shortened accordingly, or that in the event of a reduction in the throughput speed, the target throughput time for the second part for the entire volume section is extended accordingly by the remaining unit.

[0026] Depending on how large the volume section of the metal strip is defined, it is possible for the method according to the invention to be carried out repeatedly for two or more new volume sections of the same endless metal strip. It is also possible for the method according to the invention to be repeated for a volume section of a completely new or different metal strip. When repeating, it may be expedient for the shortened or extended target throughput time determined for the entire volume section considered so far to be specified as the predictive target throughput time for the at least one remaining unit of the strip processing system when repeating the method for the new volume section, instead of method steps a) to c).This means that, in particular, process steps a) and c) do not have to be repeated for the new volume element, resulting in significant time savings and thus a significant increase in the productivity of the strip processing plant. This reuse of the shortened or extended target throughput time is particularly useful for different metal strips of the same type, i.e., if they are made of the same material and preferably also have the same dimensions, such as length, especially coil length, thickness, flatness, and / or pickling quality.

[0027] The said adjustment of the throughput speed for the second part of the volume element for the predetermined processing step during the passage of the entire volume section through the rest of the unit can also be changed if necessary. Such a change can, for example, become necessary if process- or material-dependent changes or malfunctions occur. One example of this is vibrations occurring in one or more of the units. Any necessary adjustment or change of the throughput speed for the second part of the volume section compared to the throughput speed for the first part of the volume section and / or generally any necessary change of the throughput speed through one of the units is preferably only carried out in the form of small steps, more preferably continuously, in order to maintain the quality of the processed metal strip as it passes through the unit. This step-by-step orContinuous speed adjustments are preferably achieved through optimized utilization of the loopers, which must provide sufficient strip material for each change in the throughput speed. When changing the throughput speed, special cases such as roll changes within a rolling stand or within the rolling mill, blade changes in the trimming shear, and / or downtimes, such as those that may arise at the inlet of the welding device depending on the product, must also be taken into account. This is important to enable an increase in the productivity of the processing system.

[0028] To optimize the operation, i.e., to achieve a slow and steady adjustment of the throughput speed of the first and / or second part of the volume section or to avoid jumps in speed, the operation is pre-planned over several coil changeovers. This allows, for example, a slow adjustment of the speed over several coils or coil lengths, for short coils.

[0029] The throughput speed of at least part of the volume element is preferably continuously monitored in order to ensure continued optimal operation of the strip processing device according to the method according to the invention in the event of manual interventions, e.g., when limiting process speeds, taking said interventions into account. The adjustment of the throughput speed for the second part of the volume section for the predetermined processing step preferably takes into account the length of the individual metal strips in the inlet of the welding machine, whereby a shorter individual metal strip requires a lower throughput speed than a longer individual metal strip; and vice versa.

[0030] The individual process steps a) to h) claimed in the process according to the invention can be carried out in real time and / or repeatedly.

[0031] The determination of the slowest aggregate according to process step b) is carried out depending on at least one of the following parameters, which represent the dimension of the metal strip, such as the length, in particular the coil length, the thickness, the flatness and / or the pickling quality of the metal strip.

[0032] According to method step d), a target processing speed is specified for at least one processing step to which a first part of the volume section is subjected during its passage through the remaining assembly. According to one embodiment, this target processing time for the first part of the volume section is calculated as the ratio of the length of the first part of the volume section to the total length of the volume section, in each case in the direction of material flow, multiplied by the target processing time of the entire volume section through the entire remaining assembly.

[0033] The adjustment of the throughput speed for the second part of the volume section is achieved with the help of a looper arranged upstream of the rest of the unit in the direction of material flow, which provides more metal strip material for an increase in the throughput speed and less metal strip material for a decrease in the throughput speed for the passage through the rest of the unit. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the target processing time for the first and / or second volume section for the predetermined processing step is specified based on rules or using mass data. This is particularly useful if the metal strips or volume sections to be processed involve different materials and / or if the individual processing steps are each implemented by different operating states of the rest of the unit.

[0034] The above-mentioned object of the invention is further achieved by a strip processing system according to claim 18. The advantages of this solution correspond to the advantages mentioned above with reference to the claimed method for operating the strip processing system.

[0035] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention and the strip processing system according to the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0036] Two figures are attached to the description, where

[0037] Figure 1 shows an example of a strip processing system according to the invention; and

[0038] Figure 2 illustrates an example of the operation of a first and a second looper within the tape processing system according to the present invention.

[0039] The invention is described below in the form of exemplary embodiments with reference to the aforementioned Figures 1 and 2. In all figures, the same technical elements are designated by the same reference numerals. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the strip processing system 100 according to the invention. It comprises - viewed in the material flow direction R -:

[0040] - A first and a second uncoiling device 110 for providing a first and a second metal strip of finite length;

[0041] - A first separating device 120 - 1 for separating or cleanly scooping the head and the end of the first and the second finite length metal strip, before these two strips each run sequentially one after the other into a downstream welding device 130 to be welded together to form an endless metal strip 20.

[0042] - The welding device 130 can be followed by a side punching device 140-1 for notching the endless metal strip at the level of the weld seam produced by the welding device on the side edges of the metal strip.

[0043] - This is followed by a first looper 150-1 for temporarily storing a first part of the endless metal band 20.

[0044] - Downstream of the looper is a stretching and / or bending device 160 and further downstream

[0045] - a pickling device 170.

[0046] - This is followed by a second looper device 150-2 and downstream of the looper device

[0047] - another side punching device 140-2 and

[0048] - a trimming shear 185 (trimmer) for straightening the side edges of the metal strip.

[0049] - An inspection device 180 for inspecting the surface of the metal strip, e.g. with regard to the pickling quality, is optionally connected downstream of the trimming shear 175.

[0050] - The inspection device 180 is preferably followed by a third looper 150-3, which is followed by - a rolling mill 190 with preferably a plurality of rolling stands arranged one behind the other in the material flow direction for rolling the endless metal strip 20.

[0051] - After the rolling mill, a cutting device 120-2 can again be arranged for portioning the endless metal strip 20 into predetermined coil lengths.

[0052] - The thus portioned coil lengths are subsequently wound into coils using at least one winding-reel device 200.

[0053] Each of the devices mentioned, as shown in Figure 1, can be an aggregate 110-200 in the sense of the present invention.

[0054] Finally, the strip processing system 100 according to the invention has a controller 220 which is designed to monitor and control the units 110-200 according to the method according to the invention.

[0055] Not all of the units shown in Figure 1 are absolutely necessary for carrying out the method according to the invention. Only the at least one unwinding / reeler device 110, the welding device 130 for producing the endless metal strip 20, at least one of the loopers 150-1 for temporarily storing a portion of the endless metal strip, and at least one of the following units are absolutely necessary:

[0056] - The stretching and / or bending device 160;

[0057] - The pickling device 170;

[0058] - A rolling stand or rolling mill 190; and / or

[0059] - A skin-passing device for structuring the surface of the endless metal strip.

[0060] The remaining units of the strip processing system 100 shown in Figure 1 and briefly described above are only optional. Regarding the method according to the invention for operating the described strip processing system, reference is made to the above explanations in the general part of the description.

[0061] By way of example only, various operating states or processing steps are described below for individual units mentioned, as they can be considered within the framework of the method according to the invention. A target processing time can preferably be specified for each of the processing steps:

[0062] 1. Unit: Welding machine 130 with side punching device 140: a. Position the ends of the finite-length strips provided by the uncoiling devices 110 in the welding machine b. Position the beginnings of the finite-length strips provided by the uncoilers in the welding machine c. Weld the two finite-length strips together to form a weld d. Position the weld in the side punching direction 140 e. Notch the edges of the produced endless metal strip 20 at the level of the weld f. Cut and re-weld the finite-length strips if the quality of the weld is not sufficiently good.

[0063] 2. Unit: Stretching and / or bending device 160 a. Passing of the weld seam at reduced speed

[0064] 3. Unit: Pickling device 170 a. Passage of the endless metal strip at a constant speed b. Carrying out a change in the passage speed when a

[0065] a change in the pickling process should this be necessary. Unit: Side punching device 140 a. if a notch has not yet been made within the welding machine: stopping the endless metal strip as it passes through the side punching device 140; b. notching the endless metal strip at the level of the weld seam using the side punching device 140. Unit: Trimming shears (trimmer) 175: a. changing the operating status from out of operation -> in operation b. changing the operating status from in operation -> out of operation c. changing the operating status from in operation -> in operation - knife adjustment, if the knives of the trimming shears have to be adjusted during operation; d. changing from in operation -> in operation - knife change, if the knives of the foaming shears have to be changed during operation. Unit: Inspection device 180 a.The endless metal strip is run through at a reduced speed to perform the inspection; b. The endless metal strip is stopped for the duration of the roll inspection. Unit: Rolling mill 190 with a plurality of roll stands or a single roll stand a. At least one of the roll stands is moved at a rolling speed coordinated with the coiler device 200 in a rotation phase b. Acceleration and deceleration phases c. Constant travel d. Rolling at product change speed e. Rolling at cutting speed f. Coil discharge.

[0066] According to the method according to the invention, in particular according to method steps 1d) and 1e), the target processing time for the first and / or second part of the volume section for the predetermined processing step is preferably specified rule-based or based on mass data. This is done for different materials of the metal strip and / or for different operating states of the remaining unit. The mass data can have been determined in the past through repeated measurements. Actual process times, downtimes, handling times, and / or non-productive times can be considered and evaluated.

[0067] The rule-based or mass data-based specification or the adjustment of the specification is carried out in order to ultimately be able to specify more precisely, in particular, the throughput time of the volume section through the slowest aggregate and / or the other target throughput times and target processing times within the framework of the method according to the invention.

[0068] Examples of specified target processing times for various processing steps are:

[0069] Example 1 :

[0070] Processing step: Welding of strips

[0071] Target processing time for welding narrow strips: A seconds

[0072] Target processing time for welding of wide strips: B seconds

[0073] Target processing time for welding process for thick and wide strips: C seconds If the corresponding strip dimension and / or material class is welded, a precise target processing time for the processing step can be specified according to process steps 1d) and / or 1e).

[0074] Example 2:

[0075] Processing step: Weld seam pass in a tandem mill:

[0076] Target processing time for significant product changes: R seconds

[0077] Target processing time for identical bands: M seconds

[0078] Target processing time for unknown materials: N seconds

[0079] If a (corresponding) product change is pending, a precise target processing time for the processing step can be specified in accordance with process steps 1d) and / or 1e).

[0080] Example 3:

[0081] Processing step: Width adjustment of the trimming scissors

[0082] Target processing time with equal bandwidths within a notch: 0 seconds

[0083] Target processing time for medium bandwidth changes within a notch: P seconds

[0084] Target processing time for medium bandwidth changes online adjustment without notch: Q seconds

[0085] If a width adjustment is required, a precise target processing time for the processing step can be specified according to process steps 1d) and / or 1e). Example 4:

[0086] Processing step: Roll change in a tandem mill

[0087] Target processing time when changing a work roll set of a stand in automatic mode: X seconds

[0088] Target machining time when changing a work roll set in three stands in manual mode: Y seconds

[0089] Target processing time when changing an intermediate roll set in five stands in automatic mode: Z seconds

[0090] If a roll change is required, a precise target processing time for the processing step can be specified in accordance with process steps 1 d) and / or 1 e).

[0091] The rule-based or mass data can, for example, also be data from ongoing production, e.g., recorded monitoring data on vibrations that have occurred in a unit. This data can be taken into account within the framework of the inventive method to specify the specified target throughput times and / or the specified target processing times. Taking such data into account advantageously contributes to maintaining the operation of the strip processing system in the most optimal operating state possible for the quality of the endless metal strip.

[0092] Fig. 2 illustrates an example of the operation of a first and a second looper 150-1, 150-2 within the strip processing plant according to the present invention. The fill level diagrams for both loopers show that during periods of low metal strip speed through the rolling mill, the fill levels of the loopers can be replenished, while during periods of high metal strip speed through the rolling mill, the high fill levels are reduced again. This means that at high speeds, the loopers must provide more metal strip material through the rolling mill.

[0093] Furthermore, it can be seen that, despite fluctuations in the speed of the metal strip as it passes through the rolling mill, the loopers make it possible to maintain the desired speed during the pickling line. This is possible because the loopers provide more or less metal strip material as needed.

[0094] Finally, Fig. 2 shows that the fill levels in both loopers 150-1 and 150-2 do not fall below a specified minimum fill level. This has the advantages mentioned above.

[0095] List of reference symbols

[0096] 20 endless metal belt

[0097] 100 processing plants

[0098] 110-200 units

[0099] 110 Unwinding and reeling device

[0100] 120-1 Separator

[0101] 120-2 separating device

[0102] 130 welding equipment

[0103] 140-1 Side punching device

[0104] 140-2 Side punching device

[0105] 150-1 Looper

[0106] 150-2 Looper

[0107] 150-3 Looper

[0108] 160 Stretching and / or bending device

[0109] 170 Pickling device

[0110] 175 Trimming shears (trimmer)+

[0111] 180 inspection facility

[0112] 190 rolling mill or rolling stand

[0113] 200 winding-reel device

[0114] R Material flow direction

[0115] Tchng Duration of coil change in the coiling device

[0116] Vtcm Speed ​​of the strip through the rolling mill

[0117] Vstr “ “ “ “ “ Trimming shears

[0118] V pi “ “ “ “ “ Pickling line

[0119] Vchng “ “ “ during a coil change in the

[0120] Reel device

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A method for operating a strip processing system (100) with at least two units (110-200) arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction (R) for processing an endless metal strip (20), which passes through the units in the material flow direction (R), characterized by the following method steps: a) For at least two of the units: determining the throughput time of a predefined volume section of the metal strip through the unit (110), wherein the volume section is subjected to one or more processing steps during the throughput time, and wherein each processing step is realized by a different operating state of the unit; b) determining the slowest unit (110-200) in the strip processing system (100) with the longest throughput time for the volume section of the metal strip;c) specifying the longest throughput time of the slowest unit as the target throughput time for at least one of the other units of the strip processing plant; d) specifying a target processing time for the processing of the volume section of the metal strip during at least one processing step; and e) setting the target processing time such that it, or in the case of several processing steps during the pass through the remaining unit, the sum of their target processing times, is less than or equal to the specified target throughput time for the volume section through the entire remaining unit.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the specification of the target processing time for the at least one processing step is carried out on the basis of a constant throughput speed of the volume section through the remaining unit, in particular if the remaining unit is a pickling device or a rolling mill, preferably at the same time as the maximum possible production speed.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the specification of the target processing time for the at least one processing step takes into account a desired looper fill level at the end of the processing step.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after carrying out method step e), the method comprises the following steps: f) recording an actual processing time that is actually required for the current processing of a first part of the predefined volume section during a predetermined processing step when passing through the remaining unit; g) specifying a target processing time for the processing of the first part of the predefined volume section during the predetermined processing section, wherein the target processing time for the first part of the volume section is shorter than the target processing time for the entire volume section; h) comparing the target processing time with the actual processing time, in each case for the first part of the volume section; and - in case of a deviation between the target and actual processing time for the first part of the volume section: adjusting the throughput speed for at least one second part of the volume section still to be processed by the remaining unit for processing the second part within the scope of the predetermined processing step such that the specified target throughput time for the entire volume section is maintained by the remaining unit.

5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that in the case of an increase in the throughput speed, the target throughput time for the entire volume section through the remaining unit is shortened accordingly; or in the case of a reduction in the throughput speed, the target throughput time for the entire volume section through the remaining unit is extended accordingly.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the method is repeated for a new volume section of the same metal strip or for a new volume section of another, preferably similar, metal strip; and that the shortened or extended target throughput time determined for the entire volume section considered so far by the remaining unit is specified as a predictive target throughput time for the at least one remaining unit of the strip processing system when the method is repeated for the new volume section, instead of method steps a) to c).

7. Method according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the adjustment of the throughput speed for the second part of the volume section for the predetermined processing step can be changed during the passage of the entire volume section through the rest of the unit, for example due to process- or material-dependent requirements, further for example in the case of system vibrations.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the method steps a) to h) are carried out in real time and / or repeatedly.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determination of the slowest aggregate (110-200) according to method step b) is carried out as a function of at least one of the following parameters of the metal strip: length, in particular coil length, thickness, flatness and / or pickling quality.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target processing time for the first part of the volume section is calculated, for example, as the ratio of the length of the first part of the volume section in the material flow direction to the total length of the volume section multiplied by the target throughput time of the entire volume section through the entire remaining unit. 11 .Procedure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aggregates are, for example, each one of the following devices: - at least one unwinding reel device (110) for providing a first and a second metal strip (20) each of finite length; - a welding device (130) for welding the finite length metal strips together to form the endless metal strip (20); - a pickling plant (170) for pickling the metal strip; - a rolling stand for rolling or skin-passing the metal strip; - a rolling mill (190) having a plurality of rolling stands arranged one behind the other in the material flow direction (R); - a trimming shear (175); - a looper (150-1, 150-2, 150-3); - an inspection device (180) for inspecting the surface of the metal strip with regard to the pickling quality and / or the rolling quality; - Surface coating systems, where the individual units can each have an inlet area and an outlet area.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the adjustment of the throughput speed for the second part of the volume section is realized by the looper (150-1, 150-2, 150-3) arranged upstream of the remaining unit in the material flow direction (R); which looper provides more material of the metal strip for an increase in the throughput speed and less material of the metal strip for a decrease in the throughput speed.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the endless metal strip (20) is produced by welding two successive individual metal strips of limited length with the aid of the welding machine; and that preferably the adjustment of the throughput speed for the second part of the volume section for the predetermined The processing step preferably takes into account the length of the individual metal strips in the inlet of the welding machine, whereby a shorter individual metal strip requires a lower throughput speed than a longer individual metal strip; and vice versa.

14. Method according to claim 11 or 13, characterized in that the rolling mill unit can have at least some of the following operating states: - Running at least one of the rolling stands at a rolling speed adapted to the coiling device during the rotation phase; a. Acceleration and deceleration phases b. Constant speed c. Rolling at product change speed d. Rolling at cutting speed e. Coil discharge 15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when specifying the target throughput time for the volume section of the metal strip or a part thereof by an aggregate and / or when specifying the target processing time for the at least one processing step, one or more auxiliary times are also taken into account.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the off-peak times are, for example, times for: - changing a coil - passing through an inlet area of ​​one of the units - passing through a run-out area of ​​one of the units - the transfer between two consecutive processing steps.

17. Method according to one of claims 4 to 16, characterized in that the target processing time for the first and / or the second part of the volume section for the predetermined processing step is specified rule-based or based on mass data for different materials of the metal strip and / or for different operating states of the remaining unit 18. A strip processing system (100) comprising at least two units (110-200) arranged one behind the other in a material flow direction for processing an endless metal strip (20) which passes through the units in a material flow direction (R); and a controller for controlling the units; characterized in that the control device (220) is designed to monitor and control the units (110-200) according to the method according to one of the preceding claims.

19. Strip processing plant (100) according to claim 18, characterized by at least the following units (110 - 200) arranged one behind the other in the material flow direction (R): - at least one unwinding-reel device (110) for providing a first and a second metal strip (20) of finite length; - a welding device (130) for welding the respective finite length metal strips to form the endless metal strip (20); - a first looper (150-1) for temporarily storing a part of the endless metal strip (20); and - at least one of the following to the first looper (150-1 ) in Material flow direction downstream units: - a bending device (160); - a pickling device (170); - a rolling mill (190); and / or - a skin-passing device for structuring the surface of the metal strip.

20. Strip processing plant (100) according to claim 19, characterized by one or more of the following units (110-200), each of which can optionally be additionally provided in the strip processing plant (100): - a first side punching device (140-1) between the welding device (130) and the first looper (150-1); - a second looper (150-2); - a second side punching device (140-2); - an optical inspection device (180) for assessing the surface quality of the endless metal strip (20); - a third looper (150-3); - a separating device (120-2) for portioning the endless metal strip (20) into individual coil lengths; and / or - at least one winding-reel device (200) for winding the portioned metal strips into individual coils.

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