Line and method for producing a metal product with heat treatment and stripping

Abstract

The invention relates to a production line configured to convey the metal product along a conveying path, which production line comprises, along the conveying path, an induction heat treatment furnace configured to heat the metal product by induction while the metal product is being conveyed, and a laser stripping unit configured to strip, using at least one laser, at least one surface of the metal product while the metal product is being conveyed.

Description

[0001] Line and process for the production of a metal product with heat treatment and pickling

[0002] The present invention relates to a line and a method for producing a metal product, in particular made of steel, in particular stainless steel.

[0003] In the following, the preferred example of application will be the field of stainless steel strips and sheets of all categories (austenitic, ferritic, austenitic-ferritic, etc.), hot or cold rolled or formed. However, it should be understood that this will not be in any way limiting, and that the invention applies to other metals for which technical problems similar to those encountered with stainless steel strips and sheets arise, in particular to the various classes of carbon steels and special alloys, in particular ferrous. It also applies to products other than strips and sheets, for example to wires, bars and tubes with and without welding, with adaptations of the installations described which are obvious to the person skilled in the art.

[0004] It is possible to subject a metal strip to a heat treatment in the process by continuously running the metal strip through a heat treatment furnace. Such a heat treatment makes it possible, for example, to adjust the microstructure of the metal from which the metal strip is made.

[0005] It is then possible to subject the metal strip to continuous stripping by continuously passing the metal strip through a stripping unit to remove any unwanted oxide layer that may have formed at high temperature in contact with an oxidizing atmosphere such as air, during the heat treatment.

[0006] A production line configured to perform such operations typically includes the heat treatment furnace and the pickling unit, and, in addition, a strip accumulator located upstream of the heat treatment furnace and the pickling unit and a strip accumulator located downstream of the heat treatment furnace and the pickling unit.

[0007] Each tape accumulator is configured to accumulate a length of tape by increasing the path traveled by the tape within the tape accumulator, and then release that length of tape by decreasing the path traveled by the tape within the tape accumulator.

[0008] The strip accumulators located upstream and downstream of the heat treatment furnace and the pickling unit ensure uninterrupted movement of the metal strip in the heat treatment furnace and the pickling unit, despite slowdowns or stops in the movement of the metal strip in the production line, upstream or downstream of the heat treatment furnace and the pickling unit.

[0009] This is because the heat treatment furnace, which generally generates heat by combustion of gas or using electric heating resistors, has a high thermal inertia, and stopping or slowing down the metal strip in the heat treatment furnace leads to excessive heating of the metal strip and improper heat treatment of at least one section of the strip.

[0010] Operations requiring stopping or slowing down of the metal strip upstream or downstream of the heat treatment furnace and the pickling unit are, for example, coil engagement and coil welding operations at the input of the production line, coil cutting operations at the output of the production line and intermediate operations carried out along the production line, such as planishing operations, for example in a skin-pass rolling mill.

[0011] A production line equipped with one or more belt accumulators requires precise control of the production line to ensure the required running speed in each section of the production line.

[0012] A production line equipped with one or more strip accumulators has a large footprint because each strip accumulator must be able to accumulate a very long length of strip and therefore has a large volume.

[0013] Each tape accumulator, for example, consists of numerous rollers mounted on movable assemblies relative to each other to change the spacing between the rollers and thus change the length of the running path in the tape accumulator. The rollers, the movable assemblies and the actuators for moving the movable assemblies require regular maintenance.

[0014] One of the aims of the invention is to propose a production line for a metal product allowing heat treatment and pickling to be carried out, the production line being simple, compact and easy to use.

[0015] To this end, the invention proposes a production line for a metal product configured to move the metal product along a movement path and comprising, along the movement path, an induction heat treatment furnace configured to heat the metal product by induction as the metal product moves, and a laser stripping unit configured to strip at least one surface of the metal product as the metal product moves, using at least one laser. An induction furnace is configured to generate a magnetic field that induces the circulation of induced electric currents in the metal product moving in the induction furnace, which generates heat inside the metal product itself and causes the mass heating of the metal product.

[0016] An induction furnace has low inertia, particularly lower than that of a gas furnace or a furnace with electric heating elements. An induction furnace has the advantage of being able to quickly change the heating temperature of the metal product and of being able to stop and start quickly.

[0017] A laser stripping unit also has the advantage of being able to stop and start quickly, unlike a stripping unit that passes through one or more stripping baths, which requires the metal product to be kept in each stripping bath for a specific time.

[0018] The production line for a metal product combining an induction furnace and a laser stripping unit thus eliminates the need for strip accumulators, or at least limits the range of length adjustments.

[0019] For welding a subsequent coil to a previous coil, it is possible to stop the production line, in particular by stopping the heat treatment furnace, the pickling unit and the scrolling of the metal product during welding, and then restart the production line once the welding is completed.

[0020] The production line can thus be simpler, more compact and easier to use.

[0021] According to particular embodiments, the production line comprises one or more of the following optional features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0022] - the production line comprises a coil unwinding station located at the upstream end of the scroll path for unwinding the metal product from a coil and / or a metal product winding station located at a downstream end of the scroll path for winding the metal product and forming a coil;

[0023] - the production line comprises a cutting unit configured to cut a rear end of the metal product unwound from a coil and / or a welding unit configured to weld a rear end of the metal product to a front end of another metal product;

[0024] - the production line comprises a de-strapping unit configured to cut one or more ligatures from a coil of metal product, in particular by laser cutting each ligature; - the production line comprises an unloading unit having a support assembly configured to support at least one output coil formed in a winding unit of the production line, the support assembly being rotatable about a vertical axis to move the output coil from the winding unit to an unloading position;

[0025] - the production line comprises a removal unit configured for removing a layer of organic material from the metal product, the removal unit being located along the scroll path upstream of the heat treatment furnace;

[0026] - the removal unit is a laser removal unit comprising at least one laser arranged to remove a layer of organic material from a surface of the metal product passing through the removal unit.

[0027] - the production line includes a planing unit, for example a finishing mill (“skin-pass”) or a planer, located downstream of the stripping unit along the running path;

[0028] - the production line comprises a cutting unit configured to cut the metal product, preferably by laser, the cutting unit being configured, for example, to cut edges of the metal product and, optionally, to cut each cut edge into fragments.

[0029] - the edge cutting unit is configured to cut the edges of the metal product by laser, and, optionally, to cut each cut edge into fragments by laser;

[0030] - the production line comprises a position adjustment device configured to adjust the position of a length portion of the metal product in an adjustment section of the scroll path including the furnace and the pickling unit, by jointly varying the length of an upstream section located upstream of the heat treatment furnace and a downstream section located downstream of the pickling unit, an extension of the upstream section resulting in a shortening of the downstream section and vice versa;

[0031] - the position adjustment device is configured to adjust the position of said length portion of the metal product in the adjustment section, the metal product remaining stationary along the travel path upstream and downstream of the adjustment section;

[0032] - the position adjustment device is configured to advance or retreat said length portion of the metal product in the adjustment section, the movement of the rest of the metal product being interrupted upstream and downstream of the adjustment section; - the adjustment section comprises a strip cooling unit, located for example between the furnace and the pickling unit, and / or a defect correction unit, located downstream of the pickling unit, and configured to detect and treat surface defects of one or more surfaces of the metal product;

[0033] - the position adjustment device preferably makes it possible to move the length portion of the metal product located in the adjustment section with a maximum amplitude of movement at least equal to a length of the furnace along the travel path;

[0034] - the position adjustment device comprises a mobile assembly carrying a guide roller for guiding the metal product in the upstream section and a guide roller for guiding the metal product in the downstream section, a movement of the mobile assembly in a first direction jointly causing an elongation of the upstream section and a shortening of the downstream section, a movement of the mobile assembly in a second direction jointly causing a shortening of the upstream section and an elongation of the downstream section;

[0035] - the moving assembly is mobile along a trajectory, the first movement and the second movement being movements of the moving assembly along the trajectory in a first direction of movement and a second opposite direction of movement;

[0036] - the moving assembly is mobile in translation following a rectilinear trajectory, for example following a vertical direction of movement;

[0037] - the production line is configured for the production of a metal strip, a metal wire, a metal bar and / or a metal tube.

[0038] The invention also relates to a method for producing a metal product, scrolling along a scroll path, comprising heat treatment of the metal product in an induction heat treatment furnace and then stripping at least one surface of the product in a laser stripping unit.

[0039] In particular embodiments, the production process comprises one or more of the following optional features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0040] - the production method comprises unwinding the metal product from a coil upstream of the scroll path and / or winding the metal product into a coil downstream of the scroll path;

[0041] - the production method comprises cutting a rear end of the metal product and / or welding a rear end of the metal product to a front end of another metal product; - the production method comprises cutting one or more ligatures from an input coil of metal product, in particular by laser cutting each ligature;

[0042] - the production method comprises unloading an output coil using a support assembly configured to support an output coil formed in a winding unit, the support assembly being rotatable about a vertical axis to move the output coil from the winding unit to an unloading position;

[0043] - the production process includes removing a layer of organic material from the moving metal product before passing through the heat treatment furnace;

[0044] - the removal is carried out using at least one laser to remove organic matter from a surface of the moving metal product;

[0045] - the production process comprises planing the metal product downstream of the laser stripping unit along the scroll path;

[0046] - the production process includes cutting edges of the metal product, preferably by laser;

[0047] - the production process includes cutting each cut edge into fragments, preferably by laser;

[0048] - the production method comprises adjusting the position of the metal product in an adjustment section including the induction heat treatment furnace and the pickling unit, by jointly adjusting the length of an upstream section of the travel path located upstream of the heat treatment furnace and the length of a downstream section of the travel path located downstream of the pickling unit, an extension of the upstream section being accompanied by a shortening of the downstream section and vice versa;

[0049] - the adjustment is carried out using a moving assembly carrying a roller for guiding the metal product in the upstream section and a roller for guiding the metal product in the downstream section, a movement of the moving assembly in a first direction jointly causing an elongation of the upstream section and a shortening of the downstream section, a movement of the moving assembly in a second direction jointly causing a shortening of the upstream section and an elongation of the downstream section.

[0050] The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is an overall schematic view of a production line for a metal product;

[0051] - Figure 2 is a schematic side view of an edge cutting unit of the metal product;

[0052] - Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the metal product during edge cutting performed by the edge cutting unit;

[0053] - Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a detaching unit for detaching a holding strip from a reel;

[0054] - Figure 5 is a schematic view of a laser device usable in a stripping unit, a removal unit, a cutting unit, etc.; and

[0055] - Figure 6 is a schematic top view of a unit for unloading coils of metal products at the output of the production line.

[0056] The production line 2 illustrated in Figure 1 makes it possible to produce an elongated metal product 4 such as a metal strip, a metal wire, a metal bar or a metal tube.

[0057] The production line 2 is preferably a continuous production line configured for continuous production of a metal product 4.

[0058] Production line 2 is configured to scroll the metal product 4 along a scroll path C.

[0059] The production line 2 comprises, for example, in a known manner, guide rollers 6 distributed along the scroll path C and making it possible to define the scroll path C. The metal product 4 rests on the guide rollers 6. The guide rollers 6 comprise guide rollers 6 arranged to deflect the metal product 4 and possibly pinching guide rollers 6 which are associated in pairs, the two guide rollers 6 of each pair defining between them a slot through which the metal product 4 passes.

[0060] The production line 2 comprises, along the scroll path C, an induction heat treatment furnace 8 (hereinafter "furnace 8") configured to heat the metal product by electromagnetic induction during the scrolling of the metal product 4, and a laser stripping unit 10 (hereinafter "pickling unit 10") configured to strip at least one surface of the metal product 4 during the scrolling of the metal product 4, using at least one laser. The pickling unit 10 is located downstream of the furnace 8 along the scroll path C.

[0061] The furnace 8 is configured for the movement of the metal product 4 inside the furnace 8. The furnace 8 is configured to generate an electromagnetic field crossed by the metal product 4 during the movement of the metal product 4 in the furnace 8, so as to generate induced electric currents circulating in the metal product 4, the circulation of the induced electric currents generating heat in the metal product 4 by Joule effect, so that the metal product 4 is heated.

[0062] The furnace 8 comprises electromagnetic inductors 12. Each electromagnetic inductor 12 is capable of generating an electromagnetic field crossed by the metal product 4 during the movement of the metal product 4 in the furnace 8. Each electromagnetic inductor 12 is for example an electromagnet.

[0063] In exemplary embodiments, the furnace 8 comprises one or more electromagnetic inductors 12 which are each configured to generate a variable electromagnetic field during the movement of the metal product 4.

[0064] Thus, the metallic product 4 passes through the variable electromagnetic field of each of these electromagnetic inductors 12, which generates the circulation of induced electric currents in the metallic product 4 and causes the heating of the metallic product 4.

[0065] Alternatively or optionally, the furnace 8 comprises several electromagnetic inductors 12 distributed along the travel path C, being configured to generate identical and different electromagnetic fields from one electromagnetic inductor 12 to another during the travel of the metal product 4.

[0066] Thus, the metal product 4 moving past these electromagnetic inductors 12 is exposed to an electromagnetic field of variable intensity, which generates the circulation of induced electric currents in the metal product 4 and causes the heating of the metal product 4.

[0067] An example of an induction furnace for heating a metal product while this metal product is being rolled is described in FR2808163A1.

[0068] The stripping unit 10 is configured to be traversed by the metal product 4 as the metal product 4 moves along the movement path.

[0069] The stripping unit 10 comprises at least one laser device 14, and preferably several laser devices 14, each laser device 14 being configured to strip at least one surface of the metal product 4 moving in the stripping unit 10.

[0070] A unit for stripping a scrolling metal product is disclosed for example in WO2018096382.

[0071] In exemplary embodiments, the stripping unit 10 comprises several laser devices 14 distributed along the travel path C so as to strip several surfaces of the metal product 4. In exemplary embodiments, the stripping unit 10 comprises several laser devices 14 arranged on either side of the travel path C so as to strip two opposite surfaces of the metal product 4.

[0072] In particular, when the metal product 4 is a metal strip, it comprises two opposite surfaces, and the stripping unit 10 preferably comprises laser devices 14 arranged on either side of the travel path C so as to strip the two opposite surfaces of the metal product 4.

[0073] In exemplary embodiments, the stripping unit 10 comprises several laser devices 14 distributed along the travel path C to strip the same surface of the metal product 4.

[0074] The provision of several laser stripping devices 14 distributed along the travel path C for stripping the same surface of the metal product 4 makes it possible to strip this surface of the metal product 4 in several passes.

[0075] Preferably, the stripping unit 10 comprises several stripping laser devices 14 distributed along the travel path C opposite each surface of the metal product 4.

[0076] In particular, the stripping unit 10 comprises several stripping laser devices 14 distributed along the travel path C opposite each of two opposite surfaces of the metal product 4.

[0077] Optionally, the stripping unit 10 comprises support rollers 16 arranged to guide the metal product 4 in the stripping unit 10, each stripping laser device 14 being arranged to strip a portion of the metal product 4 resting on a support roller 16. This makes it possible to control the flatness of the surface to be stripped opposite each stripping laser device 14, and thus to guarantee the quality of the stripping.

[0078] In exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 1, the support rollers 16 are arranged for a zig-zag movement of the metal product 4 in the stripping unit 10, with alternating left turns and right turns in which the metal product 4 is curved, stripping laser devices 14 being distributed along the movement path alternately on one side and the other of the movement path C, each stripping laser device 14 pointing at a portion of the metal product resting on a support roller 16.

[0079] Preferably, the production line 2 has an oxide measuring unit 72 arranged along the travel path between the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10, the oxide measuring unit 72 being configured to measure one or more oxidation parameters of one or more surfaces of the metal product 4, the pickling unit 10 being configured to adjust the laser pickling parameters as a function of the oxidation parameter(s) measured for said surface(s) of the metal product 4.

[0080] Oxidation parameters include, for example, oxide composition, ablation threshold (laser energy density), oxide thickness, and / or emissivity.

[0081] The laser stripping parameters adjusted according to the oxidation parameters include, for example, a wavelength of the laser beam emitted by each stripping laser device 14, the frequency of the laser beam emitted by each stripping laser device 14, the power of the laser beam emitted by each stripping laser device 14, the pulse duration of the laser beam emitted by each stripping laser device 14, the pulse energy of the laser beam emitted by each stripping laser device 14, the scanning speed of the laser beam emitted by each stripping laser device 14, the overlap rate between the laser beams emitted by adjacent stripping laser devices 14, the laser-material interaction time of the laser beam emitted by each stripping laser device 14, the overlap parameters between the laser impacts of the laser beam emitted by each stripping laser device 14,

[0082] The oxide measuring unit 72 comprises for example an oxidation measuring sensor 74 for measuring one or more oxidation parameters of each surface of the metal product 4 pickled by the pickling unit 10.

[0083] In particular, when the metal product 4 is a metal strip, the oxide measuring unit 72 comprises for example an oxidation measuring sensor 74 for measuring one or more oxidation parameters of each of the two opposite surfaces of the metal product 4.

[0084] Each oxidation measurement sensor 74 comprises for example a camera arranged to take images of an associated surface of the metal product 4, the oxide measurement unit 72 being configured for the automatic analysis of the images captured by each camera to determine the oxidation parameters.

[0085] Preferably, the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10 are arranged vertically, that is to say so that the metal product 4 passes vertically through the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10. This makes it possible to limit the horizontal size of the production line 2.

[0086] The vertical scrolling of the metal product 4 in the furnace 8 also makes it possible to limit the number of guide rollers 6 required in the furnace 8 and thus to limit the risk of marking the metal product 4 with the guide rollers 6 in the furnace 8 or at the outlet of the furnace 8, when the metal product 4 is hot and sensitive to marking.

[0087] The vertical scrolling of the metal product 4 in the furnace 8 still allows good control of the position of the metal product 4 relative to the electromagnetic inductors 12, which makes it possible to arrange the electromagnetic inductors 12 close to the metal product 4 for good efficiency of the induction heating.

[0088] Advantageously, the oven 8 and the pickling unit 10 are arranged side by side. This makes it possible to limit the horizontal space requirement of the production line 2.

[0089] Preferably, the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10 are arranged one on an ascending section of the scroll path C, in which the metal product 4 rises vertically, and the other on a descending section of the scroll path C, in which the metal product 4 descends vertically.

[0090] In exemplary embodiments, the oven 8 is arranged on an upward section C1 of the scroll path C, and the stripping unit 10 is arranged on a downward section C2 of the scroll path C.

[0091] If necessary, intermediate guide rollers 6 are arranged between the furnace 8 and the stripping unit 10 to effect a change in direction of the scroll path between the furnace 8 and the stripping unit 10.

[0092] Optionally, such intermediate guide rollers 6 are cooled, for example by air and / or by water. This makes it possible to cool the metal product 4 guided by these intermediate guide rollers 6.

[0093] In exemplary embodiments, the production line 2 comprises a cooling unit 18 configured to actively cool the metal product 4 as the metal product moves along.

[0094] The cooling unit 18 is for example configured to force air circulation along the metal product 4 to cool the metal product 4.

[0095] Optionally or alternatively, the cooling unit 18 is for example configured to cool the metal product 4 by water, for example by spraying water onto the metal product 4, in particular atomized or non-atomized water.

[0096] The cooling unit 18 is arranged along the scroll path C downstream of the furnace 8 and, preferably, upstream of the pickling unit 10.

[0097] In exemplary embodiments, the cooling unit 18 is arranged on the same ascending or descending section of the scroll path C on which the oven 8 is arranged.

[0098] In particular, and as illustrated in Figure 1, the cooling unit 18 is arranged on an upward section C1 of the scroll path C on which the furnace 8 is arranged, before a change of direction towards a downward section C2 of the scroll path C on which the pickling unit 10 is arranged. Air cooling is more appropriate than water cooling when the cooling unit 18 is located on the same vertical section of the scroll path as the furnace 8.

[0099] The provision of cooled intermediate guide rollers 6 as mentioned above makes it possible to limit the length or the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 18.

[0100] Optionally, the production line 2 comprises a defect correction unit 80 arranged along the scroll path C downstream of the pickling unit 10 and configured to detect and treat surface defects of one or more surfaces of the metal product 4, in particular oxidation points not pickled or insufficiently pickled by the pickling unit 10.

[0101] The defect correction unit 80 is for example configured to detect and treat surface defects on each surface of the metal product 4 stripped by the stripping unit 10.

[0102] In particular, when the metal product 4 is a metal strip, the defect correction unit 80 is configured to detect and process defects on each of the two opposing surfaces of the metal product 4.

[0103] The defect correction unit 80 comprises, for example, for each stripped surface of the metal product 4, one or more defect sensors 82 and one or more laser correction devices 84, each laser correction device 84 being configured to emit a laser beam towards the surface of the metal product 4 to remove a possible surface defect, for example to remove one or more oxidation points present on the surface of the metal product 4.

[0104] In particular, when the metal product 4 is a metal strip, the defect correction unit 80 comprises one or more defect sensors 82 and one or more correction laser devices 84 for detecting and treating surface defects on each of the two opposite surfaces of the metal product 4.

[0105] Each defect sensor 82 is for example a camera configured to take images of the associated surface of the metal product 4, the defect correction unit being configured to automatically analyze the images taken by each defect sensor 82 to determine the possible presence of surface defects to be treated.

[0106] In exemplary embodiments, the production line 2 comprises an unwinding station 20 located at the upstream end of the scroll path C for unwinding the metal product 4 from an input coil 22. In exemplary embodiments, the production line 2 comprises a winding station 24 located at a downstream end of the scroll path C for winding the metal product 4 to form an output coil 26.

[0107] In exemplary embodiments, the production line 2 comprises a welding unit 28 configured to weld a rear end of the metal product 4 of a previous input coil 22 to a front end of another metal product 4 of a subsequent input coil 22.

[0108] This allows the production of metal products 4 continuously from several successive input coils 22 by connecting the input coils 22 to each other.

[0109] Preferably, the production line 2 comprises a cutting unit 30 configured for cutting a rear end of a previous input reel 22 and / or cutting a front end of a subsequent input reel 22.

[0110] The cutting unit 30 is located along the scroll path C upstream of the welding unit 28.

[0111] Cutting a rear end of a previous input coil 22 and / or cutting a front end of a subsequent input coil 22 allows for clean welding of the two coils 22.

[0112] In exemplary embodiments, the production line 2 comprises a removal unit 32 configured to remove a layer of organic material from the metal product 4, in particular from at least one surface of the metal product 4.

[0113] Organic matter is present intentionally or unintentionally. Examples of organic matter include oil, a lubricant, particularly silane, or a deposit such as paint or varnish.

[0114] In examples, the metal product 4 has two opposing surfaces, each covered with a layer of organic material.

[0115] The removal unit 32 is located along the scroll path upstream of the furnace 8, and, where appropriate, downstream of a welding unit 28 and / or a cutting unit 30.

[0116] The removal unit 32 is for example configured to carry out a removal of a layer of organic material by laser.

[0117] The removal unit 32 comprises at least one removal laser device 34.

[0118] In exemplary embodiments, the removal unit 32 comprises one or more laser removal devices 34, each associated with a surface of the metal product 4.

[0119] The removal unit 32 is for example configured for the treatment of two opposite surfaces on a metal product 4. The removal unit 32 comprises removal laser devices 34 arranged on either side of the travel path C. As illustrated in Figure 1, the removal unit 32 comprises in particular one or more removal laser devices 34 arranged on one side of the travel path C to remove a layer of organic material from a first surface of the metal product 4 and one or more removal lasers 34 arranged on the other side of the travel path C to remove a layer of organic material from a second surface of the metal product 4 opposite the first surface.

[0120] Each laser removal device 34 is for example configured to project a laser beam onto a surface of the metal product 4 such that the laser beam has the effect of evaporating a layer of organic material covering this surface and / or of pushing a layer of organic material covering this surface due to the movement of the metal product 4 moving along the moving path C.

[0121] The pushing of the layer of organic matter is in particular obtained using a laser beam configured to pass through the layer of organic matter, strike the surface of the metal product 4 and heat said surface of the metal product 4 in such a way as to cause local evaporation of the organic matter at the interface with the surface of the metal product 4 and generate an overpressure which pushes the layer of organic matter along the metal product due to the scrolling of the metal product 4 or the movement of the laser beam on the surface. This can be obtained without damaging the metal product 4, and in particular without damaging the surface of the metal product 4.

[0122] In particular, the laser removal device 34 is configured to project a laser beam with a color and / or power and / or pulse duration and / or energy or power density and / or laser-matter interaction time making it possible to evaporate a layer of organic matter covering this surface and / or to push a layer of organic matter covering this surface

[0123] In exemplary embodiments, the laser removal device 34 is configured to project a continuous laser beam of wavelength 10 pm (CO2 laser) with an interaction time of between 0.3 ms and 0.5 ms and a laser power of between 2 kW and 10 kW. Such an adjustment makes it possible to evaporate a layer of organic material covering the surface of the metal product 4.

[0124] In exemplary embodiments, the removal laser device 34 is configured to project a continuous near-infrared laser beam with a power of between 1 and 5 kW and an interaction time of between 1 ps and 50 ps. Such an adjustment makes it possible to push a layer of organic material covering the surface of the metal product 4.

[0125] Each laser removal device 34 is for example arranged to project a laser beam onto the corresponding surface of the metal product 4 at a location on the travel path C where the metal product 4 moves vertically upwards. This makes it possible to cause the organic matter to fall from the corresponding surface by gravity.

[0126] Optionally, the removal unit 32 comprises one or more tanks 36 for recovering the organic material removed from the metal product 4.

[0127] Optionally, the removal unit 32 comprises a suction device 37 configured for the suction of fumes or vapors generated by the evaporation of organic material covering the metal product 4 under the effect of the laser beam(s) of the laser removal device(s) 34.

[0128] In exemplary embodiments, the production line 2 comprises a planing unit 38 located along the scroll path C downstream of the stripping unit 10.

[0129] The planing unit 38 is configured to flatten the metal product 4, in particular to flatten deformations which could have been caused by the passage of the metal product 4 along the scroll path C.

[0130] The planing unit 38 comprises, for example, in a known manner, planing rollers 40 arranged to reduce deformations of the metal product 4, for example thanks to a particular arrangement and / or rollers with external diameters that vary from one planing roller 40 to another.

[0131] Alternatively, the planishing unit 38 is a skin pass mill comprising a pair of skin pass rolls arranged for the passage of the metal product 4 between the two skin pass rolls while being pressed between the two skin pass rolls.

[0132] In exemplary embodiments, the production line 2 comprises an inspection unit 42 configured for the inspection of the metal product 4.

[0133] The inspection unit 42 is for example configured for an optical inspection of the metal product 4.

[0134] The inspection unit 42 comprises for example one or more image capture devices arranged to capture images of the metal product 4 and a data processing unit (not shown) configured to automatically analyze the captured images.

[0135] The inspection unit 42 is arranged along the scroll path C downstream of the stripping unit 10, and, where appropriate, downstream of the planing unit 38.

[0136] In exemplary embodiments in which the production line 2 is configured for the production of a metal product 4 which is a metal strip, the production line 2 comprises a cutting unit 44 configured to cut the metal product 4 with a laser. The cutting unit 44 is for example configured to cut edges of the metal product 4, and, optionally, to cut the scraps resulting from the cutting of each edge into fragments and / or to slit the metal product 4, i.e. to cut it lengthwise, and / or to section the metal product 4, i.e. to cut it widthwise.

[0137] Cutting the edges of the metal product 4 makes it possible, for example, to obtain a suitable finish for the edges of the metal product 4.

[0138] The fragmentation of the waste resulting from cutting the edges into fragments avoids the problems of jamming and evacuation of the waste. Cutting into small fragments also allows for better revaluation of the material by allowing its injection further downstream in the production process compared to other raw materials, for example for the production and refining of metal.

[0139] Slitting the metal product 4 makes it possible, for example, to form several narrow metal strips from a wide metal strip.

[0140] The sectioning of the metal product 4 makes it possible, for example, to form products of the desired length or to separate, at the output of the production line 2, coils previously assembled at the input of the production line 2 for their passage into the production line 2.

[0141] Such a laser cutting unit 44 replaces in particular a mechanical cutting unit configured to cut the metal product by shearing using knives, the latter having to be replaced regularly, which requires stopping the production line and negatively impacts productivity.

[0142] Furthermore, in such a mechanical cutting unit, the position of the knives is fixed during the operation of the production line and can only be adjusted during a production line stop.

[0143] The cutting unit 44 is arranged along the scroll path C downstream of the stripping unit 10, and, where appropriate, downstream of the planing unit 38 and / or downstream of the inspection unit 42.

[0144] The cutting unit 44 is preferably configured for laser cutting. The cutting unit 44 includes one or more laser cutting devices 46.

[0145] In Figure 3 which represents the cutting unit 44 in top view, the laser beam L of each laser cutting device 46 is symbolized by a point corresponding to the focal spot of the laser beam L on the metal strip 4.

[0146] As illustrated in Figure 3, the cutting unit 44 comprises for example two laser cutting devices 46, each arranged to cut a respective edge 48 of the metal product 4. Optionally, the cutting unit 44 comprises two laser cutting devices 46, each arranged to cut a respective edge 48 into fragments 50.

[0147] Optionally, the cutting unit 44 comprises one or more laser cutting devices 46 arranged for slitting and / or sectioning the metal product 4.

[0148] Each laser cutting device 46 arranged to perform slitting performs a cut of the metal product 4 along a longitudinal cutting line LL extending along the length of the metal product 4.

[0149] Each laser cutting device 46 cuts the metal product along a transverse cutting line LT extending along the width of the metal product 4.

[0150] As illustrated in Figure 3, the cutting unit 44 comprises for example a laser cutting device 46 arranged for slitting the metal product 4 into two portions 4A. Each portion 4A can form a coil of narrower width than that of the metal product 4 (or coil) at the output of the production line 2.

[0151] In other examples, the cutting unit 44 is configured for slitting the metal product 4 into more than two portions, i.e., into three or more portions.

[0152] Each laser cutting device 46 is dedicated to edge cutting, slitting or sectioning or can be controlled to perform edge cutting, slitting and / or sectioning. Laser cutting allows for very rapid adaptation of cuts.

[0153] Returning to Figure 1, the production line 2 optionally comprises a position adjustment device 54 configured to adjust the position of a length portion of the metal product 4 in an adjustment section of the travel path C, the metal product 4 remaining stationary along the travel path C upstream and downstream of the adjustment section.

[0154] The position adjustment device 54 is in particular configured to advance or retreat said portion of length of the metal product 4 in the adjustment section, the movement of the rest of the metal product 4 being interrupted upstream and downstream of the adjustment section.

[0155] The adjustment section comprises, for example, the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10. The position adjustment device 54 makes it possible to adjust the position of the length portion of the metal product located in the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10. The adjustment section here comprises the first section C1 and the second section C2.

[0156] The adjustment of the position of said portion of the metal product 4 makes it possible, for example, when an unplanned interruption of the movement of the metal product 4 occurs, to move said portion of length of the metal product 4 back several meters in the adjustment section, to reposition it relative to the furnace 8 and to the pickling unit 10, so as to resume production without having to reject the metal product 4.

[0157] The inclusion of the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10 in the adjustment section makes it possible to ensure the resumption of the treatment of said portion of length by including heating and pickling.

[0158] If necessary, the cooling unit 18 arranged between the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10 is preferably included in the adjustment section.

[0159] Where appropriate, the defect correction unit 80 arranged downstream of the stripping unit 10 is preferably included in the position adjustment section in which the position adjustment device 54 makes it possible to advance or retreat the metal product 4 along the travel path C.

[0160] This makes it possible to correct the defects of a portion of the length of the metal product 4 which has been moved back in the position adjustment section and then moved forward again for treatment in the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10.

[0161] In exemplary embodiments, the furnace 8, the pickling unit 10 and, where appropriate, the cooling unit 18 and / or the defect correction unit, are the only units of the production line 2 included in the position adjustment section of the position adjustment device 8.

[0162] The position adjustment device 54 preferably makes it possible to move the length portion of the metal product 4 located in the adjustment section with a maximum amplitude of movement at least equal to the length of the furnace 8.

[0163] The position adjustment device 54 is for example configured to jointly modify the length of the scrolling path in an upstream section C3 located upstream of the adjustment section and a downstream section C4 located downstream of the adjustment section, an elongation of the upstream section C3 causing a shortening of the downstream section C4 and, conversely, a shortening of the upstream section C3 causing an elongation of the downstream section C4.

[0164] Preferably, the length adjustment device 54 is configured in such a way that an elongation of the upstream section C3 by a certain length causes a shortening of the downstream section C4 by the same length and, conversely, that a shortening of the upstream section C3 by a certain length causes an elongation of the downstream section C4 by the same length.

[0165] A joint lengthening of the upstream section C3 and shortening of the downstream section C4 makes it possible to pull the metal product 4 backwards into the adjustment section, and therefore to move the metal product 4 back into the adjustment section, the metal product 4 remaining stationary upstream and downstream of the adjustment section.

[0166] A joint shortening of the upstream section C3 and lengthening of the downstream section C4 makes it possible to pull the metal product forward in the adjustment section, and therefore to advance the metal product 4 in the adjustment section, the metal product 4 remaining stationary upstream and downstream of the adjustment section.

[0167] The length adjustment device 54 comprises for example a mobile assembly 56 carrying a first roller 58 for guiding the metal product 4 in the upstream section C3 and a second roller 56 for guiding the metal product 4 in the downstream section C4, a first movement of the mobile assembly 56 (Arrow F1 in Figure 1) jointly causing an elongation of the upstream section C3 and a shortening of the downstream section C4, and a second movement of the mobile assembly 56 (Arrow F2 in Figure 1) jointly causing a shortening of the upstream section C3 and an elongation of the downstream section C3.

[0168] The mobile assembly 56 is for example mobile along a trajectory, the first movement and the second movement being movements of the mobile assembly 56 along the trajectory in a first direction of movement and a second opposite direction of movement.

[0169] The moving assembly 56 is for example movable in translation along a direction of movement. The trajectory of the moving assembly 56 is then rectilinear. The direction of movement is for example vertical.

[0170] Advantageously, the mobile assembly 56 is vertically movable with a displacement amplitude at least equal to the length of the first section C1 and / or the length of the second section C2. This allows a displacement of the portion of length of the metal product located in the adjustment section by a length at least equal to that of the furnace 8.

[0171] When adjusting the position of the metal product 4 in the adjustment section when the movement of the metal product 4 in the production line 2 is interrupted, the metal product 4 remains stationary in an input section C5 located between the upstream end of the movement path C and the upstream section C3 and in an output section C6 located between the downstream section C4 and the downstream end of the movement path C.

[0172] It is possible to carry out a position adjustment of the metal product 4 during a movement of the metal product 4 in the production line 2, for example during a restart of the production line 2, the position adjustment device 54 being for example used to move back the portion of length of the metal product present in the adjustment section.

[0173] As illustrated in Figure 4, an input spool 22 is generally provided with one or more ligatures 90 (or "banding") wrapped around the input spool 22 to retain the wound input spool 22 during handling of the input spool 22.

[0174] Optionally, the production line 2 includes a de-strapping unit 92 configured to cut each ligature (or tie) 20 arranged on the input reel 22.

[0175] The de-strapping unit 92 comprises for example one or more de-strapping laser devices 94, each de-strapping laser device 94 being configured to generate a laser beam for cutting at least one ligature 90 surrounding an input coil 22 received in the de-strapping unit 92.

[0176] As illustrated in Figure 5, each laser device, whether it is a stripping laser device 14, a removal laser device 34, a cutting laser device 46, a correction laser device 84 or a de-stripping laser device 94 comprises for example, in a known manner, a laser 14A, 34A, 46A, 84A, 94A for generating a laser beam, an optical device 14B, 34B, 46B, 84B, 94B configured to shape and direct the laser beam towards a surface to be treated of the metal product 4, and an electronic control unit 14C, 34C, 46C, 84C, 94C configured to control the laser 14A, 34A, 46A, 84A, 94A and the optical device 14B, 34B, 46B, 84B, 94B to generate a suitable laser beam, shape the beam into a suitable shape and direct the beam appropriately.

[0177] The electronic control unit 14C, 34C, 46C controls in particular the laser 14A, 34A, 46A to obtain an appropriate laser beam power depending on the application (stripping, cutting or removal of organic material).

[0178] In the stripping unit 10, each stripping laser device 14 is for example configured to emit a laser beam with a power of between 50 W and 10k W.

[0179] In the removal unit 32, each removal laser device 34 is for example configured to emit a laser beam with a power of between 50 W and 30 kW.

[0180] In the cutting unit 40, each laser cutting device 46 is for example configured to emit a laser beam with a power of between 50 W and 50 kW. In the correction unit 80, each laser correction device 84 is for example configured to emit a laser beam with a power of between 50 W and 10 kW.

[0181] In the detachment unit 92, each laser detachment device 94 is for example configured to emit a laser beam with a power of between 50 W and 10 kW.

[0182] Each optical device 14B, 34B, 46B, 84B, 94B is advantageously configured to dynamically shape and direct the laser beam in different directions, for example to scan a surface of the metal product 4 to be stripped when it is a stripping laser device 14, to scan a surface of the metal product 4 from which organic matter must be removed when it is a removal laser device 34, to perform a transverse cut when it is a cutting laser device 46, to remove surface defects when it is a correction laser device 84 or to cut a ligature 90 when it is a de-strapping laser device 94.

[0183] As illustrated in Figure 6, in exemplary embodiments, the production line 2 comprises an unloading unit 62 for unloading an output coil 26.

[0184] The unloading unit 62 comprises a support assembly 64 configured to support at least one output coil 26, the support assembly 64 being rotatable about a vertical axis to move an output coil 26 from the winding unit 24 to an unloading position 65 from which the output coil 26 can be selectively conveyed to a storage area 66 or one or more processing units, such as, for example, in the case of a metal product in the form of a metal strip, a longitudinal cutting unit 68 for cutting the metal strip lengthwise or a shape cutting unit 70 configured for cutting the strip widthwise to obtain metal sheets and / or for cutting plates of different shapes from the strip, such as, for example, discs.

[0185] Advantageously, the support assembly 64 is configured to carry two output reels 26 simultaneously, one in the winding unit 24 and the other in the unloading position.

[0186] The support assembly 64 is configured to simultaneously unload an output coil 26 into the unloading position and receive a new output coil 26 formed in the winding unit 22. Preferably, the support assembly 64 is configured to carry two output coils 26 diametrically opposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the support assembly 64. The winding unit 24 and the unloading position are diametrically opposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the support assembly 64. In operation, the production line 2 of Figures 1 to 4 implements a method for producing a metal product 4 in which the metal product is scrolled along the scroll path C, the production method comprising induction heat treatment of the metal product 4 in the furnace 8 and then laser etching at least one surface of the metal product 4 in the etching unit 10.

[0187] The production method advantageously comprises the detection of surface defects, in particular oxidation points, downstream of the pickling unit 10, for example by capturing and analyzing images of each pickled surface on the metal product 4, and the laser treatment of each detected surface defect, for example in a laser defect correction unit 80.

[0188] The production method preferably comprises unwinding the metal product 4 from an input coil 22 upstream of the scroll path C, for example in an unwinding station 20, possibly after unwinding the input coil 22 in an unwinding unit 92, and / or winding the metal product 4 to form an output coil 26 downstream of the scroll path C, for example in a winding station 24.

[0189] The production method preferably comprises cutting a rear end of the metal product 4 and / or welding a rear end of the metal product 4 to a front end of a subsequent metal product 4.

[0190] The production method advantageously comprises the active cooling of the metal product 4 between the induction heat treatment and the laser stripping, for example by passing through a cooling unit 18 located along the scroll path C between the furnace 8 and the stripping unit 10.

[0191] The production method advantageously comprises removing organic material from the moving metal product 4 before passing through the furnace 8. The removal of organic material is preferably carried out using at least one laser removal device 34, each laser removal device 34 being arranged to remove organic material from a surface of the moving metal product 4. The removal of organic material is preferably carried out on at least two surfaces of the metal product 4, in particular two opposite surfaces on the metal product 4. The removal of organic material is preferably carried out on a rising portion of the moving path so as to cause the organic material to fall back by gravity, for example into collection bins 36, as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0192] The production method preferably comprises the planing of the metal product 4 downstream of the pickling unit 10 along the scroll path C. The planing is carried out in a planing unit 38, which is for example a finishing rolling mill (or “skin pass” rolling mill) or a planer.

[0193] The production method preferably comprises cutting edges 48 of the metal product 4, preferably by laser, with optionally cutting into fragments 52 each cut edge 48, preferably by laser.

[0194] The production method advantageously comprises adjusting the position of a length portion of the metal product 4 in the furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10 by jointly adjusting the length of an upstream section C3 of the travel path C located upstream of the furnace 8 and the length of a downstream section C4 of the travel path C located downstream of the pickling unit 10, an elongation of the upstream section C3 being accompanied by a shortening of the downstream section C4 and vice versa.

[0195] The adjustment is carried out using the mobile assembly 56 carrying a roller 58 for guiding the metal product 4 in the upstream section C3 and a roller 58 for guiding the metal product 4 in the downstream section C4, a movement of the mobile assembly 56 in a first direction jointly causing an elongation of the upstream section C3 and a shortening of the downstream section C4, a movement of the mobile assembly 56 in a second direction jointly causing a shortening of the upstream section C3 and an elongation of the downstream section C4.

[0196] Production line 2, combining an induction furnace 8 and a laser stripping unit 10, enables efficient production with a reduced footprint.

[0197] The induction furnace 8 has low inertia, particularly lower than that of a gas furnace. An induction furnace 8 allows the heating temperature of the metal product 4 to be changed quickly and can be stopped and started quickly.

[0198] A laser stripping unit 10 also has the advantage of being able to be stopped and started quickly, unlike a stripping unit by passing through one or more stripping baths, requiring the metal product 4 to be kept in each stripping bath for a given time.

[0199] Thus, for the welding of a following coil of metal product to a preceding coil of metal, it is possible to stop the production line 2, in particular by stopping the furnace 8, the pickling unit 10 and the movement of the metal product 4 during the welding of the following metal product, then to restart the production line 2 once the welding has been carried out. The production line 2 combining an induction furnace 8 and a laser pickling unit 10 makes it possible to avoid the need to provide accumulators, or at least to limit the amplitude of the length adjustments.

[0200] Preferably, the production line 2 is without an accumulator for accumulating a length of the metal product.

[0201] The absence of an accumulator allows for a compact production line 2, and limits maintenance of production line 2.

[0202] The speed of modification of the settings of the induction furnace 8 and the laser stripping unit 10 and their fine adjustment make it possible to use the production line 2 to treat different metal products 4 by connecting them one behind the other for their passages in the production line 2 or to carry out different heat treatments and / or strippings on two separate sections of the same metal product.

[0203] Production line 2 allows 4 different metal products to be processed one after the other, with very rapid adaptation of the operating parameters of furnace 8 and pickling unit 10.

[0204] It is not necessary to carry out production campaigns of the same metal product 4 by operating the production line 2 for a long period of time with the same settings, as may be the case with a gas furnace or a dip-pickling unit.

[0205] Since production can be changed quickly, there is no need to have a large stock of the same metal product to carry out a long production campaign. There is also no need to provide transition metal products to carry out production campaign changes.

[0206] It is also possible to limit losses around a welding zone of a metal product 4 and another metal product 4 processed one after the other in the production line.

[0207] The stop and restart capacity of production line 2 makes it possible to limit the waste produced, for example, such as that produced during the shutdown of a gas furnace whose cooling inertia is very high.

[0208] Furthermore, the induction furnace 8 and the pickling unit 10 use electricity as an energy source, which makes it possible to have a production line 2 powered exclusively by electricity, without the need for a gas supply, for example.

[0209] Each of the additional processing units performing laser processing (removal unit 32, correction unit 80, cutting unit 40, de-strapping unit 92) allows great flexibility and ease of use, with the possibility of interrupting and resuming the operation of production line 2 or modifying the production carried out using production line 2, and easy maintenance.

[0210] In particular, a laser removal unit 32 makes it possible to remove a layer of organic matter easily, by quickly adapting the operating parameters of the laser removal unit 32 according to the metal product 4 being treated, in particular according to the type of organic matter present on the metal product 4 or a thickness of a layer of organic matter. The organic matter is, for example, oil.

[0211] A laser cutting unit 42 allows various cuts to be made, for example with the possibility of slitting the metal product 4, sectioning the metal product 4 or cutting shapes in the metal product 4.

[0212] Cutting is easily adjusted and maintenance is easy, especially compared to a shear cutting unit using knives that make a predetermined cut and wear out and need to be changed regularly.

[0213] As in the example illustrated in Figure 1, it is possible to provide a space-saving position adjustment device 54 making it possible to advance or retreat a portion of the length of the metal product 4 during a stoppage of the production line, for example to limit any loss of length of the metal product after resumption of production.

[0214] Such a position adjustment device is advantageous in a product line of a metal product configured for the scrolling of the metal product along a scroll path with treatment of the metal product in several treatment units arranged along the scroll path for the treatment of the metal product in the scroll, independently of the use of an induction furnace 8 and a laser stripping unit 10.

[0215] Thus, according to another aspect, the invention proposes a production line for a metal product configured to scroll the metal product along a scroll path and comprising, along the scroll path, several processing units each configured to process the metal product as it scrolls, the production line comprising a position adjustment device configured to adjust the position of a portion of length of the metal product in an adjustment section of the scroll path including a group of one or more processing units, by jointly varying the length of an upstream section located upstream of the group of processing units and a downstream section located downstream of the group of processing units, an extension of the upstream section resulting in a shortening of the downstream section and vice versa.

[0216] In exemplary embodiments, the production line includes one or more of the following optional features:

[0217] - the position adjustment device comprises a mobile assembly carrying a guide roller for guiding the metal product in the upstream section and a guide roller for guiding the metal product in the downstream section, a movement of the mobile assembly in a first direction jointly causing an elongation of the upstream section and a shortening of the downstream section, a movement of the mobile assembly in a second direction jointly causing a shortening of the upstream section and an elongation of the downstream section;

[0218] - the processing units comprise a heat treatment unit configured to heat the metal product as the metal product travels, in particular an induction furnace, and / or a cooling unit and / or a pickling unit configured to pickle at least one surface of the metal product as the metal product travels, in particular a laser pickling unit, and / or a removal unit for removing organic matter from the metal product, in particular by laser, and / or a cutting unit, in particular by laser, and / or a planing unit and / or a welding unit configured to weld the metal product to a preceding or following metal product and / or a de-strapping unit for cutting one or more ligatures surrounding an input coil, for example by laser;

[0219] - the group of treatment units comprises a heat treatment unit configured to heat the metal product as the metal product moves along, in particular an induction furnace, and / or a cooling unit and / or a pickling unit configured to pickle at least one surface of the metal product as the metal product moves along, in particular a laser pickling unit, and / or a removal unit for removing organic matter from the metal product, in particular by laser, and / or a cutting unit, in particular by laser, and / or a planing unit and / or a welding unit configured to weld the metal product to a preceding or following metal product.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Production line for a metal product (4) configured to scroll the metal product (4) along a scroll path (C) and comprising, along the scroll path (C), an induction heat treatment furnace (8) configured to heat the metal product by induction during the scrolling of the metal product, and a laser stripping unit (10) configured to strip at least one surface of the metal product during the scrolling of the metal product (4), using at least one laser.

2. Production line according to claim 1, comprising a coil unwinding station (20) located at the upstream end of the scroll path (C) for unwinding the metal product from a coil and / or a winding station (22) of the metal product located at a downstream end of the scroll path for winding the metal product and forming a coil.

3. A production line according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a cutting unit configured to cut a rear end of the metal product unwound from a coil and / or a welding unit configured to weld a rear end of the metal product to a front end of another metal product.

4. Production line according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a de-strapping unit (92) configured to cut one or more ligatures from a coil of metal product, in particular by cutting each ligature by laser.

5. A production line according to any preceding claim, comprising an unloading unit (62) having a support assembly configured to support at least one output coil formed in a winding unit of the production line, the support assembly being rotatable about a vertical axis to move the output coil from the winding unit to an unloading position.

6. Production line according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a removal unit (34) configured for the removal of the metallic product from a layer of organic material, the removal unit (34) being located along the scroll path upstream of the heat treatment furnace (8).

7. Production line according to claim 4, wherein the removal unit (34) is a laser removal unit comprising at least one laser arranged to remove a layer of organic material from a surface of the metal product passing through the removal unit (34).

8. Production line according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a planing unit (38), for example a finishing rolling mill ("skin-pass") or a planer, located downstream of the stripping unit along the scroll path.

9. Production line according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cutting unit configured to cut the metal product, preferably by laser, the cutting unit being for example for cutting edges of the metal product and, optionally, for cutting each cut edge into fragments.

10. Production line according to claim 9, in which the edge cutting unit is configured to cut the edges of the metal product by laser, and, optionally, to cut each cut edge into fragments by laser.

11. Production line according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a position adjustment device (54) configured to adjust the position of a length portion of the metal product in an adjustment section of the scroll path including the furnace (8) and the pickling unit (10), by jointly varying the length of an upstream section located upstream of the furnace (8) and a downstream section located downstream of the pickling unit (10), an elongation of the upstream section causing a shortening of the downstream section and vice versa.

12. Production line according to claim 11, wherein the position adjustment device is configured to adjust the position of said length portion of the metal product in the adjustment section, the metal product remaining stationary along the scroll path upstream and downstream of the adjustment section.

13. Production line according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the position adjustment device is configured to advance or retreat said length portion of the metal product in the adjustment section, the movement of the rest of the metal product being interrupted upstream and downstream of the adjustment section.

14. Production line according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the adjustment section comprises a strip cooling unit, located for example between the furnace and the pickling unit, and / or a defect correction unit, located downstream of the pickling unit, and configured to detect and treat surface defects of one or more surfaces of the metal product.

15. Production line according to any one of claims 11 to 14, in which the position adjustment device is configured to allow the length portion of the metal product located in the adjustment section to be moved with a maximum amplitude of movement at least equal to a length of the furnace along the travel path.

16. Production line according to any one of claims 11 to 15, in which the position adjustment device comprises a movable assembly (56) carrying a guide roller for guiding the metal product in the upstream section and a guide roller for guiding the metal product in the downstream section, a movement of the movable assembly in a first direction jointly causing an elongation of the upstream section and a shortening of the downstream section, a movement of the movable assembly in a second direction jointly causing a shortening of the upstream section and an elongation of the downstream section.

17. Production line according to claim 16, in which the moving assembly is movable along a trajectory, the first movement and the second movement being movements of the moving assembly along the trajectory in a first direction of movement and a second opposite direction of movement.

18. Production line according to claim 17, in which the moving assembly is movable in translation along a rectilinear trajectory, for example along a vertical direction of movement.

19. Production line according to any one of the preceding claims, configured for the production of a metal strip, a metal wire, a metal bar and / or a metal tube.

20. Method for producing a metal product, by scrolling along a scroll path, comprising the heat treatment of the metal product in an induction heat treatment furnace (8) then the stripping of at least one surface of the product in a laser stripping unit (10).

21. Production method according to claim 20, comprising unwinding the metal product from a coil upstream of the scroll path and / or winding the metal product into a coil downstream of the scroll path.

22. A production method according to claim 20 or claim 21, comprising cutting a rear end of the metal product and / or welding a rear end of the metal product to a front end of another metal product.

23. A production method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, comprising cutting one or more ligatures from an input coil of metal product, in particular by cutting each ligature by laser.

24. A production method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, comprising unloading an output coil using a support assembly configured to support an output coil formed in a winding unit, the support assembly being rotatable about a vertical axis to move the output reel from the winding unit to an unloading position.

25. A production method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, comprising removing a layer of organic material from the moving metal product before passing through the heat treatment furnace.

26. A production method according to claim 25, wherein the removal is carried out using at least one laser to remove a layer of organic material from a surface of the moving metal product.

27. A production method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, comprising planing the metal product downstream of the laser stripping unit along the travel path.

28. Production method according to any one of claims 20 to 27, comprising cutting the metal product, preferably by laser, the cutting including for example the cutting of edges of the metal product, preferably by laser.

29. Production method according to claim 28, comprising cutting into fragments each cut edge, preferably by laser.

30. Production method according to any one of claims 20 to 29, comprising adjusting the position of the metal product in an adjustment section including the induction heat treatment furnace (8) and the pickling unit (10), by jointly adjusting the length of an upstream section of the scroll path located upstream of the heat treatment furnace (8) and the length of a downstream section of the scroll path located downstream of the pickling unit (10), an elongation of the upstream section being accompanied by a shortening of the downstream section and vice versa.

31. Production method according to claim 30, wherein the metal product remains stationary along the scroll path upstream and downstream of the adjustment section.

32. Production method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the adjustment section comprises a strip cooling unit, located for example between the furnace and the pickling unit, and / or a defect correction unit, located downstream of the pickling unit, and configured to detect and treat surface defects of one or more surfaces of the metal product.

33. Production method according to any one of claims 30 to 32, in which the adjustment is carried out using a moving assembly carrying a roller for guiding the metal product in the upstream section and a roller for guiding the metal product in the downstream section, a movement of the moving assembly in a first direction jointly causing an elongation of the upstream section and a shortening of the downstream section, a movement of the moving assembly in a second direction jointly causing a shortening of the upstream section and an elongation of the downstream section.

34. Production method according to claim 33, in which the moving assembly is movable along a trajectory, the first movement and the second movement being movements of the moving assembly along the trajectory in a first direction of movement and a second opposite direction of movement.

35. Production method according to claim 34, in which the moving assembly is movable in translation along a rectilinear trajectory, for example along a vertical direction of movement.

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