Installation and method for producing a material strip, system for operating such an installation, use of an actuator and / or measuring element, use of a processing device, use of a strip casting device, and use of a supply device

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation for producing a material strip conveyed along a conveying path in the conveying direction, having a continuously operating strip casting device for primarily shaping the material strip, a supply device for supplying a material melt for the strip casting device, devices for handling and / or processing the primarily shaped material strip, and an open-loop and / or closed-loop control device for operating the installation, devices of the installation being operatively connected to one another directly and / or indirectly by means of a superordinate open-loop and / or closed-loop control unit so as to transmit data.

Description

[0001] Page 1 of 44

[0002] Applicant: SMS group GmbH

[0003] Symbol: P80908DE

[0004] September 16, 2024

[0005] Plant and method for producing a material strip, system for operating such a plant, use of an adjusting and / or measuring element, use of a processing device, use of a strip casting device, and use of a supply device.

[0006] The invention relates to a system for producing a material strip conveyed along a conveyor line in the conveying direction, comprising a continuously operating strip casting device for primary forming of the material strip, comprising a supply device for supplying a material melt to the strip casting device, comprising devices for handling and / or processing the primary formed material strip, and comprising a control and / or regulating device for operating the system.

[0007] The invention further relates to a method for producing a continuously cast material strip conveyed along a conveying path in the conveying direction, in which a material melt is provided to a strip casting device by means of a supply device, in which the material strip is pre-formed from the material melt by means of the strip casting device, and in which the material strip is processed downstream of the strip casting device by means of at least one processing device for processing the material strip.

[0008] The invention further relates to a system for operating a plant for producing a material strip. Page 2 of 44

[0009] P80908DE

[0010] The invention further relates to the use of an actuating and / or measuring element of a first system device interacting with a material belt.

[0011] The invention also relates to the use of a processing device for processing a metal strip to provide a control and / or measuring variable.

[0012] The invention also relates to the use of a strip casting device that forms a material strip for providing a control and / or measuring variable.

[0013] The invention also relates to the use of a supply device providing a material melt for providing a control and / or measuring variable.

[0014] Types of plants for producing strip material are already known from the prior art. Such plants are often product-specifically equipped, for example, with regard to different products within a material category or with regard to products from different material categories. These plants have proven particularly effective in the production of aluminum strips, especially with a casting thickness of less than 25 mm and a finished strip thickness of less than 15 mm. As a rule, these plants comprise at least a continuously operating strip casting machine and downstream processing equipment from a conveyor line, such as rolling mills comprising rolling stands, in particular for the direct hot rolling of the strip material previously cast on the strip casting machine. Upstream of the strip casting machine is a device for supplying molten material to the machine. Page 3 / 44

[0015] P80908DE

[0016] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improvement or an alternative to the prior art. In particular, the invention is based on the objective of enabling the casting of continuously cast material strips with greater dimensional accuracy and subsequent more advantageous processing.

[0017] The object of the invention is to provide a system for producing a material strip conveyed along a conveyor in the conveying direction, comprising a continuously operating strip casting device for the primary forming of the material strip, comprising a supply device for providing a material melt for the strip casting device, comprising devices for handling and / or processing the primary formed material strip, and comprising a control and / or regulating unit for operating the system, wherein devices of the system are directly interconnected and / or indirectly interconnected by means of a control and / or regulating unit.

[0018] Through such a data-technical connection between selected or even all devices (working devices) involved in the production of the material strip, the devices can be significantly improved with regard to their functions or their influence on the manufacturing process of the material strip, such as its quality or similar aspects.

[0019] In other words: It is possible in the present case that at least one function of at least one first device of the plant is manipulable depending on at least one further device of the plant, in particular on at least one function thereof.

[0020] This allows for significantly better coordination of the various work processes taking place at the plant, see page 4 / 44

[0021] P80908DE is designed for simultaneous or serial work processes, enabling not only the reliable production of exceptionally high-quality products but also ensuring particularly efficient and / or trouble-free plant operation. Furthermore, the system can be more easily adapted to different products.

[0022] This is advantageously achieved by ensuring that at least essential components of the system are interconnected in such a way, either through data technology or signal technology, that their real-time work processes or designated work processes can positively influence each other, preferably as will be explained in more detail later.

[0023] Therefore, advantageous effects can be achieved at the plant if the devices influencing the material melt or the material strip are interconnected in such a way as to allow one or more of these devices to functionally manipulate one or more of the other devices, thereby enabling the entire manufacturing process at the plant to be advantageously varied or optimized.

[0024] Particularly advantageous effects can be achieved on the system if, in particular, a rolling device of the system and the strip casting device are interconnected in terms of data technology in accordance with the invention.

[0025] For example, based on device-specific operating parameters regarding the rolling device, which result from or are required due to properties of the material strip at the rolling device, one or more functions on the upstream strip casting device can be manipulated so that the material strip affects the rolling device. Page 5 / 44

[0026] The P80908DE already incorporates improved and / or rolling process-adapted properties, meaning, for example, that the rolling device has to exert less force on the material strip. This allows the rolling device to process the material strip even more optimally and / or the rolling speed can be increased. In other words, this enables the use of synergistic effects between the strip casting device and the rolling device.

[0027] It should be expressly mentioned that the exchange of data between other devices within the framework of the plant proposed here for the production of a material strip also exhibits advantageous embodiments.

[0028] Furthermore, the plant equipped in this way can advantageously be adapted or converted to different products or related manufacturing processes and thus be used in a more diverse manner.

[0029] For example, this allows the plant to be used for the production of products (material strips) made of steel material or steel alloys, as well as products (material strips) made of aluminum material or other non-ferrous materials, such as Mg, Zn, Sn, Cu, Pb material, or alloys thereof.

[0030] In any case, it is particularly advantageous that device-specific settings can be coordinated much more precisely and quickly, so that, for example, an upstream and / or downstream device can operate even more accurately with respect to the material strip to be produced, and / or achieve better properties of the produced material strip, and / or ensure a generally more trouble-free plant operation. This, in turn, allows a material strip that has already been processed better to be used downstream. Page 6 / 44

[0031] P80908DE achieves this by means of a device arranged downstream, which can then further process a higher quality material strip, such as a rolling device as a device arranged downstream. Thus, the device downstream in this way can process the material strip even more differentiated and / or faster.

[0032] The term "devices" in connection with the invention can refer to any working devices of the plant that are significantly involved in the manufacturing process of the material strip, starting with the preparation and feeding of the molten material for the material strip (e.g., supply device), with the casting or primary forming of this molten material into the actual material strip (e.g., strip casting device), and with the handling or processing of the material strip on the conveyor line (e.g., drive roller device, rolling device, reeling device, etc.).

[0033] The following section provides a more detailed explanation of the terms relating to the essential devices and working equipment:

[0034] For the purposes of the invention, the term "provisioning device" comprises a number of devices which are arranged on the system for holding and providing molten material in relation to a material flow through the system upstream of the strip casting device.

[0035] The supply device may, for example, comprise a casting furnace, a casting trough, a casting or distribution channel, a casting nozzle, or the like, wherein the devices associated with the supply device can be functionally manipulated depending on at least one other device of the system. Page 7 / 44

[0036] P80908DE

[0037] The term "strip casting device" describes, within the meaning of the invention, a device in which a liquid or viscous molten material supplied upstream solidifies in a controlled manner and is thereby pre-formed into a strip of material or hot strip, while the molten material or the strip of material is conveyed through the strip casting device in the conveying direction. Such a strip casting device is often also referred to as a "caster".

[0038] Band casting devices of this type can be implemented in different ways, for example, they can include one or more band casting machines, which in turn can have at least one circulating mold in the form of endless belts or caterpillar tracks.

[0039] The term "handling device" as used in the invention describes any device by which the material strip is handled or, for example, guided, accelerated, or decelerated along the conveyor line in a desired manner, without being subjected to structural processing such as rolling or the like. Handling devices as used in the invention may include, for example, devices for generating strip tension or pressure, devices for generating a strip reserve along the conveyor line, devices for generating a strip coil at the end of the conveyor line, or the like, to name only a few of the essential handling devices.

[0040] In contrast, the term "device for processing" describes devices by which the strip of material is structurally processed, such as rolling devices, cutting devices, or the like. Page 8 / 44

[0041] P80908DE

[0042] The term “manipulable” describes, within the meaning of the invention, any alteration or adaptation and / or regulation and / or control of a device.

[0043] The “control and / or regulating unit” can be implemented in different ways, in particular through hardware and / or software.

[0044] A compact control and / or regulating unit can be provided if this control and / or regulating unit is integrated into the control and / or regulating device for operating the plant.

[0045] In any case, at least one device of the plant can be manipulated by means of the present control and / or regulation unit depending on data from at least one of the other devices of the plant.

[0046] The term "downstream" refers to a location which, viewed in the direction of conveyance and / or material flow, is situated behind a position to which reference is made.

[0047] Therefore, the term "upstream" refers to a location which, viewed in the direction of conveyance and / or material flow, is situated in front of a position to which reference is made.

[0048] For example, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" can refer to a reference device placed on the conveyor line, such as a strip casting device, or to a reference point on the conveyor line, such as a decoupling area between the strip casting device and a downstream rolling device, or the like. Page 9 / 44

[0049] P80908DE

[0050] The term "decoupling zone" describes a section of the conveyor line where, for example, an additional belt reserve can be established, such as in the form of a belt loop. Such a decoupling zone can optionally be provided on the conveyor line of the system. Preferably, such a decoupling zone includes a drive roller assembly whose drive rollers or pairs of drive rollers can be manipulated almost arbitrarily with regard to their circumferential speed or torque.

[0051] The term "manipulate" is to be understood here in the sense of controlling or regulating, or generally changing, or the like.

[0052] In any case, the existing plant can be operated in a more versatile manner, and in particular can be optimally adapted or adjusted to different products, which ultimately improves the quality of the products produced.

[0053] It should also be noted that, within the context of the present patent application, indefinite articles and indefinite numerical expressions such as "one...", "two...", etc., are generally to be understood as minimum specifications, i.e., as "at least one...", "at least two...", etc., unless it is clear from the context or the specific text of a particular passage that only "exactly one...", "exactly two...", etc., is meant there.

[0054] It should also be mentioned here that, within the context of the present patent application, the expression "in particular" is always to be understood as introducing an optional, preferred feature. The expression is not to be understood as "namely" or "supposedly". Page 10 / 44

[0055] P80908DE

[0056] As explained above, at least individual devices can be directly and / or indirectly interconnected via data technology or signal technology, thereby enabling direct or indirect data communication with regard to the devices.

[0057] Thus, based on the data obtained, for example, the functions of upstream devices can be influenced by a downstream device, or vice versa.

[0058] Thus, devices of the plant that influence the production of the material strip can be actively included in the manufacturing process as actuators.

[0059] It is therefore advantageous if, in order to manipulate at least one function of the strip casting device, a rolling device is digitally connected to this strip casting device.

[0060] This allows at least one control variable of the strip casting device to be manipulated by means of a control variable and / or measuring variable determined at the rolling device.

[0061] For the purposes of this invention, the term "function" encompasses, to a large extent, work processes and / or material flow processes occurring at the respective device. One or more functions can be manipulated by one or more control variables of the device in question.

[0062] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a drive roller device is digitally linked to at least one function of the strip casting device in order to manipulate it. Page 11 / 44

[0063] P80908DE

[0064] This allows at least one control variable of the strip casting device to be manipulated by means of a control variable and / or measuring variable determined at the drive roller device.

[0065] A drive roller device, in the sense of a device for handling the material belt, can be designed and positioned in a variety of ways along the conveyor line of the system.

[0066] For example, such a drive roller device can, on the one hand, generate strip tension (tensile forces and / or tensile stresses) in the material strip relative to the rolling device, thereby positively influencing the rolling capacity of the rolling device. On the other hand, a strip counter-pressure can be built up with respect to the material strip, particularly relative to the strip casting device, thereby influencing the casting process taking place at the strip casting device with the drive roller device arranged downstream of the strip casting device.

[0067] If a reeling device is connected to the band casting device via data technology to manipulate at least one function of the band casting device, casting processes on the band casting device can be manipulated cumulatively or alternatively even by a winding process at the end of the conveying line, if this is beneficial for the production of the material strip.

[0068] Furthermore, casting processes on the strip casting device can be influenced if the supply device is digitally connected to this strip casting device in order to manipulate at least one function of the strip casting device.

[0069] By way of example only, further advantageous data-related interactions within the meaning of the invention are mentioned here. On the one hand, at least one can be manipulated (page 12 / 44).

[0070] P80908DE

[0071] The function of the strip casting machine can be to have a separating device connected to it via data processing. Alternatively or cumulatively, a heating or cooling device can also be connected to it via data processing to manipulate at least one function of the strip casting machine.

[0072] In order to be able to manipulate the functions of devices in accordance with the invention by means of data from other devices, it is therefore advantageous if at least one actuated variable of at least one device of the system can be manipulated by means of at least one actuated and / or measured variable of at least one further device of the system.

[0073] By means of this at least one control variable, at least one actuator of the device and thus at least one function thereof can be manipulated, whereby in a very simple implementation variant a device as a whole can be regarded as one actuator.

[0074] Because a control variable of a device can be manipulated depending on at least one control variable and / or measurement variable of another device, devices present in the system can be better coordinated and operated in this system.

[0075] The term "control variable" describes an operating setting of a device of the system, whereby, in the sense of the invention, a device itself can function as an actuator of the system.

[0076] The “actuator” can, in the sense of the invention, also be used to set or change the operating parameters of a device acting as an actuator, so that one or more functions of this device can be actively changed (page 13 / 44).

[0077] P80908DE also allows interactions, particularly with regard to the material strip or the material melt, to be actively influenced.

[0078] The term "measured quantity" here describes a physical quantity that can be determined at the device, for example with regard to an actuator, but specifically also with regard to the material strip or the molten material. A measured quantity can also be defined by a control variable of an actuator of the respective device. A measured quantity can also be the thickness of the material strip, its temperature, or a material property of the material strip.

[0079] In the present case, the device of the system providing a respective control and / or measuring variable can be arranged further upstream or further downstream along the conveyor line.

[0080] Therefore, the device of the system that receives a respective control and / or measurement variable can be arranged further upstream or further downstream along the conveyor line.

[0081] The at least one device itself can be regarded as an actuator within the meaning of the invention.

[0082] In other words, this means that the device is at least one actuator for operating the system, and that at least one actuator can be manipulated depending on data from at least one other device of the system. Page 14 / 44

[0083] P80908DE

[0084] Furthermore, at least one device can include one or preferably several such actuators, which allows the operating parameters of the device to be manipulated in a much more varied way.

[0085] It is advantageous if at least one device of the system comprises at least one actuating and / or measuring element by means of which at least one actuating and / or measuring variable can be provided by the at least one device by means of which at least one actuating and / or measuring variable of a further device can be at least partially manipulated, in particular provided in the form of electronic data.

[0086] If the devices of the system have at least one actuating and / or measuring element by means of which at least one of the devices of the system can be manipulated, the devices of the system can be operated more advantageously.

[0087] In any case, the functions of a device can be advantageously manipulated by means of at least one manipulated variable or a corresponding actuator for this purpose, depending on manipulated or measured variables determined on another device.

[0088] It is advantageous if the system on the conveyor line has a large number of actuators for influencing the production of the material strip, wherein the large number of actuators preferably belong to the devices of the system, in particular the at least one strip casting device, preparation, processing and / or treatment device.

[0089] This eliminates the need for additional measuring devices to provide measurements of the material strip along the conveyor line of the system, thereby further reducing the design and metrological effort of the system. Page 15 / 44

[0090] P80908DE

[0091] As explained above, operating parameters of the strip casting device can be changed particularly advantageously if at least one function of the strip casting device can be manipulated depending on a control and / or measuring variable determined at the supply device and / or at a further treatment and / or processing device.

[0092] The situation is similar if at least one function of a processing device can be manipulated depending on a control and / or measurement variable determined at the supply device and / or at the strip casting device.

[0093] It is also advantageous if at least one function of a treatment device can be manipulated depending on a control and / or measurement variable determined at the supply device and / or at the strip casting device.

[0094] It is also advantageous if at least one function of the provisioning device can be manipulated depending on a control and / or measuring variable determined at the strip casting device and / or at another processing device.

[0095] The measures mentioned above allow the device to be operated in a more targeted manner with regard to its operating parameters.

[0096] With regard to a preferred embodiment, it is advantageous if at least one first device of the system can be manipulated at more than one communication level depending on at least one further device of the system, in particular at a first control-based communication level and at least at a further regulation-based communication level, wherein the respective communication level is optionally supported by a model. Page 16 / 44

[0097] P80908DE

[0098] The term “communication level” is comparable in this case to a “measurement-control-regulation level”, or “MSR level” for short, whereby the system can, however, have a control-based first communication level for controlling the at least one device and, in addition, at least a regulation-based second communication level for regulating the at least one device.

[0099] Furthermore, the system can also have a model-supported control-based third communication level as well as a model-supported control-based fourth communication level.

[0100] The term "model-based" here describes data preparation or creation for at least one operating model with respect to designated process parameters and / or property parameters. An operating model can be device-specific, meaning at least one model per device, and / or generated, in particular semi-autonomously. Furthermore, an operating model can be cross-device and / or generated, in particular consisting of at least two device-specific operating models, thus enabling the existence and / or generation of a cross-device model.

[0101] Such operating models can be created based on empirical data from previous manufacturing processes for identical or different products. Alternatively, or cumulatively, operating models can also be continuously updated using real-time data and thus adapted to new insights. Operating models supported by artificial intelligence can be particularly advantageous. Page 17 / 44

[0102] P80908DE

[0103] An operating model can be modeled in one dimension or in multiple dimensions, physically and / or chemically.

[0104] Because the system and its devices can advantageously process data and information on device-specific operating parameters on several communication levels, and preferably also on differently functioning communication levels, the system and its devices can not only be preset and operated with significantly greater precision for the production and / or during the production of a product or material strip, but the system can also be more easily adapted to other products or material strips due to the possibility of multiple communication levels with regard to its devices.

[0105] For example, at the control-based first communication level, it is possible for data or information on device-specific process parameters of at least one first device to be transmitted directly to at least one further device, so that, by means of such additional available data or information, this at least one first device can be additionally manipulated or controlled with regard to its functions.

[0106] Alternatively or cumulatively, data or information on device-specific process parameters can be transmitted between at least one first device and at least one further device via the control-based second communication level, in particular directly, in order to be able to further manipulate or control the device with this additional data or information, for example with regard to its functions. Page 18 / 44

[0107] P80908DE

[0108] Cumulatively or alternatively, with regard to the higher-level control-based third and / or fourth communication level, data or information on device-specific process parameters can be transmitted between at least one first device and at least one further device in order to be able to additionally manipulate or control the device with regard to its functions using this additional data or information.Specifically, this includes, among other things, a higher-level process model which can encompass individual process models of individual work devices, in particular a process model of a strip casting device and / or a process model of a strip casting machine and / or a process model of a supply device and / or a process model of a rolling device and / or a process model of a drive roller device and / or a process model of a separating device and / or a process model of a reeling device, and / or communicates with a plurality of individual process models and can take over the overarching control or regulation.

[0109] Data or information on device-specific process parameters can be transmitted directly from device to device in one direction only, or bidirectionally between two devices or multidirectionally between several devices.

[0110] In addition to the control-based and regulation-based first and second communication levels, a model-based communication level can be provided in each case, by means of which model predictive control is possible.

[0111] In addition to the control-based and regulation-based first and second communication levels, a further higher-level model-based communication level can be added to each (see page 19 / 44).

[0112] P80908DE

[0113] A third and / or fourth communication level will be provided, by means of which the entire process of the plant can be mapped.

[0114] This allows devices that are interconnected via data technology to operate even more precisely.

[0115] Corresponding process parameters can advantageously be provided using determined control variables or measured variables.

[0116] The different communication levels described here can be advantageously implemented by means of the control and / or regulation unit on the system if the existing control and / or regulation unit has several control and / or regulation levels.

[0117] The object of the invention is also solved by a method for producing a continuously cast material strip conveyed along a conveying path in the conveying direction, in which a material melt is provided to a strip casting device by means of a supply device, in which the material strip is pre-formed from the material melt by means of the strip casting device, in which the material strip is processed downstream of the strip casting device by means of at least one processing device, wherein at least one device is at least partially manipulated with regard to its function by a further device.

[0118] The inventive method allows the devices to be actively integrated into the manufacturing process as actuators.

[0119] Advantageously, devices provided along the conveyor line in connection with the material belt to be produced can transmit or exchange data and information with each other, page 20 / 44

[0120] P80908DE so that at least one device, preferably several devices, can work more intelligently on the system.

[0121] In practice, it has been shown that a device arranged and operating upstream and / or downstream of a device that provides device-specific or function-specific control and / or measurement variables can be operated more precisely and / or that benefits can be derived from synergy effects.

[0122] The proposed method is particularly advantageous for operating the inventive plant for producing a metal strip.

[0123] The method can be carried out more efficiently if a function of at least one further device, in particular at least one control variable of at least one actuator thereof, is manipulated by means of at least one actuating variable of a first device.

[0124] In particular, control variables or measured variables directly available and retrievable from a device can be determined with little design effort, so that the relevant data or information can be advantageously provided elsewhere, especially on another device.

[0125] Therefore, it is particularly advantageous if a function or control variable or a related actuator of a first device is manipulated depending on at least one control variable and / or measured variable of a control variable or measured variable of a further device.

[0126] Preferably, several measured variables and their measured values ​​are determined on one or more devices. Page 21 / 44

[0127] P80908DE

[0128] A preferred method variant may include the following process steps:

[0129] • Providing information on target parameters for creating device-related process models and / or a higher-level process model, in particular for creating at least one process model with regard to the strip casting device and at least one process model with regard to at least one machining device;

[0130] • Determining (calculating) device-related preset settings to achieve the target parameters using the device-related process models and / or the higher-level process model;

[0131] • Bidirectional or multidirectional further development or optimization of individual device-related process models and / or the higher-level process model; and

[0132] • Providing further developed or optimized preset parameters at the respective device and / or at a control and / or regulating device or control and / or regulating unit of a plant for the production of a material strip.

[0133] Devices can be adjusted even more precisely if device-related process models and / or the higher-level process model are iteratively further developed or optimized.

[0134] In this context, it is also advantageous if device-related process models and / or the higher-level process model are iteratively developed and optimized in a bidirectional or multidirectional manner. Page 22 / 44

[0135] P80908DE

[0136] The functions of a device can be manipulated even more precisely from a more complex set of data if at least one control and / or measurement variable is determined from several determined control and / or measurement variables of a single device or multiple devices.

[0137] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if an artificial intelligence algorithm is used to optimize individual device-related process models and / or the overall process model, especially based on a neural network and / or a genetic algorithm and / or a generative algorithm and / or a deep learning process and / or the like.

[0138] The object of the invention further solves a system for operating a plant for producing a material strip, in particular a plant according to one of the features described here, in which the plant for providing a material melt and for primary forming, handling and / or processing the material strip has a plurality of devices, wherein the plant is set up to carry out the method described here.

[0139] Using the system proposed here, a considerable number of different material strips can be advantageously produced.

[0140] The system can already be implemented by a suitably equipped plant for producing a material strip, in particular by a plant-related control and regulating device.

[0141] The system can also be retrofitted by means of a higher-level control and / or regulation unit, as shown on page 23 / 44.

[0142] P80908DE in particular to be able to carry out the procedure described here on an existing plant for the production of material strips.

[0143] Furthermore, the object of the invention also solves the problem of using an actuating and / or measuring element of a first system device interacting with a material strip for manipulating at least one actuating variable of an actuating element of at least one further system device.

[0144] As already explained several times above, this allows the functions of a plant device to be controlled or regulated even more precisely.

[0145] The object of the invention specifically also solves the problem of using a processing device for processing a metal strip to provide a control and / or measuring variable for manipulating at least one control variable of at least one actuating element of a strip casting device for the primary forming of the material strip.

[0146] In particular, a control and / or measuring variable of a rolling device is particularly well suited for manipulating functions of the strip casting device, especially a strip casting machine.

[0147] The object of the invention is solved just as advantageously by using a strip casting device that forms a material strip to provide a control and / or measuring variable for manipulating at least one control variable of an actuator of a processing device that processes the material strip.

[0148] This also allows a processing device located further downstream to be advantageously operated by means of a control and / or measuring variable of the strip casting device. Page 24 / 44

[0149] P80908DE

[0150] The object of the invention is solved just as advantageously by using a strip casting device that forms a material strip to provide a control and / or measuring variable for manipulating at least one control variable of an actuator of a supply device that provides a material melt.

[0151] A supply device located further upstream can also be advantageously operated by means of a control and / or measuring variable of the strip casting device.

[0152] The invention described here makes it possible to provide the devices used in a plant, or at least some of them, with an extension of function in addition to their actual tasks, so that these devices can be used in an improved way in the plant and / or in the plant network.

[0153] By incorporating the equipment, in particular the strip casting device or strip casting machine, as an active, variable actuator, it is possible to react particularly quickly to process-related changes and consequently to significantly improve the stability and quality of the product to be manufactured.

[0154] Whereas previously the strip casting device was a rather independent, self-contained and / or not very dynamic unit, in this case the strip casting device becomes an intelligent unit of the plant, which can be included in the control and / or regulation of additional sub-areas of the plant or the entire plant.

[0155] The entire workload for quality improvement no longer rests "solely" on the rolling mill or one of its rolling devices, but can now be increasingly handled by the strip casting device beforehand. Page 25 / 44

[0156] P80908DE

[0157] This allows any identified or measured defects from the casting process to be avoided, instead of having to be compensated for exclusively afterwards by the rolling mill and especially its rolling devices.

[0158] Further advantages, details and features of the invention will also become apparent from the exemplary embodiment explained below.

[0159] The drawing shows

[0160] Figure 1: schematically a view of a first embodiment of a system for producing a material strip with a control and / or regulating device comprising several communication levels; and

[0161] Figure 2: schematically a view of a second embodiment of a plant for producing a material strip with a control and / or regulating device comprising several communication levels.

[0162] The plant 1 shown in Figure 1 for producing a continuously cast material strip 2 has a conveying section 4 along which the material strip 2 is continuously conveyed forward in conveying direction 6.

[0163] The system 1 has a machine direction 7, which is determined by the conveying direction 6.

[0164] The system 1 further comprises, on the one hand, a large number of work devices 8, or devices for short, which influence the manufacturing process for producing the material strip 2 or at least can interact with this material strip 2, and on the other hand, a control and / or regulating device 9 is also provided for operating the system 1. Page 26 / 44

[0165] P80908DE

[0166] In this embodiment, the system 1 includes a strip casting device 8A, by means of which a material melt 10 is brought to solidification in a controlled manner and thus the material strip 2 is ultimately formed.

[0167] In this embodiment, the strip casting device 8A comprises a strip casting machine ( 8B ) having two caterpillar tracks.

[0168] To provide the required material melt 10, a corresponding supply device 8C is arranged upstream of the strip casting device 8A, the latter comprising additional equipment such as a casting ladle, a distribution trough and a casting nozzle or the like.

[0169] Further downstream of the strip casting device 8A is a rolling mill 12 with at least one machining device, wherein the at least one machining device provides a rolling device 8D with a hot rolling stand (also not specifically designated).

[0170] The strip casting device 8A and the rolling mill 12 are connected to each other by means of a coupling or decoupling area 14, so that the material strip 2 can be transferred from the strip casting device 8A to the rolling mill 12, preferably endlessly without prior separation.

[0171] To ensure that continuously running work processes of the strip casting device 8A and, for example, the machining device can nevertheless be decoupled from each other, at least one drive roller device 8E comprising a pair of drive rollers is provided at the coupling / decoupling area 14. Page 27 / 44

[0172] P80908DE

[0173] Finally, in this embodiment, downstream of the rolling mill 12, there is also an outlet area 16, on which, for example, a separating device 8 F, a winding group (not separately designated) with at least one reeling device 8G or the like may be arranged.

[0174] It is understood that other embodiments of the present Annex 1 may also include further devices 8, so that a correspondingly differently equipped Annex 1 may also be configured differently.

[0175] In this exemplary embodiment, the devices 8 of Annex 1 are interconnected by data technology and / or signal technology, so that functions of at least individual devices 8 of the devices 8 of Annex 1 can be additionally manipulated by means of data regarding control and / or measurement variables, which are provided by one or more of the devices 8.

[0176] The devices have actuators 17 (designated only by way of example) and measuring elements 18 (designated only by way of example), by means of which the actuating and / or measuring variables can be determined or provided, wherein actuators 17 in turn can be manipulated by means of these provided actuating or measuring variables 17, 18 and thus also functions of the respective device 8.

[0177] The following is an example only of which actuators and / or measuring elements 17 and 18 and corresponding actuators and / or measuring variables are present at the system 1 or can be determined or provided.

[0178] For example, with regard to the provisioning device 8C, manipulable actuators 17 can be used for mani- Page 28 / 44

[0179] P80908DE may be used to manipulate a fill level at a casting or distribution trough device (not shown), or the like. For example, the fill level can follow the casting speed at the strip casting device 8A, whereby an excessively high fill level can lead to density problems. In any case, the fill level can influence the microstructure of the material strip 2. Therefore, it is advantageous if, for example, a control and / or measurement variable with respect to the casting speed at the strip casting device 8A can manipulate at least one actuator 17 at the supply device 8C.

[0180] With regard to the strip casting device 8A, actuators 17 can, for example, for the casting speed, an angular adjustment in particular of the upper conveyor track of the strip casting machine 8B, a cooling system with regard to an outlet temperature of the material strip 2 and / or a temperature profile over the width of the material strip 2, and / or the like, according to the invention.

[0181] With regard to a coupling or decoupling area, actuators 17 can be manipulated by other devices 8 in accordance with the invention, for example, for torque adjustment at a first drive roller device 8E to generate advantageous strip back pressure against the strip casting device 8A and / or at a further drive roller device 8E (not explicitly shown and described) to generate advantageous strip tension against the rolling device 8D. Actuators 17 can also be manipulated to determine a strip loop length in the sense of a buffer function in accordance with the invention, or actuators 17 of a heating device (not shown and described here) to manipulate a temperature of the material strip 2, to name just one further example. Page 29 / 44

[0182] P80908DE

[0183] With regard to the rolling mill 12 or, in particular, the rolling device 8D, actuators 17 can be manipulated in accordance with the invention, which relate to, for example, a drive torque, a drive speed, an actuating force, an actuating position, a pivoting motion, a bending force, a roll displacement, a cooling or lubrication, among other things to influence the roll gap conditions, a temperature influence of the material strip 2, and / or the like.

[0184] With regard to the discharge area 16, actuators 17 can be manipulated according to the invention by actuating and / or measuring variables of other devices 8, such as a winding tension with respect to a rotational speed and / or a torque of a reeling device 8G, a strip tension of a reeling drive device (not shown or described), a trimming device, optionally a cooling device and / or the like.

[0185] It should be mentioned at this point that not all of the aforementioned actuators 17 need to be present or manipulable within the meaning of the present invention. Likewise, the list of actuators 17 is by no means complete and exhaustive; rather, additional or different actuators 17 may be used in other embodiments.

[0186] Firstly, according to a simple embodiment, the devices 8 can be directly interconnected by data technology in accordance with the invention, so that relevant data on manipulated and / or measured variables can be transmitted directly from device 8 (a first device 8) to device 8 (a second device 8), i.e., between a data-sending device 8 and a data-receiving device 8, in order to be able to additionally manipulate at least one manipulated variable and thus also the corresponding actuators 17 of a data-receiving device 8. Page 30 / 44

[0187] P80908DE

[0188] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the devices 8 can be at least indirectly interconnected by means of a control and / or regulating unit 20 in a more complex design, whereby the control and / or regulating unit 20 can be integrated into the mandatory control and / or regulating device 9 of Annex 1, so that the periphery of this control and / or regulating device 9 can be advantageously used.

[0189] By way of example only, this embodiment shows and explains that, for the advantageous manipulation of at least one function of the strip casting device 8A, the rolling device 8D can be connected to this strip casting device 8A via data technology, either directly or preferably with the aid of the control and / or regulating unit 20.

[0190] It is understood that other data communication variants may exist between the individual devices 8 .

[0191] In this embodiment, the control and / or regulation unit 20 can be characterized by a total of four communication levels 22, namely a first control-based communication level 22A, a second regulation-based communication level 22B, a model-supported control-based communication level 22C and a model-supported regulation-based communication level 22D.

[0192] For the model-supported levels 22C and 22D, generated process models 24 and 25 of the devices 8 can be available, whereby in this exemplary embodiment, for the sake of clarity, only process model 24 with regard to the strip casting device 8A and the further process model 25 with regard to the rolling mill 12 are shown by way of example. Typical further page 31 / 44

[0193] P80908DE

[0194] Process models, which are not shown for the sake of simplicity, can be metallurgical models and temperature models.

[0195] For the initial generation of process models 24 and 25, a pool 26 of information or data sets 27 can be available, which may include, for example, target parameters regarding the properties of the material strip 2 to be produced.

[0196] Using the process models 24 and 25, initial preset settings 28 can be determined.

[0197] In this process, the individual process models 24 and 25 can be interconnected by means of an iteration unit 30 (shown only as an example) and influence each other at the control unit 20, and thus provide further developed or optimized first preset settings 28 for the devices 8, with which the target parameters of the material strip can be produced.

[0198] According to the illustrated Annex 1, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 can enable multidirectional further development or optimization of the process models 24 and 25 on the one hand, and thus also of the settings of actuators 17 on the devices 8, particularly also with regard to preset settings 28, through multidirectional links (in particular symbolized by double arrows) of the devices 8, especially with regard to their actuators and / or measuring elements 17 and 18, as well as the individual communication levels 22.

[0199] A possible operation of the present plant 1 could, for example, include the following procedure:

[0200] Ideally, the two process models 24 and 25 can provide all the necessary data and information on target properties for the strip casting device 8A and the rolling mill 12 (page 32 / 44).

[0201] P80908DE concerning a product to be manufactured (material band 2) or of products to be manufactured and / or a product sequence.

[0202] The respective process model 24, 25, etc., can calculate the required preset values ​​or preset settings 28 for the assigned devices 8. This can be done in iterative passes to avoid critical settings, as explained above.

[0203] The process models 24 and 25 can exchange data with each other, for example, to process their respective preset values ​​and other data. For instance, the outlet temperature of the material strip 2 at the exit (not specified here) of the strip casting device 8A can be used as the starting temperature in the coupling or decoupling area 14, and then, taking into account process-related cooling, processed as an operating parameter in the process models for the forming process in the rolling mill.

[0204] Preset values ​​calculated in this regard can then be transferred to the machine control, in particular with regard to the control-based communication level 22A, for further configuration of the system 1.

[0205] For technological controls, such as for controlling geometric and / or mechanical properties of the material strip 2, in particular with regard to the control-based communication level 22B, both the preset values ​​receive feedback on representative parameters from measured measured values ​​for relevant measured quantities, whereby relevant actuators 17 actively control compliance with the desired target properties.

[0206] Here, measured parameters can be used as auxiliary values ​​for control in the regulation or for setting correction values ​​(page 33 / 44).

[0207] P80908DE of a downstream actuator 17 of a downstream device 8 flow in.

[0208] This makes it possible to correct a measured deviation from a target property upstream in the line of the devices 8 arranged on the conveyor line 6, in order to reduce or ideally completely prevent the occurrence of a critical deviation in the sequence of the material belt 2 or a subsequent product.

[0209] By taking into account the deviation in the target value specification downstream in the line of the device 8, the actuators 17 can be adjusted at the start of the processing of the material strip 2 so that the deviation can at least be corrected and reduced, ideally minimized.

[0210] Therefore, the proposed cooperation between the process models 24, 25 shown and explained, for example, and the controls on the control-based communication level 22B as well as the machine control on the control-based communication level 22A enables optimal utilization of the existing actuators 17 upstream and downstream of the conveyor line 6 of the plant 1.

[0211] In the implementation shown in Figure 2, an additional higher-level process model 29 is provided, which exchanges data with the other process models and can directly influence the actuators 17 at level 22A of the machine control system. The higher-level process model takes into account all processing steps of the system along the conveyor line. This allows the overall process to be quickly optimized, independent of individual calculations.

[0212] In an unspecified form of implementation, the communication methods between the levels, especially in connection with pages 34 / 44, can be described.

[0213] P80908DE a higher-level process model 29 comparable to the communication according to Figure 1 via level 22B .

[0214] For the initial generation of the overarching process model 29, a pool 26 of information or data sets 27 can be available, which may include, for example, target parameters regarding the properties of the material strip 2 to be produced.

[0215] Page 35 / 44

[0216] P80908DE

[0217] Reference symbol list

[0218] 1 Annex

[0219] 2 Material tape

[0220] 4 Conveyor section

[0221] 6 Direction of conveyance

[0222] 7 Machine direction

[0223] 8 work devices or devices

[0224] 8A Strip casting device

[0225] 8B Strip Casting Machine

[0226] 8C Provisioning Device

[0227] 8D rolling device

[0228] 8E Drive roller device

[0229] 8 F separating device

[0230] 8G reel device

[0231] 9 Control and / or regulating device

[0232] 10 material melts

[0233] 12 Walzstrasse

[0234] 14 Coupling or decoupling area

[0235] 16 Outlet area

[0236] 17 actuators

[0237] 18 measuring elements

[0238] 20 Control and / or regulating unit

[0239] 22 levels of communication

[0240] 22A control-based communication level or machine control

[0241] 22B rule-based communication level or technological control

[0242] 22C model-supported control-based communication layer

[0243] 22D model-supported control-based communication layer

[0244] 24 Process model (strip casting device)

[0245] 25 further process model (rolling mill)

[0246] 26 Pool

[0247] 27 information or data sets

[0248] 28 Preset settings Page 36 / 44

[0249] P80908DE higher-level process model iteration unit

Claims

Page 37 / 44 P80908DE Patent claims 1. System (1) for producing a material belt (2) conveyed along a conveying line (6) in the conveying direction (4) comprising: • a continuously operating strip casting device (8A) for the initial forming of the material strip (2) , • a supply device (8C) for supplying a material melt (10) for the strip casting device (8A) , • Devices (8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) for handling and / or processing the preformed material strip (2) , and • a control and / or regulating device (9) for operating the plant (1) , wherein Devices (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) of the system (1) are directly interconnected and / or indirectly connected to each other by means of a control and / or regulating unit (20) via data technology.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a rolling device (8D) is connected to this strip casting device (8A) via data technology in order to manipulate at least one function of the strip casting device (8A).

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a drive roller device (8E) is connected to this strip casting device (8A) via data technology in order to manipulate at least one function of the strip casting device (8A).

4. Plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a reeling device (8G) is provided for manipulating at least one function of the strip casting device (8A) with -37- Page 38 / 44 P80908DE is data-technically connected to this strip casting device (8A).

5. Plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the provisioning device (8C) is connected to the strip casting device (8A) via data technology in order to manipulate at least one function of the strip casting device (8A).

6. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one actuated variable of at least one device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) of the system (1) can be manipulated by means of at least one actuated and / or measured variable of at least one further device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) of the system (1).

7. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) of the system (1) comprises at least one actuating and / or measuring element (17, 18) by means of which at least one actuating and / or measuring variable can be provided by the at least one device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) by means of which at least one actuating and / or measuring variable of a further device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) can be at least partially manipulated.

8. Plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one function of the strip casting device (8A) can be manipulated depending on a control and / or measuring variable determined at the supply device (8C) and / or at a further treatment and / or processing device (8D, 8E, 8F, 8G).

9. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one function of a processing device (8D, 8F) depends on a component attached to the -38- Page 39 / 44 P80908DE The positioning and / or measuring variable determined at the strip casting device (8A) can be manipulated.

10. Plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one function of a treatment device (8E, 8G) can be manipulated depending on a control and / or measuring variable determined at the supply device (8C) and / or at the strip casting device (8A).

11. Plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one function of the supply device (8C) can be manipulated depending on a control and / or measuring variable determined at the strip casting device (8A) and / or at a further processing device (8D, 8F).

12. System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one first device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) of the system (1) is manipulable on more than one communication level (22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D) depending on at least one further device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) of the system (1), in particular on a first control-based communication level (22A) and at least on a further control-based communication level (22B), wherein the respective communication level (22A, 22B) is optionally supported by a model.

13. Annex (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the control and / or regulating unit (20) has several control and / or regulating levels (22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D).

14. Method for producing a continuously cast material strip (2) conveyed along a conveying path (4) in the conveying direction (6), in particular for operating the plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein Page 40 / 44 P80908DE • a material melt (10) is supplied to a strip casting device (8A) by means of a supply device (8C), • the material strip (2) is pre-formed from the molten material (10) by means of the strip casting device (8A), • the material strip (2) is processed by means of at least one processing device (8D, 8F) for processing the material strip (2) downstream of the strip casting device (8A), and • at least one device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) is at least partially manipulated with respect to its function by another device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that a function of at least one further device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G), in particular at least one actuating variable of at least one actuator (17) thereof, is manipulated by means of at least one actuating variable of a first device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G).

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized by the following method steps: • Providing information on target parameters for creating device-related process models (24, 25) and / or a higher-level process model (29), in particular for creating at least one process model (24) with respect to the strip casting device (8A) and at least one process model (25) with respect to at least one machining device (8D, 8F); • Determining (calculating) device-related preset settings (28) to achieve the target parameters using the Page 41 / 44 P80908DE device-related process models (24, 25) and / or the higher-level process model (29) ; • bidirectional or multidirectional further development or optimization of individual device-related process models (24, 25) and / or the overarching process model (29); and • Providing further developed or optimized preset parameters at the respective device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) and / or at a control and / or regulating device (9) or control and / or regulating unit (20) of a plant (1) for producing a material strip (2) .

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that device-related process models (24, 25) and / or the higher-level process model (29) are each iteratively further developed or optimized.

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that device-related process models (24, 25) and / or the overarching process model (29) are further developed or optimized bidirectionally or multidirectionally.

19. Method according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that at least one manipulated and / or measured variable is determined from several determined manipulated and / or measured variables of a single device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) or several devices (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G).

20. Method according to one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that for optimizing individual device-related process models (24, 25) and / or the overarching Process model (29) uses an algorithm for artificial intelligence, in particular based on a neural network Page 42 / 44 P80908DE and / or a genetic algorithm and / or a generative algorithm and / or a deep learning process.

21. System for operating a plant (1) for producing a material strip (2), in particular a plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the plant (1) for providing a material melt (10), for primary forming, for handling and / or for processing the material strip (2) comprises a plurality of devices (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G), wherein the plant (1) is configured to carry out the method according to one of claims 14 to 20.

22. System according to claim 21, characterized by a superior control and / or regulating unit (20) for carrying out the method according to one of claims 14 to 20.

23. Use of an actuating and / or measuring element (17, 18) of a first system device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G) interacting with a material strip (2) for manipulating at least one actuating variable of an actuating element (17) of at least one further system device (8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G).

24. Use of a processing device (8D, 8F) for processing a metal strip (2) to provide a control and / or measurement variable for manipulating at least one control variable of an actuator (17) of a strip casting device (8A) for forming the material strip (2) .

25. Use of a strip casting device (8A) forming a material strip (2) for providing a control and / or measuring variable for manipulating at least one control variable of an actuator (17) of a processing device (8D, 8F) processing the material strip (2).

26. Use of a material melt (10) supplying device (8C) for supplying a control and / or measurement variable for manipulating at least one control variable Page 43 / 44 P80908DE of an actuator (17) of a processing device (8D, 8F) on a rolling mill (12) of a plant (1) for producing the material strip ( 2 ).

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