Rolling mill for rolling metal rolling stock, and method for automatically adjusting at least one roll position in a rolling mill
The rolling mill with edge detection and pivoting mechanisms automatically adjusts roll positions for precise strip alignment, addressing misalignment issues and enhancing productivity by eliminating manual interventions and enabling higher strip speeds.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SMS GROUP GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing rolling mills face challenges in achieving precise and efficient positioning of metal strips during the rolling process, particularly when rolling non-tension metal strips, leading to misalignment and reduced productivity due to manual adjustments and the need for manual intervention to center the strip before winding, which results in crooked coils and increased energy consumption.
A rolling mill equipped with edge detection devices and a pivoting mechanism that automatically adjusts the position of the rolls based on real-time measurements of the strip edges, allowing for precise centering without requiring knowledge of the strip width, and includes a control system to equalize the distances between the strip edges and the centerline, enabling automated and precise positioning.
The solution enables improved productivity and precision in rolling operations by allowing automated adjustment of roll positions, reducing manual intervention, and enabling higher strip speeds during tensionless rolling, resulting in more efficient and cost-effective coil production.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025083276_21052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Page 1 / 41
[0002] Applicant: SMS group GmbH
[0003] Our reference number: P81079WO
[0004] November 17, 2025
[0005] Rolling mill for rolling metallic rolled material and method for automatically adjusting at least one roll position in a rolling mill
[0006] The present invention relates to a rolling mill for rolling metallic materials. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for automatically adjusting at least one roll position in a rolling mill.
[0007] Rolling mills are used for the mechanical forming of a typically metallic material by reducing its cross-section. During the rolling process, the material is formed into a semi-finished product, such as a metal strip, between two or more rotating rolls, also known as work rolls, under appropriate pressure. For storage and / or transport, the resulting metal strip is typically wound onto a coiling device, also called a reel. The wound metal strips are also referred to as coils.
[0008] The metal strip rolled by the rollers does not always emerge symmetrically or centrally from the roll gap formed between the rollers, so that one end of the strip deviates, i.e., it deviates to one side or the other. This is particularly problematic with non-tension metal strip, where no tensile force is exerted on the strip, or none yet, for example, by a winding device. Page 2 / 41
[0009] P81079WO This misalignment of the metal strip causes it to be wound crookedly by a winding device located downstream of the rollers in the conveying direction, so that the edges of the wound metal strip do not align. This is undesirable because coils wound in this way are likely to be damaged, especially at the edges, and the coil is more difficult to transport and store. Typically, metal strips wound crookedly on a reel are removed and melted down, resulting in a significant economic disadvantage and increased energy consumption for coil production.
[0010] Therefore, it has been necessary so far for an operator of the rolling mill to manually make corrections to the exit orientation of a metal strip from the rolls, so that the metal strip or the rolled material is conveyed centrally from the rolls in the required orientation and can be wound up in the desired manner using a winding device.
[0011] Due to manual intervention by an operator, the conveying speed of the metal strip must be reduced. Because of the relatively large distance between the winding device and the rolls (between 3.5 m and 15 m) and because the metal strip must be wound around a reel approximately one and a half to three times before sufficient tension to center the strip can be generated, the productivity of the rolling mill is significantly reduced. This means the metal strip is conveyed between 6 m and 22 m before sufficient tension can be built up by the winding device to center it.
[0012] To solve this problem, it is known from the prior art to detect the position of an edge of the metal strip rolled by two rollers and to adjust the rollers based on this (page 3 / 41).
[0013] P81079WO recorded the edge position of the metal band and set the position data representing it. However, for this, it is necessary that the width of the metal band is known, as otherwise the centering of the metal band cannot be set, or at least not accurately enough.
[0014] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an improved rolling mill that enables increased productivity and more precise positioning of a metal strip conveyed by rolls.
[0015] The problem underlying the present invention is solved by a rolling mill with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the rolling mill are described in the dependent claims.
[0016] More precisely, the problem underlying the invention is solved by a rolling mill comprising at least two rolls rotatably mounted about their respective longitudinal axes in a rolling stand, wherein the rolling mill is designed to roll a material passing between the two rolls in a conveying direction by means of the two rolls. The rolling mill further comprises a pivoting device by means of which at least one of the two rolls can be moved in such a way that an angle enclosed by the longitudinal axes of the two rolls can be changed.Furthermore, the rolling mill has at least one edge detection device arranged downstream of the rolls with respect to the conveying direction, by means of which a first distance of a first lateral edge of the rolled material to a center line extending parallel to the conveying direction or to a line of the two rolls offset parallel to the center line, and a second distance of a second lateral edge of the rolled material to the center line or to the line of the two rolls offset parallel to the center line (18) can be determined. The rolling mill has a control device that is connected to the edge detection device (page 4 / 41).
[0017] P81079WO is data-coupled for receiving measurement data and with the swivel device for transmitting control signals, wherein the control device is configured to control the swivel device based on a difference between the first distance and the second distance in such a way that the first distance and the second distance equalize.
[0018] This achieves the advantage that, by detecting a first distance to a centerline and a second distance to a centerline, the average deviation of the strip from the centerline can be reduced, resulting in more precise positioning of the strip. Furthermore, the rolling mill according to the invention enables automated adjustment of the relative position of the work rolls of the rolling mill such that the metal strip or the rolled material is conveyed centrally from the rolling mill, without requiring knowledge of the width of the metal strip or the rolled material. Consequently, the rolling mill according to the invention offers improved usability. In particular, during reversing rolling, the width of the rolled material changes during the rolling process, so that the rolling mill according to the invention also enables orientation-correct conveying of the rolled material during reversing rolling.This also makes it possible to increase the strip speed during tensionless rolling, resulting in advantages in terms of productivity.
[0019] Rolling refers to a forming process in metalworking in which a workpiece is passed through the gap between two or more rotating rollers to change its shape, thickness, and / or surface properties. The material is plastically deformed by the compressive forces of the rollers and processed into products such as sheets, strips, profiles, or tubes. Page 5 / 41
[0020] P81079WO The rolling mill can preferably be configured for rolling metals, in particular steel, aluminum, and / or copper. The rolling mill can be configured as a cold rolling mill for rolling cold metal. Cold metal can be metal that has a temperature below its recrystallization temperature at the time of forming. The rolling mill can also be configured as a hot rolling mill for rolling hot metal. Hot metal can be metal that has a temperature above its recrystallization temperature at the time of forming.
[0021] In addition to the at least two rolls, which are also called work rolls, the rolling mill may have further rolls, in particular backup rolls and / or intermediate rolls.
[0022] The rolling mill can be a duo stand, a trio stand, a quarto stand, a sexto stand, a twelve-roll stand, a cluster stand and / or a reversing stand. According to the invention, there are no restrictions in this regard.
[0023] The rollers can be cylindrical rollers or convex rollers with a contour grind of the nth order.
[0024] A roll gap is formed between the two work rolls. The roll gap can be adjustable. For this purpose, the rolling mill can have at least one drive device for adjusting the rolls and, in particular, for changing the thickness of the roll gap. The thickness of the roll gap can be adjusted uniformly. However, the thickness of the roll gap can also be adjusted unevenly, so that, in particular, the thickness of the roll gap increases or decreases along a curve parallel to the axis of rotation of one of the two rolls. Page 6 / 41
[0025] P81079WO A conveying direction can be the direction in which the material to be rolled is conveyed through the roll gap. The conveying direction can correspond to the feed direction of the material to be rolled. The first conveying direction can be opposite to the second conveying direction.
[0026] Downstream, the side of the rolling mill along the conveying direction may be where the material being rolled has undergone greater plastic deformation than on the other side, in particular the side opposite the downstream side of the rolling mill.
[0027] The side opposite the downstream side is called the upstream side.
[0028] The pivoting device serves to pivot at least one of the two work rolls. The pivoting device can comprise a frame, a drive unit, a pivoting mechanism, position sensors and / or a control unit configured to enable the pivoting of at least one of the two work rolls.
[0029] Preferably, the pivoting device is designed to pivot at least one of the rollers, preferably the upper roller in the installed position, in a plane which is oriented perpendicular to a plane which is spanned by a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent of the rolled material.
[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the pivoting device is designed to pivot one of the rollers, preferably the upper roller in the installed position, in a plane that is aligned parallel to a plane defined by the longitudinal and lateral extents of the rolled material. Page 7 / 41
[0031] P81079WO An edge detection device can be a device that can determine the exact position of an outer edge of the rolled material. An edge detection device can include at least one sensor, a signal processing unit, a control unit and / or actuators.
[0032] The edge detection device can have at least one sensor, preferably several sensors. The sensor(s) can be configured as an optical sensor, capacitive sensor, inductive sensor, laser sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and / or tactile sensor. In particular, the sensor(s) can be configured as a light section sensor.
[0033] The edge detection device serves to determine a first distance of a first side edge of the rolled material to a center line of the two rollers extending parallel to the conveying direction and a second distance of a second side edge of the rolled material to the center line.
[0034] The center line of the two rollers can be the line that lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first roller and / or the second roller and passes through the common center of gravity of the first and second rollers. The center line of the two rollers can extend through the centers of the roller cores.
[0035] The edge detection device can be configured to measure the first distance and / or the second distance perpendicular to the center line of the two rollers.
[0036] The edge detection device can be configured to measure the first distance and / or the second distance continuously or intermittently. In particular, the edge detection device can thus be configured to measure a temporal distance. Page 8 / 41
[0037] P81079WO To determine the course of the first distance and / or the second distance and to record it using a control device. The control device can be the control device of the rolling mill.
[0038] If the control device for receiving measurement data is data-coupled with the edge detection device, this can mean that the control device receives data from the edge detection device about the first and second distances in a format that allows further processing or use of this data. In particular, the data can be transmitted digitally. Preferably, the edge detection device transmits a time series of data for the first and second distances, and more preferably, time information is also transmitted with each data point.
[0039] If the control device for transmitting control signals is data-coupled with the swivel device, this can mean that the control device is configured to transmit a control signal to the swivel device in such a way that a control command, in particular a command to activate and / or deactivate at least one drive unit of the swivel device, is implemented in the swivel device.
[0040] If the control device is designed to control the swivel device based on a difference between the first and second distances such that the first and second distances equalize, this can mean that the control device determines a corresponding difference for each data pair of a first and a second distance that were acquired at the same time and, according to control logic stored in the control device, in particular a calculation formula, determines a manipulated variable that forms the basis of a control signal to the swivel device. In particular, see page 9 / 41
[0041] P81079WO establishes a calculation formula on a heuristic and / or empirical basis to establish a relationship between the difference amount and the required pivoting of at least one roller.
[0042] The fact that the first and second distances converge can mean that the difference becomes smaller. In particular, this can mean that, over time, each data pair of a first and a second distance generates a smaller difference than the preceding data pair. The fact that the first and second distances converge can mean that the difference between the first and second distances is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 3 mm, and even more preferably less than 1 mm.
[0043] The rolling mill may be equipped with an edge detection device downstream of both the first and second conveying directions. This enables reversible rolling of the material. This can result in advantages regarding the productivity of the rolling mill and the precision of the positioning of the material being rolled.
[0044] Preferably the rolling mill is designed such that the edge detection device has at least one sensor, preferably an optical sensor, which is arranged downstream of the rollers in relation to the conveying direction between a first end of the first roller and / or the second roller and a second end of the first roller and / or the second roller.
[0045] This allows the sensor to be used particularly efficiently, resulting in advantages in terms of the precision of positioning the rolled material. Page 10 / 41
[0046] P81079WO A first end of a roller can be defined by the end face of the roller. A first end can be defined by a point on the roller furthest from the roller's center of gravity on the roller's axis of rotation.
[0047] A second end of a roller can be defined by the end face of the roller. Alternatively, a second end can be defined by the point on the roller's axis of rotation furthest from its center of gravity.
[0048] The sensor can be configured to detect the first distance and the second distance, especially simultaneously or intermittently.
[0049] This allows a single sensor to measure both the first and second distances, which can result in cost advantages for the rolling mill.
[0050] Preferably, the rolling mill is designed such that the edge detection device has at least two sensors, preferably optical sensors, wherein a first sensor, preferably a first optical sensor, is arranged on a first side of the center line of the two rollers extending parallel to the conveying direction, and wherein a second sensor, preferably a second optical sensor, is arranged on a second side of the center line of the two rollers extending parallel to the conveying direction.
[0051] This can have the advantage of more accurately determining the first and second distances to the centerline, which can lead to improvements in the precision of the rolled material's positioning, as the positions of the edges of the rolled material, in particular, can be determined with greater accuracy. Page 11 / 41
[0052] P81079WO
[0053] The first and second sensors can be identical in construction. The first and second sensors can be of different designs. Both the first and second sensors can be connected to the same control unit for transmitting the data for the first and second distances.
[0054] The first side of the centerline and the second side of the centerline can be different sides of the centerline. In particular, the first side of the centerline and the second side of the centerline can lie on different sides of a plane that passes through the centerline and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first roller and / or the second roller.
[0055] Preferably, the rolling mill is designed such that the first sensor is arranged in a top view of the rolling mill such that, when the rolled material is in the rolling mill, the first side edge of the rolled material is arranged between the first sensor and the center line, and / or that the second sensor is arranged in a top view of the rolling mill such that, when the rolled material is in the rolling mill, the second side edge of the rolled material is arranged between the second sensor and the center line.
[0056] The appropriately designed rolling mill offers the advantage that, due to the sensor arrangement, the positions of the edges of the rolled material can be determined with even greater precision and reliability. A further advantage can lie in increased productivity of the rolling mill, as the sensors are less susceptible to bending, the unintended phenomenon in the rolling process where the rolled material, after leaving the roll gap, does not continue in the desired straight line but bends upwards, downwards, or to the side. This occurs on page 12 / 41
[0057] Error code P81079WO frequently occurs when uneven rolling conditions are present and could damage the sensor technology during the process, resulting in downtime of the plant.
[0058] The top view of the rolling mill can be the direction that runs along a direction perpendicular to the material being rolled – i.e., along a surface normal of the rolled material.
[0059] If the first and / or second edge of the rolled material is arranged between two objects, in particular between the first and / or second sensor and the center line, this can refer in particular to an arrangement along a direction that runs parallel to the axis of rotation of the first roller and / or the second roller.
[0060] Preferably, the rolling mill is designed for rolling material with a predetermined maximum width, wherein the first sensor and / or the second sensor, viewed from a plane spanned by the conveying direction and one of the longitudinal axes of the two rollers, has a greater distance to the center line than half the maximum width.
[0061] In particular, the first sensor and / or the second sensor can be located further from the center of gravity of the first and / or the second roller in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the first and / or the second roller than half the extent width of the respective roller along its respective axis of rotation.
[0062] This allows for the provision of a particularly reliable and therefore efficient and cost-effective rolling mill.
[0063] Preferably, the rolling mill is designed such that the first sensor is designed as a first light section sensor, page 13 / 41
[0064] P81079WO and / or that the second sensor is designed as a second light section sensor.
[0065] The appropriately designed rolling mill has the advantage that the side edges of the rolled material can be detected with improved reliability, so that the first distance of the first side edge and / or the second distance of the second side edge to the center line can be determined with improved accuracy, thus offering advantages in terms of the precision of the positioning of the rolled material.
[0066] A light section sensor can be an optical sensor used for non-contact measurement of surface profiles and for detecting edges or distances, whereby the light section sensor is based on laser triangulation, in which a laser beam projects a line onto the object to be measured, and the position of this line is detected from another angle by a camera or detector.
[0067] The first and second light section sensors can be identical in construction. The first and second light section sensors can also be of different designs.
[0068] Preferably, the rolling mill has a roll bending device by means of which the bending of at least one of the rolls can be changed. Furthermore, the rolling mill has at least one topography detection device arranged downstream of the rolls in the conveying direction, by means of which the topography of the rolled material discharged by the rolls can be determined. The control unit is connected to the topography detection device for receiving topography measurement data and to the roll bending device for transmitting position signals. Page 14 / 41
[0069] P81079WO nalen datengekoppelt, wherein the control device is designed to control the roll bending device based on received topography measurement data in such a way as to reduce waviness of the rolled material.
[0070] A faulty topography of the rolled material can lead to scrap production. A topography detection system coupled with a roll bending system can therefore offer the advantage of reduced scrap production, which can result in increased productivity of the rolling mill.
[0071] A roll bending device can be a technical system of the rolling mill that serves to control and compensate for the bending of the work rolls during the rolling process.
[0072] The topography of the rolled material output by the rollers can be the surface structure of the rolled material and include the height differences, patterns, roughness and / or other surface features that are visible on the material after the rolling process by the eye or a microscope.
[0073] The topography detection device can be a device designed to detect the topography of the rolled material output by the rollers.
[0074] The topography detection device preferably has an optical sensor, and more preferably the topography detection device has a light section sensor.
[0075] The topography detection device may include a surface texture detection device. The topography detection device may include a waviness detection device. Page 15 / 41
[0076] P81079WO Preferably, the edge detection device and the topography detection device are designed as a single, combined device. Preferably, the edge detection device has at least one, and more preferably two, light section sensors, each of which functions as both an edge detection device and a topography detection device.
[0077] Preferably, the rolling mill is designed such that the topography detection device has at least one optical sensor which is arranged downstream of the rolls in relation to the conveying direction between a first end of the first roll and / or the second roll and a second end of the first roll and / or the second roll.
[0078] This allows the optical sensor to be used particularly efficiently, resulting in advantages in terms of the precision of determining the topography of the rolled material.
[0079] A first end of a roller can be defined by the end face of the roller. Alternatively, a first end can be defined by the point on the roller furthest from its center of gravity on the roller's axis of rotation.
[0080] A second end of a roller can be defined by the end face of the roller. Alternatively, a second end can be defined by the point on the roller's axis of rotation furthest from its center of gravity.
[0081] Preferably, the rolling mill is designed such that the topography detection device has at least two optical sensors, wherein a first optical sensor of the topography detection device is arranged on a first side of the center line of the two rolls extending parallel to the conveying direction, and wherein a second optical sensor of the topography detection device (page 16 / 41)
[0082] P81079WO is arranged on a second side of the center line of the two rollers, which extends parallel to the conveying direction.
[0083] This can have the advantage of a more accurate recording of the topography, which can result in advantages regarding the productivity of the rolling mill.
[0084] The first optical sensor of the topography acquisition device and the second optical sensor of the topography acquisition device can be identical in construction.
[0085] This can result in cost advantages for the rolling mill.
[0086] The first optical sensor of the topography acquisition device and the second optical sensor of the topography acquisition device can be of different designs.
[0087] This can result in advantages regarding the precision of the positioning of the material to be rolled by the rolling mill.
[0088] The first optical sensor of the topography acquisition device and the second optical sensor of the topography acquisition device can both be connected to the same control unit for transmitting the topography data.
[0089] This can result in cost advantages for the rolling mill.
[0090] The first side of the centerline and the second side of the centerline can be different sides of the centerline. In particular, the first side of the centerline and the second side of the centerline can lie on opposite sides of a plane that passes through the centerline and is perpendicular to the centerline (see page 17 / 41).
[0091] P81079WO Rotation axis of the first roller and / or the second roller runs.
[0092] The first optical sensor of the topography detection device and the second optical sensor of the topography detection device can be identical to the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor of the edge detection device.
[0093] This can have the advantage of increased productivity of the rolling mill and improved precision in the positioning of the material to be rolled in the rolling mill.
[0094] Preferably, the rolling mill for rolling material is designed with a predetermined maximum width, and the first optical sensor of the topography detection device and / or the second optical sensor of the topography detection device, in a top view, have a greater distance to the center line from a plane stretched between the conveying direction and one of the longitudinal axes of the two rollers than half the maximum width.
[0095] One advantage can be an increase in the productivity of the rolling mill, as the sensors are less susceptible to bending, the unintended phenomenon in the rolling process where the rolled material, after leaving the roll gap, does not continue in the desired straight line but bends upwards, downwards, or to the side. This often occurs when there are uneven rolling conditions and could damage the sensor technology during the process, resulting in downtime for the strip.
[0096] In particular, the first optical sensor of the topography detection device and / or the second optical sensor of the topography detection device can be located further away from the center of gravity of the first and / or the second roller in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the first and / or the second roller. Page 18 / 41
[0097] P81079WO as half the extension width of the respective roller along its respective axis of rotation.
[0098] This allows for the provision of a particularly reliable and therefore efficient and cost-effective rolling mill.
[0099] Preferably, the rolling mill is designed such that the first optical sensor of the topography detection device is arranged in a top view of the rolling mill such that, when the rolled material is in the rolling mill, the first side edge of the rolled material is arranged between the first optical sensor of the topography detection device and the center line, and / or that the second optical sensor of the topography detection device is arranged in a top view of the rolling mill such that, when the rolled material is in the rolling mill, the second side edge of the rolled material is arranged between the second optical sensor of the topography detection device and the center line.
[0100] This can result in advantages regarding the productivity of the rolling mill.
[0101] Further preferably, the rolling mill is configured such that the first optical sensor of the topography detection device is configured as a first light section sensor, and / or that the second optical sensor of the topography detection device is configured as a second light section sensor. (A12)
[0102] The appropriately designed rolling mill offers the advantage that the topography of the material being rolled can be detected with improved accuracy and reliability, thus resulting in advantages in terms of the precision of the roll bending device settings and, consequently, in the productivity of the rolling mill. Page 19 / 41
[0103] P81079WO Preferably the rolling mill has a winding device for winding up a rolled material rolled by means of the two rolls, wherein the winding device is arranged downstream of the at least two rolls with respect to the conveying direction.
[0104] This can have the advantage that, once a predetermined quantity of material to be rolled has passed through the roll gap (determined by the positioning of the winding device), the material to be rolled experiences a tensile force and is also fixed in place. This can result in advantages regarding the productivity of the rolling mill as well as the precision of the positioning of the material to be rolled.
[0105] A winding device can be a machine or a mechanical device designed to wind the rolled material onto a spool, drum or reel after the rolling process.
[0106] The winding device can be set up to generate a predetermined tensile stress in the rolled material.
[0107] This can result in advantages regarding the precision of the positioning of the material to be rolled by the rolling mill.
[0108] This can result in advantages regarding the precision of the positioning of the material to be rolled by the rolling mill.
[0109] The winding device may include a cutting device.
[0110] This can result in advantages regarding the productivity of the rolling mill. Page 20 / 41
[0111] P81079WO The winding device can be configured as a single winder, a double winder and / or a fully automatic winding device.
[0112] This can result in advantages regarding the productivity of the rolling mill.
[0113] The present invention also aims to provide a method that enables particularly high precision in the positioning of rolled material on a rolling mill, as well as high productivity in the rolling of rolled material.
[0114] The problem underlying the present invention is solved by a method for automatically adjusting at least one roll position of at least one roll of a rolling mill, wherein the rolling mill has at least two rolls which are rotatably mounted about their respective longitudinal axes in a rolling stand, and wherein the rolling mill is designed to roll a material passing between the two rolls in a conveying direction by means of the two rolls. The rolling mill further comprises a pivoting device by means of which at least one of the two rolls can be moved in such a way that an angle enclosed by the longitudinal axes of the two rolls can be changed.Furthermore, the rolling mill has at least one edge detection device arranged downstream of the rolls in the conveying direction, by means of which a first distance of a first lateral edge of the rolled material to a center line extending parallel to the conveying direction or to a line of the two rolls offset from the center line, and a second distance of a second lateral edge of the rolled material to the center line or to the line of the two rolls offset from the center line, can be determined. The rolling mill also has a control device that communicates with the edge detection device for receiving measurement data and with page 21 / 41.
[0115] The P81079WO swivel device for transmitting control signals is data-linked. The procedure comprises the following steps:
[0116] Determining a first distance of the first side edge of the rolled material to the center line or to the line of the two rollers offset parallel to the center line using the edge detection device;
[0117] Determining a second distance of the second side edge of the rolled material to the center line or to the line of the two rollers offset parallel to the center line using the edge detection device;
[0118] Determining a difference between the first distance and the second distance using the control device; and adjusting at least one roller position of at least one of the two rollers such that the first distance and the second distance are equal to each other using the control device and the swiveling device.
[0119] This achieves the advantage that, by detecting a first distance to a centerline and a second distance to a centerline, the average deviation of the strip from the centerline can be reduced, resulting in more precise positioning of the strip. Furthermore, the method according to the invention enables automated adjustment of the relative position of the work rolls of the rolling mill such that the metal strip or the rolled material is conveyed centrally from the rolling mill, without requiring knowledge of the width of the metal strip or the rolled material. This eliminates the need for manual operation by a human operator, thus enabling higher precision in the positioning of the rolled material and, due to a higher possible feed rate of the strip, also higher productivity. Consequently, the rolling mill according to the invention offers improved application possibilities.Especially with a reversing roller, page 22 / 41 changes.
[0120] P81079WO The width of the rolled material during the rolling process allows the rolling plant according to the invention to convey the rolled material in the correct orientation even during reversing rolling. This also makes it possible to increase the strip speed during tensionless rolling, resulting in productivity advantages.
[0121] The feature according to which a roller position of at least one of the two rollers is adjusted by means of the control device and the swiveling device in such a way that the first distance and the second distance equalize is to be understood as meaning that the respective amounts of the first distance and the second distance equalize.
[0122] Determining the first distance, the second distance and / or the difference between the first distance and the second distance can be done discretely or continuously, whereby in a continuous measurement an analog-to-digital converter can be used to discretize the analog measurement data.
[0123] The advantage of discrete measurement can be a particularly efficient acquisition of measurement data, which can result in advantages regarding the productivity of the rolling mill.
[0124] The advantage of continuous measurement can be a particularly accurate recording of the measurement data, which can result in advantages regarding the precision of the positioning of the rolled material to be rolled by the rolling mill.
[0125] Determining the first distance, the second distance and / or determining the difference between the first distance and the second distance can be done with a measurement frequency of more than 1 Hz, preferably more than 10 Hz, further preferably more than page 23 / 41
[0126] P81079WO 25 Hz, preferably further more than 100 Hz, preferably further more than 500 Hz and preferably further more than 1000 Hz.
[0127] This allows for particularly accurate recording of the measurement data, which can result in advantages regarding the precision of the positioning of the rolled material to be rolled by the rolling mill.
[0128] Preferably, the method is designed to include, in a rolling mill which additionally has a roll bending device by means of which the roll bending of at least one of the rolls can be changed, and at least one topography detection device which is arranged downstream of the rolls with respect to the conveying direction, by means of which a topography of the rolled material discharged by the rolls can be determined, and wherein the control device is data-coupled with the topography detection device for receiving topography measurement data and with the roll bending device for transmitting control signals, the method additionally comprises the following process steps:
[0129] Determining the topography of the rolled material output by the rollers using the topography detection device; and setting the roller bending of at least one of the rollers based on the topography measurement data using the control device and the roller bending device.
[0130] This can result in advantages in terms of productivity, as defective production can be avoided.
[0131] Determining a topography here can mean creating a 3D map of the surface of the material to be rolled. Determining a topography here can also mean determining a parameter that defines the waviness and / or another property of the height profile of the surface of the material to be rolled. Page 24 / 41
[0132] P81079WO describes rolled material. Determining a topography here can mean determining a height deviation of the rolled material with respect to a mean plane of the rolled material.
[0133] Adjusting the roll bend of at least one of the rolls based on topography measurement data using the control unit and the roll bending device can mean that the control unit calculates a target value for the roll bend and, based on this target value and the current actual value of the roll bend, sends a corresponding control command to the roll bending device. This command is suitable for adjusting the actual value of the roll bend to the target value. In particular, the control unit can determine the target value based on a heuristic or an empirical model.
[0134] Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below.
[0135] Specifically, they show:
[0136] Figure 1: a side view of a rolling mill;
[0137] Figure 2: a top view of a rolling mill;
[0138] Figure 3a: a front view of two pivoted rolls; Figure 3b: a top view of two pivoted rolls; and Figure 4: a flow diagram of a method for automatically adjusting at least one roll position in a rolling mill.
[0139] In the following description, identical reference symbols denote identical components or identical features, so that a reference to page 25 / 41
[0140] P81079WO A description of a component in one figure also applies to the other figures, thus avoiding repetitive descriptions. Furthermore, individual features described in connection with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments.
[0141] Figure 1 and Figure 2 show an exemplary rolling mill 1 according to the invention, each in a side view and a top view.
[0142] The rolling mill 1 is used for rolling material 14. For this purpose, the rolling mill 1 has a first roll 10 and a second roll 11, between which a roll gap is formed through which the material 14 can be passed. A rolling force can be exerted on the material 14 by the two rolls 10, 11, which are also referred to as work rolls 10, 11, thereby causing plastic deformation of the material 14.
[0143] In the embodiment shown here, the rolling mill 1 is designed as a four-roll stand, such that each of the first roll 10 and the second roll 11 is supported by a backup roll. The rolls are supported by a rolling stand 13, which is not shown in the figures.
[0144] The rolled material 14 can be fed to the rolling mill 1 by means of a reel 80.
[0145] After the rolled material 14 has left the roll gap between the first roll 10 and the second roll 11, it is fed to a winding device 70 and wound up by it. Page 26 / 41
[0146] P81079WO The first roller 10 has a longitudinal axis 12 and the second roller 11 has a longitudinal axis 12 ', which are also the rotation axis 12, 12 ' of the respective first roller 10 or second roller 11.
[0147] The angle 15 between the longitudinal axes 12 of the first roll 10 and the second roll 11 can be changed. For this purpose, the rolling mill 1 has a pivoting device 20. This device can change the position of the first roll 10 when it receives corresponding control commands. The pivoting device 20 is usually positioned above or below the rolls 10 and 20, and can also be located centrally above or below them. In the embodiment shown here, the position of the longitudinal axis 12' of the second roll 11 is fixed.
[0148] Figures 3a and 3b each show a different variant according to the invention for pivoting the first roller 10 relative to the second roller 11. By means of the pivoting device 20, an angle 15, 15' between the longitudinal axes 12, 12' of the respective first roller 10 and the second roller 11 can be set.
[0149] In the pivoting of the first roller 10 relative to the second roller 11 by the angle 15 shown in Figure 3a, the first roller 10 is pivoted in a plane which is oriented perpendicular to a plane which is spanned by a longitudinal extension and by a lateral extension of the rolled material 14.
[0150] In the pivoting of the first roll 10 relative to the second roll 11 by the angle 15' shown in Figure 3b, the first roll 10 is pivoted in a plane that is aligned parallel to a plane defined by the longitudinal and lateral extents of the rolled material 14. Page 27 / 41
[0151] P81079WO As can also be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the rolling mill has an edge detection device 30 by means of which a first side edge 16 and a second side edge 17 of a rolled material 14 can be detected and thus a first distance 31 of the first side edge 16 from a center line 18 of the rolled material 14 and a second distance 32 of the second side edge 17 from the center line 18 can be determined.
[0152] The edge detection device comprises two optical sensors 33, 34, which are designed as light section sensors 33, 34. The first optical sensor 33 and the second optical sensor 34 are arranged along the first conveying direction RI downstream of the first roll 10 and the second roll 11. In a top view of the rolling mill 1, the first optical sensor 33 and the second optical sensor 34 are arranged such that, when the rolled material 14 is located in the rolling mill 1, the first side edge 16 of the rolled material 14 is located between the first optical sensor 33 and the center line 18, and the second side edge 17 of the rolled material 14 is located between the second optical sensor 34 and the center line 18.
[0153] The rolling mill 1 has a total of four optical sensors, wherein, in addition to the optical sensors described above, a further pair of a first optical sensor 33 and a second optical sensor 34 is arranged along a second conveying direction R2 downstream of the first roll 10 and the second roll 11, wherein the first conveying direction RI and the second conveying direction R2 run opposite to each other.
[0154] For processing data and sending control commands, the rolling mill 1 also has a control unit 40. The control unit is data-coupled with the edge detection unit 30 for receiving measurement data and with the swiveling unit 20 for transmitting control signals. Page 28 / 41
[0155] P81079WO Figure 2 shows that the rolled stock 14, when leaving the roll gap, especially if it is not yet sufficiently wound onto the winding device 70, can deviate from a straight path along the conveying direction RI, resulting in an offset A. This is detrimental to the winding of the rolled stock 14.
[0156] Therefore, the control device 40 is designed to control the swivel device 20 based on a difference between the first distance 31 and the second distance 32 in such a way that the first distance 31 and the second distance 32 equalize to each other.
[0157] In this way, the offset A can be reduced or eliminated, so that the rolled material 14 can be wound by the winding device 70 in such a way that a wound coil is cylindrical and not bag-shaped.
[0158] The rolling mill 1 also has a roll bending device 50. This serves to exert a force on the first roll 10 and / or on the second roll 11, so that the first roll 10 and / or the second roll 11 undergo elastic bending.
[0159] Furthermore, the rolling mill 1 has a topography detection device 60. The topography detection device 60 has a first optical sensor 61 and a second optical sensor 62. In the embodiment shown here, the first optical sensor 33 and the second optical sensor 34 are identical to the first optical sensor 61 and the second optical sensor 62 of the topography detection device 60, respectively.
[0160] The control unit 40 is connected to the topography acquisition unit 60 for receiving topography measurement data and with page 29 / 41
[0161] The P81079WO of the roll bending device 50 is data-linked for transmitting control signals. The control device 40 is also designed to control the roll bending device 50 based on received topography measurement data in such a way as to reduce waviness of the rolled material 14.
[0162] The procedure for automatically adjusting the first roll 10 can be carried out on the rolling mill 1 described above.
[0163] For this purpose, in a process step S1, a first distance 31 of the first side edge 16 of the rolled material 14 to the center line 18 of the two rollers 10, 11 is first determined using the edge detection device 30.
[0164] In a process step S2, simultaneously with process step S1 or after process step S1, a second distance 32 of the second side edge 17 of the rolled material 14 to the center line 18 of the first roll 10 is determined by means of the edge detection device 30.
[0165] The control unit 40 then determines a difference between the first distance 31 and the second distance 32 in a process step S3.
[0166] In a process step S4, the control unit 40 then determines a roller position of the first roller 10 and transmits corresponding control commands to the swiveling device in such a way that the first distance 31 and the second distance 32 equalize.
[0167] Furthermore, in process step S5, the topography detection device 60 determines a topography of the rolled material 14 output by the rollers 10, 11 and from this a roller bending of the first roller 10 is determined by means of the control device 40. Page 30 / 41
[0168] P81079WO is determined based on the topography measurement data, and corresponding control commands are transmitted from the control unit 40 to the roll bending device 50. Page 31 / 41
[0169] P81079WO Reference List
[0170] 1 rolling mill
[0171] 10 First roller
[0172] 11 Second roller
[0173] 12 Longitudinal axis (of the first roller)
[0174] 12 ' Longitudinal axis (of the second roller)
[0175] 13 Rolling mill
[0176] 14 Rolled goods
[0177] 15 angles
[0178] 15° angle
[0179] 16 First side edge
[0180] 17 Second side edge
[0181] 18 Center line
[0182] 19a first end (of the first and / or the second roller) 19b second end (of the first and / or the second roller) 20 swivel device
[0183] 30 edge detection device
[0184] 31 First gap
[0185] 32 Second gap
[0186] 33 First optical sensor
[0187] 34 Second optical sensor
[0188] 35 First page
[0189] 36 Second page
[0190] 40 Control unit
[0191] 50 Roll bending device / Roll bending device 60 Topography detection device
[0192] 61 First sensor of the topography acquisition device 62 Second sensor of the topography acquisition device 70 Winding device
[0193] 80 reels
[0194] R1 First direction of flow
[0195] R2 Second direction of flow
[0196] S1 Procedure Step Page 32 / 41
[0197] P81079WO
[0198] S2 Process step S3 Process step S4 Process step S5 Process step
Claims
Page 33 / 41 Applicant: SMS group GmbH Our reference number: P81079WO Patent claims 1. Rolling mill ( 1 ), comprising: at least two rollers ( 10, 11 ) which are rotatably mounted about their respective longitudinal axes ( 12, 12 ' ) in a rolling mill ( 13 ), wherein the rolling mill ( 1 ) is designed to roll a material ( 14 ) passing between the two rollers ( 10, 11 ) in a conveying direction (RI, R2 ) by means of the two rollers ( 10, 11 ); a pivoting device ( 20 ) by means of which at least one of the two rollers ( 10, 11 ) can be changed in position such that an angle ( 15 ) enclosed by the longitudinal axes ( 12, 12 ' ) of the two rollers ( 10, 11 ) can be changed; at least one edge detection device (30) arranged downstream of the rollers (10, 11) with respect to the conveying direction (RI, R2), by means of which a first distance (31) of a first side edge (16) of the rolled material (14) to a center line (18) extending parallel to the conveying direction (RI, R2) or to a line of the two rollers (10, 11) offset parallel to the center line (18) and a second distance (32) of a second side edge (17) of the rolled material (14) to the center line (18) or to the line of the two rollers (10, 11) offset parallel to the center line (18) can be determined; a control device ( 40 ) which is data-coupled with the edge detection device ( 30 ) for receiving measurement data and with the swivel device ( 20 ) for transmitting control signals, wherein the control device ( 40 ) is configured to, based on a difference between the first distance ( 31 ) and the second distance ( 32 ), control the swivel device Page 34 / 41 P81079WO ( 20 ) such that the first distance ( 31 ) and the second distance ( 32 ) become equal to each other.
2. Rolling machine ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge detection device ( 30 ) has at least one sensor ( 33, 34 ) which is arranged downstream of the rolls ( 10, 11 ) with respect to the conveying direction (RI, R2 ) between a first end ( 19a ) of the first roll ( 10 ) and / or the second roll ( 11 ) and a second end ( 19b ) of the first roll ( 10 ) and / or the second roll ( 11 ).
3. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized by the following features: the edge detection device ( 30 ) has at least two sensors ( 33, 34 ); A first sensor (33) is arranged on a first side (35) of the center line (18) of the two rollers (10, 11) extending parallel to the conveying direction (RI, R2), and a second sensor (34) is arranged on a second side (36) of the center line (18) of the two rollers (10, 11) extending parallel to the conveying direction (RI, R2).
4. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to claim 3, characterized by the following features: The first sensor (33) is arranged in a top view of the rolling mill (1) such that, when the rolled material (14) is located in the rolling mill (1), the first side edge (16) of the rolled material (14) is arranged between the first sensor (33) and the center line (18); and / or the second sensor ( 34 ) is arranged facing the rolling mill ( 1 ) such that when there is rolling material ( 14 ) in the rolling mill ( 1 ) the second Page 35 / 41 P81079WO Side edge ( 17 ) of the rolled material ( 14 ) is arranged between the second sensor ( 34 ) and the center line ( 18 ).
5. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the following features: The rolling mill (1) is designed for rolling material (14) with a predetermined maximum width; and the first sensor (33) and / or the second sensor (34) are / are in plan view at a distance greater than half the maximum width from the conveying direction (RI, R2) and one of the longitudinal axes (12, 12') of the two rollers (10, 11) on a spanning plane to the center line (18).
6. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by the following features: the first sensor ( 33 ) is designed as the first light section sensor ( 33 ); and / or the second sensor ( 34 ) is designed as a second light section sensor ( 34 ).
7. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following features: The rolling mill (1) has a roll bending device (50) by means of which the roll bending of at least one of the rolls (10, 11) can be changed; the rolling mill (1) has at least one topography detection device (60) arranged downstream of the rolls (10, 11) with respect to the conveying direction (RI, R2), by means of which a topography of the rolled material (14) discharged by the rolls can be determined; the control device (40) is connected to the topography detection device (60) for receiving topography measurement data and to the roll bending device. Page 36 / 41 P81079WO device ( 50 ) for transmitting position signals data-coupled, wherein the control device ( 40 ) is designed to control the roll bending device ( 50 ) based on received topography measurement data in such a way as to reduce waviness of the rolled material ( 14 ).
8. Rolling plant ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the topography detection device ( 60 ) has at least one optical sensor ( 61, 62 ) which is arranged downstream of the rolls ( 10, 11 ) with respect to the conveying direction (RI, R2 ) between a first end ( 19a ) of the first roll ( 10 ) and / or the second roll ( 11 ) and a second end ( 19b ) of the first roll ( 10 ) and / or the second roll ( 11 ).
9. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the following features: the topography sensing device ( 60 ) has at least two optical sensors of the topography sensing device ( 61, 62 ); A first optical sensor of the topography detection device ( 61 ) is arranged on a first side ( 35 ) of the center line ( 18 ) of the two rollers ( 10, 11 ) with respect to the center line ( 18 ) extending parallel to the conveying direction (RI, R2 ) of the conveying direction (RI, R2 ), and a second optical sensor of the topography detection device ( 62 ) is arranged on a second side ( 36 ) of the center line ( 18 ) with respect to the center line ( 18 ) of the two rollers ( 10, 11 ) extending parallel to the conveying direction (RI, R2 ).
10. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to claim 9, characterized by the following features: Page 37 / 41 P81079WO the rolling mill ( 1 ) is designed for rolling material ( 14 ) with a predetermined maximum width; and the first optical sensor of the topography detection device ( 61 ) and / or the second optical sensor of the topography detection device ( 62 ) has / have in plan view a greater distance than half the maximum width from the conveying direction (RI, R2 ) and one of the longitudinal axes ( 12, 12 ' ) of the two rolls ( 10, 11 ) on a spanning plane to the center line ( 18 ).
11. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to claim 10, characterized by the following features: The first optical sensor of the topography detection device (61) is arranged in a top view of the rolling mill (1) such that, when the material being rolled (14) is in the rolling mill (1), the first side edge (16) of the material being rolled (14) is arranged between the first optical sensor of the topography detection device (61) and the center line (18); and / or the second optical sensor of the topography detection device (62) is arranged in a top view of the rolling mill (1) such that, when the material being rolled (14) is in the rolling mill (1), the second side edge (17) of the material being rolled (14) is arranged between the second optical sensor of the topography detection device (62) and the center line (18).
12. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the following features: the first optical sensor of the topography sensing device ( 61 ) is designed as a first light section sensor ( 61 ); and / or the second optical sensor of the topography detection device ( 61 ) is designed as a second light section sensor ( 62 ). Page 38 / 41 P81079WO 13. Rolling mill ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rolling mill ( 1 ) has a winding device ( 70 ) for winding up a rolled material ( 14 ) by means of the two rolls ( 10, 11 ), wherein the winding device ( 70 ) is arranged downstream of the at least two rolls ( 10, 11 ) with respect to the conveying direction (RI, R2 ).
14. Method for automatically adjusting at least one roller position of at least one roller ( 10, 11 ) of a rolling mill ( 1 ), wherein the rolling mill ( 1 ) has the following: at least two rollers ( 10, 11 ) which are rotatably mounted about their respective longitudinal axes ( 12, 12 ' ) in a rolling mill ( 13 ), wherein the rolling mill ( 1 ) is designed to roll a material ( 14 ) passing between the two rollers ( 10, 11 ) in a conveying direction (RI, R2 ) by means of the two rollers ( 10, 11 ); a pivoting device ( 20 ) by means of which at least one of the two rollers ( 10, 11 ) can be changed in position such that an angle ( 15 ) enclosed by the longitudinal axes ( 12, 12 ' ) of the two rollers ( 10, 11 ) can be changed; at least one edge detection device (30) arranged downstream of the rollers (10, 11) with respect to the conveying direction (RI, R2), by means of which a first distance (31) of a first side edge (16) of the rolled material (14) to a center line (18) extending parallel to the conveying direction (RI, R2) or to a line of the two rollers (10, 11) offset parallel to the center line (18) and a second distance (32) of a second side edge (17) of the rolled material (14) to the center line (18) or to the line of the two rollers (10, 11) offset parallel to the center line (18) is to be determined. Page 39 / 41 P81079WO ( 18 ) parallel offset line of the two rollers ( 10, 11 ) can be determined; a control device ( 40 ) which is data-coupled with the edge detection device ( 30 ) for receiving measurement data and with the swivel device ( 20 ) for transmitting control signals, the procedure comprises the following steps: Determining (S1) a first distance (31) of the first side edge (16) of the rolled material (14) to the center line (18) or to the line of the two rollers (10, 11) offset parallel to the center line (18) by means of the edge detection device (30); Determining (S2) a second distance (32) of the second side edge (17) of the rolled material (14) to the center line (18) or to the line of the two rolls (10, 11) offset parallel to the center line (18) using the edge detection device (30); Determining (S3) a difference between the first distance (31) and the second distance (32) using the control device (40); and Adjustment (S4) of at least one roller position of at least one of the two rollers (10, 11) such that the first distance (31) and the second distance (32) are equalized by means of the control device (40) and the swivel device (20).
15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the rolling mill ( 1 ) additionally comprises the following: a roller bending device ( 50 ) by means of which the roller bending of at least one of the rollers ( 10, 11 ) can be changed; at least one topography detection device ( 60 ), which is arranged downstream of the rollers ( 10, 11 ) with respect to the conveying direction (RI, R2 ), by means of the Page 40 / 41 P81079WO a topography of the rolled material (14) output by the rollers ( 10, 11 ) can be determined, wherein the control device (40) is data-coupled with the topography acquisition device (60) for receiving topography measurement data and with the roller bending device (50) for transmitting control signals, the procedure additionally includes the following procedural steps: - Determining (S5) a topography of the rolled material (14) output by the rolls (10, 11) using the topography detection device (60); and setting (S5) a roll bending of at least one of the rolls (10, 11) based on the topography measurement data using the control device (40) and using the roll bending device (50).