Thermomechanical Rolling Aluminum Plate Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for thermomechanical rolling of aluminum plates lack precise control over temperature and thickness, leading to suboptimal material properties and the need for additional post-processing steps like solution annealing and quench hardening.
Innovation Solution
A method for reversing thermomechanical rolling that involves determining characteristic data for temperature control, including waiting thickness and rolling pauses, to monitor and control the aluminum plate's temperature, allowing for staged rolling and controlled cooling to achieve specific material properties without additional processing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous rolling is performed without temperature control, then productivity is improved, but temperature and thickness control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic rolling pauses during the rolling process to allow temperature control. The method alternates between rolling operations and cooling pauses, enabling precise temperature and thickness control while maintaining overall productivity. The pause duration and timing are optimized to achieve target material properties without excessive downtime.
2Manufacturing precision
If rolling pauses are inserted for temperature control, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines characteristic data including waiting thickness values before the rolling process begins. These pre-calculated thickness thresholds trigger rolling pauses at optimal moments, allowing temperature control to be integrated seamlessly into the rolling schedule. This preliminary planning minimizes unnecessary pauses and optimizes the balance between precision and productivity.
3Strength
If additional post-processing steps are added, then material properties are improved, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermomechanical rolling process with temperature-controlled pauses to achieve material properties that would otherwise require separate post-processing steps like solution annealing or quench hardening. By integrating cooling and temperature control directly into the rolling process, the method eliminates or reduces the need for additional processing equipment and steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables precise control of temperature and thickness, eliminating the need for post-processing and preventing unwanted grain growth, while optimizing material properties and utilizing rolling train capacity efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
provision being made in the pass schedule for a rolling pause between at least two successive rolling passes, during which rolling pause the rolling of the aluminum plate is interrupted to allow the plate to cool down
Data Source
AI summary
In a rolling process for reverse thermomechanically rolling an aluminum plate involving a plurality of rolling passes, identifying data are determined for thermally guiding the rolling process. Then a value of a state variable, from which a temperature of the aluminum plate can be deduced, is continuously measured and a pass schedule is determined for the rolling process on the basis of the value of the measured state variable and of the identifying data. The pass schedule provides for a rolling pause between at least two successive rolling passes, during which rolling of the aluminum plate is interrupted for cooling purposes.