Casting-Rolling Strip Separation With a Two-Part Lifting Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combined casting and rolling plants struggle to quickly and reliably separate thick starting materials with a thickness of > 30 mm, preferably ≥ 45 mm, from subsequent materials during production interruptions, leading to increased hydraulic system demands and potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first shear to accelerate and initiate cutting, followed by clamping with rollers, lifting with a two-part lifting arm, and pivoting sections to minimize torque and hydraulic requirements, allowing separation of thick materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid lifting device design is used to lift thick pre-material (>30 mm, preferably ≥45 mm), then the pre-material can be lifted reliably, but the walking beam becomes very heavy and the hydraulic cylinders become very large, significantly increasing mass moment of inertia and hydraulic system forces
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is divided into two functional parts: a first shear for cutting the continuous pre-material and a second shear for chopping scrap pieces. The lifting arm is segmented into an inner section and an outer section that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the system to handle thick material reliably while reducing the mass moment of inertia by only lifting when necessary and using a lighter, more flexible outer section.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting arm is designed with dynamic characteristics, where the outer section can pivot relative to the inner section. The hydraulic cylinders are sized appropriately for the dynamic requirements rather than being oversized for static loads. The system transitions between static (holding) and dynamic (lifting) states, optimizing the balance between reliability and reduced inertia.
2Reliability
If the lifting device is designed to lift thick pre-material quickly to prevent collision, then separation reliability improves, but the volume flow required for hydraulic cylinders increases significantly, increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The first shear accelerates to initiate cutting of the continuous pre-material before the lifting operation begins. The clamping rollers are positioned to clamp the pre-material at the appropriate moment during the lifting sequence. These preliminary actions prepare the system for efficient lifting, reducing the total time and energy required for the complete separation operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting operation is performed periodically only when a production interruption occurs downstream, rather than continuously. The shears operate in a cyclic manner: accelerating, cutting, lifting, and returning to initial position. This periodic operation reduces overall hydraulic energy consumption compared to continuous high-flow operation.
3Strength
If a heavy walking beam design is used to ensure reliable lifting of thick material, then lifting capability improves, but the forces and pressures in the hydraulic system increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting arm is segmented into an inner section (connected to the support structure) and an outer section (articulated relative to the inner section). This segmentation allows the hydraulic cylinders to act on the inner section with reduced force requirements, as the outer section leverages the movement of the inner section plus its own pivoting action to achieve the full lifting motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic lifting where the outer section pivots relative to the inner section during the lifting motion. This creates a mechanical advantage that reduces the force required from the hydraulic cylinders compared to a rigid, heavy beam design. The pivoting outer section acts as a lever that amplifies the motion from the inner section while reducing the required actuating force.
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
Facilitates rapid and reliable separation of thick materials, reducing hydraulic system strain and preventing collisions, thus optimizing plant operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first shear (9b), thereby initiating the cutting of the endless pre-material (3)
Implementation Method 2
Clamping the endless pre-material (3) by a pair of clamping rollers (23)
Implementation Method 3
Lifting the endless pre-material (3) by a lifting device (11)
Implementation Method 4
the hydraulic cylinders also very large in order to lift the pre-material so quickly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for bridging an interruption in production in a combined casting-rolling installation (1). The aim of the invention is to provide a combined casting-rolling installation for producing a hot-rolled finished strip, in which, in the case of an interruption, also thick precursor material (3) having a thickness of > 30 mm can be separated in a rapid and reliable manner from the next precursor material (3). This problem is solved by a method according to claim 1 and a device according to claim 6.