Compact Casting-Rolling Plant with Segmented Strand Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing casting-rolling plants for metal strip production are costly, complex, and require significant space, making them unsuitable for small-scale or regional steel production where specialization is needed.

Innovation Solution

A compact casting-rolling plant design with a reduced vertical strand guide segment construction, smaller rollers, and adjustable sections to minimize height and operational complexity, allowing for lower investment and easier operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional casting-rolling plants are used, then production capability is achieved, but investment costs and production costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinvestment costsVSAvoidproduction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The strand guide is divided into multiple segments (first parallel section, reduction section, second parallel section) that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows for optimized material flow and reduced material waste, lowering production costs while maintaining production capability through efficient resource utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The strand guide sections are made adjustable and movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic optimization of the casting-rolling process. This enables adaptation to different production requirements and improves operational efficiency, reducing both investment and production costs through flexible resource allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional casting-rolling plants are used, then production capability is achieved, but plant complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidplant complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the strand guide into distinct functional segments (parallel sections and reduction section), the system becomes more manageable and easier to operate. Each segment can be independently adjusted and maintained, reducing operational complexity while preserving full production capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the strand guide are optimized for specific functions (parallel sections for material guidance, reduction section for thickness control). This localized optimization simplifies operation by allowing operators to adjust only the relevant sections for each production task, reducing overall plant complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional casting-rolling plants are used, then production capability is achieved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompactnessVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The strand guide sections are arranged in a compact, nested configuration where the first parallel section, reduction section, and second parallel section are closely integrated. This nesting reduces the overall footprint of the plant while maintaining all necessary production functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The strand guide is arranged vertically with sections stacked in the casting direction rather than extending horizontally. This dimensional reorganization reduces the plant's horizontal footprint while maintaining production capability through efficient vertical space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The compact design reduces capital investment and operational costs while enabling efficient production of metal strips with improved profitability and adaptability to regional requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a mold (110) with a vertical outlet for producing a cast strand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolidification: Freezing

Implementation Method 2

at least one strand guide (120) for deflecting the cast strand from the vertical to the horizontal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance:

Implementation Method 3

a tunnel furnace (140)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

a Steckel rolling mill (160) for reducing the thickness of the metal strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Implementation Method 5

a cooling section (170)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal cooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3027330B1Continuous casting and rolling installation for producing metal strips
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP3027330B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3027330B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3027330B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a continuous casting and rolling installation for producing metal strips, having an ingot mould (110), at least one strand guide (120) for diverting the casting strand from the vertical to the horizontal, a cutting device (130) for cutting the casting strand (210) into metal strips of predefined length, a tunnel kiln (140), a Steckel mill (160), a cooling section (170) and a coiling device (180). In order to make such a known continuous casting and rolling installation more compact in height, more cost-effective to produce and simpler to operate, the invention proposes that the supported length of the continuous casting and rolling installation, which extends from the meniscus in the ingot mould to the last roll of the second parallel part of the strand guide, be 2 to 5 m and that the vertical part of the strand guide be formed from no more than two segments having a fixed side and a movable side.