CSP Rolling Mill Temperature Control for Semi-Endless Steel Strip Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CSP systems face disruptions during semi-endless operation, especially with high-strength grades, due to the need for preheating the rolling mill to achieve desired thin strip thicknesses, leading to inefficiencies and potential rolling disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows switching from batch to semi-endless operation by setting the rolling device's operating temperature during batch mode, using the correct rolling speed to achieve the minimum final thickness without external energy input, and employing induction heating only when necessary, enabling production of thin strips with the lowest energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the rolling mill is preheated to operating temperature before semi-endless operation, then the desired thin strip thickness can be achieved, but energy consumption increases and rolling disruptions may still occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethin strip thicknessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling mill is heated to operating temperature during batch operation mode before switching to semi-endless operation. This preliminary heating action ensures that when semi-endless operation begins, the rolling mill is already at the required temperature to achieve desired thin strip thicknesses without additional energy input or external heating during the semi-endless mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between batch and semi-endless operating modes. By operating in batch mode first, the rolling mill achieves operating temperature, then transitions to semi-endless mode for continuous production. This dynamic operation allows the system to leverage the heating effect of batch operation to enable energy-efficient semi-endless operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the rolling mill is preheated to operating temperature, then rolling disruptions are reduced, but the operation time and energy input increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling operation stabilityVSAvoidpreheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process required for reliable semi-endless operation is merged with the batch operation mode. During batch operation, the rolling mill is heated to operating temperature as part of the normal production cycle. When switching to semi-endless mode, this heating is already complete, eliminating separate preheating time and ensuring rolling stability from the start of semi-endless operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If external energy input is used to heat the rolling mill, then thin strip thickness can be achieved, but energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethin strip thicknessVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling mill heats itself during batch operation through normal rolling operations. The friction and deformation work during batch rolling generate heat that raises the rolling mill temperature to operating levels. This self-heating eliminates the need for external energy input when transitioning to semi-endless operation, achieving energy-efficient thin strip production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables reliable semi-endless operation with reduced energy consumption, producing a wide range of steel grades and thicknesses efficiently, with the ability to switch between batch and semi-continuous modes without preheating, thus optimizing energy use and maintaining product quality.

Implementation Method 1

temperature equalization in a tunnel furnace

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

rolled out directly in the rolling train to form thin strips

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 3

arrangement of a heating device, in particular an inductive heating device, in the area of the roll direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3341142B1Method for operating an installation based on the csp concept
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP3341142B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3341142B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an installation and a method for producing metal strips, preferably steel strips, of a thickness of 0.8 to 25 mm in batch mode or semi-continuous mode, comprising at least one casting machine (1) for casting thin slabs and a rolling device (5, 8) arranged downstream of the at least one casting machine (1) and comprising a number of rolling stands for rolling thin slabs into metal strips of a predetermined thickness, and also at least one coiling device (11) arranged downstream of the rolling device (5, 8), wherein a shear (6) and a furnace (3) are arranged between the at least one casting machine (1) and the rolling device (5, 8), wherein the rolling device has a device for changing the roll gap of at least one rolling stand during the rolling operation and there is a control device, which controls the installation in such a way that switching over from batch mode to semi-continuous mode or back takes place according to the grade of metal, preferably the grade of steel, and the desired thickness of the metal strip to be produced, and that the switching over from batch mode to semi-continuous mode can take place in the course of the rolling operation by the rolling device.