Endless Belt Rolling Temperature Control Without Reheating Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional casting and rolling mills face challenges in efficiently controlling the final rolling temperature during continuous production of hot strip due to high energy consumption and plant length, as they rely on heating and cooling units that impact the energy balance and production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and plant design that adjusts the final rolling temperature by varying casting thickness, casting speed, and secondary cooling capacity, along with opening or closing rolling stands, to maintain a predetermined temperature window without additional heating units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If heating and cooling units are used to control final rolling temperature, then temperature control precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The casting machine itself is used to control the final rolling temperature by adjusting its operating parameters (casting thickness, casting speed, secondary cooling capacity), eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling units. The system serves its own temperature control function through self-adjustment of casting parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The final rolling temperature is controlled by changing the operating parameters of the casting machine - specifically casting thickness, casting speed, and secondary cooling capacity. These parameter changes directly influence the temperature of the metal strand when it reaches the rolling stand, achieving precise temperature control without additional heating or cooling equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If heating and cooling units are installed, then final rolling temperature control is improved, but plant length increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidplant length
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating and cooling units are extracted/removed from the plant configuration. Instead of installing separate temperature control equipment, the invention uses the existing casting machine's parameter adjustment capabilities to control the final rolling temperature, thereby eliminating the need for additional plant length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The casting machine is given multiple functions: it not only casts the metal strand but also serves as the temperature control device for the rolling process. By adjusting its operating parameters, it simultaneously performs casting and temperature regulation functions, eliminating the need for dedicated heating and cooling units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If casting speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but final rolling temperature decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecasting speedVSAvoidfinal rolling temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

When casting speed is increased to improve productivity, the invention compensates for the temperature decrease by adjusting other casting parameters - specifically by reducing casting thickness or reducing secondary cooling capacity. This multi-parameter adjustment maintains the final rolling temperature within the desired range while achieving higher productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If casting thickness is decreased, then strip thickness precision is improved, but final rolling temperature decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrip thickness precisionVSAvoidfinal rolling temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

When casting thickness is decreased to improve strip thickness precision, the invention compensates for the temperature decrease by adjusting other parameters - either by reducing secondary cooling capacity or by optimizing casting speed. This ensures that the final rolling temperature remains within the required window while achieving precise thickness control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 energy-efficient control of the final rolling temperature, reducing plant length and energy consumption while achieving desired mechanical properties and thickness in the hot-rolled strip.

Implementation Method 1

a secondary cooling capacity with which a strand, which may not yet be completely solidified, is cooled in the area of the casting arc of the casting machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSecondary cooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

the casting machine is coupled with one or more rolling mills, i.e., one or more groups of rolling stands, which allows the heat inherent in the freshly cast strand to be used for the rolling process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInherent heat utilization: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4650063A1Finishing temperature adjustment in endless belt production
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 PRIMETALS TECH AUSTRIA GMBH
  • EP4650063A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4650063A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4650063A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for setting a final rolling temperature during the continuous rolling of a cast metal strand (14) into hot-rolled strip (12) in a casting and rolling mill (10) with a single rolling stand group (50), as well as to a casting and rolling mill (10) for the continuous production of hot-rolled strip (12). Starting from a current operating state (B) of the casting and rolling mill (10) with a casting machine (20) and the single rolling stand group (50), the final rolling temperature is set such that it lies within a predetermined final rolling temperature window. For this purpose, at least one of the following casting machine parameters is selectively adjusted: i) a casting thickness; ii) a casting speed; iii) a secondary cooling capacity. Alternatively or additionally, a rolling stand (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) of the rolling stand group (50) is selectively opened or closed.