Cold/Hot-Rolled Excess Material Matching for Cross-Process Reuse

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of efficiently and automatically implementing the cross-process use of cold/hot-rolled excess materials in steel production is hindered by low efficiency, high error rates, and the difficulty in achieving global optimization due to the frequent changes in material types and rules, leading to inefficient use of these materials.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a weighted binary graph and a binary graph maximum weight matching algorithm to form matching pairs between futures contracts and cold/hot-rolled excess materials, determining matching weights based on preset rules and priority information, and iteratively computing the matching relationship graph to optimize the use solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If artificial experience-based methods are used for matching excess materials to futures contracts, then implementation is simple, but work efficiency is low and mistakes are made easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual artificial experience-based matching system with an automated computer-based information processing system. The system uses algorithms to automatically match excess materials to futures contracts, eliminating manual intervention and significantly improving work efficiency while reducing human errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automation where the matching process is performed autonomously by the computer system without requiring human operators. The algorithm independently analyzes material characteristics, contract requirements, and matching rules to generate optimal matches, making the system self-sufficient in the matching task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If artificial experience-based methods are used for matching excess materials, then implementation is simple, but global optimization is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal optimization capabilityVSAvoidalgorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual matching processes with computer-based algorithms that can perform global optimization. The system evaluates all possible matching combinations and selects the optimal solution based on predefined objectives, achieving global optimization that is impossible through manual methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts matching parameters and weights based on different objectives (e.g., minimizing excess material, maximizing contract fulfillment). By changing parameters such as matching priorities and constraint conditions, the system can achieve different optimization goals without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If frequent changes in material types and rules are accommodated, then adaptability is improved, but implementation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to material type changesVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic system where matching rules and parameters can be flexibly adjusted based on changing material types and contract requirements. The system adapts to new scenarios by modifying configuration parameters rather than requiring structural changes, maintaining simplicity while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed with universal matching capabilities that can handle various material types and contract configurations through a unified framework. By using general-purpose algorithms and configurable parameters, the system serves multiple functions without requiring separate specialized systems for each material type.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4438195B1Method and device for cross-process use of cold/hot-rolled excess material, medium, and program product
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 BAOSHAN IRON & STEEL CO LTD
  • EP4438195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4438195B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4438195B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

This disclosure relates to the field of metallurgical automation technologies, and discloses a method and device for cross-process use of cold/hot-rolled excess material, medium, and program product. The method is applied in an electronic device. In this method, multiple futures contracts and multiple cold/hot-rolled excess materials with same steel grade are obtained, forming at least one matching pair consisting of a futures contract and a cold/hot-rolled excess material by taking the multiple futures contracts and the multiple cold/hot-rolled excess materials as nodes in a weighted binary graph, to construct a matching relationship graph. In addition, a matching weight of each matching pair in the at least one matching pair is determined. Then, a use solution is obtained by computing the matching relationship graph based on a binary graph maximum weight matching algorithm. By doing so, the automation and scale of cross-process use of cold/hot-rolled excess materials can be implemented, the use efficiency of cold/hot-rolled excess materials and futures contract can be improved, and the optimal use of excess materials can be achieved.