Roller Hearth Furnace Internal Cutting for Strip Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
In continuous casting and rolling processes, malfunctions lead to material discharge delays due to the need for additional space on transport apparatuses, causing metal strips to cool down and disrupt production, as existing methods require separation and discharge outside the furnace, occupying limited space.
Innovation Solution
A furnace with internal cutting apparatuses allows for immediate segment separation and discharge within the furnace, using angled cuts to facilitate lateral or upward discharge without requiring additional space, and a heat-insulating hood to minimize heat loss, along with a discharge device for efficient unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If material is discharged laterally from the roller hearth furnace using tracks, then the metal strip can be separated and discharged, but additional space on transporting apparatuses before or after the furnace is required, causing production delays when this space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting apparatus is extracted from the external transporting apparatuses and relocated inside the roller hearth furnace. This allows the cutting operation to be performed within the furnace chamber, eliminating the need for additional space on external transporting apparatuses and enabling continuous production without delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge location is changed from the horizontal dimension (external transporting apparatuses before/after furnace) to the lateral dimension (through the furnace wall via opening). This dimensional shift allows material to be discharged without occupying space on the main production line, resolving the space conflict.
2Ease of operation
If material is moved in the direction of or against its conveying direction on transporting apparatuses before or after the furnace, then separation and discharge can be achieved, but the process is delayed when transporting apparatuses are occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting apparatus is positioned and ready inside the furnace before material arrives. The cut is made immediately when the material segment reaches the cutting position, eliminating the need to wait for external transporting apparatuses to become available. This preliminary positioning of the cutting function inside the furnace prevents time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The furnace itself acts as an intermediary structure that houses the cutting apparatus and provides a discharge opening. This intermediary solution allows separation and discharge to occur independently of the external transporting apparatuses, eliminating waiting time and maintaining continuous production.
3Ease of operation
If the metal strip is discharged outside the furnace after separation, then the material can be unloaded, but the metal strip cools down during the waiting period, causing problems with further production
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge opening is prepared and positioned within the furnace before the material segment reaches the cutting position. Immediately after cutting, the segment is discharged through this pre-prepared opening while still inside the heated furnace environment, ensuring the material maintains its temperature throughout the entire separation and discharge process, preventing cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The material remains within the heated furnace environment during the entire cutting and discharge process. By maintaining the material inside the furnace's thermal field until the moment of discharge, the useful heating action continues uninterrupted, preventing temperature loss and ensuring the material is ready for further production without cooling issues.
Data Source
AI summary
A furnace for heating metal strips, and to a device and a method for producing metal strips by continuous casting and rolling. The device includes a casting machine, a furnace through which a metal strip can be transported in a conveying direction, a first external cutting apparatus and a second external cutting apparatus, the first external cutting apparatus being upstream of the furnace and the second external cutting apparatus being downstream of the furnace, in the conveying direction of the metal strip, and at least one rolling mill. A first internal cutting apparatus and a second internal cutting apparatus are provided inside the furnace. A segment of the metal strip between said internal cutting apparatuses can be separated by actuating the latter.