Partial Slab Measurement for Reliable Continuous Strip Rolling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing metallic strips face challenges in ensuring process reliability and quality due to difficulties in monitoring and controlling the rolling process, particularly in assembling and joining partial slabs, which can lead to errors and inconsistencies in the final product.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where data from measurements of partial slabs, including geometric, surface, temperature, and chemical properties, is fed into a control system to generate real-time control data for the rolling process, using artificial intelligence methods to adjust heating, cooling, rolling speed, and roll gap settings, ensuring homogeneous product properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If partial slabs are assembled and joined in a slab connecting device, then continuous rolling can be achieved, but process reliability deteriorates due to difficulties in monitoring and controlling the rolling process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous rollingVSAvoidprocess reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent measures geometric sizes, surface properties, temperature, and chemical composition of partial slabs at the separation point before joining occurs. This preliminary measurement and control approach allows the system to prepare appropriate rolling parameters in advance, ensuring process reliability while maintaining continuous production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system receives measurement data from the partial slabs and generates control data for the rolling train, creating a closed-loop feedback system. This enables real-time adjustments to rolling parameters based on actual slab conditions, improving both reliability and continuous operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If measurement data from partial slabs is collected and processed, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases due to additional measuring and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrip qualityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system serves multiple functions: it receives measurement data from various sensors, processes the data using artificial intelligence methods, generates control data for the rolling train, and coordinates the slab connecting device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary between the measuring devices and the rolling train, processing measurement data and translating it into appropriate control commands. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing data processing and control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If artificial intelligence methods are used to generate control data, then adaptability improves, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complexity of implementing AI systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem implementation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control system adjusts rolling parameters such as heating elements, cooling elements, rolling speed, and roll gap settings based on measurement data processed through artificial intelligence methods. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables the system to adapt to varying slab conditions while using standard rolling mill components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4122615B1Method and device for producing a metallic strip
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP4122615B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4122615B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4122615B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a metallic strip, wherein the strip is rolled out from a slab (3) in a rolling mill by means of a number of rolling stands (2), wherein the slab (3) to be rolled is composed of individual partial slabs (3a, 3b), wherein the assembly of the individual partial slabs (3a, 3b) takes place in a slab joining device (4), in which a section (5) of the partial slab (3a) located at the front in the rolling direction (R) and a section of the partial slab (3b) located at the rear in the rolling direction (R) are cut off and the two partial slabs (3a, 3b) are joined together at the separation point (6).To enable improved monitoring of the strip manufacturing process and to react to defects in the pre-product (slab or strip) as early as possible, the invention provides that, after cutting and before joining the two partial slabs (3a, 3b), a measurement of at least one of the two partial slabs (3a, 3b) is carried out at the cutting point (6). Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for producing a metallic strip.