Rolling Mill Rod Length Control via Laser Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the length of rolled rods in rolling mills are complex and inaccurate, leading to oversize sections that reduce productivity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a rear laser measurement device to detect the head end and speed of the rod, integrating the speed to determine the instantaneous length and providing cutting commands for precise sectioning, while accounting for thermal shrinkage and using laser measurement devices upstream and downstream of the oven to calculate the expected thermal expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the predetermined length is determined to ensure minimum length requirements are met, then the reliability of section length is improved, but the productivity decreases due to increased oversize sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement methods with optical laser measurement technology. The laser measurement device non-contactly measures the actual length of the rod in real-time, providing precise data for cutting commands without the delays and inaccuracies of mechanical measurement systems, thus reducing oversize sections while maintaining length compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the laser measurement device continuously monitors the actual rod length, and the control device uses this real-time information to adjust cutting commands. This closed-loop feedback enables dynamic optimization of section length, minimizing oversize portions while ensuring minimum length requirements are met, thereby improving both reliability and productivity
2Manufacturing precision
If complex measurement and control methods are used to improve measurement precision, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from complex mechanical measurement systems and implements it through a dedicated laser measurement device. This separation allows the use of simple, direct laser measurement technology for length detection, avoiding the complexity of integrated mechanical measurement and control systems while achieving high manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The laser measurement device serves multiple functions: it measures the actual length of the rod, detects the position of the head end, and provides data for both process control and quality verification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement and control devices, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high precision
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
This approach allows for highly accurate determination of rod length, reducing oversize sections and improving productivity by enabling precise cutting commands and adaptive length adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
detecting by means of a rear laser measurement device arranged downstream of the rolling mill the head end and the speed of the rod
Implementation Method 2
a thermal shrinkage of the sections of the rod due to the difference between a finishing temperature and a normal temperature
Implementation Method 3
a coefficient of thermal expansion is determined, and said coefficient of thermal expansion is taken into account when determining the expected thermal shrinkage of the sections of the rod
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A billet (2) is rolled in the rolling mill to a rod (3), said rod (3) exiting the rolling mill with a finishing temperature (TE1). By means of a rear laser measurement device (8) arranged downstream of the rolling mill, the head end and the speed (v) of the rod (3) are detected. The detected speed (v) of the rod (3) is integrated. Thereby an instantaneous length (L) of the rod (3) is determined. In dependency on the determined instantaneous length (L) of the rod (3) cutting commands (S) to a rear shears (5) arranged downstream of the rolling mill are provided for cutting the rod (3) in sections (6) of predetermined length (L0). Said sections (6) of the rod (3) are cooled down in a cooling bed (7).