Segmented Metal Workpiece Processing Using Physical Data Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current metal processing methods lack precision in controlling the production of metal workpieces, as they assume uniform physical properties across segments of the material, leading to inefficiencies and potential waste due to inadequate consideration of real-time physical data.

Innovation Solution

A method that logically divides finished materials into segments, assigns specific physical data to each segment, and uses this data to control processing parameters such as rolling speed, thickness, and annealing temperature, allowing for segment-specific processing and optimization of the production system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If uniform processing parameters are used across the entire finished material, then the processing process is simple to control, but the processing precision and quality uniformity deteriorate due to ignoring segment-specific physical property variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing precisionVSAvoidprocessing control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The finished material is divided into multiple segments along its length, with each segment assigned specific physical data (thickness, width, temperature, material composition). This segmentation allows the processing process to treat different segments differently, improving processing precision by accounting for actual material variations rather than assuming uniform properties throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning segment-specific processing parameters based on the physical properties of each segment. Different segments receive customized processing conditions (such as varying rolling speeds, temperatures, or forces) matched to their individual characteristics, ensuring optimal processing quality for each portion of the material while maintaining overall process coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If real-time physical data for each segment is collected and used to control processing, then processing optimization and waste minimization improve, but the measurement and data management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoiddata collection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Physical data for each segment (thickness, width, temperature, material composition) is collected and stored in advance during the hot rolling process or material production phase. This preliminary data collection allows the subsequent processing plant to receive pre-characterized material segments, enabling efficient processing decisions without requiring complex real-time measurement systems at the processing location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a data intermediary system that collects, stores, and manages physical property information for each material segment. This intermediary data layer acts as a bridge between material production and processing operations, allowing the processing plant to access and utilize segment-specific physical data without requiring direct integration with the measurement and control systems at the hot rolling plant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If segment-specific processing is implemented based on physical data, then material waste is minimized and energy efficiency is optimized, but the control system complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial wasteVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The processing control system uses feedback from the stored physical data of each segment to automatically adjust processing parameters. By continuously referencing the actual measured properties of each segment and comparing them with target specifications, the system can make real-time adjustments to minimize material waste (such as optimizing cut locations, adjusting processing forces) while maintaining efficient processing speeds through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3921709B1Method for producing a metal workpiece
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 THYSSENKRUPP HOHENLIMBURG GMBH
  • EP3921709B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3921709B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3921709B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a desired metal workpiece (134), wherein the method comprises: - producing an elongate finished material (116; 222) by hot rolling, wherein a first data record (112) is assigned to said finished material (116; 222), the finished material (116; 222) is logically divided in its longitudinal direction into a plurality of first segments (118), and the first data record for each of the first segments (118) comprises first physical data (228) characterising said segment, - processing the finished material (116; 222) using a processing process in order to obtain the desired metal workpiece (134), wherein said processing process is controlled at least in part based on the first physical data (228) characterising the first segments (118) which are logically assigned to the finished material (116; 222).