A continuous casting and rolling line for casting, rolling, and otherwise preparing metal strip can produce distributable metal strip without requiring cold rolling or the use of a solution heat treatment line. A metal strip can be continuously cast from a continuous casting device and coiled into a metal coil, optionally after being subjected to post-casting quenching. This intermediate coil can be stored until ready for hot rolling. The as-cast metal strip can undergo reheating prior to hot rolling, either during coil storage or immediately prior to hot rolling. The heated metal strip can be cooled to a rolling temperature and hot rolled through one or more roll stands. The rolled metal strip can optionally be reheated and quenched prior to coiling for delivery. This final coiled metal strip can be of the desired gauge and have the desired physical characteristics for distribution to a manufacturing facility.

A continuous casting and rolling line for casting, rolling, and otherwise preparing metal strip can produce distributable metal strip without requiring cold rolling or the use of a solution heat treatment line. A metal strip can be continuously cast from a continuous casting device and coiled into a metal coil, optionally after being subjected to post-casting quenching. This intermediate coil can be stored until ready for hot rolling. The as-cast metal strip can undergo reheating prior to hot rolling, either during coil storage or immediately prior to hot rolling. The heated metal strip can be cooled to a rolling temperature and hot rolled through one or more roll stands. The rolled metal strip can optionally be reheated and quenched prior to coiling for delivery. This final coiled metal strip can be of the desired gauge and have the desired physical characteristics for distribution to a manufacturing facility.

A modular rolling train, particularly a hot rolling train, preferably in conjunction with an upstream casting facility, and a method for operating a modular rolling train are described. The rolling train is standardized and modularized by dividing the rolling train into discrete units n and by modularization of the discrete units. The rolling train can be flexibly adapted to new requirements by exchanging a module.

A method of controlling flatness of a strip of rolled material in a production line including a hot rolling mill and at least one cold rolling mill, downstream of the hot rolling mill, the method including determining flatness data of the strip in one or more of the at least one cold rolling mill and/or following passing of the strip through one or more of the at least one cold rolling mill; determining a thickness profile target of the strip for the hot rolling mill based on the flatness data; and passing the strip through the hot rolling mill and adjusting the thickness of the strip based on the thickness profile target. A control system and a production line are also provided.

A hot rolling mill 1 includes a control apparatus 20 that adjusts an angle formed between an upper-side pair of an upper backup roll 120A and an upper work roll 110A and a lower-side pair of a lower backup roll 120B and a lower work roll 110B in a state where the upper-side pair is kept parallel and in a state where the lower-side pair is kept parallel. The hot rolling mill 1 is configured such that the work rolls 110A and 110B satisfy the condition that DW/Lb is equal to or smaller than 0.30 where DW is a diameter of the work rolls 110A and 110B, and Lb is the maximum strip width of a rolled material, and the hot rolling mill 1 performs rolling in a state where a bending force is applied to the work rolls.

A hot rolling mill 1 includes a control apparatus 20 that adjusts an angle formed between an upper-side pair of an upper backup roll 120A and an upper work roll 110A and a lower-side pair of a lower backup roll 120B and a lower work roll 110B in a state where the upper-side pair is kept parallel and in a state where the lower-side pair is kept parallel. The hot rolling mill 1 is configured such that the work rolls 110A and 110B satisfy the condition that DW/Lb is equal to or smaller than 0.30 where DW is a diameter of the work rolls 110A and 110B, and Lb is the maximum strip width of a rolled material, and the hot rolling mill 1 performs rolling in a state where a bending force is applied to the work rolls.

In a decision control device of a control system, a predetermined pass schedule is decided by adjusting the rolling force per unit width at a last stand of a hot finishing tandem rolling mill to cause the edge profile on the outlet side of the last stand to fall within an allowable range based on the relationship between a strip crown and the edge profile on the outlet side of the last stand with respect to the rolling force per unit width and a strip shape control parameter, obtained regarding the last stand, and adjusting the strip shape control parameter of the last stand to cause the strip shape on the outlet side of the last stand to fall within an allowable range and cause the strip crown to become a predetermined value or smaller.

In a decision control device of a control system, a predetermined pass schedule is decided by adjusting the rolling force per unit width at a last stand of a hot finishing tandem rolling mill to cause the edge profile on the outlet side of the last stand to fall within an allowable range based on the relationship between a strip crown and the edge profile on the outlet side of the last stand with respect to the rolling force per unit width and a strip shape control parameter, obtained regarding the last stand, and adjusting the strip shape control parameter of the last stand to cause the strip shape on the outlet side of the last stand to fall within an allowable range and cause the strip crown to become a predetermined value or smaller.

A combined continuous casting and endless rolling plant for a metal strip, comprising—a continuous casting line (1) for casting a slab;—a first rolling mill (6) for roughing the slab and for obtaining a transfer bar;—a second rolling mill (11) for finishing the transfer bar and for obtaining a strip;—a third rolling mill (18), comprising at least two first rolling stands (17), for further reducing the thickness of the strip;—accumulation means (20) of the strip, downstream of said third rolling mill (18), comprising at least one first high-capacity reel (37, 37′) dimensioned to wind and unwind a coil weighing from 80 to 250 tons and/or up to 6 meters in diameter, named mega coil;—flying cutting means (13), arranged between said third rolling mill (18) and said accumulation means (20), configured to cut the strip after the mega roll has been wound on the at least one first reel (37, 37′);—a cutting and winding line (22), downstream of said accumulation means (20), for cutting the strip of the mega coil and winding portions of said strip of the mega coil to a predetermined weight limit or coil diameter limit, producing a plurality of coils; wherein said cutting and winding line (22) is provided with a reversible rolling mill for performing at least one rolling of the strip before producing said plurality of coils.

A combined continuous casting and endless rolling plant for a metal strip, comprising—a continuous casting line (1) for casting a slab;—a first rolling mill (6) for roughing the slab and for obtaining a transfer bar;—a second rolling mill (11) for finishing the transfer bar and for obtaining a strip;—a third rolling mill (18), comprising at least two first rolling stands (17), for further reducing the thickness of the strip;—accumulation means (20) of the strip, downstream of said third rolling mill (18), comprising at least one first high-capacity reel (37, 37′) dimensioned to wind and unwind a coil weighing from 80 to 250 tons and/or up to 6 meters in diameter, named mega coil;—flying cutting means (13), arranged between said third rolling mill (18) and said accumulation means (20), configured to cut the strip after the mega roll has been wound on the at least one first reel (37, 37′);—a cutting and winding line (22), downstream of said accumulation means (20), for cutting the strip of the mega coil and winding portions of said strip of the mega coil to a predetermined weight limit or coil diameter limit, producing a plurality of coils; wherein said cutting and winding line (22) is provided with a reversible rolling mill for performing at least one rolling of the strip before producing said plurality of coils.