ADAPTATION OF A ROLL MODEL

Abstract

A method for operating a storage device for two rolls in a roll stand for rolling metal. The storage device is component part of the roll stand or can be positioned relative to the roll stand so that the rolls can be transferred from the roll stand into the storage device or vice versa. A measuring system is provided which detects the temperatures and/or the diameters of the rolls individually and independently of one another, at least at predefined detection positions, as viewed in the direction of the roll axes. After transmission to an automation unit that controls the roll stand, the unit can adapt a roll model, by means of which it repeatedly determines the temperatures and/or the diameters of the rolls, at predefined determination positions, in the direction of the roll axes, using operating data of the roll stand for the rolls of the same type.

Claims

1. An operating method for a roll stand for rolling metal, comprising: rolling flat rolling stock between two rolls of a same type in the roll stand; determining repeatedly, by an automation unit that controls the roll stand, at least one of temperatures and diameters of the two rolls, at least at predefined determination positions, as viewed in the direction of the roll axes, using a roll model and operating data of the roll stand for the rolls of the same type; activating, based on the at least one of the temperatures and the diameters determined, the roll stand, so that a rolling gap of the roll stand is set during the rolling of the flat rolling stock, in accordance with setpoint inputs; removing the two rolls from the roll stand; transferring the two rolls into a roll changing carriage; detecting at least one of detected temperatures and detected diameters of the two rolls in an automated manner, at least at predefined detection positions, as viewed in the direction of the roll axes, one of during the removing of the two rolls from the roll stand, during the transferring of the two rolls into the roll changing carriage, and immediately following the transferring operation, by a measuring system arranged one of on the roll stand and on the roll changing carriage; transmitting automatically the at least one of the detected temperatures and the detected diameters to the automation unit, the automation unit adapted to associate the at least one of the detected temperatures and the detected diameters with the predefined detection positions; comparing, by the automation unit, the at least one of the temperatures and the diameters determined by the roll model with the at least one of the detected temperatures and the detected diameters; and adapting the roll model based on the comparing.

2. The operating method of claim 1, wherein, for each roll, the at least one measuring system has a plurality of measuring devices that are fixed in location relative to a main body of the storage device, the at least one measuring system adapted to detect the at least one of the temperature and the diameter of a respective roll of the two rolls at one of the predefined detection positions, as viewed in the direction of the roll axes, by the plurality of measuring devices.

3. The operating method of claim 1, wherein, for each roll, the at least one measuring system has a plurality of measuring devices that are movable relative to a main body of the storage device, the at least one measuring system adapted to detect the at least one of the temperature and the diameter of a respective roll of the two rolls in a respective subsection, including in each case at least one of the predefined detection positions, as viewed in the direction of the roll axes, by the plurality of measuring devices.

4. The operating method of claim 1, wherein, for each roll, the at least one measuring system has a single measuring device, the single measuring device adapted to detect the at least one of the temperature and the diameter of a respective roll of the two rolls at all of the predefined detection positions, as viewed in the direction of the roll axes.

5. The operating method of claim 4, wherein the single measuring device is arranged on a main body so as to be movable as viewed in the direction of the roll axes, the single measuring device adapted to be moved over an entire effective barrel length of the respective roll.

6. The operating method of claim 4, wherein the single measuring device is arranged in a fixed location on a main body of the storage device so that the respective roll is moved past the single measuring device during transfer one of: from the roll stand into a roll changing carriage, and from the roll changing carriage to the roll stand.

7. The operating method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, from the at least one measuring system to an automation unit that controls the roll stand via a data link, at least one of the detected temperatures and the detected diameters; and associating, by the automation unit, the at least one of the detected temperatures and the detected diameters with the predefined detection positions.

8. A method for operating a storage device for two rolls of a same type in a roll stand for rolling metal, comprising: detecting, by at least one measuring system, at least one of a temperature and a diameter of the two rolls individually and independently of one another, at least at predefined detection positions, as viewed in a direction of roll axes of the two rolls; transmitting, from the at least one measuring system to an automation unit that controls the roll stand via a data link, the at least one of the temperature and the diameter; and associating, by the automation unit, the at least one of the temperature and the diameter with the predefined detection positions.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: comparing the at least one of the temperature and the diameter with at least one of a modeled temperature and a modeled diameter determined by the roll model; and adapting the roll model based on the comparing.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the storage device is one of: a component part of the roll stand; and positioned relative to the roll stand in such a way that the two rolls can be transferred from the roll stand into the storage device and from the storage device into the roll stand; wherein, for each roll, the at least one measuring system has a single measuring device, the single measuring device adapted to detect the at least one of the temperature and the diameter of a respective roll of the two rolls at all of the predefined detection positions, as viewed in the direction of the roll axes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the single measuring device is arranged on a main body so as to be movable as viewed in the direction of the roll axes, the single measuring device adapted to be moved over an entire effective barrel length of the respective roll.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention and the manner in which these are achieved will become more clearly and distinctly comprehensible in conjunction with the following description of the illustrative embodiments, which are explained in greater detail in combination with the drawings. Here, in schematic illustration:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a multi-stand roll train during the rolling of rolling stock,

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a model of a rolling gap and determination of an activation for a roll stand,

[0027] FIG. 3 shows the removal of rolls of the roll stand from the roll stand,

[0028] FIG. 4 shows the roll train of FIG. 1 during a pause in rolling,

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a measuring system and an automation device,

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram,

[0031] FIG. 7 shows one possible embodiment of a roll changing carriage,

[0032] FIG. 8 shows a modification of the roll changing carriage of FIG. 5,

[0033] FIG. 9 shows a further modification of the roll changing carriage of FIG. 5,

[0034] FIG. 10 shows another possible embodiment of a roll changing carriage, and

[0035] FIG. 11 shows one possible embodiment of a roll stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] According to FIG. 1, flat rolling stock 1 made of metal is passing through roll stands 2 of a roll train and is rolled in the process. Rolling takes place in each case between two rolls 3 of the same type in the respective roll stand 2. The flat rolling stock 1 can be a strip or a plate. The metal of which the flat rolling stock 1 is composed can be steel or aluminum, for example. In principle, it is possible that the flat rolling stock 1 is hot rolled. However, the present invention can be used to advantage particularly when the rolling is cold rolling. The two rolls 3 of the same type are generally the two working rolls of the respective roll stand 2, i.e. the rolls which act directly and immediately on the flat rolling stock 1. Alternatively, they can be rolls which act directly or indirectly on the working rolls, e.g. the support rolls in the case of a four-high stand or a six-high stand or the intermediate rolls arranged between the support rolls and the working rolls in the case of a six-high stand. In each case, the rolls 3 are of the same type in the sense that they are functionally of the same type and one of the two rolls 3 acts on the rolling stock 1 from above and one from below.

[0037] The roll train is controlled by an automation unit 4. In particular, the automation unit 4 thus also controls the roll stands 2. The control of one of the roll stands 2 by the automation unit 4 is explained in greater detail below—as a representative example of all roll stands 2—in combination with FIG. 2. First of all, attention is drawn to the fact that this type of control as such is widely known to those skilled in the art. Details on the specific implementation are therefore not required.

[0038] According to FIG. 2, the automation unit 4 implements a roll model 5. The automation unit 4 feeds operating data BD of the roll stand 2 to the roll model 5. In general, the operating data BD comprise actual properties of the flat rolling stock 1 as it passes into the roll stand 2, e.g. its width, its thickness, its chemical composition and its temperature. In general, the operating data BD furthermore comprise setpoint properties of the flat rolling stock 1 as it passes out of the roll stand 2, such as its thickness together with an associated profile, an associated contour and/or an associated flatness. The automation unit 4 furthermore sets control data SD—if only temporarily—for the roll stand 2. The control data SD are also fed to the roll model 5. The control data SD can comprise the setting, the rolling force, a bending force and other factors, for example. By means of the roll model 5, the control device determines the temperature T of the respective roll 3 and/or the diameter D of the respective roll 3 for the two rolls 3 of the same type. Furthermore, it also determines a resulting rolling gap characteristic and, based on the latter, expected actual properties of the flat rolling stock 1 as it passes out of the roll stand 2. In all cases, determination is performed with location resolution as viewed in the direction of the roll axes. Thus, it is performed at least at predefined determination positions p. However, the 20 cm spacing indicated in FIG. 2 between adjacent determination positions p should be understood as purely illustrative.

[0039] The automation unit 4 then compares the expected actual properties of the flat rolling stock 1 as it passes out of the roll stand 2, which have been determined by means of the roll model 5, with the desired setpoint properties of the flat rolling stock 1 as it passes out of the roll stand 2. As far as necessary, the automation unit 4 thereupon varies the control data SD in order to approximate the expected actual properties of the flat rolling stock 1 as it passes out of the roll stand 2 as far as possible to the desired setpoint properties of the flat rolling stock 1 as it passes out of the roll stand 2. As far as necessary, this involves an iterative procedure. The variation of the control data SD is indicated in FIG. 2 by the fact that the operating data BD are exclusively fed to the roll model 5 by the automation unit 4, while the control data SD can be transmitted in both directions.

[0040] As already mentioned, the procedure explained is already widely known and familiar as such to those skilled in the art. It is carried out repeatedly during the rolling of the flat rolling stock 1, e.g. for a new section of the flat rolling stock 1 or for subsequent flat rolling stock 1. As a result, the automation unit 4 thus repeatedly determines the temperatures T and/or the diameters D of the rolls 3 (among other factors and with location resolution as viewed in the direction of the roll axes) and, based thereon, determines the respective activation SD of the roll stand 2, i.e. the control data SD. The determination of the diameters D incorporates both the temperature-induced expansion of the rolls 3 and also the wear-related change in the diameter D. Corresponding models are known to those skilled in the art by the term TWC (thermal wear crown). As part of modeling, the temperature of the flat rolling stock 1 is often also determined. This too is widely known and familiar to those skilled in the art.

[0041] After rolling a certain number of pieces of flat rolling stock 1—e.g. after rolling 20 or 25 pieces of flat rolling stock 1—the rolls 3 must be changed. For this purpose, a roll changing carriage 6 is positioned next to the roll stand 2, the rolls 3 of which are to be changed, in accordance with the illustration in FIG. 3. In particular, the roll stand 2 has an operator-side stand housing 2′ and a drive-side stand housing 2″. The roll changing carriage 6 is arranged next to the operator-side stand housing 2′. The rolls 3 are then removed from the roll stand 2 and, as indicated by corresponding arrows in FIG. 3, transferred into the roll changing carriage 6. The removed rolls 3 are indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 3.

[0042] In general, a pause in rolling, during which no flat rolling stock 1 is rolled in the roll train, is introduced for this process. FIG. 4 shows the corresponding state of the roll train. However, there are also known procedures in which the rolls 3 can be changed while flat rolling stock 1 is passing through the roll stand 2. In the context of the present invention, it is a matter of secondary importance whether one or the other procedure is adopted.

[0043] The removal of the rolls 3 and transfer of the rolls 3 into the roll changing carriage 6 can be performed in a conventional, widely known manner. It is important, however, that the temperatures T and/or the diameters D of the two rolls 3 are detected during the removal of the rolls 3 from the roll stand 2 and transfer of the rolls 3 into the roll changing carriage 6 or immediately following said procedures in time. Thus, detection is carried out before the roll changing carriage 6 is moved away from the roll stand 2.

[0044] Detection is carried out in an automated manner by means of a measuring system 7, which is arranged on the roll stand 2 or on the roll changing carriage 6. Furthermore, detection is carried out with location resolution as viewed in the direction of the roll axes, namely at least at predefined detection positions p′. Directly adjacent detection positions p′ can have a spacing of 8 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm, 15 cm or 20 cm from one another, for example.

[0045] Furthermore, the temperatures T and/or the diameters D can be detected individually and independently of one another by means of the measuring system 7. Thus, from the temperature T detected for a certain detection position p′, it is not possible or not readily possible to derive conclusions about the temperature T for another detection position p′. A similar situation applies in respect of the detected diameter D. Possible implementations of this procedure will be explained below.

[0046] The detected temperatures T and/or diameters D are transmitted automatically from the measuring system 7 to the automation unit 4. For this purpose, the measuring system 7 has a data link with the automation unit 4. Wired transmission or wireless transmission are possible alternatives here. To implement wireless transmission, the measuring system 7 and the automation unit 4 can implement a radio link via antennae 8 in accordance with the illustration in FIG. 5, for example.

[0047] The detected temperatures T and/or diameters D are transmitted in a manner which puts the automation unit 4 in a position to associate the detected temperatures T and/or diameters D with the predefined detection positions p′. For example, the detection positions p′ can be transmitted at the same time. It is also possible for the automation unit 4 to know in advance at which detection positions p′ the temperatures T and/or diameters D will be detected and in what sequence the detected temperatures T and/or diameters D will be transmitted from the measuring system 7 to the automation unit 4.

[0048] The automation unit 4 receives the transmitted temperatures T and/or diameters D in a step S1 according to FIG. 6. In a step S2, the automation unit 4 carries out coordinate matching. Using the temperatures T and/or diameters D detected for the detection positions p′, the corresponding temperatures T and/or diameters D can be determined for the determination positions p by linear interpolation or some other kind of interpolation, for example. As an alternative, it is possible in step S2 for the temperatures T and/or diameters D determined with model assistance for the determination positions p to be converted to the detection positions p′ by linear interpolation or some other kind of interpolation. If the detection positions p′ and the determination positions p correspond directly to one another, step S2 can be omitted.

[0049] In a step S3, the automation unit 4 compares the temperatures T and/or the corresponding diameters D of the rolls 3 determined by means of the roll model 5 with the temperatures T and/or diameters D of the rolls 3 detected by means of the measuring system 7. In particular, it is possible in step S3 for the automation unit 4 to determine a first modification value δk1 for a first model parameter k1 of the roll model 5 on the basis of the comparison of the temperatures T and to determine a second modification value δk2 for a second model parameter k2 of the roll model 5 on the basis of the comparison of the diameters D. Using the modification values ski, δk2 determined, the automation unit 4 can then correct the model parameters k1, k2 in a step S4 and can thereby adapt the roll model 5. Of course, the model parameters k1, k2 enter into the determination of the temperatures T and/or diameters D of the rolls 3, which is carried out by means of the roll model 5.

[0050] Possible embodiments on which the detection of the temperatures T and/or diameters D can be performed are now explained below in combination with FIGS. 7 to 11.

[0051] In all the embodiments, there is a storage device for the two rolls 3. In most of the embodiments, the storage device is designed as a roll changing carriage 6 in accordance with the illustrations in FIGS. 7 to 10. In this case, the storage device (i.e. the roll changing carriage 6) can be positioned in such a way relative to the roll stand 2 that the rolls 3 can be transferred from the roll stand 2 into the storage device or vice versa. In individual cases, however, the storage device may also be a component part of the roll stand 2 itself, as in the illustration in FIG. 11.

[0052] It is thus possible, for example, in accordance with the illustration in FIG. 7, for the measuring system 7 to have a plurality of measuring devices 9 for each roll 2. In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the measuring devices 9 are arranged in a fixed location relative to a main body 10 of the roll changing carriage 6. By means of the measuring devices 9, the temperature T and/or the diameter D of the respective roll 3 is detected at in each case one of the predefined detection positions p′ as viewed in the direction of the roll axes. In the context of the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the rolls 3 are thus first of all removed from the roll stand 2 and transferred into the roll changing carriage 6. After this, each measuring device 6 detects the temperature T and/or the diameter D of the relevant roll 3 for its respective detection position p′. Detection of the temperature T can be accomplished either by contact or without contact. Detection of the temperature T by contact can be accomplished by means of a sensing probe, for example. For this purpose, the sensing probe can implement a PT100 element, for example. By means of the same sensing probe or some other sensing probe, it is also possible where applicable to perform detection of the diameter D by contact. To detect the diameter D, the corresponding sensing probe can be similar in design to a micrometer screw, for example. As an alternative, contactless detection of the temperature T can be performed—by means of an infrared camera, for example. It is likewise possible—by means of laser-based distance measurement or ultrasound-based distance measurement, for example—to perform contactless detection of the diameter D.

[0053] FIG. 8 shows a similar embodiment to that in FIG. 7. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 too, the measuring system 7 has a plurality of measuring devices 9 for each roll 2. However, in contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 7, the measuring devices 9 in the embodiment according to FIG. 8 are arranged so as to be movable individually or jointly in the direction of the roll axes relative to the main body 10. The mobility is indicated by corresponding double arrows in FIG. 8. By means of the measuring devices 9, the temperature T and/or the diameter D of the respective roll 3 can thereby be detected in a respective subsection including in each case at least one of the predefined detection positions p′ as viewed in the direction of the roll axes. In other respects, the statements relating to FIG. 7 continue to apply.

[0054] In the case of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the measuring system 7 has in each case a plurality of measuring devices 9 for each roll 3. However, it is also possible that the measuring system 7 has just a single measuring device 9 for each roll 3. In this case, it must be possible for the temperatures T and/or the diameters D of the respective roll 3 to be detected by means of the individual measuring device 9 at least at all of the predefined detection positions p′ as viewed in the direction of the roll axes.

[0055] In order to enable such detection, the embodiment of FIG. 9 can be adopted, for example FIG. 9 is essentially an embodiment of FIG. 8. The difference is that, in contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 8, there is only a single measuring device 9 for each roll 3 but, by way of compensation, the region over which this measuring device 9 can be moved as seen in the direction of the roll axes is correspondingly large, thus enabling the measuring device 9 to be moved at least over the entire effective barrel length of the rolls 3. In FIG. 9—as in FIG. 8—the mobility is indicated by corresponding double arrows.

[0056] Consequently, the only important factor for data acquisition at all of the predefined detection positions p′ by means of a single measuring device 9 for each roll 3 is the relative movement of the measuring device 9 relative to the roll 3. It is therefore not important during data acquisition whether the roll 3 is at rest in the main body 10 of the roll changing carriage 6 and the measuring device 9 is moved or whether, conversely, the measuring device 9 is at rest and the roll 3 is moved. In accordance with the illustration in FIG. 10, it is therefore possible, in a kinematic reversal of the procedure in FIG. 9, for the measuring device 9 to be arranged in a fixed location on the main body 10 of the roll changing carriage 6. In this case, the measuring device 9 must merely be arranged in such a way that the respective roll 3 is moved past the measuring device 9 during transfer from the roll stand 2 into the roll changing carriage 6 or vice versa. This can be easily implemented.

[0057] Precisely this embodiment—i.e. the embodiment in which the measuring device 9 is arranged in a fixed location and the respective roll 3 is moved past the measuring device 9 during transfer from the roll stand 2 into the roll changing carriage 6 or vice versa—can also be implemented in such a way that the measuring device 9 is not arranged in a fixed location on the roll changing carriage 6 but on the roll stand 2 itself, in particular on the operator-side stand housing 2′, in accordance with the illustration in FIG. 11. In this case, the storage device is therefore a component part of the roll stand 2.

[0058] The present invention has many advantages. In particular, continuous correction of the model parameters k1, k2 of the roll model 5 is possible in a simple and reliable manner Owing to the improved modeling, quality in the rolling of the rolling stock 1 can also be improved. In particular, the quality of the thickness, flatness and contour can be enhanced. Modeling of the temperature of the rolling stock 1 can also be improved. Furthermore, improved prediction in the rolling of new materials is possible.

[0059] Although the invention has been illustrated and described more specifically in detail by means of the preferred illustrative embodiment, the invention is not restricted by the examples disclosed, and other variants can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without exceeding the scope of protection of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0060] 1 Rolling stock [0061] 2 Roll stand [0062] 2′, 2″ Stand housing [0063] 3 Rolls [0064] 4 Automation unit [0065] 5 Roll model [0066] 6 Roll changing carriage [0067] 7 Measuring system [0068] 8 Antennae [0069] 9 Measuring devices [0070] 10 Main body [0071] BD Operating data [0072] D Diameter [0073] k1, k2 Model parameters [0074] p Determination positions [0075] p′ Detection positions [0076] S1 to S4 Steps [0077] SD Control data [0078] T Temperatures [0079] δk1, δk2 Modification values