Hot Strip Mill Automation and Modernization

Hot strip mill automation is a benchmarking solution that enables customers to achieve higher efficiency and improved product quality, addressing the critical challenges currently faced by the steel industry. By reducing operational costs and minimizing the need for manual intervention, this system allows customers to enhance essential production parameters. Hot strip mill automation from Primetals Technologies offers a comprehensive portfolio of technologies and tools that enhance process control, optimize production, and ensure consistent quality in hot strip mills. For steel producers seeking to enhance their production capabilities, this cutting-edge solution is an essential component for any modern hot strip mill aiming to achieve excellence in hot strip production. With its advanced features and proven benefits, it is a key asset in achieving superior production outcomes.

The hot strip mill automation system precisely controls critical rolling parameters through basic and process automation. It functionalities integrates seamlessly with the existing mill infrastructure. Key features of the basic automation include automatic gauge control, roll eccentricity control, dynamic width control, and dynamic profile control. All these controls work together to enhance the rolling process and product quality. Additionally, the system incorporates material tracking and sequence control, as well as coiler and coil car sequence control, ensuring optimal performance.

Based on these foundational elements, the system utilizes innovative process automation functions to improve control over the rolling process. This includes the comprehensive temperature model for real-time temperature monitoring. The material flow model ensures precise rolling pressure distribution. The integrated Contour and Flatness Optimizer allows customers to achieve precise profile and flatness targets. Smart-crown-roll shifting, pair-cross and work-roll bending techniques are key to achieving this.

Challenging state-of-the-art techniques, the hot strip mill automation system utilizes machine-learning neural networks to adapt parameters like flow stress and heat flux. This enhances overall process control and to maintain tight product tolerances. Ultimately, these advanced controls and automation functions significantly enhance the rolling process, combining optimal performance with high-quality output.

Benefits of Hot Strip Mill Automation

• Increased efficiency: the automation system optimizes mill operations, reducing downtime and increasing throughput.
• Enhanced product quality: advanced control algorithms ensure precise dimensions, shapes and material properties, resulting in high-quality steel products.
• Cost savings: reduces operational costs and improves profitability by minimizing downtime, losses and energy consumption.

Features of the Hot Strip Mill Automation

• Machine-learning neural networks: enhance process control by adapting physical parameters, such as flow stress and heat flux, to ensure tight product tolerances
• Automatic gauge control: maintain precise strip thickness by compensating for roll force deviations, ensuring consistent material thickness
• Roll eccentricity control: mitigate periodic fluctuations in strip thickness due to roll eccentricities, ensuring consistent and high-quality products
• Feed-forward width control: reduce entry width deviations and compensates for temperature inhomogeneities, maintaining a consistent strip width throughout the process
• Material tracking and sequence control: monitor positions and initiates actions just-in-time based on material location, optimizing the rolling process
• Coiler and coil car sequence control: manage the control and interlocking functions of the down coiler and coil car, enhancing operational efficiency
• Dynamic profile control: ensure the roll gap contour remains constant despite changes in roll force, thereby maintaining the desired profile
• Comprehensive temperature model: predict strip temperature throughout the mill, enabling precise temperature control and effective phase transformation management
• Comprehensive temperature control: optimize coordination of finishing mill and down coiler temperature controls by anticipating speed changes, maintaining accurate cooling rates and profiles
• Contour and flatness optimizer: ensure target values for profile and flatness are achieved using smart-crown roll shifting, pair-cross and work roll bending
• User-friendly HMI: provides an intuitive interface for easy operation and monitoring, enhancing operational oversight and user experience

Hot Strip Mill Automation Meets Customer' Essential Needs

• Advanced control systems: utilize predictive models and machine-learning neural networks to optimize rolling parameters and ensure consistent product quality
• Real-time process monitoring: continuous monitoring of mill operations allows for immediate adjustments and enhances process stability
• Seamless integration: easily integrates with existing mill infrastructure, providing a scalable solution for future expansions.