Research and Development Trend of Shape Control for Cold Rolling Strip

Shape is an important quality index of cold rolling strip. Up to now, many problems in the shape control domain have not been solved satisfactorily, and a review on the research progress in the shape control domain can help to seek new breakthrough directions. In the past 10 years, researches and applications of shape control models, shape control means, shape detection technology, and shape con- trol system have achieved significant progress. In the aspect of shape control models, the researches in the past improve the accuracy, speed and robustness of the models. The intelligentization of shape control models should be strengthened in the future. In the aspect of the shape control means, the researches in the past focus on the roll opti- mization, mill type selection, process optimization, local strip shape control, edge drop control, and so on. In the future, more attention should be paid to the coordination control of both strip shape and other quality indexes, and the refinement of control objective should be strengthened. In the aspects of shape detection technology and shape control system, some new types of shape detection meters and shape control systems are developed and have successfully indus- trial applications. In the future, the standardization of shape detection technology and shape control system should be promoted to solve the problem of compatibility. In general,the four expected development trends of shape control for cold roiling strip in the future are intelligentization, coordi- nation, refinement, and standardization. The proposed research provides new breakthrough directions for improv- ing shape quality.

EVALUATION OF LUBRICANTS FOR COLD ROLLING ALUMINUM STRIPS

Various kinds of base oils were applied to cold rolling aluminum strips on a test mill for evaluationof the influences of these base oils,aromatics contents and viscosity of base oils on their lubricating performances and surface reflectivity of rolled strips at annealing. Results showed that low friction coefficient androlling force were obtained by using the normal paraffins,whereas their contaminations on the annealed stripsurface were the same as those of other saturated hydrocarbons. Aromatics in base oil affected the stir face reflectivity of annealed strips, but the decrease of aromatics in base oil was ineffective to improve rolled stripssurface quality when it is less than 1 %. Base oil viscosity has the great influences on the lubricating performances and surface reflectivity of annealed strips just in this condition.

FEM Analysis of Rolling Pressure Along Strip Width in Cold Rolling Process

Using 3-D elastic-plastic FEM, the cold strip rolling process in a 4-high mill was simulated. The elastic deformation of rolls, the plastic deformation of the strip, and the pressure between the work roll and the backup roll were taken into account. The distribution of rolling pressure along the strip width was obtained. Based on the simulation results, the peak value of rolling pressure and the location of the peak were analyzed under different rolling conditions. The effects of the roll bending force and the strip width on the distribution of rolling pressure along the width direction were determined.

Dynamic characteristics of cold rolling mill and strip based on flatness and thickness control in rolling process

The dynamic model of cold rolling mill based on strip flatness and thickness integrated control was proposed,containing the following sub-models:the rolling process model,the dynamic model of rolls along axial direction,and the compensation model.Based on the rule of volume flow rate,the dynamic rolling process model was built.The work roll and backup roll were taken as elastic continuous bodies,the effect of shear and moment of inertia were taken into consideration,and then the dynamic model of rolls was built.The two models were coupled together,and the dynamic model of rolling mill was built.In the dynamic model,the thermal expansion of the rolls,the wear of the rolls and other related parameters can not be considered.In order to compensate the dynamic model,the coupled static model of rolls and strip was applied.Then,according to the inner relationship of these models,the dynamic model and the compensation model were coupled,and the dynamic model of rolling mill based on the strip flatness and thickness integrated control was built.The dynamic simulation of the rolling process was made,and the dynamic thickness and the dynamic flatness information were obtained.This model not only provides a theory basis for the virtual rolling,but also provides a platform for the application of advanced control theory.

MENDED GENETIC BP NETWORK AND APPLICATION TO ROLLING FORCE PREDICTION OF 4-STAND TANDEM COLD STRIP MILL

In order to make good use of the ability to approach any function of BP (backpropagation) network and overcome its local astringency, and also make good use of the overallsearch ability of GA (genetic algorithms), a proposal to regulate the network's weights using bothGA and BP algorithms is suggested. An integrated network system of MGA (mended genetic algorithms)and BP algorithms has been established. The MGA-BP network's functions consist of optimizing GAperformance parameters, the network's structural parameters, performance parameters, and regulatingthe network's weights using both GA and BP algorithms. Rolling forces of 4-stand tandem cold stripmill are predicted by the MGA-BP network, and good results are obtained.

Transverse Distributions of Front and Back Tension Stresses in Cold Strip Rolling

In this paper,such a new lateral displacement function is proposed that the lateral flow velocity is con- tinuous at the entry and the exit of deformation zone.A new kind of finite strip method—the third power B-spline finite strip method—is put forward to simulate strip rolling process.Front and back tension stresses are formulated.The computed results of the transverse distributions of the front and back tension stresses are close to the experimental results.The paper lays a foundation for further analysing the three-dimensional stresses and deformations of strip rolling.

Industrial shape detecting system of cold rolling strip

A high-precision shape detecting system of cold rolling strip is developed to meet industrial application, which mainly consists of the shape detecting roller, the collecting ring, the digital signal processing （DSP） shape signal processing board and the shape control model. Based on the shape detecting principle, the shape detecting roller is designed with a new integral structure for improving the precision of shape detecting and avoiding scratching strip surface. Based on the DSP technology, the DSP shape signal processing circuit board is designed and embedded in the shape detecting system for the reliability and stability of shape signal processing. The shape detecting system was successfully used in Angang 1 250 mm HC 6-high reversible cold rolling mill. The precision of shape detecting is 0.2 I and the shape deviation is controlled within 6 1 after the close loop shape control is input.

Study on Tribological Properties of the Rolling Fluid Containing Nano-MoS_2 for Cold Rolling of Steel Strip

The nano-MoS2 particles were adopted to substitute for the extreme-pressure and anti-wear additives to the rolling fluid for steel strips.An optimal formulation and technical process for adding nano-MoS2 particles to the rolling fluid were obtained through orthogonal experiments with three factors at three levels.The tests have led to the following conclusions:(a) the nanoparticles should be added to a base oil with high saponification value;(b) the concentration of nanoparticles in rolling fluid should be equal to 0.6%;and (c) when the reaction time needed for surfactants (oleic acid,for example) to modify the nanoparticles was 40 min,the rolling fluid could have the best tribological properties.The lubricity of rolling fluid was verified by using a 4-high cold rolling test mill which showed that the rolling fluid with nano-MoS2 particles had the excellent lubricant performance to improve the surface quality of the steel strip remarkably.The mechanism of nano-MoS2 particles in the rolling process has been investigated by a series of characterization instruments,which have showed that,with its fullerene-like structure,the nano-MoS2 particles have self-lubricating properties and extra-low friction coefficient,and can easily form a protective film with low shear strength on the surface of friction pairs.

Research on Lubrication Behaviors and Mechanism of Nano-Copper Used in Emulsions for Strip Cold Rolling

In this paper,nano-Cu particles with an average size of smaller than 20 nm were dispersed under ultrasonic agitation in emulsions for cold rolling of steel strips.The tribological properties of the cold rolling emulsion doped with nano-Cu particles were evaluated by using a four-ball machine,and the worn surfaces of the steel balls were checked by an optical microscope.A JC2000C1 wetting angle tester was also applied to study the variation in the emulsion's wetting performance when nano-Cu particles were incorporated.Furthermore,the lubricity of the emulsion doped with nano-Cu for steel strip cold rolling was evaluated on a four-high rolling mill for comparison with the emulsion without using nano-Cu particles.Test results indicated that nano-Cu particles as the additive used in cold rolling emulsion were able to improve the wetting property,friction-reducing,anti-wear,and extreme pressure performance of the base stock significantly.At the same time,nano-Cu particles also showed good lubricity to the cold-rolled steel strips.Namely,the cold-rolled steel strips under the lubrication of the cold rolling emulsion containing nano-Cu particles had considerably decreased the after-rolling thickness and achieved excellent surface quality as well.Finally,the lubrication mechanism of nano-Cu particles in the emulsion for cold rolling of steel strips was discussed.

Analysis of the cause of crack in cold rolling of QSn6.5-0.1 strip

In order to know the cause of cracks in cold rolling of QSn6.5 0.1 copper alloy strip, a lot of experiments and analysis were done. The microstructure changes of QSn6.5 0.1 were investigated by means of metallurgical microscope. The morphology of cracks and surface defects were examined using scanning electron microscope. Macroscopic residual stresses produced in every process during manufacturing in the QSn6.5 0.1 strip were measured by X ray diffraction method and hole drilling method. The results show that the cracks in the QSn6.5 0.1 cold rolling strip were caused due to the derivation of metallurgical defects, such as SnO 2, S, fine looses,the inverse segregation unable to clear up when milling, and the accumulation of all kinds of resi dual stresses. When the accumulation of the residual stress reaches the material′s breaking strength, the cracks will be generated. Several measures to avoid the development of these kinds of cracks were put forward, such as: controlling the casting technology, improving homogenization annealing procedure (680 ℃/7 h) and milling quality(using the second milling when necessary), working out a more reasonable rolling technology to ensure intermediate annealing in time.

Correlation of morphological anisotropy and Lankford value of deep drawing sheets hot-rolled by compact strip production

Cold-rolled steel sheets in automotive applications require an excellent deep draw ability, which is characterized by the Lankford value （r-value）. In this study, a correlation was identified between r-value and pancake-shaped grain flatness which is indicated as the ratio of grain diameter in the rolling direction （RD） and normal direction （ND） of sheets （dr/dn）. A mathematical model （ r = e^0.345（dn^1/2-dr^1/2） ） was developed to calculate r-value by the microstructure of steel sheets hot-rolled by compact strip production （CSP）. It is shown that the r-value is higher, if the microstructure of steel sheet is of pancake-shaped grains elongated in the rolling direction. The calculated r-value is confirmed to fit exactly to the measured one from the large-scale production.

Neural Network Friction Model for Cold Strip Rolling

A neural network friction model with very good prediction accuracy was developed on the basis of industrial data. Simulative calculation indicated that the accuracy of rolling force and motor power calculation can be improved using the calculated friction coefficient. It was found that reduction ratio and deformation resistance of strip has more effects than other parameters, and the effects of most parameters are affected by rolling speed.

STUDY ON STRIP AND ROLL DEFORMATION COUPLING OF COLD STRIP ROLLING ON 4-H MILL

The cold strip rolling process on a 4 h mill is studied by coupling the 3 dimensional plasticity deformation of the strip with the elastic deformation of the rolls. On the conditions of that the width to thickness ratio of the strip is 660 and the exit strip shapes are respectively edge wave, centre wave and good, the computed results of the transverse distributions of the roll gap, the rolling pressure, the inter roll pressure, and the front and back tension agree with the experimental results well. The studing methods and the studied results are of great importance to forming shape theory and guiding the development of shape control technology.

STUDY OF THE 3-DIMENSIONAL STRESSES OF COLD STRIP ROLLING UNDER CENTRE WAVE

On the conditions ofthe width to thickness ratio 625 and the centre wave the 3-dimensional stresses distributions of cold strip rolling are studied by using the third power spline function finite strip method. The computed results of the rolling pressure, the 2-directional friction stresses and the front and back tension stresses agree with the experimental results well. In this paper, the frictional stresses of stagnation zone are computed by using preliminary displacement principle and the computing precision is improved.

Research and Application of Non-symmetrical Roll Bending Control of Cold Rolling Mill

The existing research of the flatness control for strip cold rolling mainly focuses on the calculation of the optimum adjustment of individual flatness actuator in accordance with the flatness deviation, which can be used for general flatness control. However, it does not work for some special rolling processes, such as the elimination of ultra single side edge-waves and the prevention of strip break due to tilting roll control overshooting. For the purpose of solving these problems, the influences of non-symmetrical work roll bending and intermediate roll bending on flatness control were analyzed by studying efficiencies of them. Moreover, impacts of two kinds of non-symmetrical roll bending control on the pressure distribution between rolls were studied theoretically. A non-symmetrical work roll bending model was developed by theoretical analysis in accordance with practical conditions. The model was applied to the revamp of a 1250 6-H reversible universal crown mill (UCM) cold mill. Theoretical study and practical applications show that the coordination utilization of the non-symmetrical work roll bending control and tilting roll control was effective in flatness control when there appeared bad strip single side edge waves, especially when the incoming strip was with a wedge shape. In addition, the risk of strip break due to tilting control overshooting could be reduced. Furthermore, the non-symmetrical roll bending control can reduce the extent of uneven distribution of pressure between rolls caused by intermediate roll shifting in flatness control and slow down roll wear. The non-symmetrical roll bending control technology has important theoretical and practical significance to better flatness control.

Application of a new feature extraction and optimization method to surface defect recognition of cold rolled strips

Considering that the surface defects of cold rolled strips are hard to be recognized by human eyes under high-speed circumstances, an automatic recognition technique was discussed. Spectrum images of defects can be got by fast Fourier transform （FFF） and sum of valid pixels （SVP）, and its optimized center region, which concentrates nearly all energies, are extracted as an original feature set. Using genetic algorithm to optimize the feature set, an optimized feature set with 51 features can be achieved. Using the optimized feature set as an input vector of neural networks, the recognition effects of LVQ neural networks have been studied. Experiment results show that the new method can get a higher classification rate and can settle the automatic recognition problem of surface defects on cold rolled strips ideally.

Preset model of bending force for 6-high reversing cold rolling mill based on genetic algorithm

The hydraulic roll-bending device was studied, which was widely used in modem cold rolling mills to regulate the strip flatness. The loaded roll gap crown mathematic model and the strip crown mathematic model of the reversing cold rolling process were established, and the deformation model of roll stack system of the 6-high 1 250 mm high crown （HC） reversing cold rolling mill was built by slit beam method. The simulation results show that, the quadratic component of strip crown decreases nearly linearly with the increase of the work roll bending force, when the shifting value of intermediate roll is determined by the rolling process. From the first pass to the fifth pass of reversing rolling process, the crown controllability of bending force is gradually weakened. Base on analyzing the relationship among the main factors associated with roll-bending force in reversing multi-pass rolling, such as strip width and rolling force, a preset mathematic model of bending force is developed by genetic algorithm. The simulation data demonstrate that the relative deviation of flatness criterions in each rolling pass is improved significantly and the mean relative deviation of all five passes is decreased from 25.1% to 1.7%. The model can keep good shape in multi-pass reversing cold rolling process with the high prediction accuracy and can be used to guide the production process.

Backup roll contour of a SmartCrown tandem cold rolling mill

SmartCrown was a new system developed by VAI for improving the strip profile and flatness control first applied in 1700 mm tandem cold rolling mills at Wuhan Iron ＆ Steel （Group） Corporation （WISCO）. After tracing and testing, the application of the conventional crown backup roll matching the SmartCrown work roll of the production mill led to heavy and nonuniform wear, and the edge spalling of the backup roll often occurred. A 3-dimension finite element model of roll stacks was established, which was used to analyze the above-mentioned problems, and it was found that the main reason was the highly nonuniform contact pressure distribution between the work roll and the backup roll. A new FSR （flexible shape backup roll） was developed and applied in 1700 mm tandem cold rolling mills. A lot of good actual effects of FSR, such as evident improvement in profile and flatness of strips, non-occurring edge spalling, wear uniform, and remarkable decrease in roll consumption were validated by long-term industrial applications.

Online application of automatic surface quality inspection system to finishing line of cold rolled strips

An automatic surface quality inspection system installed on a finishing lineof cold rolled strips is introduced. The system is able to detect surface defects on cold rolledstrips, such as scratches, coil breaks, rusts, roll imprints, and so on. Multiple CCD area scancameras were equipped to capture images of strip surface simultaneously. Defects were detectedthrough 'Dark-field illumination' which is generated by LED illuminators. Parallel computationtechnique and fast processing algorithms were developed for real-time data processing. Theapplication to the production line shows that the system is able to detect defects effectively.

Improvement on strip flatness of cold temper mills by modifying roll contour shape

A study on roll gap profile (strip profile) control was accomplished in a1700 mm single-stand temper mill. Some critical problems such as the deviation of work roll contourcaused by grinding and wear, the effectiveness of work roll bending were discussed. Using a finiteelement model, the effects of roll contours (ground and wear) on strip profile were investigated.The roll bending effect on strip thickness was also analyzed. It is pointed out that there are somespecial features of flatness control in the temper mill: during temper rolling, roll deformation isslight due to small rolling load, and the loaded roll gap profile mainly depends on work rollcontour, while the backup roll has a little effect on gap crown; the effect of bending force ongauge can not be ignored due to the coupling between flatness control and gauge control. A new rollcontour arrangement adaptable to the mill was presented and has been put into practical production.The application of the new set of rolls showed some good results: larger crown control range of workroll bender, higher rolling stability, better strip profile and flatness quality.