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.

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.

Application of automatic surface inspection system in cold-rolled strip production

The detection and classification of real-time surface defects play an important role in automotive sheet inspection and production. In this paper, an automatic surface inspection system （ASIS） based on signal processing in Baosteel NO. 4 cold-rolled plant is briefly presented. We demonstrate that the strip surface defect properties such as image, type, pitch, and position can be accurately calculated and classified by the automatic surface inspection system. In the manufacturing of the high-quality cold-rolled strips, it is necessary that the real-time surface defects can be detected and transferred by the automatic surface inspection system combined with annealing lines and recoiling lines.

Allowable variation of cold-rolled strip transverse profiles in high tension

The formation mechanism of the cold-rolled strip shape with high tension was studied. An advanced method to calculate the allowable variation of strip transverse profiles was established by the strip buckling criterion, which can be more properly used in cold rolling. With this method, the aim allowable variation of the product strip transverse profile and the required transverse profile range of incoming strips can be reached. Besides, this method has been successfully applied in a domestic tandem cold mill, and the transverse profile range of incoming strips suggested with this method is more practicable and complete. Consequently, the good performance is acquired.

Surface rust of cold-rolled bell-type annealing strip steel

This paper offers systematic analysis and in-depth research on the surface rust problem of cold-rolled bell-type annealing strip products.The defect characteristics,occurrence rules,generation mechanism,and influencing factors of surface rust are presented.This research employed a cold-rolled bell-type furnace annealing unit in a coastal steel factory as an example and conducted production process tests,on-site production tests,scanning electron microscopy,energy spectrum analysis,MINITAB statistical analysis,etc.Moreover,six significant influencing factors and their rules were studied:the cooling time of the final cooling table,the storage time of the intermediate storage,the temperature setting of the intermediate storage,the temperature of leveling liquid,the purging pressure of leveling machine,and the dust in the environment.

Applied principle of minimum potential energy in analyzing buckle phenomenon of cold rolled strip

When solving buckling type based on minimum potential energy, it is first to make hypothesis for strip buckling type. Under the simple strain condition, buckling type and strain distribution have a certain similarity, so the hypothesis is reasonable comparatively. However, under the complicated strain condition, it is difficult to give more reasonable buckling type. Moreover, the existing algorithms usually ignore the effect which the transverse stress and the shear stress have on the buckling type. After assuming strip was only affected by shear stress for the edge wave and affected by both transverse stress and the shear stress for the center wave in the paper, the buckling form of strip under simple strain situation was calculated. It was seen from the calculating result that wave height and half wavelength were smaller than those of the existing algorithms, and the wave height and half wavelength of edge wave were all bigger than those of center wave in the same stress distribution. Secondly, a more reasonable hypothesis method of buckling type for the complicated stress distribution was put forward. After analyzing, the result showed that it was more reasonable by using the optimizing algorithm.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Surface Inspection System for Cold Rolled Strips Based on Image ProcessingTechnique

A new surface inspection system for cold rolled strips based on image processing is introduced. The system is equipped withtwo different illumination structures and CCD matrix cameras. The structure and image processing of the inspection system are described. Some efficient algorithms for image processing and classification are presented. The system is tested with strip samples fromcold rolling plants. The results show that the system can detect and recognize six common defects of cold rolled strips successfully.

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.

Determination of Optimal Work Roll Profile for Cold Strip Mill

The model of predicting distribution of strip thickness at the exit and tension stress is established by using weighted residual method and variational method with consideration of rolled metal lateral flow.A New method of calculating loaded roll gap in relation to target tension stress is proposed.The minimum square summation of loaded roll gap deviation is used as an objective function for the first time to optimize initial work roll profile.