Objective
The project aim is to eliminate the principal sources of poor shape within the stainless steel strip production route (hot mill, Sendzimir Mill, vertical bright annealer (VBA), tension leveller, etc), taking account of interactions between the various hot/cold mill processes.
Strip condition will be monitored through the production route; to quantify shape changes occurring at each stage, influences of process variables/engineering condition of plant, interactions between successive processes, and hence optimum strip entry/exit shape for each individual process.
Modelling of shape development during rolling and tension levelling will establish sensitivities/key engineering priorities. New shape control systems will be devised/implemented on-line, incorporating influences/mutual interactions of mill flatness actuators, incoming strip flatness, and integration with gauge control.
The work will be undertaken by Corus (co-ordinator) and AvestaPolarit, UK; MEFOS and LuCoil Steel AB, Sweden; BFI, IMS and TKN, Germany.