Computer Control for Continuous Casting

Abstract

In recent years, continuous casting machines have made significant advances and large scale facilities have started operation. In the past, attention was concentrated on the development of operating techniques and process stabilization. However, now that these targets have been achieved, there has been a growing tendency towards the development of advanced automatic measurement, control techniques and data exchange with peripheral processes in order to improve casting efficiency, product quality and energy saving. As a result, techniques in automatic measurement and control are now making significant contributions to the improvement of the continuous casting operation. More recently, process control computers and microcomputers have been introduced to promote this data exchange and automationThe introduction of process control computers at Kobe Steel, Ltd. has led to the establishment of data exchange systems between the continuous casting factory and peripheral processes such as the LD converter, molten steel treatment and blooming mill furnace. Consequently, improvement of casting efficiency has been achieved by increasing the sequence-casting ratio and reducing the molten steel treatment time. In addition, superier energy saving has been achieved by increasing the hot charge ratio and improving the heating control of blooms in the blooming furnace. Moreover, the combination of process control computer with microcomputers and various types of sensors has enabled establishment of comprehensive man-machine communication and automatic control of such areas of operation as teeming, secondary cooling water, strand cutting, strand transfer and electro-magnetic stirring. The above measures have resulted in stable operation and manpower savingThis paper describes the data exchange system and the automatic controls enabled by the process control computer, microcomputers and sensors.