Development and Practical Application of a Procedure for Computing Time-Optimized Pass Schedules for Reversing Rolling Mills

Abstract

The extent of utilization of a rolling mill is essentially determined by the pass schedules used in rolling. Up to now scheduling for rolling in reversing rolling mills has mainly been done on the basis of experience. Owing to the complexity of the rolling process, however, it is often difficult to attain the productivity aimed at when such a procedure is followed. In what follows, a method is described which allows the computation of time-optimized pass schedules in reversing rolling mills, taking into consideration the constraints inherent in the process. The algorithm includes mathematical models describing the deformation process in the roll gap and the temperatures of the strip and the roils for predicting the process. A digital computer program was developed for the practical application of the procedure. It is used successfully in computing pass schedules for a 20-roll Sendzimir mill.