Cold rolling technology and automation for the production of advanced high-strength steel grades (AHSS)

摘要

Cold Strip producers are permanently seeking for mill equipment and automation solutions, which ensure the most efficient rolling operation and fulfil the demands of the future market in terms of strip quality, dimensional performances and steel grade mix to be produced. Today the trend to use high strength steel grades such as dual phase or TRIP steels in the automotive industries motivates the steel producers to invest in rolling mill equipment and automation solutions, which are able to produce these grades although the percentage of the product mix is rather small. A big portion of the product mix still presents the traditional steel grades. Siemens VAI sees its responsibility as cold rolling mill supplier to understand all requirements of the cold strip producer including strip quality, investment, production and maintenance cost. An in depth analysis of the product mix is necessary to determine the best equipment and automation solution to fulfil customer requirements for high strength steels. The paper explains how the maximum reduction, the required flatness adjustment range and mill stiffness influence the optimum solution especially when it comes to rolling of advanced high strength steels. Typical projects executed or currently under way by Siemens VAI for each of the mill types will be explained as well as the reasons for the individual solutions.