Improved rolling mill automation by means of advanced control techniques and dynamic simulation

This paper describes the simulation of a multiple-stand hot strip mill and its application for the development of complex control strategies. Both controlled system structure and control functions are explained. The application of advanced control techniques and dynamic simulation improves the thickness tolerances drastically. The results show that the major contribution stems from the feedforward system based on thickness and temperature identification. Extensive dynamic simulations enable the efficient realization of the theoretical concepts as practical solutions. Simulation results are shown.