Prediction of coiling conditions of plate in coilbox by controlled FEM simulation

A method using the finite element simulation for predicting coiling conditions of intermediate plates in a coilbox installed between roughing and finishing stands of hot strip rolling is proposed. In the coilbox, the intermediate plate is coiled to prevent the drop in temperature due to the radiation from the surface of the plate in the waiting period. In the present method, non-steady-state deformation of the plate in the coilbox is simulated by the finite element method, and the rolls are appropriately moved in accordance with the simulated results to form the plate in a coil. Since the formation of the coil is influenced by the bending shape near the front end of the plate, the deformation behaviour near the front end is monitored in the finite element simulation, and the positions of the rolls for coiling the plate are determined from instantaneous movement of the rolls once without trial and error. In addition, the coiling is stabilised by controlling the rotation of the roll. The predicted coiling conditions are applicable to actual coilbox machines.