Verification of Real-Time Estimation and Control of Roll Force Distributionin a Commercial Scale Intelligent Mill for Flat Products

A new rolling mill for flat products, i.e. the NSC intelligent mill (NIM), is developed. The NIM concept states that the mill can estimate and control roll force distribution across the width between the work roll and the rolled material during rolling. Owing to this concept, real-time flatness detection and control of rolled materials can be realized. A commercial scale prototype NIM with a flatness control system has been constructed to verify the feasibility of the real-time estimation and control of roll force distribution. The prototype NIM has successfully realized real-time flatness detection and control of rolled materials, and has revealed an extremely powerful ability for improving flatness of rolled materials.