Performance enhancement in rolling processes using mixed sensor-based and estimation-based control algorithms

Abstract

This paper presents a novel approach for improving the performance of rolling mills, by designing an estimation-based control algorithm. This is motivated by the fact that using several kinds of sensors for measuring all of process variables is technically and economically avoided. On the other hand, high quality may be obtained by some control algorithms at the expense of using many sensors for exact measurement. Therefore, there is a trade-off between high quality and technical limitations which should be managed in such a manner that the best result is achieved. The proposed algorithm satisfies both objectives including high quality and low production costs by developing reduced order state observers. The designed estimation-based control technique facilitates combining sensor-based and sensorless design methodologies. This technique is applicable to both hot rolling and cold rolling processes. A typical cold rolling process is adopted here to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed estimation method. Simulation results show that the desired performance can be achieved using the developed strategy. © 2011 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. All rights reserved.