VCR and ASR technology for profile and flatness control in hot strip mills

The roll contour pattern and variety of work and backup rolls in service and its effect on profile and flatness control performance in 1 700 mm hot strip mill at Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Corporation were tested and analyzed by the developed finite element models of different typical roll contours configurations. A rather smooth local work roll contour near strip edges and an increase in rolled length can be obtained by application of long stroke work roll shifting system with conventional work roll contours that is incapable of the crown control. In comparison with the conventional backup and work roll contours configuration, the crown control range by the roll bending force enhances by 12.79% and the roll gap stiffness increases by 25.26% with the developed asymmetry self-compensating work rolls(ASR) and varying contact backup rolls(VCR). A better strip profile and flatness quality, an increase in coil numbers within the rolling campaign and a significant alleviated effect of severe work roll wear contours on performance of edge drop control are achieved by the application of ASR with crown control and wear control ability in downstream stand F5 and VCR in all stands of 1 700 mm hot strip mill.