High-definition flatness correction for the rolling industry

Primetals is launching a new high-resolution flatness correction for the rolling industry. The technology is compatible with aluminium, brass and copper flat rolling mills as well as steel hot rolling mills. The plant manufacturer promises exceptional product flatness at lower investment costs.

In a world where the demands for modern manufacture are ever-changing, rolling mills require the best technology to produce "flat" strip with minimal defects. According to Primetals, the all-new Integral Solenoid Valve (ISV) Electric Compact from Primetals Technologies offers the highest definition control without the need for compressed air supply, reducing both the capital and operating costs.
Through 45 years of evolution, the Integral Solenoid Valve (ISV) spray system from Primetals has become the industry standard for cooling, enabling steel and aluminum mills to achieve optimal flatness, the company says. Applying zone cooling and lubrication across the width of the work rolls addresses residual flatness errors and controls the bulk temperature of the mill during the rolling process.
The new ISV Electric Compact valve pushes the technology further by increasing the flow rate control from 10 discrete cooling levels up to a possible 120 levels, all within a narrower 25-millimeters zone width – delivering true high-definition control. Each valve has its own 24V DC-driven solenoid mounted within the rear section of the valve body. By energizing and de-energizing the solenoid, an internal shuttle mounted in the front section of the valve can move back and forth to open and close the valve. In the open position, coolant passes through the inlets on the valve body to the outlet situated on the end of the valve. Engineers at Primetals Technologies have utilized extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to optimize the design of the valve body and internal shuttle, ensuring class-leading flow rates through the valve.
The outlet of each valve is connected to a nozzle plate to provide coolant to the mill rolls. Nozzle configurations are specifically designed using advanced thermal modelling, optimizing the spray patterns and coolant flow rates to suit the individual requirements. The optimal thermal performance may be achieved for each application, regardless of the rolling duty or individual pass schedules.
This latest in flatness control technology will be available to view on the Primetals exhibition stand at Aluminium 2024, October 8-10, in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Source: Primetals Technologies