- Start: 01/01/2012
- End: 31/12/2014
The FLEXITREN Project was aimed at developing new prototype systems and devices allowing for higher flexibility of equipments and machines employed in hot-rolling operations of steel rod and bar, minimizing process and set-up time associated to product change operations and/or variation of processing parameters. The new systems and devices will automatically control the manufacturing process variables as a function of batch size, characteristics of raw materials used and variations of process parameters within a rolling camping.
The most relevant technological challenges addressed in the FLEXITREN project have been: 1) to design and elaborate new real time simulation models to determine the optimized pre-heating route of the steel billets along the preheating furnace; 2) to develop advanced models to simulate cooling behavior of steel rod at the water quench units and along the air-cooling system (Stelmor); 3) to develop new laser-based protection coatings for hot-rolls; 4) to design a new on-line monitoring system to measure roll wear; and 5) to develop both a system for rapid changing of rolls after each campaign and a prototype device to move rolled bars along parallel rolling lines. All the prototype systems and devices developed during the project have been implemented into a new manufacturing execution system integrated into the production line.
- Sectors: Metal mechanical, Steel
- R&D&i: Flexible manufacturing cells, Laser assisted processing, Mechatronics
- Leader: CELSA Atlantic
- Partners: RUSSULA, METALBER
- Acronym: FLEXITREN
- Ambit: National
FEDER