DEVELOPMENT OF AUTOMATED CONTROL SYSTEM AND REGISTRATION OF METAL IN CONTINUOUS CASTING

Context. Modern industrial enterprises face challenges that require introduction of latest technologies to improve efficiency and competitiveness. In metallurgy, one of key stages is continuous casting, where quality of products and economic performance of enterprise depend on accuracy and efficiency of process control. Products made using continuous casting technology are widely used in various industries due to their high mechanical properties, structural uniformity and cost-effectiveness. The development of automated metal management and registration system is becoming not only relevant, but also necessary to ensure stable and efficient production. The problem of improving quality of metal products has always been one of most important tasks in steel industry. Imperfect technological processes, human error and equipment malfunctions can lead to defects in finished metal products. This, in turn, affects final characteristics of products, their durability and reliability. To date, available sources have not yet found complete solution to this problem. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate problem and develop algorithm for operation of automated system for controlling and registering metal in continuous casting. Objective. The goal of work is to develop automated metal management and registration system to improve quality of metal products. Method. To achieve this goal, parametric model was proposed, which is formalized on basis of set theory. The model takes into account key parameters of continuous casting process: material characteristics, structural features of crystallizer, casting modes, metal level in crystallizer, and position of shot stopper. Results. The problem was formulated and key parameters were determined, which are taken into account in system’s algorithm, which made it possible to develop system for controlling parameters of continuous casting to solve problem of improving quality of metal products. Conclusions. To improve quality of metal products and stability of casting process, parametric model was created that is comprehensive, allows optimization of key parameters and ensures accuracy of process control by integrating not only modes of product formation, but also takes into account specific properties of source material (chemical composition of material grade, etc.) and design features of casting plant. Algorithm for automated control system has been developed that takes into account relationships between certain key parameters and ensures optimal control of casting process. Based on proposed complex parametric model and algorithm, automated control and metal registration system was created. The focus of work is on quality and efficiency of metal management and registration in continuous casting, based on modern methods of computer science and engineering. A comprehensive experimental comparison of developed system with commercial analogs in real production conditions was carried out, which allowed us to objectively assess its efficiency and reliability.