Simulation-based multi-objective optimization for roll shifting strategy in hot strip mill

A simulation-based multi-objective optimization approach for roll shifting strategy in hot strip mills was presented. Firstly, the effect of roll shifting strategy on wear contour was investigated by numerical simulation, and two evaluation indexes including edge smoothness and body smoothness of wear contours were introduced. Secondly, the edge smoothness average and body smoothness average of all the strips in a rolling campaign were selected as objective functions, and shifting control parameters as decision variables, the multi-objective method of MODE/D as the optimizer, and then a simulation-based multi-objective optimization model for roll shifting strategy was built. The experimental result shows that MODE/D can obtain a good Pareto-optimal front, which suggests a series of alternative solutions to roll shifting strategy. Moreover, the conflicting relationship between two objectives can also be found, which indicates another advantage of multi-objective optimization. Finally, industrial test confirms the feasibility of the multi-objective approach for roll shifting strategy, and it can improve strip profile and extend same width rolling miles of a rolling campaign from 35 km to 70 km.