Method of casting rolling with increased casting speed and subsequent hot rolling of relatively thin metal strands, particularly steel material strands and casting rolling apparatus

1. A method for continuous casting and rolling at increased casting speed followed by hot rolling of relatively thin metal strands ( 1 ), at relatively low strip speed, into thin, hot-rolled strip ( 2 ) in a multiple-stand hot-strip finishing train ( 3 ) with automatic control of the temperatures of the work rolls ( 4 ), comprising the steps of: at casting speeds of about 4 m/minute to 12 m/minute and taking into account the relatively thin thicknesses of the cast strand, adjusting the rolling speeds; increasing the temperatures of the work rolls of the finishing train ( 4 ) at a predetermined rate of increase, starting from a low initial temperature ( 5 ) by preheating of work rolls with a induction heating device and adjusting rolling speed; and adjusting the strip temperature ( 15 ) within the hot-strip finishing train ( 3 ) to a target rolling temperature ( 6 ) of the hot strip ( 2 ) by automatically controlling or regulating the intensity of the roll cooling ( 18 ) of the work rolls in the finishing train.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein, for given pass program data, a target temperature ( 6 ) is adjusted which is below the tempering temperature of the roll material of the work rolls ( 4 ).

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a maximum roll temperature is adjusted by applying a predetermined amount of cooling water ( 26 ) to the work rolls ( 4 ), and the strip speed is adjusted, in order to achieve the predetermined-target temperature ( 6 ) of the strip.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the temperature difference between the work roll core ( 4 a ) and the work roll surface ( 4 b ) is adjusted in such a way that acceptable stresses in the work roll ( 4 ) are not exceeded.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein stress monitoring is carried out within the work roll both in the radial and in the axial direction on the basis of a calculated temperature and stress field.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the stress monitoring is controlled by an online computer model ( 7 ).

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the work rolls ( 4 ) are operated with strip temperatures elevated relative to the intended temperature level.

8. A method in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the work roll ( 4 ) is rotated and preheated in an induction field ( 8 a ).

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the inductive heating of the work roll surface ( 4 b ) is undertaken on the run-in side of a rolling stand ( 3 a . . . 3 n ).

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the inductive heating of a work roll ( 4 ) varies over a barrel length of the work roll.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the work roll ( 4 ) is preheated in the induction field ( 8 a ) inside the hot-strip finishing train ( 3 ) or before the installation next to the hot-strip finishing train ( 3 ).

12. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein, in addition to the intensity of the roll cooling and/or the intensity of the inductive heating, the configuration of the rolling program is used as a controlled variable during the start-up process.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the descaling unit ( 25 ) is operated with a minimal amount of water by using only a single row of descaling sprayers.

14. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling intensity of the work roll cooling ( 18 ) is automatically controlled by applying a finely metered coolant and/or spray.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein only some of the rolling stands ( 3 a . . . 3 n ) of the hot-strip finishing train ( 3 ) are operated with elevated temperatures of their work rolls ( 4 ).