The following is the list of our services in helping with strip shape issues:

 

• Statistical review of strip shape: We'll obtain the distribution of averages (average shape per coil in I-units) per product per thickness range (usually average shape per coil  is a good indicator of the individual coil’s shape performance). The distribution of averages is also a good indicator of the average behavior of the process. Also we’ll look at average I-units across the center and the two edges.

• Process capability on shape:  Number of coils meeting the target shape.

• Root cause analysis: To identify cooling, bending and leveling issues, but we will also review the setups for the problematic coils. 

• Off-line strip shape measurement: To validate shape roll measurements, if off-line shape tables are available. Otherwise, we'll have to do limited manual measurements or we will observe the strip shape at down stream operations, see the section below.

• Operator training: We give training to rollers in manual shape control.

For mills equipped with automatic Shape Control we can provide the following:

 

• Assessment of the shape control system: We do this by looking at the Statistical distribution of the shape deviation signals that are recorded by the shape computer. Shape deviation signals are similar to gage deviation signals (i.e. they are the difference between the target shape and the actual measured shape by the shape roll). By looking at different sets of data, for example, different product thickness ranges, a reliable measure of flatness control performance can be obtained.

• Off-line and on-line comparison:  We will validate the on-line shape measurements with a careful comparison to the off-line measurements of the same coils (i.e. if off-line shape tables are available) and/or by comparing to flatness observed at the downstream to see if it matches that indicated by the shape roll (e.g. we observe shape at the coating lines.