Cockerill Sambre, with the collaboration of the Faculte Polytechnique
de Mons, has developed a mathematical model for the batch annealing pr
ocess. In a few minutes, the entire annealing cycle can be simulated.
After the parameters of the model have been adjusted and suitably plac
ed reference thermocouples have been added in the base, industrial ope
n loop control of the process with the model is now being used. The co
ntrol of the hot spot is improved, the productivity is increased and t
he mechnical properties are closer to specifications. Further applicat
ions of the model are under development.