Advanced control strategies in rolling mills

This contribution aims to present an overview about possible and published applications of advanced (multivariable) control strategies for rolling mil ls to demonstrate the achievement potentials of improving the quality of ro lled products. The control strategies are classified, and for the most impo rtant methods, the basic principle, advantages and application examples in the rolling field are described. Moreover, hits for the implementation and commissioning of the controller are given, and already published as well as future works are discussed. The emphasis is on the prominent method of mod el predictive control that is subject of recent research projects of BFI in close co-operation with European research institutes, steel producers and automation companies. A new control concept for rolled strip profile and fl atness demonstrates the benefits of advanced control strategies.