A Model Coupling Method for Shape Prediction

The shape of strip is calculated by iterative method which combines strip plastic deformation model with rolls elastic deformation model through their calculation results, which can be called results coupling method. Because the shape and rolling force distribution are very sensitive to strip thickness transverse distribution's variation, the iterative course is rather unstable and sometimes convergence cannot be achieved. In addition, the calculating speed of results coupling method is low, which restricts its usable range. To solve the problem, a new model coupling method is developed, which takes the force distribution between rolls, rolling force distribution and strip's exit transverse displacement distribution as basic unknowns, and integrates strip plastic deformation model and rolls elastic deformation model as a unified linear equations through their internal relation, so the iterative calculation between the strip plastic deformation model and rolls elastic deformation model can be avoided. To prove the effectiveness of the model coupling method, two examples are calculated by results coupling method and model coupling method respectively. The results of front tension stress, back tension stress, strip's exit gauge, the force between rolls and rolling force distribution calculated by model coupling method coincide very well with results coupling method. However the calculation course of model coupling method is more steady than results coupling method, and its calculating speed is about ten times as much as the maximal speed of results coupling method, which validates its practicability and reliability.