Optimization of the amount of edging to increase rolling yields in a plate mill

To improve plate yield by minimizing crop and trimming loss of hot-rolled plate, an optimized method for the amount of edging has been developed. This optimized method is based on the statistical analysis of production data and is formulated to minimize crop and trimming losses. After broadside rolling, the concave shape at the sides of the plate was better for reducing the final crop loss and this shape could be obtained when the amount of edging in broadside rolling is increased. Depending on the broadside rolling ratio, there is an optimum amount of edging in finish rolling for minimizing trimming losses by decreasing the width deviation of the plate. Therefore, for a given amount of edging in broadside rolling and the designed tolerance in the width deviation of the plate, it is possible to optimize the amount of edging in finish rolling to maximize the rolling yield and this was successfully implemented in an actual plate mill.