Abstract

A new optimal design method and a systematic scheduling approach for a laboratory-scale Hot-Rolling Mill are presented. The proposed design is based upon 1. metallurgical principles, which sufficiently consider the behaviour of workpiece material and the mechanics of the manufacturing process and 2. a modified version for multi-objective optimization of a Population Adaptive based Immune Algorithm (PAIA), physically-based models and symbiotic modelling approach to carry-out an optimal search for the best microstructural parameters. This methodology processes adequate capabilities for finding effective and best microstructural parameters such as the ferrite grain size and the volume fraction of pearlite that satisfy the requirements for mechanical properties. Hence, the overarching aim of this research work is to integrate knowledge about both the stock and the rolling process to find optimal hot-deformation profiles that will be used as information in order to compute the most suitable rolling schedule and systemise the optimal route for processing and achieve a ‘right-first-time’ production of the desired properties.