Modelling hot rolling manufacturing process using soft computing techniques

Steel making industry is becoming more competitive due to the high demand. In order to protect the market share, automation of the manufacturing industrial process is vital and represents a challenge. Empirical mathematical modelling of the process was used to design mill equipment, ensure productivity and service quality. This modelling approach shows many problems associated to complexity and time consumption. Evolutionary computing techniques show significant modelling capabilities on handling complex non-linear systems modelling. In this research, symbolic regression modelling via genetic programming is used to develop relatively simple mathematical models for the hot rolling industrial non-linear process. Three models are proposed for the rolling force, torque and slab temperature. A set of simple mathematical functions which represents the dynamical relationship between the input and output of these models shall be presented. Moreover, the performance of the symbolic regression models is compared to the known empirical models for the hot rolling system. A comparison with experimental data collected from the Ere[gtilde]li Iron and Steel Factory in Turkey is conducted for the verification of the promising model performance. Genetic programming shows better performance results compared to other soft computing approaches, such as neural networks and fuzzy logic.