Application strategies for AC rolling mill drives

It is demonstrated that by properly selecting a suitable cycloconverter-fed AC drive system for a prospective rolling mill one can expect not only an excellent performance and responsive controls, but also a minimum consumption of incoming power and reduction of running energy cost. A noncirculating current cycloconverter drive is the most suitable for large-scale and low-speed drives, such as hot reversing mill main stands, while a circulating current cycloconverter drive is best suited for a tandem cold mill, which requires a high capability of speed control. The system can drive the mill at a quick speed response of omega /sub c/=60 rad/s in a wide speed range. This control performance increases the possibilities for improvements in the gage thickness accuracy control and in the production yield rate.<>