A review of rolling system design optimisation

Rapid product development and efficient use of existing resources are key competitive drivers in the steel industry and it is imperative that solution strategies are capable of delivering high quality solutions at low cost. However, traditional search techniques for Rolling System Design (RSD) are ad hoc and users of them find it very difficult in satisfying the required commercial imperatives. This paper presents a comprehensive review of approaches for dealing with RSD problems over the years in terms of modelling and optimisation of both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the process. It critically analyses how such strategies contribute to developing timely low cost optimal solutions for the steel industry. The paper also explores the soft computing based technique as an emerging technology for a more structured RSD optimisation. The study has identified challenges posed by RSD for an algorithmic optimisation approach, especially for evolutionary computing based techniques.