Method for producing a metal article

A method for producing a metal article selected from a group of a slab, a pre-strip, a strip, or a sheet, in which the metal article is first conveyed in a conveying direction through a scale washer to perform initial descaling of a scale layer and then through a rolling mill, wherein the rolling mill has at least one roll stand, said at least one roll stand including a first roll stand in the conveying direction, wherein the metal article is subjected in the scale washer to at least one upper row of nozzles, which descales an upper side of the metal article, and to at least one lower row of nozzles, which descales a lower side of the metal article, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) determining a thickness (supper) of a secondary scale layer on the upper side of the metal article which is present at a location of the first roll stand, or at a defined location in front of the first roll stand, and determining a thickness (slower) of a secondary scale layer on the lower side of the metal article which is present at the location of the first roll stand or at the defined location in front of the first roll stand;
• b) defining a distance between a last upper row of nozzles in the conveying direction and a last lower row of nozzles in the conveying direction, so that the difference between the thickness (supper) of the secondary scale layer on the upper side of the metal article and the thickness (slower) of the secondary scale layer on the lower side of the metal article is below a specified value at the above location.