Apparatus and method for producing and further processing of slabs

An apparatus (100) for producing and further processing of slabs (3) of a metal, comprising:

• a continuous casting apparatus (1), which is designed to produce a cast strand(S) and to transport it in a transport direction (T);
• a cutting device (4), which is arranged behind the continuous casting apparatus (1), as seen in the transport direction (T), and is designed to cut the cast strand (S) into slabs (3);
• a walking-beam furnace (2) which is arranged behind the cutting device (4), as seen in the transport direction (T), and which is configured to heat the slabs (3) to a forming temperature that is suitable for forming the slabs (3) in a rolling mill (12);
• a slab storage facility (11);
• a heating device (18) for preheating the slabs (3) that have undergone cooling in the slab storage facility (11);
• a first route (R1) and a second route (R2) implementing, at least in some portions, different process lines for the further processing of the slabs (3);
• and
• a process control system (8), which is designed
• to make a route decision individually for each slab, which route decision assigns a corresponding slab (3) to the first route (R1) or to the second route (R2), and
• to initiate further processing of the corresponding slab (3) along the assigned route (R1, R2),
• wherein the first route (R1) is configured to insert the corresponding slab (3) into the furnace (2) substantially directly after cutting by the cutting device (4) such that the corresponding slab (3) is inserted into the furnace (2) with a surface temperature of 600° C. or more,
• wherein the second route (R2) is configured
• to feed the corresponding slab (3) to the slab storage facility (11) for intermediate storage after cutting by the cutting device (4),
• to preheat the corresponding slab (3) that has undergone cooling in the slab storage facility (11) to a temperature of 600° C. or more, and
• to discharge the corresponding slabs (3) in front of the furnace (2), and
• wherein the process control system (8) is designed to make the route decision for the slab (3) based on a planned end use of the slab (3).