WO2024240800A1 - Induction heating device, operating method, production line, use of such an induction heating device, use of such an operating method, and use of such a production line - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an induction heating device for heating a metal product, comprising a resonant circuit for generating a magnetic field in order to heat the metal product, wherein the resonant circuit has at least one coil, and the coil is movably mounted in the vertical direction; an energy supply device for supplying the resonant circuit with electric energy; an adjusting device for adjusting the position of the coil along the vertical direction; a sensor device for detecting the geometric profile of the metal product on the metal product side corresponding to the coil, the active region of the sensor device being arranged in front of the coil with respect to the conveyor direction of the metal product; and a controller for controlling and/or regulating the vertical position of the coil, said controller being connected to the sensor device so as to transmit data. The induction heating device is characterized in that the controller is designed to set a minimum distance between the metal product and the coil while taking into consideration the geometric profile of the metal product.

Description

Induction heating device, operating method, production line, use of such an induction heating device, use of such an operating method and use of such a production line

The invention relates to an induction heating device for heating a metallic product, in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material.

The invention further relates to an operating method for operating an induction heating device for heating a metallic product, in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material.

The invention also relates to a production line for the manufacture and/or processing of a metallic product, in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material.

The invention also relates to a use of such an induction heating device.

The invention also relates to a use of such an operating method. The invention also relates to a use of such a production line.

Generic induction heating devices, especially in connection with production lines for the manufacture and/or processing of semi-finished products and/or preliminary products and/or intermediate products and/or products made of iron, steel and/or non-ferrous metal materials, are known from the prior art.

In this case, the known induction heating devices for heating metallic goods passing through are equipped with coils which are fixed relative to the metallic goods and/or in particular are adjustable vertically relative to a conveying direction of the metallic goods, wherein the metallic goods are guided past the respective coil in the machine direction of the induction heating device.

In the case of induction heating devices with fixed coils, the distance between the fixed coils and the metal goods is generally designed in such a way that even metal goods with the largest possible dimensions, seen transversely to the conveying plane of the respective induction heating device, do not collide with the fixed coils. This means that the coils are always arranged at the greatest possible safety distance from the metal goods, so that unintentional damage can be avoided. However, this intended safety distance has the consequence that the electrical efficiency of the respective induction heating device is significantly reduced.

To overcome these disadvantages, other induction heating devices have vertically opposite the conveying direction of the metallic goods. Such vertically adjustable coils are moved into a safety position, particularly in the case of metallic goods that are to be heated discontinuously, such as slabs, before the metallic goods reach the respective coil, in which position it is ensured that the metallic goods do not collide with the respective coil, regardless of the position and/or shape tolerances inherent in the metallic goods. It is often the case that the head area of the metallic goods in particular, for example as a result of previous manufacturing processes, etc., can exhibit critical shape deviations which can deviate considerably from the rest of the geometry of the metallic goods, for example due to previous primary and/or forming processes or similar.

In induction heating devices with adjustable coils, an additional safety distance is therefore set prophylactically with regard to the coil compared to the surface of the metallic item (safety position) until at least the head area of the metallic item has passed through the respective coil or its working area. Only after the head area of the metallic item has passed through the respective coil is the coil moved into its actual operating position. The disadvantage here is that the operating distance between the coil and the metallic item can fluctuate greatly, for example as a result of further, albeit smaller, unfavorable position and/or shape tolerances behind the head area of the metallic item, so that the magnetic field generated by the coil cannot constantly heat the metallic item homogeneously with the desired, in particular optimal, electrical efficiency.

In particular, the initial shifting of the coil into the safety position almost always leads to a different, usually weaker, heating of the head area than in the middle area of the metallic material which adjoins the head area. The same applies to the foot area of the metallic goods, which in turn is connected to the middle area of the metallic goods. Here, too, the adjustable coils are regularly moved back to the safety position.

This means that the metal product is usually partially heated inhomogeneously and usually enters the production line with a slightly colder head or foot area. This can in turn result in the material in the head or foot area being of inferior quality compared to the middle area and a previously existing inhomogeneity not only remaining but being amplified, so that the material often has to be declared as scrap.

Furthermore, generic production lines for producing and/or processing semi-finished products and/or preliminary products and/or intermediate products and/or products made of iron, steel and/or non-ferrous metal materials are also known from the prior art. These generally consist of several devices in which the preliminary product and/or the intermediate product and/or the product is each subjected to one or more process steps. The devices can be, for example, heating or cooling devices, transport devices, devices for shaping, cleaning devices, chemical treatment devices, surface coating devices, separating or joining devices, and combinations thereof. The process steps can be, for example, increasing or reducing the temperature, transport, forming, cleaning, chemical treatment, coating the surface, separating or joining, and combinations thereof. The invention is based on the object of providing an improvement or an alternative to the prior art. In particular, the invention is based on the object of advantageously increasing the output of good parts or good material on generic induction heating devices.

The object of the invention is achieved according to a first aspect of the invention by an induction heating device for heating a metallic product, in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material, with

• an oscillating circuit for generating a magnetic field for heating the metallic material , in particular a first oscillating circuit , the oscillating circuit having at least one coil , in particular a first coil , the coil being mounted so as to be displaceable in a vertical direction ,

• a power supply device for supplying the resonant circuit with electrical energy,

• an adjusting device for adjusting a position of the coil, in particular a position of the first coil, along the vertical direction, in particular a first adjusting device, with

• a sensor device for detecting a geometric profile of the metallic material, in particular a first geometric profile, on a side of the metallic material corresponding to the coil, in particular for detecting a geometric profile of the metallic material relative to a reference plane, in particular relative to a reference plane of a conveying device for conveying the metallic material, wherein an effective range, in particular a first effective range, of the sensor device is arranged in front of the coil with respect to a conveying direction of the metallic material, and • a control device for controlling and/or regulating a vertical position of the coil, wherein the control device is data-connected to the sensor device, wherein the induction heating device is characterized in that the control device is designed to set, in particular continuously, a minimum distance, in particular a first minimum distance, between the metallic item and the coil along the metallic item, taking into account the geometric profile of the metallic item.

By means of the present induction heating device, a distance between the coil and the metallic item can be adjusted not only partially, but in the desired manner over the entire length of the metallic item, so that in particular shape and position tolerances over the entire length of the metallic item can be taken into account and advantageously compensated by means of a suitable displacement of the coil relative to the metallic item.

Advantageously, the present induction heating device makes it possible to set a desired, in particular an optimal or minimum distance between the coil and the metallic item already in the head region of the metallic item, so that the metallic item can be heated as homogeneously as possible, in particular also at its end regions, more precisely at its head region and optionally also at its foot region, in particular with respect to the middle region.

Preferably, the induction heating device is inductively activated before or when the metallic material enters the induction heating device, in particular before or when it enters an effective region of the at least one coil. Ideally, the coil can be optimally adjusted relative to the metallic material along its entire length, so that an optimal distance between the coil and the metallic material for an optimal electrical efficiency in the material can be set not only behind a possibly critically deformed head region.

This makes it possible to apply heat to the metallic material as evenly as possible over its entire length, which significantly reduces the amount of material waste.

In other words, this means that with regard to the material passing through the induction heating device, the oscillating circuit of the induction heating device, in particular the coil thereof, can always be kept at an optimal distance from the metallic material, depending on the geometry of the metallic material, and this over the entire length of the metallic material.

In other words, the coil follows the course of the surface geometry profile of the metallic material with a largely constant minimum distance, so that even in the event of disturbances to the geometry (critical shape and/or position deviations) of the metallic material, a minimum distance can be easily and reliably maintained, particularly within a roll pass. This makes it possible for an induction heating device preset to a specific material thickness within the total length of the metallic material between a head-side face of the metallic material and a foot-side face of the metallic material to continuously react to unintentional shape and/or position changes of the metallic material, and in particular to be continuously adjusted so that the minimum distance can always be adjusted. The term "largely constant" takes into account the fact that the coil has a certain longitudinal extension, so that due to the design, when following an unfavourable geometric profile, such as a ski, a small inconsistent treatment zone can occur in the area of such a geometric profile, which can often be regarded as negligible.

The term "geometric profile" describes a deviation in shape, in particular an irregular deviation in shape, such as a protrusion, a deformation, such as a wavy profile or the like. Such a deviation in shape can also occur in particular if the thickness of the metallic item is the same over its length or deviates only negligibly.

As a result, the coil of the present induction heating device can be regulated or controlled in such a way that it can always be set or maintained at a desired or optimal distance from the metallic item, over the entire length of the metallic item.

This allows the induction heating device to be continuously adapted specifically to an irregular geometric profile, even if such an irregularity only occurs partially with respect to the total length of the metallic product.

Thus, the position of the coil, in particular the height in the vertical direction, can be continuously corrected relative to the metallic material in order to always be able to maintain the minimum distance in accordance with the invention.

In this respect, a continuous correction of the position of the induction heating device relative to the metallic material in Depending on the geometric profile of the metallic item, in order to always be able to maintain the minimum distance in accordance with the invention.

In this context, it is also advantageous if the control device is designed so that the position of the induction heating device, in particular its coil, relative to the metallic material or a reference plane can be corrected depending on the geometric profile of the metallic material in order to always be able to maintain the minimum distance in the sense of the invention.

The term "total length" in the sense of the invention does not only comprise a middle region between a head region and a foot region of the metallic item, but also includes this head or foot region from the head-side front surface to the foot-side front surface of the metallic item.

Metallic goods within the meaning of the invention are understood to mean slabs, billets, preliminary strips, intermediate strips, wires, strips and the like which have a significantly increased length extension in comparison to the width and thickness extension.

It should be expressly pointed out that the present teaching also extends to metallic goods with an infinite longitudinal extension, in particular to metallic billets, slabs and/or strips, in particular to metallic billets, slabs and/or strips which are joined at the beginning of a production line to form an endless metallic strip and separated again at the end of a production line. In this context, the term "total length" refers, with any necessary modifications, to the length of a continuous heating process. In the sense of the invention, the term "minimum distance" refers to an operating distance (in particular head and foot distance) between the respective coil and the metallic material to be treated, which can be kept largely constant in particular by means of volatile operating positions of the coil on the induction heating device or operating positions following position and/or shape tolerances.

The distance between the coil and the metallic material influences the efficiency of the induction heating device.

Since shape tolerances of a metallic item and/or position tolerances of a metallic item relative to the coil can occur during production, the minimum distance can be understood as a safety distance, which represents a compromise between an ideal efficiency of the induction heating device and the occurring shape and/or position tolerance of the metallic item. In other words, the minimum distance can enable an optimal efficiency of the induction heating device while at the same time ensuring relative safety of contact between the metallic item and the coil.

Preferably, the minimum distance can be understood as the distance which, taking into account all boundary conditions of the production process, enables an optimal efficiency of the induction heating device. Thus, the minimum distance can also be understood as "optimal distance" and/or referred to as such.

In this respect, the present induction heating device enables the coil to assume a variety of different operating positions in relation to the metallic material in order to constantly regulate a desired minimum distance and thus in order to achieve the most homogeneous heat input possible over as long a length as possible along the metallic material.

In this case, it is advantageous if an operating distance (head distance) in the head region and an operating distance in the adjoining middle region preferably differ from one another by less than 20%, preferably less than 15% and particularly preferably less than 10% or less than 5%.

This also applies to operating distances (foot distance) between the foot area and the middle area of the metallic goods.

The term "head region" in this case refers to a front region of the metallic material as seen in the conveying direction.

The size or length of such a head area can vary. For example, the length of the head area can depend on the material thickness of the metallic item.

For example, the head region has a length of 100 mm or 150 mm or more measured from the front face of the metallic item.

For example, the size or length of the head region can also depend on the type of deformation, for example caused by a separation process on a strand of material. In particular, the head region can also have a ski deformation or the like.

The term "foot area" refers to a rear area of the metallic material as seen in the conveying direction. The design may occur as before in the head region and may extend a length of 100 mm or 150 mm or more measured from a rear end face of the metallic item.

Due to this analogy, for the sake of simplicity, we will only speak of the head area from now on, even though the foot area is also included.

A particularly homogeneous electrical efficiency can be achieved along the metallic material if the operating distances between the coil and the surface material side are identical along the metallic material.

This ensures that the coil can always treat the metallic material advantageously with a homogeneous electrical efficiency both in the head area and in the adjacent middle area.

This also applies to operating distances between the foot area and the middle area of the metallic goods.

This allows the metallic material to be heated extremely homogeneously both in the head area and in the adjacent middle area.

This in turn leads to a significant reduction in output losses on the present induction device.

The term "reference plane" in the sense of the invention describes a working plane on the present induction heating device, along which the metallic material is moved past the respective coil. This working plane preferably extends in and along the machine direction of the present induction heating device and preferably also through a working region of the coil of the present induction heating device.

Preferably, the working plane of the present induction heating device coincides with a conveying plane of a transport path or a corresponding roller table of a suitably equipped production line.

In this respect, the reference level can be defined by such a support level.

The conveying level can, for example, ultimately also be realized by a belt pull on a belt system, or something similar.

The reference plane can also be set variably depending on the metallic item to be treated on the induction heating device. The reference plane can be positioned in the middle of the metallic item or at the lower edge of the metallic item.

The reference plane can be used advantageously, for example, to convert absolute coordinates into relative coordinates.

The reference plane can alternatively also start from a plane of the sensor device and/or a plane of the adjustment device and/or a plane of a coil and/or a plane depending on a relevant geometric parameter of the metallic material, in particular a thickness of the metallic material above a conveying plane of the metallic material, or the like, wherein preferably a conversion of absolute coordinates of a production line into relative coordinates of the production line can be carried out using the reference plane. It should also be explained that according to the present invention, an "induction heating device" is understood to mean a device which is designed for the inductive heating of a metallic item using electrical energy.

Increasing the temperature of the preliminary product and/or the intermediate product and/or the product is often essential for many process steps and thus represents an essential process step in the treatment of the metallic goods.

For this purpose, induction heating devices according to the present invention can be used, wherein the respective induction heating device can be used at different locations within a production line for the manufacture and/or processing of a metallic product or on a roller table of the production line.

Advantageously, the present induction heating device can therefore achieve direct heating of the metallic material, since the heat is generated in the metallic material itself and does not have to be introduced from the outside via the surface of the metallic material by heat conduction, convection and/or radiation.

During induction heating using an induction heating device, the oscillating circuit is excited to oscillate, particularly in the medium frequency range.

Usually, a mains voltage, for example a single-phase or multi-phase alternating voltage, is first rectified and smoothed and the direct voltage is fed to an inverter, which excites the resonant circuit. In this respect, the term "oscillating circuit" in the sense of the invention refers to a device for inductively heating a metallic item. The oscillating circuit comprises at least one coil and one capacitor device.

In accordance with the invention, at least a first oscillating circuit can be arranged above a metallic item to be heated or above a corresponding transport path or roller table along which the metallic item is transported.

The oscillating circuit is also characterized by a working range or an electrical effective range in which the magnetic field can interact with the metallic material.

In this respect, such a first coil is an upper coil of the present induction heating device and is accordingly arranged above the working area or the metallic material to be heated.

In addition, the present induction heating device can comprise at least a second oscillating circuit with at least one second coil, which are arranged below the working area or the metallic material to be heated and thus below the first oscillating circuit as well as below the relevant transport path or the roller table.

A coil of the induction heating device may have less than one complete turn, one complete turn and/or more than one complete turn, in particular more than or equal to two turns, more than or equal to three turns or more than or equal to four turns. The part of the coil acting on the metallic material preferably has a meander-shaped, U-shaped or hairpin-shaped geometry.

In any case, the respective coil is arranged on one side relative to the material to be heated and can also be adjusted or moved relative to the metallic material in order to be able to adjust the desired electrical efficiency more precisely to a desired, optimal level, especially via the distance to the metallic material.

In the present case, an electrical active connection between a metallic item and an alternating magnetic field can be brought about by longitudinal field induction and/or by transverse field induction. With longitudinal field induction, the magnetic field lines run essentially in the longitudinal direction of the metallic item. With transverse field induction, the magnetic field lines in the metallic item run essentially in a transverse direction of the metallic item, in particular in the thickness direction and/or in the width direction of the metallic item.

The term "metallic good" describes any product comprising an electrically conductive iron material, a steel material and/or a non-ferrous metal material. In particular, a metallic good can be understood to mean any semi-finished product and/or any preliminary product and/or any intermediate product and/or any product that is electrically conductive.

If the metallic material is a sheet or a slab, the magnetic field lines can enter the sheet in the direction of the sheet's thickness and exit the sheet again in the direction of the sheet's thickness in the case of transverse field induction. The term "energy supply device" in the sense of the invention refers to a device which is designed to provide electrical energy for the operation of at least one resonant circuit, in particular with electrical current of suitable current intensity, suitable voltage and/or suitable frequency.

The present energy supply device can be designed to provide electrical energy for a plurality of resonant circuits, in particular for at least two resonant circuits, three, four, five, six or more resonant circuits.

It is understood that an electrical connection between the energy supply device and one or more oscillating circuits of the present induction heating device can be designed in a variety of ways, for example in a known manner by means of suitable busbars or the like. However, wired electrical supply lines are also possible with a suitably selected connection structure.

The capacitor device in question can also be designed in different ways. The capacitor device can be equipped with a single capacitor or with a large number of capacitors. In the latter variant, several capacitors can then preferably be connected in parallel to one another.

The present induction heating device can comprise a single capacitor device which is electrically connected to a coil or alternatively to several coils.

In particular, in the case of several coils, several capacitor devices can also be provided on the induction heating device. For example, each coil is assigned exactly one capacitor device, whereby this capacitor device in turn can have a single capacitor or several, preferably parallel-connected capacitors.

Alternatively, several coils can be assigned to a capacitor.

Even designs in which exactly one coil is electrically assigned to a capacitor device and several coils are cumulatively electrically assigned to another capacitor device can be advantageously realized on the present induction heating device.

Depending on the application requirements, different arrangement variations can be realized.

The term "adjustment device" describes a device by means of which the coil can be displaced relative to the metallic material or relative to a working area or effective range of the induction heating device as required.

In particular, the respective coil is mounted so as to be height-adjustable relative to the metallic material, in particular relative to its thickness, wherein for such a height adjustment the coil is mounted so as to be displaceable transversely to the metallic material or preferably orthogonally to the metallic material or a transport path or conveyor path or a roller table, in particular is mounted so as to be linearly displaceable.

The adjustment device can be equipped with one or more hydraulic cylinders or a rack and pinion drive or a toggle lever or the like for linear adjustment. The term "height adjustment" describes a transverse displacement of the respective coil independent of the spatial orientation of a transport route along which the metallic goods are transported.

Particularly preferably, a coil for setting approximately a minimum distance in the vertical direction is mounted transversely to the machine direction.

In this respect, the term "vertical" in the sense of the invention describes a direction transverse to the machine direction, which points in the main conveying direction of the metallic material.

Furthermore, the term "sensor device" describes a device for detecting a relative position of the metallic material, in particular a surface side of the metallic material, with respect to the induction heating device, in particular with respect to a coil of the induction heating device or a relative position in a working range of the induction heating device formulated by at least one coil.

Thus, the sensor device can exactly determine a geometric profile of the metallic material, in particular an irregular geometric profile, even if the metallic material has a constant thickness.

The sensor device can be implemented in different ways, for example optical, in particular laser-optical, acoustic, inductive, mechanically tactile or the like.

Preferably, a surface profile or a geometry profile can be determined by means of an imaging process, possibly even before the respective coil. Based on this determined surface profile or geometry profile, then the respective coil can be advantageously positioned relative to the metallic material in order to achieve an optimum electrical efficiency with respect to the metallic material.

Cumulatively or alternatively, continuous scanning of the surface side can also be carried out, whereby a surface profile or geometric profile of the metallic material can be created particularly precisely, preferably in real time on or shortly before the respective coil.

In some cases it may be sufficient to determine a sufficiently accurate geometric profile if the sensor device operates discontinuously.

In order to be able to determine, for example, critical position deviations in a head region of a metallic item at an early stage, for example with regard to a so-called ski deformation or the like, it can also be advantageous to detect a relative position of a short side, in particular a head side, so that such a detection can at least be used to pre-adjust a coil relative to the item to be heated, in order to subsequently be able to adjust the coil more quickly relative to the long side.

In any case, the present induction heating device ensures that, ideally, at any point on a long side of the metallic item and at any time, an advantageous distance between the coil and the metallic item can always be set in such a way that an optimum electrical efficiency can always be set on the metallic item.

The sensor device can be arranged directly on the present induction heating device, for example on a frame part thereof, a housing part thereof or the like, and thus also be in contact with the coil. Alternatively, the sensor device can also be arranged in front of the coil as seen in the transport direction, whereby both options can be implemented here.

In particular, the expression "effective range" with regard to the sensor device is to be understood according to the invention as an effective connection between the sensor device and the metallic material, wherein the effective range can describe the area of the metallic material which can be scanned and/or measured with the sensor device.

The term "geometric profile" with regard to the metallic material describes, in the sense of the invention, the profile of the metallic material, whereby this term includes both deformations, such as a wave profile or the like, and minor defects directly on the surface of the metallic material, which can be detected by the sensor device described here.

The term "geometry profile" can expressly include in particular a middle region of the metallic material, i.e. the region between a head region and a foot region of the metallic material. In this respect, the geometry profile is not necessarily limited to a head region or a foot region of the metallic material, with the head region describing the incoming beginning and the foot region describing the outgoing end of the metallic material in relation to the coil.

It is advantageous if the setpoint value of the operating parameter relevant for the operating distance with regard to the metallic item, such as the thickness of the metallic item, is determined and/or can be made available to the control device in another way. This target value can preferably be the thickness of a slab, the thickness of a billet, the thickness of a metal strip or the like.

Among other things, this can be done by means of a suitably set up or arranged sensor device which is arranged in front of or upstream of the coil and/or whose effective range is arranged in front of or upstream of the coil, or cumulatively or alternatively also by means of process data from upstream machining processes. However, corresponding data on the target value can also come from production planning data.

Thus, an advantageous positioning of the coil relative to a surface side of the metallic material can be achieved under an assumption of the target value of relevant geometric parameters of the metallic material, in particular relative to the thickness of the metallic material.

If a determined deviation of the relevant geometric parameter reaches or falls below a critical tolerance value, the metallic item can be guided past a coil that is in an optimal position from the point of view of electrical efficiency.

However, if the determined deviation of the relevant geometric parameter reaches or exceeds a critical tolerance value, the coil position is adjusted in a suitable manner to enable collision-free passage of the section of material with the geometric deviation.

In addition, the "corresponding side" of the metallic material is understood to mean that surface side of the metallic material which is directly opposite the respective sensor device or the respective coil. This means that the upper coil of the induction heating device is directly opposite the upper side of the metallic material and the lower coil of the induction heating device is correspondingly opposite the lower side of the metallic material.

Even if the terms head region and foot region of the metallic material are used repeatedly here, it should be expressly pointed out that the induction heating device proposed here can also be used for heating metallic strips, in particular endless metallic strips. In this case, the sensor device can also determine a deviation of the relevant geometric parameter of the metallic material, which is used to adjust the coil.

A preferred embodiment provides that the control device is further configured to set, in particular continuously, a minimum distance, in particular a first minimum distance, between the metallic material and the coil in a middle region between a head region and a foot region of the metallic material.

In particular, in a middle area of the metallic material, an optimal distance setting of the coil in relation to the metallic material has been neglected to date. However, by means of the present induction heating device, an advantageous distance can also be set in the middle area of the metallic material in order to always achieve an optimal electrical efficiency on the metallic material. This makes it possible to achieve particularly homogeneous heating along the entire length of the metallic material. This is all the more true if the sensor device operates continuously, since in this way any disturbance in the middle range with regard to the metallic material can be reliably detected and/or taken into account, in particular can be corrected or pre-controlled, in particular continuously, so that homogeneous heating can be ensured even more reliably in this range too.

The metallic material can be heated even more advantageously, in particular heat treated more homogeneously, if the induction heating device additionally has:

• a second coil, in particular a second coil of a second oscillating circuit for generating a magnetic field for heating the metallic material, wherein the second coil is mounted displaceably in the vertical direction, wherein the second coil can be supplied with electrical energy by the energy supply device,

• an adjusting device for adjusting a position of the second coil along the vertical direction, in particular a second adjusting device,

• a sensor device having a second effective area, which is arranged in front of the second coil with respect to a conveying direction of the metallic material, in particular a second sensor device, in particular the second sensor device is arranged in front of the second coil with respect to the conveying direction of the metallic material, in particular the second sensor device is data-connected to the control device, for detecting a second geometric profile of the metallic material on a side of the metallic material corresponding to the second coil, in particular for detecting a second geometric profile of the metallic material relative to a reference plane, wherein the control device is set up to control and/or regulate a vertical position of the second coil, and wherein the control device is designed to set, in particular continuously, a second minimum distance between the metallic material and the second coil along the metallic material, in particular in the central region of the metallic material, taking into account the second geometric profile of the metallic material.

The second adjustment device can be implemented as an independent device on the induction heating device, or alternatively this second adjustment device is a structural component of the first adjustment device.

The situation is similar with regard to the second sensor device, which is either an independent device on the induction heating device or, alternatively, is designed as a structural component of the first sensor device.

The second coil can preferably be arranged opposite the side of the metallic material corresponding to the first coil.

The second geometry profile can also advantageously be related to the reference plane already described above.

The present induction heating device can be operated with a particularly advantageous electrical efficiency if the minimum distance, in particular the first minimum distance and/or the second minimum distance, along the metallic material, in particular also in the middle region of the metallic material, is less than or equal to 50 mm, preferably less than or equal to 40 mm and particularly preferably less than or equal to 30 mm. If the minimum distance is less than or equal to 20 mm, preferably less than or equal to 15 mm and particularly preferably less than or equal to 10 mm, the induction heating device can be operated even more effectively. In this way, particularly efficient heating of the metallic material can be achieved, which is due, among other things, to the still small air gap between the coil and the metallic material.

Furthermore, it is particularly favorable if the minimum distance, in particular the first minimum distance and/or the second minimum distance, along the metallic item, in particular in the middle region of the metallic item, is greater than 0 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 mm and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm. This ultimately makes it possible to ensure the safety of the induction heating device against collisions with the metallic item, whereby greater safety through a correspondingly larger minimum distance is always accompanied by a lower electrical efficiency.

If the first minimum distance and the second minimum distance differ by less than or equal to 5 mm, preferably by less than or equal to 3 mm and particularly preferably by less than or equal to 1 mm, a particularly homogeneous heating of the metallic material can be achieved.

This is essentially due to the fact that essentially the same minimum distances can advantageously be set on both sides of the metallic item, whereby comparable magnetic fields can act on the metallic item on both sides, so that comparable heating can be achieved on the metallic item on both sides. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first coil is designed to heat the metallic material by means of transverse field induction, and/or the first coil and the second coil are designed to heat the metallic material by means of transverse field induction and/or longitudinal field induction.

With a single first coil, which is arranged only on one side of the metallic material, the induction heating device can be built more compactly. However, only transverse field induction can be achieved in this case.

When using two coils, both a transverse field induction and a longitudinal field induction or a mixed form can be achieved, for example by having the first coil and the second coil oscillate with a phase offset of 0° to 180° relative to each other. This can preferably be achieved via a phase shift of 180°.

A preferred embodiment provides that the control device is designed to set a minimum head distance, in particular a first minimum head distance and/or a second minimum head distance, between the metallic material and a coil, in particular the first coil and/or the second coil, in the head region (of the metallic material).

This allows a homogeneous heating of the head area of the metallic product to be further improved in relation to the remaining areas of the metallic product, whereby a more consistent quality of the product made from the metallic product can be achieved. In particular, this also allows a significant reduction in the reject rate.

Similar to the foot area of the metallic goods, there are almost always larger expected deformation deviations, for example due to cutting of the cast strand by means of a cutting device, or the like.

This is particularly the case with discontinuous production, such as in a batch operation, in which a metallic product is intermittently treated, in particular thermally treated, and the latter then passes the induction device accordingly in batches.

However, critical deformation deviations can also be caused by other deformation patterns, such as ski deformations in the head or foot area of the metallic item and/or wave deformations, particularly in the middle area of the metallic item.

It is also advantageous if the control device is designed to set a minimum foot distance, in particular a first minimum foot distance and/or a second minimum foot distance, between the metallic item and a coil, in particular the first coil and/or the second coil, in the foot region of the metallic item.

This can improve the homogeneous heating of the base area of the metallic item in relation to the remaining areas of the metallic item, which can result in a more consistent quality of the product made from the metallic item. In particular, this can also significantly reduce the scrap rate.

The collision safety with regard to the present induction heating device can also be further improved if the minimum head distance, in particular the first minimum head distance and/or the second minimum head distance, in the head area and/or the minimum foot distance, in particular the first minimum foot distance and/or the second minimum foot distance in the foot region of the metallic material is greater by a factor of 1.1 than the minimum distance, in particular the first minimum distance and/or the second minimum distance, in the middle region of the metallic material, preferably by a factor of 1.2 and particularly preferably by a factor of 1.3.

A factor selected in this way is particularly advantageous since larger geometric profile deviations are to be expected in the head region and the foot region in particular than in a middle region of the metallic material lying between them. This means that a higher production availability can be achieved.

A further improved collision safety can be achieved with higher factor values, such as 1.4 or 1.5 or 1.75, which, however, comes at the expense of a uniformly achievable electrical efficiency along the metallic material.

A more uniform, homogeneous heating of the metallic material can be favorably influenced if the head region comprises less than or equal to 15% of a longitudinal extension of the metallic material, preferably less than or equal to 10% and particularly preferably less than or equal to 7.5%.

The situation is similar if the head region comprises less than or equal to 12.5% of a longitudinal extent of the metallic material, preferably less than or equal to 5% and particularly preferably less than or equal to 2.5%.

It is equally advantageous if the foot region comprises less than or equal to 15 % of a longitudinal extent of the metallic material , preferably less than or equal to 10 % and particularly preferably less than or equal to 7.5 % . The situation is similar if the foot region comprises less than or equal to 12.5% of a longitudinal extension of the metallic material, preferably less than or equal to 5% and particularly preferably less than or equal to 2.5%.

The object of the invention is also achieved according to a second aspect of the invention by an operating method for operating an induction heating device for heating a metallic product, in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material, by means of a coil, in particular by means of a first coil, in particular an induction heating device according to the first aspect of the invention, which has the following steps:

• Determination of a geometric profile of the metallic material, in particular a first geometric profile, with a sensor device, in particular with a first sensor device, on a side of the metallic material corresponding to the coil, in particular determination of a geometric profile of the metallic material relative to a reference plane, in particular relative to a reference plane of a conveying device for conveying the metallic material, in particular determination of a target thickness of the metallic material, wherein an effective range, in particular a first effective range, of the sensor device is arranged in front of the coil with respect to a conveying direction of the metallic material, and

• Adjustment, in particular continuous adjustment, of a position of the coil, in particular a position of the first coil, along a vertical direction, with an adjustment device, in particular a first adjustment device, in particular in a middle area between a head area and a foot area of the metallic material, taking into account the geometric profile of the metallic material for setting a minimum distance, in particular a first minimum distance between the metallic material and the coil.

By means of the method described here, the output of good parts or good material with regard to a metallic product inductively heat-treated by an induction heating device can be significantly improved, as has already been sufficiently described above.

In particular, the minimum distance may also be equal to the optimal distance to achieve an optimal result from the point of view of electrical efficiency.

It is particularly advantageous that the minimum distance from the metallic item, in particular from the head area or the foot area of the metallic item, is set before and/or during the entry of the metallic item, in particular its head area, into the coil. This ensures that the head area can also be supplied with optimum electrical efficiency.

An advantageous method variant provides an operating method for operating an induction heating device for heating a metallic material, wherein the induction heating device has a second coil, in which the alternative operating method has the following steps:

• Determination of a second geometric profile of the metallic material with a sensor device, in particular with a second sensor device, on a side of the metallic material corresponding to the second coil, in particular determination of a second geometric profile of the metallic material relative to a reference plane, in particular relative to the reference plane of the conveyor device for conveying the metallic material, wherein a second effective range the sensor device is arranged in front of the second coil with respect to a conveying direction of the metallic material,

• Adjustment, in particular continuous adjustment, of a position of the second coil along a vertical direction, with an adjustment device, in particular a second adjustment device, in particular in the middle region of the metallic material, taking into account the second geometric profile of the metallic material for setting a second minimum distance between the metallic material and the second coil.

By means of this process variant, the metallic material can be heated even more advantageously, in particular it can be heat-treated even more homogeneously.

In particular, when using two coils, both a transverse field induction and a longitudinal field induction can be carried out, for example by the first coil and the second coil oscillating with a phase offset to each other, in particular with a phase offset of 180 °.

A minimum distance which is advantageous in the sense of the present invention can be set in the head region in a simple and precise manner if the present operating method is further characterized by the following method step:

• Adjustment, in particular continuous adjustment, of a position of the first coil and/or the second coil along a vertical direction, with an adjustment device, in particular a first adjustment device and/or a second adjustment device, in the head region of the metallic material, taking into account the first geometric profile and/or the second geometric profile of the metallic material for setting a minimum head distance, in particular a first minimum head distance and/or a second minimum head distance.

It is also advantageous if the present operating method is characterized by the following additional process step:

• Adjustment, in particular continuous adjustment, of a position of the first coil and/or the second coil along a vertical direction, with an adjustment device, in particular a first adjustment device and/or a second adjustment device, in the foot region of the metallic material, taking into account the first geometric profile and/or the second geometric profile of the metallic material for setting a minimum foot distance, in particular a first minimum foot distance and/or a second minimum foot distance.

It should be expressly pointed out that the subject matter of the second aspect can be advantageously combined with the subject matter of the preceding aspect of the invention, either individually or cumulatively in any combination.

The object of the invention is also achieved according to a third aspect of the invention by an induction heating device for heating a metallic product, in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material,

• wherein the induction heating device has an oscillating circuit for generating a magnetic field for heating the metallic material,

• wherein the resonant circuit comprises a capacitor device and a coil, • wherein the induction heating device comprises a power supply device for supplying the oscillating circuit with electrical energy,

• wherein the induction heating device has an adjusting device for adjusting a position of the coil along the vertical direction,

• wherein the induction heating device has a sensor device for detecting a geometric profile of the metallic material,

• wherein the induction heating device has a control device for controlling and/or regulating a vertical position of the coil, wherein the control device is data-connected to the sensor device, wherein the control device is designed to control and/or regulating a vertical position of the coil,

• wherein the induction heating device is adapted to carry out a method according to the second aspect of the invention.

By means of such an advantageous induction heating device, the effects and advantages described above can also be achieved.

It should be expressly pointed out that the subject matter of the third aspect can be advantageously combined with the subject matters of the preceding aspects of the invention, either individually or cumulatively in any combination.

The object of the invention is furthermore achieved according to a fourth aspect of the invention by a production line for the manufacture and/or processing of a metallic good, in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, Steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material, comprising the induction heating device according to the invention according to the first and/or the third aspect of the invention.

On a production line equipped with the present induction heating device, metallic goods can be heat treated significantly more homogeneously, over the entire length of the respective metallic goods.

It is understood that the present production line may be provided with a processing device that mechanically processes the metallic goods, or with several processing devices that operate in the same or different ways.

For this purpose, the metallic goods are transported along a transport route of the production line or a suitably equipped roller conveyor.

It is understood that the production line may also comprise further treatment or processing devices, such as separating devices, winding devices, separating devices or the like.

The advantages of an induction device according to the first and/or the third aspect of the invention, as described above, extend to a production line comprising an induction device according to the first and/or the second aspect of the invention.

It should be expressly pointed out that the subject matter of the third aspect can be advantageously combined with the subject matters of the preceding aspects of the invention, either individually or cumulatively in any combination. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the object of the invention is also achieved by using the induction heating device underlying the invention according to one of the features described here and/or the operating method described here, and/or the production line described here.

At this point, it should also be claimed that the method described here can also be supplemented by further technical features explained here, in particular by features of the device, in order to advantageously further develop the method or to be able to represent or formulate method specifications even more precisely, in particular with regard to a continuous adjustment of the minimum distance between a coil and the metallic material, even when the thickness of the metallic material remains the same.

In general, the features of the solutions described above or in the claims can also be combined in order to be able to implement the advantages and effects that can be achieved in a cumulative manner.

Furthermore, it should be noted that in the context of this patent application, indefinite articles and indefinite numerical expressions such as "one...", "two...", etc. are generally to be understood as at least-expressions, i.e. as "at least one...", "at least two...", etc., unless it emerges from the context or the concrete text of a particular passage that only "exactly one...", "exactly two...", etc. are meant there.

At this point, it should be mentioned that in the context of this patent application, the expression "in particular" is always to be understood as introducing an optional, preferred feature. The expression is not to be understood as "and indeed" or "namely". Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments explained below.

Components which are at least essentially identical in terms of their function in the individual figures can be identified by the same reference symbols, whereby the components do not have to be numbered and explained in all figures.

In the drawing show:

Figure 1 : schematically shows a first view of an induction heating device for heating a metallic material, in which the metallic material is shown before entering the induction heating device; and

Figure 2: schematically shows a further view of the induction heating device shown in Figure 1, in which the metallic material is shown as it passes through the induction heating device.

In the following description, a repetitive description is avoided. Furthermore, individual features that were described in connection with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments.

The induction heating device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 for heating a metallic material 2 has two oscillating circuits 3 and 4 for generating a magnetic field (not shown) for heating the metallic material 2, each with a coil 6 and 7. The two oscillating circuits 3 and 4 are supplied with electrical energy by a suitable energy supply device 5 of the induction heating device 1.

For the sake of better clarity, all cable connections on the induction heating device 1, in particular with regard to the power supply and data lines between individual components, are not shown explicitly.

The first coil 6 is an upper coil (not numbered again), which is arranged above a reference plane 9, and the second coil 7 is a lower coil (not numbered again), which is accordingly arranged below the reference plane 9.

The reference plane 9 is arranged between the two coils 6 and 7 and along this reference plane 9 the metallic material 2 is transported forward in the transport direction or conveying direction 10 through the induction heating device 1, i.e. from left to right according to Figures 1 and 2.

The reference plane 9 is defined by the working plane (not numbered again) of the induction heating device 1, wherein the reference plane 9 can alternatively also be defined by a roller table plane (not shown) of a roller table, also not shown, or by a conveyor device (also not shown) for conveying the metallic material 2 of a production line 12, not illustrated in detail here.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the reference plane 9 runs along the center line of the metallic item 2. Depending on a metallic item 2, the position of the reference plane 9 can also be located differently. The coils 6 and 7 are each independently displaceable in the vertical direction 14 and thus height-adjustable.

The induction heating device 1 has adjustment devices 16 for adjusting the height of the coils 6 and 7.

In this exemplary embodiment, the metallic material 2 has a normal nominal thickness 2A and a discontinuous geometric profile 18 with shape deviations 19 in the head region 21 of the metallic material 2 on the one hand and with a further shape deviation 22 in the middle region 24 of the metallic material 2 on the other hand, which adjoins the head region 21.

The induction heating device 1 also has sensor devices 26 which are placed in front of the respective coil 6 or 7 as seen in the transport direction 10.

In this respect, these sensor devices 26 can reliably detect the geometric profile 18 of the metallic material 2 on its surface side 28 and 30, even before the metallic material 2 enters the coil area of the coils 6 and 7 with its head region 21.

For this purpose, the sensor devices 26 with their respective effective areas 32 and 33 can "scan" the corresponding surface sides 28 and 30 and in doing so can precisely record the geometric profile 18 of the metallic material 2 with all height differences 34.

Advantageously, the induction heating device 1 has a control device 40 for controlling and/or regulating vertical positions of the coils 6 and 7, respectively, wherein the control device 40 is data-connected to the sensor device 26 in order to obtain data on the geometric profile 18 of the metallic material 2. The control device 40 is designed to set the smallest possible distance 42 between the metallic material 2 and the respective coil 6 or 7 along the metallic material 2, taking into account the geometric profile 18 of the metallic material 2.

A particularly precise electrical efficiency with respect to the coils 6 and 7 can be realized if the coils 6 and 7 are continuously adjusted.

According to the illustration in Figure 1, the coils 6 and 7 are set using data on the target thickness 2A of the metallic material 2 with a minimum distance 42A from the surface sides 28 and 30 of the metallic material 2, respectively, before the metallic material 2 enters the coil area with its head side 21, so that the metallic material 2 can be inductively heated as effectively as possible on both sides.

According to the illustration in Figure 2s, the coils 6 and 7 are already displaced vertically in the direction 44 away from the metallic material, i.e. radially outwards, depending on the detected geometric profile 18, in particular due to the shape deviations 19 in the head region 21, in order to be able to be adjusted with a minimum distance 42B with respect to the shape deviations 19.

While the first coil 6 has readjusted its position due to the further shape deviation 22 in the middle region 24, the lower coil 7 is displaced in a direction 46 approximately directed towards the metallic material 2, i.e. radially inward, to the further minimum distance 42B. The first coil 6 is also moved back to the minimum distance as soon as the further shape deviation 22 has passed the first coil 6. Overall, the induction heating device 1 thus achieves particularly homogeneous heating of the metallic item 2 over its entire length, whereby the base area of the metallic item 2 is not shown here. At this point, it should be explicitly pointed out that the features of the solutions described above or in the claims and/or figures can also be combined if necessary in order to be able to implement or achieve the explained features, effects and advantages in a cumulative manner.

list of reference symbols

1 induction heating device

2 metallic goods

2A target thickness

3 first (upper) oscillating circuit

4 second (lower) resonant circuit

5 Energy supply facility

6 first (upper) coil

7 second (lower) coil

9 reference plane

10 Transport direction or conveying direction

12 production lines

14 vertical direction

16 adjustment devices

18 geometry profiles

19 form deviations

21 head area

22 further form deviations

24 middle range

26 sensor devices

28 first ( upper ) surface side

30 second (lower) surface side

32 first (upper) effective range

33 second (lower) effective range

34 height differences

40 control device

42A minimum distance or operating distance

42B further minimum distance or operating distance

44 Direction away from the metallic goods

46 Direction to the metallic goods approximately inside

Claims

patent claims 1. Induction heating device (1) for heating a metallic product (2), in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material, comprising: • an oscillating circuit (3, 4) for generating a magnetic field for heating the metallic material (2), wherein the oscillating circuit (3, 4) has at least one coil (6, 7), wherein the coil (6, 7) is mounted displaceably in a vertical direction (14), • a power supply device (5) for supplying the oscillating circuit (3, 4) with electrical energy, • an adjusting device (16) for adjusting a position of the coil (6, 7) along the vertical direction (14), • a sensor device (26) for detecting a geometric profile (18) of the metallic material (2) on a side (28, 30) of the metallic material (2) corresponding to the coil (6, 7), wherein an effective area (32, 33) of the sensor device (26) is arranged in front of the coil (6, 7) with respect to a conveying direction of the metallic material (2), • a control device (40) for controlling and/or regulating a vertical position of the coil (6, 7), wherein the control device (40) is data-connected to the sensor device (26), characterized in that the control device (40) is designed to set a minimum distance (42A, 42B) between the metallic item (2) and the coil (6, 7) along the metallic item (2) taking into account the geometric profile (18) of the metallic item (2). 2. Induction heating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (40) is designed to set a minimum distance (42A, 42B) between the metallic material (2) and the coil (6, 7) in a middle region (24) between a head region (21) and a foot region of the metallic material (2). 3. Induction heating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the induction heating device (1) additionally comprises: • a second coil (7), wherein the second coil (7) is mounted displaceably in the vertical direction (14), wherein the second coil (7) can be supplied with electrical energy by the energy supply device (5), • an adjusting device (16) for adjusting a position of the second coil (7) along the vertical direction (14), • a sensor device (26) having a second effective region (33) which is arranged in front of the second coil (7) with respect to a conveying direction (10) of the metallic material (2), for detecting a second geometric profile (18) of the metallic material (2) on a side (30) of the metallic material (2) corresponding to the second coil (7), wherein the control device (40) is set up to control and/or regulate a vertical position of the second coil (7) and wherein the control device (40) is set up to set a second minimum distance (42A, 42B) between the metallic material (2) and the second coil (7) along the metallic material (2) taking into account the second geometric profile (18) of the metallic material (2). 4. Induction heating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum distance (42A, 42B) is less than or equal to 50 mm, preferably less than or equal to 40 mm and particularly preferably less than or equal to 30 mm. 5. Induction heating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum distance (42A, 42B) is greater than 0 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 mm and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm. 6. Induction heating device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a first minimum distance (42A, 42B) and a second minimum distance (42A, 42B) differ by less than or equal to 5 mm, preferably by less than or equal to 3 mm and particularly preferably by less than or equal to 1 mm. 7. Induction heating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that • the first coil (6) is designed to heat the metallic material (2) by means of transverse field induction, and/or • the first coil (6) and the second coil (7) are designed to heat the metallic material (2) by means of transverse field induction and/or longitudinal field induction. 8. Induction heating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (40) is designed to set a minimum head distance between the metallic material (2) and a coil (6, 7) in the head region (21) of the metallic material (2). 9. Induction heating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (40) is designed to set a minimum foot distance between the metallic item (2) and a coil (6, 7) in the foot region of the metallic item (2). 10. Induction heating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum head distance in the head region (21) and/or the minimum foot distance in the foot region of the metallic material (2) is greater by a factor of 1.1 than the minimum distance (42A, 42B) in the middle region (24) of the metallic material (2), preferably by a factor of 1.2 and particularly preferably by a factor of 1.3. 11. Induction heating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head region (21) comprises less than or equal to 15% of a longitudinal extension of the metallic material (2), preferably less than or equal to 10% and particularly preferably less than or equal to 7.5%. 12. Induction heating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foot region comprises less than or equal to 15% of a longitudinal extension of the metallic material (2), preferably less than or equal to 10% and particularly preferably less than or equal to 7.5%. 13. Operating method (1) for operating an induction heating device (1) for heating a metallic good (2), in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material, by means of a coil (6, 7), in particular an induction heating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the following steps: • Determining a geometric profile (18) of the metallic material (2) with a sensor device (26) on a side (28, 30) of the metallic material (2) corresponding to the coil (6, 7), wherein an effective area (32, 33) of the sensor device (26) is arranged in front of the coil (6, 7) with respect to a conveying direction (10) of the metallic material (2), • Adjustment of a position of the coil (6, 7) along a vertical direction (14) with an adjustment device (16), in particular in a middle region (24) between a Head region (21) and a foot region of the metallic material (2), taking into account the geometric profile (18) of the metallic material (2) for setting a minimum distance (42A, 42B) between the metallic material (2) and the coil (6, 7). 14. Operating method according to claim 13 for operating an induction heating device (1) for heating a metallic material (2), wherein the induction heating device (1) has a second coil (7), characterized by the following steps: • Determining a second geometric profile (18) of the metallic material (2) with a sensor device (26) on a side (30) of the metallic material (2) corresponding to the second coil (7), wherein a second effective area (33) of the sensor device (26) is arranged in front of the second coil (7) with respect to a conveying direction (10) of the metallic material (2), • Adjusting a position of the second coil (7) along a vertical direction (14), with an adjusting device (16), in particular in the central region (24) of the metallic material (2) taking into account the geometric profile (18) of the metallic material (2) for setting a minimum distance (42A, 42B) between the metallic material (2) and the second coil (7). 15. Operating method according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized by the following step: • Adjusting a position of the first coil (6) and/or the second coil (7) along a vertical direction (14), with an adjusting device (16) in the head region (21) of the metallic material (2) taking into account the geometric profile (18) of the metallic material (2) for setting a minimum head distance. 16. Operating method according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by the following step: • Adjusting a position of the first coil (6) and/or the second coil (7) along a vertical direction (14), with an adjusting device (16) in the foot region of the metallic item (2) taking into account the geometric profile (18) of the metallic item (2) for setting a minimum foot distance. 17. Induction heating device (1) for heating a metallic product (2), in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material, • wherein the induction heating device (1) has an oscillating circuit (3, 4) for generating a magnetic field for heating the metallic material (2), • wherein the resonant circuit (3, 4) comprises a capacitor device and a coil (6, 7), • wherein the induction heating device (1) has a power supply device (5) for supplying the oscillating circuit (3, 4) with electrical energy, • wherein the induction heating device (1) has an adjusting device (16) for adjusting a position of the coil (6, 7) along the vertical direction (14), • wherein the induction heating device (1) has a sensor device (26) for detecting a geometric profile (18) of the metallic material (2), • wherein the induction heating device (1) has a control device (40) for controlling and/or regulating a vertical position of the coil (6, 7), wherein the control device (40) is data-connected to the sensor device (26), wherein the control device (40) is arranged to control and/or regulate a vertical position of the coil (6, 7), • wherein the induction heating device (1) is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 13 to 16. 18. Production line (12) for producing and/or processing a metallic product (2), in particular a semi-finished product and/or a preliminary product and/or an intermediate product and/or a product made of iron, steel and/or a non-ferrous metal material, comprising an induction heating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 or 16. 19. Use of an induction heating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 or 17 and/or an operating method according to one of claims 13 to 16 and/or a production line (12) according to claim 18.