IMS Radar Width Measuring System

In the rolling process of steel and other metals, knowledge and control of the rolling stock width is crucial for the product quality and efficiency of the entire rolling process: IMS Messsysteme presents market-ready radar width measuring system for hot rolling mills and heavy plate mills. In order to enable reliable width measurement with real measurement data under the harsh environmental conditions in hot rolling mills, IMS Messsysteme GmbH, in cooperation with Fraunhofer FHR, has developed a radar-based width measurement system. developed a radar-based width measurement system in cooperation with Fraunhofer FHR. When rolling steel and other metals, knowing and controlling the width of the rolled material is crucial for the product quality and efficiency of the entire rolling process. In hot strip mills, for example, the width of the rolled stock is largely set at the roughing stand. However, the descaling that is essential at the roughing stand leads to a high volume of steam and spray water as well as falling scale, which means that optical measuring systems can only measure with a great deal of mechanical effort and require intensive maintenance. The system developed is low-maintenance and, thanks to its compact design, can be integrated into existing production lines without major structural changes, even in confined spaces. The frequency range of the radar sensors is in a free frequency band and can therefore be operated without any approval requirements or additional safety measures. Radar width measurement has also proven itself for use in heavy plate rolling mills, as the two separate, easy-to-place radar units eliminate the need for a complex superstructure. The measurement itself is independent of the composition of the metal being measured and its temperature. The radar width measurement system also offers real advantages for other applications, such as in the aluminum industry.