Overview
Challenge
Metal coil diameter applications, such as coil payout and buildup, have traditionally been measured based on total coil diameter. The harsh environment and constant vibration characteristic of steel processing facilities are particularly challenging for any contact‐based sensor, in particular, potentiometers which are prone to maintenance issues, wear, and breakage.
Coil diameter during payout and build up has traditionally been measured with mechanical dancer arms of encoder wheels. The harsh environment and constant vibration characteristic of steel processing facilities are particularly challenging for any contact‐based sensor, in particular, potentiometers which are prone to maintenance issues, wear, and breakage.
Solution
Dimetix lasers allow for accurate, non‐contact measurement of coil diameter. Dimetix laser sensors can measure accurately even at a long range (up to 500 m), so by placing the laser at a distance from the coil, safely removed from oil and other contaminants, the diameter can be measured without interfering with other slitting line equipment or obstructing personnel access.
Set up of a Dimetix laser for coil diameter applications is a simple process. Using built in functionality, the laser distance measurement is converted to diameter measurement.
The first step in the process is determining the physical dimensions of the setup. Once the laser is mounted and aimed perpendicular to the roll:
- Record the laser’s measurement to the roll core
- Combine this distance with the radius of the core to define the laser offset
- Input scaling values based on units of measure. Keep in mind to double the scaling to convert the radius measurement to diameter measurement.
[(Offset)‐(Laser Distance)] x 2 = Diameter