Application Brief: Metal Processing Coil Diameter
Industry: Metal Processing
Application: Coil Diameter
Summary: Metal coil roll diameter, as well as payout and buildup, traditionally has been based on measurements obtained by contact based potentiometers prone to maintenance issues, wear and breakage. By using non‐contact Dimetix lasers, coil diameter can be accurately measured despite harsh environmental conditions and bright, reflective target surfaces.
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:
[(Offset)‐(Laser Distance)] x 2 = Diameter
After establishing the physical application dimensions, the output from the laser sensor can be scaled to show material remaining on the coil on a simple analog panel meter, fed into an Allen‐Bradley Control Logix PLC system via internal tags or the RS232 serial ASCII output can be taken directly into a PLC processor or PC.
Results
The Dimetix lasers in this application allowed for the coil diameter to be accurately measured and recorded. The laser’s ability to endure the harsh environments and measure accurately at long distances, make them ideal replacements for potentiometers prone to maintenance issues, wear and breakage.
For more information on Dimetix laser distance sensors, please visit email us at info@laser‐view.com or contact us here.