Elongation process control with laser precision
For processing steps which involve elongating (extending) products, it is important to measure and monitor the degree of elongation – since this has a substantial influence on product quality and further processing. If the degree of elongation is too low, requirements for subsequent processing steps may not be met. If, on the other hand, the degree of elongationis too high, this can have a negative impact on product characteristics or, in the worst case, the product may be damaged. In order to determine the elongation, the velocity is measured both before and after the processing step and the degree of elongation is calculated based on the results of the velocity measurements.
Polytec laser sensors allow non-contact elongation process control, leading to improved yield and reduced scrap!
Non-contact measurement & elongation monitoring
Laser Surface Velocimeters (LSVs) from Polytec are ideally suited for elongation processes, reliably measuring on any product surface - even contaminated ones in dusty, oily and rough production environment. The non-contact measuring technique eliminates negative influences on accuracy, such as slippage or wear, immediately and leave the monitored product intact, too. The increased accuracy of the velocity measurement allows a better monitoring of the velocity difference, providing better insights into the elongation process, increasing product quality while at the same time reducing waste.
Stand-off distance, depth of field, accessories?
Skin-pass & stretch degree measurement in elongation
Polytec LSVs are established sensors for elongation processes in the metal industry, especially for measuring the skin-pass degree in skin-pass or stretching mills. The skin-pass degree in cold strip skin-pass rolling is determined by the difference in strip velocity at the input and output of the roll stand, which in the past has been measured mechanically using tachometers for elongation control. Using two Polytec LSVs prevents the occurrence of measuring errors owing to slippage and wear and the skin-pass degree measured may be used as a control parameter for adjusting the rolls. Using Polyec optical elongation sensors, major German stainless steel manufacturers confirmed the uncertainty going down to just ± 0.02% of the skin-pass degree measurement.
Speed synchronization in aluminum production
In the largest aluminum smelting and rolling plant in the world, the length and velocity of aluminum sheets in the manufacturing process are measured simultaneously using non-contact laser Doppler measurement technology from Polytec. Several Polytec LSVs are integrated in the manufacturing process and provide readings for plant control.
Typical applications for LSV Laser Surface Velocimeters in elongation processes:
- Entry and exit speed measurement for mass flow and elongation control in a reversing cold rolling mill
- Entry and exit speed measurement for mass flow and elongation control in 20 high roll mill stand
- Entry and exit speed measurement for elongation control in a temper / skin pass mill
Optical length and speed measurement in steel, aluminum and metals production
How to: Sensor integration & automation with PROFINET
The use of sensors and actuators in a complex, automated, PLC-controlled environment makes it necessary and easier for the automation engineer if the devices are equipped with fieldbus interfaces such as PROFINET or EtherNet/IP. With just a few clicks fieldbus interfaces enable easy integration of actuators and sensors to production control systems.
Polytec has offered gateways for PROFIBUS, PROFINET and EtherNet/IP for many years. With PROFINET and EtherNet/IP integrated into the LSV sensor head, the interface allows not only the cyclic measurement data acquisition in real time, but also the acyclic writing of parameters and control of the laser. This application note describes the integration of the ProSpeed® LSV PROFINET interface into a Siemens PLC S7-300 using the project engineering software TIA-Portal, describing a step-by-step cyclic and acyclic data exchange.
Read the full application note!
Related products
ProSpeed LSV-2100 Laser Surface Velocimeter
The ProSpeed® LSV-2100 optical sensor determines the direction of motion and standstill conditions with laser precision. It measures reliably even under harsh production conditions with large working distances up to 3 m. Due to the non-contact measurement principle, these laser sensors eliminate common problems of traditional contact-wheel measurement methods such as damage to delicate surfaces, slippage and thermal expansion and work on almost any surface.
ProSpeed LSV-1100 Laser Surface Velocimeter
The ProSpeed® LSV-1100 optical sensor measures in forward direction with laser precision. It measures reliably even under harsh production conditions with working distances up to 1.5 m. Due to the non-contact measurement principle, these laser sensors eliminate common problems of traditional contact-wheel measurement methods such as damage to delicate surfaces, slippage and thermal expansion and work on almost any surface.
Further applications in steel, aluminum and metal
- Velocity difference
![Differential speed measurement in rolling mills using non-contact laser sensors]( "Differential speed measurement in rolling mills using non-contact laser sensors")
Differential speed measurement in rolling mills using non-contact laser sensors - Velocity measurement
![Optical speed measurement in an aluminum rolling mill for roller synchronization]( "Optical speed measurement in an aluminum rolling mill for roller synchronization")
Optical speed measurement in an aluminum rolling mill for roller synchronization - Length measurement
![Length measurement with a LSV laser sensor in a continuous caster line]( "Length measurement with a LSV laser sensor in a continuous caster line")
Length measurement with a LSV laser sensor in a continuous caster line - Mass flow control
![In-process measurement of mass-flow with ProSpeed LSV-2100 laser sensors]( "In-process measurement of mass-flow with ProSpeed LSV-2100 laser sensors")
In-process measurement of mass-flow with ProSpeed LSV-2100 laser sensors - Non-destructive testing
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- Cutting length control
![Inline cut-to-length control, LSV optical sensors controlling the torch cutter of cast steel beams]( "Inline cut-to-length control, LSV optical sensors controlling the torch cutter of cast steel beams")
Inline cut-to-length control, LSV optical sensors controlling the torch cutter of cast steel beams - Continuous casting
![Reliable process control for continuous casting: optical gauges for speed and length measurement]( "Reliable process control for continuous casting: optical gauges for speed and length measurement")
Reliable process control for continuous casting: optical gauges for speed and length measurement
