Title

EMG HOTCAM: OPTICAL STRIP POSITION, WIDTH, AND CAMBER MEASUREMENT IN THE HOT ROLLING PROCESS

EMG HOTCAM: OPTICAL STRIP POSITION, WIDTH, AND CAMBER MEASUREMENT IN THE HOT ROLLING PROCESS

Authorship

Eichert, Guido; Pereira, Anderson

Eichert, Guido

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Pereira, Anderson

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DOI

10.5151/2594-5297-24000

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Abstract

In the hot rolling process the detection of slab/strip position and width is crucial with respect to an optimal positioning and movement of the processed strip between the rolling stands or on the roll out table. In an ideal scenario the slab/strip position and width measurement between each rolling stand allows to produce a perfect strip shape and avoids damages caused by strip contacts to the line’s guide rail. In recent years Tata Steel Research & Development has developed a camera system for detecting the slab position in hot rolling mills. Tata Steel has chosen EMG as their partner for creating an industrial design of this solution. The result is a CMOS area scan camera based system detecting strip position (width) between the stands from a rather larger distance of 4-8 meters not requiring intensive cooling or protection. The system which is called EMG hotCAM is applicable for multiple stand hot rolling mills (finishing mills) or reversing mills. In finishing mills EMG hotCAM especially helps to avoid so called “cobbles” where the strip guidance between the rolling stands fails and the hot material breaks out of the mill, leading to time consuming and costly maintenance operations. In reserving mills the system serves especially for measuring and eliminating the strip camber due to feedback into the rolling process and adjustment of the rolling force. This paper concentrates on the system design, the industrial application experiences and results.

In the hot rolling process the detection of slab/strip position and width is crucial with respect to an optimal positioning and movement of the processed strip between the rolling stands or on the roll out table. In an ideal scenario the slab/strip position and width measurement between each rolling stand allows to produce a perfect strip shape and avoids damages caused by strip contacts to the line’s guide rail. In recent years Tata Steel Research & Development has developed a camera system for detecting the slab position in hot rolling mills. Tata Steel has chosen EMG as their partner for creating an industrial design of this solution. The result is a CMOS area scan camera based system detecting strip position (width) between the stands from a rather larger distance of 4-8 meters not requiring intensive cooling or protection. The system which is called EMG hotCAM is applicable for multiple stand hot rolling mills (finishing mills) or reversing mills. In finishing mills EMG hotCAM especially helps to avoid so called “cobbles” where the strip guidance between the rolling stands fails and the hot material breaks out of the mill, leading to time consuming and costly maintenance operations. In reserving mills the system serves especially for measuring and eliminating the strip camber due to feedback into the rolling process and adjustment of the rolling force. This paper concentrates on the system design, the industrial application experiences and results.

Keywords

Hot rolling position measurement; Camber measurement; Optical systems; Width measurement.

Hot rolling position measurement; Camber measurement; Optical systems; Width measurement.