VKI3

Inductive strip edgeposition controlfor rolling mills

single-side

robust

maintenance-free

VKI3In advanced rolling mills, knowledge of the precise width and the position of the strip edge is crucial for precise mill control. In particular the wedge-shape of slit strip causes the strip position in the rolling mill to deviate more and more from one pass to another unless it is corrected. In extreme cases, this can mean stopping the rolling process and correcting the coil on a rewinding line. Combined with flatness measurement rolls, the measure-ment of strip position and absolute strip edge position helps to optimise strip flatness during the cold rolling process.In the past, the strip position was measured using an optical measuring system. However, in the harsh environ-ment of a rolling mill where there is a high presence of rolling oil, atmospheric pollution and dirt, optical sensors require intensive maintenance and even then do not meet today‘s requirements in terms of operational safety and availability.

Strip edge position control of metal strip and foil • single-side • robust • maintenance-free

EMG‘s VKI3 measuring unit uses an inductive measuring principle with a coil system which is designed to reliably detect the precise position of the edge of metal strip and foil in harsh environments by non-contacting the materi-al being processed.

The single-side measuring unit is accommodated in a position below the measured strip and for mechanical protection also below a plastic wearing plate. The plastic wearing plate is fixed to the carry-over-table. Data on the current strip edge position, strip centre position, and strip width is continuously provided over the signal interface. Digital signal interfaces are available for communication with the higher ranking automation equipment.

Inductive edge sensor

Operating principle:

EMG Automation GmbH specialises in the automa-tion of continuous production processes in the metal, paper and plastics industries as well as in the foil and tyre industries. The company, which was established in 1946, is a leading provider of electro hydraulic control systems. Furthermore, EMG provides quality assurance systems for the manufacturing industry.Based on the combination of more than 70 years of experience, the quality of our products and complete solutions as well as our advisory skills, our customer, by his trust, makes us the market leader. In close co-operation with our customers, research facilities and universities we are permanently searching for innovative solutions to promote our new and further developments and therefore to design and form the market as innovation leader actively.

EMG VKI3 measuring unit in a constricted positionInstallation in direct proximity to a flatness measuring roll

Strip edge position control of metal strip and foil • single-side • robust • maintenance-free

The inductive measuring unit detects the absolute strip edge position of any metallic material from one side and is based on the eddy current generated inside the strip. Measurement is largely independent of the material and of the flat strip pass line as material and height variations can be compensated in parts by using an integral reference coil.

A stable aluminium housing protects the measuring electronics against splash-water and temporary sub-mersion into fluids. The compact measuring beam has electromotor-driven adjusting slides on either side of the strip. Their position is constantly monitored using a digital position encoder. The slides guide the inductive edge sensors at right angles to the strip pass direction.

Measuring principle:

Internal VKI3 accommodation for strip width measurement

The sensors transmit current information on the proportion of the sensor covered by the strip to an integral electronic unit while following their assigned strip edge using a rigid position control loop. Using the position values together with the extent of sensor coverage, the two strip edge positions, the strip position and the strip width can be deduced. A microprocessor-based electronic unit feeds, evaluates and monitors the complete measuring unit and provides the data output.

Motor

Reference coils

CAN-Bus Transducer

Measuring coils

Microprocessor operated electronics unit

Strip edge position control of metal strip and foil • single-side • robust • maintenance-free

Edge sensor within the EMG VKI3 measuring unit Complete view of the EMG VKI3 measuring unit

Customer’s benefits:

Maintenance-free

High precision strip edge, strip centre and strip width measurement

Compact design to suit limited installation space

Electronics integrated into the measuring unit with no other external components

Various Fieldbus interfaces for control and communication with higher ranking PLC

Integral sensor system, factory-adjusted (measuring and reference coils)

Protection class: IP 65 and IP 67 at a separate wearing plate

Sensor positioning speed: 30 mm/s on each strip side

Voltage supply: 24 V DC, 5 A

Temperature range: 0-50 °C and 0-80 °C (with water-cooled sensor system)

Measuring accuracy for strip centre position: +/- 1 mm (for flat strip; at +/- 10 mm heigth difference and constant material thickness and type)

Measuring distance from strip running level: 1-20-40 mm (from sensor without wear plate)

Dimensions: 140 x 270 x L mm (L depends on measuring range and line width)

Signal interface: Digital bus communication Profibus, Ethernet-Modbus TCP, Ethernet-Socket TCP

Minimum strip width: 300 mm at detection of one strip edge 400 mm at detection of both strip edges (lower strip widths on request)

Performance data:

Complete integration of electronics inside the sensor measuring unit

High functional and operational safety

Basic design to suit a large range of strip width variations

Unipolar 24 VDC supply

Compensation of faulty measurements due to crossbow effects possible

Optional ECU control unit in parallel to the interface with the automation equipment

Separate wearing plate to protect the VKI3:

Technical features:

EMG VKI3 measuring unit

.moving ahead.

Automation GmbHIndustriestraße 157482 Wenden Germany

Phone: +49 2762 612-0Fax: +49 2762 612-384

automation@emg-automation.comwww.emg-automation.com

Group

EMG / A-V / EN / VKI3 / Item No.: 185903 / Revision 00 / 09.2017 / Printed in Germany / Subject to modification