The rolling of metal strips must be performed with maximum precision to ensure that the finished strips have the required thickness along their entire length. One of the many adjustments that can be made to the milling process involves the speed of the metal strip. In our case study, we reveal which measurement system we can use to safely regulate this speed, even in extreme harsh conditions.
Stress caused by vibration and coolants
Sensors that measure the speed of the metal belt are fitted into mill stands on the measuring roll between the stands. This is an unfavorable position because it exposes them to extreme external influences. Shocks and vibrations shake the electronics, and aggressive coolants attack the housing. Both of these impacts can shorten the lifetime of the sensors. What’s more, they make it harder for the mill to record speed signals without interference and to precisely transmit these signals for exact drive control.
A robust sensor solution for precise measurement
The team responsible for a rolling mill contacted us because the data provided by the existing measurement system were not precise enough. This was mainly due to the extreme environmental impacts present at the installation point. Our experts used a suitable magnetic encoder with IP67 protection from our product range. This encoder not only features the required housing suitable for heavy-duty use and highly robust electronics and mechanics but is also designed to have a long lifetime. You can find out more about which measurement system we chose and how we adapted it to meet the customer’s specific requirements in our case study “Rolling mill / Measuring rolls: a bearingless MAG encoder system provides lasting resistance against extreme ambient conditions in a mill stand”.