Steel Strip Width Gauge Camera

The key capability of the Width Gauge is its ability to continuously, accurately, and reliably detect the edges of steel materials. However, the Width Gauge has evolved beyond simple width measurement and can be configured to offer additional measurement functions based on a common platform. In its basic form, it measures width and centerline deviation. It can also be upgraded to include flatness, thermal profile, bar-end shape for crop shear optimization, and head-end camber.

Located above the strip, typically on a gantry over the roller table, the Width Gauge uses a stereoscopic camera mounted in a housing that is both water-cooled and air-purged to suit the environment of hot strip mills or plate mills. The stereoscopic arrangement is designed to overcome inherent challenges in hot strip and plate width measurement, such as pass line and thickness variations, as well as the tilt, lift, and bounce of the material. The gauge is equipped with either a radiant camera that detects infrared radiation for strip temperatures exceeding 650°C or an optical camera that requires a backlight for strip temperatures lower than 650°C. These two types of Width Gauges are suitable for all locations, from the furnace exit and roughing mill to the finishing mill and downcoiler.

Crop optimization can also be provided when the gauge is located between the roughing mill and the crop shear. With a software upgrade and the addition of either a strip speed signal or a mono camera to track the strip longitudinally, a crop optimization system can automatically calculate the optimum cut point at the head and tail ends of the transfer bar, minimizing scrap and maximizing yield. By utilizing two sets of stereoscopic cameras at the exit of the finishing mill, the system can also measure head-end camber.

Manifest shape measurement of the hot strip can be provided after the finishing mill by adding multi-point laser modules mounted within the environmental housing of the cameras. These features of the Primetals Technologies Width Gauge enable world-leading accurate measurement, which is the first step in achieving higher-quality hot-rolled products with improved yield.

Features and Benefits of the Steel Strip Width Gauge Camera

• Factory calibrated stereo camera for quicker installation
• Advanced edge detection software for high performance and improved accuracy
• Compatible with all previous versions
• Designed especially for harsh mill environments
• Common upgradeable platform
• Includes data logger