The SlabProfiler is an efficient in-line control of slab dimensions in the continuous casting machine or before the re-heating furnace in a hot strip mill. Laser distance and profile sensors measure width, edge profile, edge thickness, camber and a Doppler sensor measure the length, which information is used to calculate the slab weight. The SlabProfiler is a key measurement system with integrated software for real time control of slab data including data log which permits a historic data view of produced slabs.

Measurement System

The SlabProfiler is an edge profile, width, camber and length measurement system designed for in-line dimensional control of slabs in the continuous casting machine or before the re-heating furnace in a hot strip mill. The system measures on hot or cold material passing through the measurement system and present the measurements in 2D graphs as well as numerical presentation of key figures. Due to continuous monitoring of the slab edge angles, important information about mould behaviour can be extracted. 

Mould problems that will result in trapezoid slabs could be caused by bad adjustment, wear and slag build-up. These problems can be minimized by early warnings from trend logs based on complete slab edge profile data. Edge shape will vary with changes in caster parameters such as casting speed, cooling and steel temperature. An edge shape measurement system will be a powerful tool in monitoring the result of complex changes in the process system. Increase in casting speed may result in concave edge shapes and increased cooling may result in convex edge shapes. Changes in steel temperature will result in concave or convex edge behaviour. When these parameters are combined the resulting edge shape may be difficult to predict. Using the SlabProfiler in the hot rolling mill permits to control the slab mass.

Measuring method edge profile, width, camber and length

The ProfiCura is a 2D triangulation sensor, measuring distance. Two sensors are mounted one on each side of the slab. The sensors are measuring the slab in 2D dimension, without no internal moving parts and displaying a very detailed picture of the slab edge profile. The SlabProfiler™ gives 240 edge profiles/second. The width and edge thickness are displayed as average, max and min.

The camber is measured with the ProfiCura  width measurement sensor and the two PreciCura LR distance measurement sensors. The ProfiCura and the two PreciCura LR sensors are measuring the distance to the slab edge. The straightness is calculated as the distance in millimetres from the point where the straight line between the three sensors meets the slab.

The length of the slab is measured by laser Doppler velocimeter. This instrument consists of two units, one sensor and one processing unit.
The laser Doppler will measure the length of the slab while the surface of the slab is in the measurement range of the Doppler. The Laser Doppler is mounted on the slab side aiming on the edge and a positioning system will put the sensor in the measuring field automatically according to the slab edge position given by the side sensors.

Benefits

• Control adjustable mould.
• Reduction of waste due to non-conforming production.
• Feedback of actual slab dimension to the rolling mill.
• Quickly identify concavity, edges and other side profile
  abnormities.