Laser measurement system aids alignment of strand guide rollers in casting plants

Simetal Opal from Siemens Metals Technologies provides operators of continuous casting plants with an integrated laser measurement system for exact alignment of strand guide rollers. The system achieves high measuring accuracy of ± 0.07 mm, even under the hostile ambient conditions prevailing in a steelworks.

Simetal Opal registers the strand guide rollers' current positions and, after quality control, saves the measured data in a log file. An intuitive user interface and automated measurement sequences make it easy to use locally and reduce measuring times. Saved measurements serve as the basis for condition-based maintenance of the strand guide system, which cuts maintenance costs. The system can be integrated into both new and existing plants.

Nowadays, operators of continuous casting systems have to offer a wide portfolio of steel grades and cast cross-sections, while ensuring reproducible product quality. At the same time, system components have to achieve a long life with minimum maintenance requirements. Precise strand guidance is an essential prerequisite for this, calling for a fast and simple solution for alignment of the guide rollers.

The Simetal Opal system developed by Siemens for this purpose uses a high-precision rotation laser, whose beams embrace a plane in space. This is used as the reference point for measuring the strand guide rollers. A laser receiver with an integrated microprocessor logs the measured values and transfers them wirelessly to a control unit where they are analyzed and backed up automatically with the aid of the specially designed Simetal Opal software.

For each measurement, the system generates a test report that can be archived. This permits a precise comparison of target and actual positions. The system also features intelligent measured datamanagement, which can be linked to monitoring the plant's status. This helps the plant operator to observe the required maintenance intervals and creates the foundation for a condition-based maintenance strategy. Simetal Opal is part of the higher-level Siemens condition monitoring concept for continuous casting systems.

Siemens already uses Simetal Opal in its own production of strand guide components at the Siemens location in Shanghai.

Contact for journalists:
Siemens AG, Media Relations
Dr. Rainer Schulze, phone: +49 9131 7-44544
E-mail: rainer.schulze@siemens.com
The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products and solutions for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the Sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency, and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Divisions Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services as well as the Business Unit Metals Technologies. For more information, visit www.siemens.com/industry

The Metals Technologies Business Unit (Linz, Austria), part of the Siemens Industry Sector, is one of the world’s leading life-cycle partners for the metallurgical industry. The Business Unit offers a comprehensive technology, modernization, product and service portfolio as well as integrated automation and environmental solutions covering the entire life cycle of plants. For more information, visit www.siemens.com/metals