VUD-Thickness Gauge for Slitter Lines

This VUD was designed for installation in slitter lines. The processed material in the application
shown here is coated and uncoated steel strip from .015″ (0,4mm) to .157″ (4mm) thickness, and between 12″(300mm) and 63″(1600mm) of width. The strip speedis up to 300 m/minute.

The gauge has pneumatically operated damper rolls. They are pressed onto the strip as soon as the integrated light barrier has detected that the hydraulically traversed gauge head is in measuring position and that there is a strip in the measurement mouth of the gauge. The lower rollers are lifted first, and then the upper damper rollers are lowered onto the strip surface. The 12″ (300mm) long measurement arms contact the strip a short time later. A digital transducer measures the distance between the measurement arms. The gauge head has specially designed damper rollers, a pivoting
suspension combined with a rotational fine adjustment around its perpendicular axis. In addition, the measurement rollers in the module can swivel to adapt to the inclination of the strip surface. This makes the gauge suitable for strip with a sensitive surface, such as varnish or tin coating.

The gauge is service friendly due to the removable measurement module. The module can be lifted off the gauge housing after the flexible pipe for compressed air and the control line plug were disconnected.

The measurement distance from the strip edge can be set easily at any time by the adjustable light barrier fastenings. The light barrier is kept clean by a permanent jet of compressed air. For safety, in case the light barrier doesn’t work, a proximity switch makes the gauge traverse back to the rear limit position if the strip edges comes close to the inner end of the measurement opening.

The main field of application for this gauge is seen in steel service centers. For companies, who run several slitter or shearing lines, the combination of one VUD on each line and a VBP as central station for cross profile measurement will be a good combination.

For Silver Plated Copper Wire:

VABL 296 with Extra Strip

This gauge was recently delivered to a manufacturer of silver plated copper wire (thickness from .02 to .004″, i.e. 0,5 to 0,1mm, width up to .14″ i.e. 3,5mm).

In addition to the divided guide rollers, this gauge has an adjustable strip guide which holds the strip flat in the measurement area. For zero setting, the C-frame can be moved back anytime during the measurement while the strip guiding remains in position. The C-frame can easily be lifted off the gauge for cleaning or service.

Nominal size selection is done in steps of 0,000 001″, i.e. one quarter of a micron. The client ordered our VGraph-software in connection with an FFT module for data visualization and evaluation.

Simplified Design:

VBM 2065 Di-So-Wa-V

The abbreviation Di-So-Wa-V describes a version of our standard thickness gauges with manually operated mechanical nominal size adjustment by means of a gearbox (DI-SO) and electronic nominal size indication (WA). The gearbox is installed on top of the gauge and its shaft is vertical (V). The version H alternatively, has the gearbox installed at the rear of the gauge and the shaft runs horizontally.

Compared to the classic version with manual nominal size adjustment (DI-SO), the Wa version does not indicate the nominal size by a mechanical counter through a window of the gearbox, but uses an electronic encoder that is installed on the crown wheel which drives the adjustable transducer. This setup eliminates the effects of the mechanical play in the gearbox and the joint shaft. However, because of the backlash between the crown wheel and the transducer’s gear ring, it is still necessary, first to set a slightly larger nominal size than required, and then finish the adjustment by turning clockwise towards “smaller”.

The Di-So-Wa setup uses standard MOBE transducers because there is no need for the inner gear ring as for the other Di versions.

The electronic encoder is easily accessible and the transducer can easily be removed for service.

When installing the VMF cabinet with the digital nominal size counter-display, it needs to be considered that the operator has a free view to the indicator from his position at the gauge.

Gauge for Generator Laminations

This measurement device detects the waviness and the cross profile thickness on single lamination sheets as well as the thickness on stacks of such sheets.

The mobile device has an own power unit for compressed air, which is covered by a noise reduction hood. On site, it requires only a standard main power supply.

The lamination sheets are put onto the measurement table single or in stacks of about 1.5″ height. Their position is determined by a set of positioning rails individually designed for each type of sheets. Two digital transducers in the traversable C-frame measure the samples from above and below.

The stacks are measured at a number of single measurement spots which were preselected by the operator. At each spot, the stack is compressed by a defined heavy load. Then the rams of the measurement transducers are released and the measurement tips measure the stack from the top and from the bottom. The transducer data are digitally transferred to the measurement computer where they are added and the stack thickness is displayed on the monitor. In parallel, the computer counts the pulses of a rotary step encoder in order to correlate the thickness data to the corresponding measurement location.

In the next step, the loaded trolley and the ram of the upper transducer are lifted and the trolley is moved to the next measurement spot. After the last spot was measured, the trolley returns to its zero position on the left.

For the measurement of single sheets, the measurement trolley is continuously traversed over the sample, measuring the entire cross profile thickness. In addition, the data of the bottom transducer are evaluated to calculate the waviness of the sheet. Such measurements are automatically terminated 2″ behind the final edge of the sheet, in order not to end it too early in case of cutouts. During the measurement pass, the data curve builds up on the display and the result is stored.

The evaluated measurements are displayed in form of a curve (single sheets only) and as numerical data. The individually designed software offers a large selection of parameters to customize the measurement procedure as well as the data evaluation and visualization. All data and graphs can be printed and stored as requested. The control software offers to store a large number of measurement procedures to meet the requirements resulting from the individual shapes of the lamination sheets for different generator models.

The positioning rails allows to compare the measurements of several samples of the same type and to achieve a good measurement repeatability. The main reason are the cross profile thickness variations of the precursor strip material, which add up the more, the more sheets are piled to a stack. On single sheet measurement, the positioning rails prevent light samples from becoming dislocated by the moving transducer tips.

VBP 2200

This classic type VBP gauge was recently delivered to an aluminium mill for the cross profile thickness measurement of cut samples up to a width of 2200 mm (appr. 86″). The sample is automatically clamped between two hydraulically operated brackets after the protection hood was closed by the operator. Two electronic measurement transducers, installed in a C-shaped measurement frame, are traversed along the sample, measuring the cross profile thickness from the top and from the bottom side.

In this classic type VBP gauge, the sample is inserted flat, lying between two wide, bending resistant brackets. Each bracket has a long slot, through which the transducers can measure the strip sample. Beside the cross profile thickness, this gauge produces very accurate absolute thickness data, especially on medium and thick strip samples.

In comparison, the VBP 04 type offers an advantage on measuring thin strip. Its clamping procedure, (sample inserted vertically, clamped between two rows of separate brackets, starting in the middle and proceeding towards the edges), ensures a fixation without knuckles in the measurement area. This results in an increased profile measurement accuracy. The classic type VBP in comparison, sometimes presses the results of strip shape defects from the wide clamping sections into the narrow measurement slot. There they sum up in form of knuckles. On the other hand, the VBP 04 clamps only one edge of the sample, so that the measured section is not always standing absolutely perpendicular. This doesn’t affect the profile measurement accuracy, but the VBP 04’s absolute thickness measurement data do not always reach the perfect accuracy of the classic type.

VUD 200

This VUD gauge, which was recently delivered to a large roll shop in China, can measure rolls between 2000 and 300 mm (appr. 78″ and 12″) in diameter. The VUD is installed on a bridge stand over the grinders maindrive engine. The two outer measurement arms can be traversed in and out to fit the individual roll diameter. They measure roll form and diameter while the support is traversed along the still standing roll. Alternatively, such a pass can be used to measure the roll alignment by the measurement arm on the grinding wheel side. The same arm is used to measure the roundness on the rotating roll while the support is standing still. The third measurement arm, installed above the center axis of the roll, is used to measure the roll levelling or the cone angle of the roll necks while roll is standing still.

For measurement, the two outer arms are first traversed motor driven to their outer limit and then lowered pneumatically. From this position they are traversed inwards until they touch the roll surface. The third measurement arm, above the roll axis, is lifted and lowered by a motor. All three measurement arms are lowered only for measurement, they remain in their upper positions during the loading of the grinder as well as during the grinding process.

The VUD is controlled by a Vollmer PC, running the roll measurement software VWM. The VUD is controlled manually by means of a touchscreen, only some control signals are exchanged between the grinder and the gauge. Some functions within the VUD are running semiautomatically in form of follow-up-sequences. If a command is not accepted, e.g. because not all conditions are fulfilled, a clear text error message is displayed on the monitor. However, by switching into the service mode, an experienced operator is enabled to control the VUD machine regardless of the electronic interlocks which protect the gauge in the standard operation mode.

VPM/07

This system was designed for a customer who wants to measure the flatness of thick strip and sheets on the outgoing side of a leveler. The data are evaluated for the calculation of control signals for the leveller.

The automatic flatness control was derived from the shape control systems with shapemeter rolls, which Vollmer has already installed on a large number of levellers. However, a roll could not be used in this case. First, the thick material is too strong and its springback effects would disturb the shape measurement, second there is no strip tension which is always required for measurement by a shapemeter roll.

So the VPM/07 measures the topographic flatness of sheets by a row of separate measurement wheels, each wheel forming a measurement zone.

The sheets pass over the measurement device, and all wheels are pushed against the sheet’s underside with the same defined load. Each wheel runs on top of an own column, so that it can independently follow the vertical movements caused by the strip waves in its measurement zone.

A digital sensor inside each column measures the up and down movements of the wheel. The data of all sensors are evaluated by the flatness control computer. The measured topography of the strip is then utilized for the calculation of control signals so that the correction elements of the leveller can optimize the strip flatness.

The columns are pneumatically pushed up from the down position into the measurement position, the stroke is 100 mm (appr. 4″). If – on narrow strip – the outer wheels would run free, they stay down automatically to prevent them from becoming damaged by the strip edge.

Since the lateral strip position is not exactly defined in this first application of the VPM/07, a camera based optical strip edge detector was added.

The camera frame is mounted on a slidebase which is traversed by a motor, controlled by the PLC. In the standard operation mode, it moves forward and stops automatically once it has detected the strip edge.

Since edge detection is performed only on one side, the flatness computer puts out the strip width to the camera controller. To find the strip edge, the camera C-frame moves forward and stops at a position when the strip edge is in the middle of the camera range. The flatness computer adds the camera measurement data to the drive distance. This leads to a calculation of the positions of both strip edges. Those measurement wheels not fully covered by the strip are then held down.

Since the camera has a limited measurement range, the automatic edge detection (if activated) traverses the camera frame forth and back to follow the laterally moving strip edge. The computer pulls down every wheel which is not covered by strip any more, and the measurement data of the rulers in the affected columns are eliminated from the current flatness measurement.

In this individual application, the flatness measurement device is used to measure cold strip of stainless steel. The thickness ranges from 1,5 to 8mm (approx. .05″ to .32″) and the width from 800 to 2100 mm (approx. 31″ to 83″). The strip speed is 20 to 50 m/min (approx. 22 to 55 yards/minute).

Portable Light-Gauge Inspection Device

This small, mobile thickness measurement device has been a successful part of the Vollmer product range already for a number of years and is still sold frequently. A solid aluminum case protects the thickness gauge and, when opened, it provides a suitable workbench.

The case comes with a punching device which is used to cut small samples from the test material. By means of the delivered tweezers the sample is inserted between the feeler tips in the C-shaped measurement frame.

The standard version of the VMK is designed to measure samples of cold strip up to 1mm (approx. .04″) thick. This corresponds to the measurement stroke of the LVDT transducer.

For thicker samples, the VMK can be ordered with an adjustable transducer. The punching device is made for samples up to 1mm.

The measurement feelers are one electronic transducer (optionally adjustable in a micrometer thread) and a stationary feeler pin at the opposite side of the measurement frame. The transducer signal is passed to the VMF measurement amplifier which displays the measurement result in analogue form as well as a digitally.

With Digital Long Stroke Transducers

For some suitable applications, the thickness gauges VBM 1076 and 1065 Module can be delivered with digital long stroke transducers.

The digital transducers (type DG) provide a large measurement stroke (bottom transducer up to 5mm, appr. .2″, upper transducer up to 10mm, appr. .4″), so that they can measure strip up to 7mm (appr. .27″) thick, without requiring mechanical adjustment of the upper transducer.

This means, such gauges have no gear drive, no stepper motor and no motor control. Instead of the VMF amplifier, a PC indicates the measurement data, and optionally the data can be visualized and evaluated by the software VGraph or VRecoS.

In suitable applications, this makes the gauge operation easier and the gauge servicing as well.

VBK 1596/11

The VBK 1596 is a double track thickness gauge for thin strip which runs flat and relatively slow in a strip processing machine or in an inspection line. The strip is measured continuously while it passes the 130mm deep measurement mouth.

Two C-shaped measurement frames each carry an electronic transducer, measuring from above, and a firm measurement feeler pin, measuring the strip from below. Due to strip thickness changes, the transducer measurement tips are pushed in or come closer towards the firm feeler pins.

The gauge height is adjusted to the passline by its spring suspended vertical guide. Two horizontal rollers guide the strip through the gauge. The frame, which carries those rollers can be rotated to a position where the roller axes are not rectangular to the strip edge. This causes the gauge to pull itself against the rear strip edge, thus ensuring that the transducers will always measure in the selected tracks. This goal is supported by a spring, which pulls the set of Cframes towards the strip while the gauge is blocked in the slidebase by a pneumatic brake.

The C-frames can be set across the strip independent of the lateral guide rollers. This enables the gauge to measure any track up to 130mm (appr. 5,1″) off the rear strip edge.

The slidebase allows to pull the gauge forth into the measurement position and to push it back into the resting position at the rear.

The transducer rams are pneumatically lifted when the gauge is not at the rear limit or when the brake is not activated. This prevents them from hitting the strip edge while the gauge is pulled into the measurement position.

Automatic Kanban System

“No, it’s not a vending machine for softdrinks” explained Wolf Achilles when I asked him about the new blue cabinets in the machinery department, “its an automatic vending machine for carbide tips”.

This paragraph is an explanation only for the nonmetalists among us: Carbide tips are small, hardened metal plates with one or more sharp edges. In many different shapes they are used as cutting and chipping tool tips for turning lathes and milling machines. The cutting edges of the tips wear off relatively fast, and therefore they have to be replaced quite often, so that every workpiece gets a nice and smooth surface and comes out with accurate dimensions.

The machine tools in our machinery department require hundreds of different shapes of carbide tips. And since we have the big CNC machines, the consumption of tool tips has considerably increased. So did the size of our tool tip stock. But holding large amounts of goods in stock is binding capital, which can be used more effective when being invested elsewhere in our company.

The new vending machine contains all kinds of carbide tips which are used in our machinery department. All members of staff have a chip-card and a PIN to access the system. The monitor displays a table with the available cutting tips including the properties and a picture of each tip. When the tool kind is entered, the machine automatically puts out the right number of cutting tips, and not before this moment our company has to pay for them.

The vending machine has an on-line connection to the supplier of the carbide tips. As soon as the number of remaining tips falls below a preset limit, a fill-up supply is actuated.

This principle of production management is called ”Kanban”, the Japanese word for “file card”. The main idea is, that the consuming station exercises control about the output performance of the source. Kanban is said to enable a company to react more flexible on variable demands without having to hold in stock large amounts of precursor material. Kanban’s automatic regulation circuits (checking of the amount in stock and fill-up supply) relief everybody from ineffective and time consuming sidework, so one can concentrate on the work he is specialized in.

Levelling Machine

This small levelling unit was developed for a well known european manufacturer for powder
metalurgical material. The demanded levelling quality is reached through a levelling roller cassette, with 19 levelling rolls diameter 6 mm, in a four high model.

Technical Data

Material:

• Molybdenum
• Mo-alloys
• Tantalum
• Niobium material

Material Thickness:

• 0,02 – 0,15 mm

Material Width:

• 1,5 – 5 mm

Yield Point:

• To 800 N/mm²

Line Speed:

• 0-30 m/min variably adjustable

Mechanical Assembly

Decoiler, tail switch, quick change levelling cassette, drive shaft of the levelling rolls with a quick
plug in system, automatic lubrication, main drive with VT-Gear, tilting adjustment of the upper
levelling roll set, camber reducing, brake unit with felt changing device, automatic strip edge control
system for the recoiler, strip-length-counter, recoiler.

Advantage

Plug and play, user friendly, 1A level quality, long hold-time for the tools, short changing time for
the cassette, repeatable default settings, high availability.

Euroblech 2006

We are represented at the fair in Hannover, from 24.-28.10.2006. Hall 27, booth F 05. We look forward to seeing you there!

Impressum

Burghardt + Schmidt GmbH, Raiffeisenstr. 24, 75196 Remchingen departement at B+S.
Tel. 0049 7232 3661-0, Fax 0049 7232 3661-65, email: info@burghardt-schmidt.de,
www.burghardt-schmidt.de

New, Extra Narrow Design

For many years, Vollmer has been extending their product range of excellent contact gauges with X-Ray gauges (Gamma X) and isotope gauges (Gamma A) for strip thickness measurement. Our long experience in making special mechanical adaptations of our gauges to fit exactly to our clients individual applications has helped to develop a wide range on non-contact gauges. This is why the head of our narrowest X-ray gauge is only 120mm (4,73″) wide – far below the size of other makes. This allows the integration of a movable C-frame even in such mills where Vollmerís business competitors can to offer only fixed installations at the strip center.

Even the standard Vollmer non-contact gauge heads are only 160 and 180mm (6.3/7.1″) wide, smaller than other versions on the market. Here we describe an especially compact C-frame which has been very well accepted by rolling mill designers. The interface cabinet and the high voltage generator are integrated into the gauge, so only the cooler unit requires separate mounting. The C-frame is sturdy, small and compact, thus fulfilling the three most important criteria of cold rolling mill designers.

The C-shaped measurement frame, through which the strip passes, carries the X-ray tube in its lower arm and the detector in the upper arm. The strip acts as an absorber, reducing the radiation. The intensity of the transmitted radiation (the portion that passes through the strip) increases or decreases depending on strip thickness variations. The large gap in
the measurement throat is an effective insurance against gauge damage as a result of strip breaks.

The motor driven C-frame is infinitely positioned along the slide base, so the gauge can measure at any location across the strip that the operator selects. As an option, the C-frame is moved continuously across the strip to measure the thickness profile.

The liquid cooled X-ray tube is powered by a high voltage generator. A tungsten shutter blocks the radiation and is opened only during measurement. The shutter allows the interruption of the measurement without having to shut off the X-ray bulb. This means that the measurement can be re-started instantaneously without a loss of time for to the warm-up cycle of the tube. The x-ray beam window over the shutter is blown clean by
a steady jet of compressed air.

Every C-frame has an attached control panel for service. During measurements, the gauge is usually controlled by commands from the automatic mill control over industrial networks such as Profibus or TCP/IP, etc. The operator can control the gauge from his desk with software commands or by hardware switches. The Vollmer measurement computer evaluates and displays the measurement data. The screen display shows the actual strip thickness as well as the deviation from the nominal thickness. Indicators on the screen display whether the strip material is in tolerance.

The radiation source as well as the electronic module can be easily replaced by the customer on site and
then sent to the Vollmer company for repair. The new detector requires only a simple procedure to align with the radiation source by means of a small laser pointer.

With contact, isotope and X-ray gauges, Vollmer is the only manufacturer in the world designing in all these technologies for strip thickness measurement. In international comparison, our company has a longer and more comprehensive history than any other
designer or producer of thickness measurement technology.

We not only design and produce thickness gauges, but a great part of our work is the consulting of mill operating companies and mill designers about the most suitable kind of thickness measurement technology for their particular application. Our engineers in the different specialties have a wealth of background as to which kind of gauge or combination of gauges will be the best choice for their exact application.

Cross Profile Gauge with Sample Height Adjustment:
VBP Enhancement

The new design of the VBP which was introduced a year ago, has been enhanced and now features a height adjustable sample fixture.

The new sample fixture relieves the operator from the need to cut the samples exactly to a certain height. Now he has only to make sure that the edges of the sample are parallel. The sample is put between the clamping brackets in a position where both ends will be clamped. Then the height of the sample support is adjusted by a hand wheel so that the upper edge of the sample meets the height of a plastic gauge which is put on top of the brackets.

In the next step, the brackets are pneumatically closed and the measurement is performed automatically as in the previous version of the VBP. Due to the exact height adjustment, now there are almost no more emergency stops actuated by the protection sensors. These sensors monitor the position of the upper edge when the gauge is measuring the sample, and they generate a signal when they touch the edge.

Roll Form Measurement from End to End:
New VRR Straddle Gauge

The Vollmer straddle gauge VRR measures the form of rolls. It consists of a base frame that is magnetically mounted on the roll and a V-shaped straddle frame which can be traversed along the roll length on a rail of the base frame.

The rail on the base frame is longer than the roll form. This allows the operator to push the straddle frame far enough to measure the entire camber from side to side.

One of the measurement arms carries an adjustable feeler and the other carries a dial gauge. They are mounted on slide pieces which allows adjustment of the straddle gauge to very large range of roll diameters.

For adjustment, the slide pieces on both arms are positioned to the same position on the rulers. This puts the feelers exactly to the level of the rollís center axis so that the roll form is measured at the exact diameter of the roll.

Special Gauge Version for Corrosive Environments:
Chemically Nickel-Plated

Many parts of our gauges are milled from solid aluminum blocks or plates and then assembled to very sturdy gauge housings. Aluminum is easier to mill than steel, is of much less weight and in most environments it is much more resistant to corrosion
than normal steel. Some environmental conditions however (e.g. when a gauge is operated in an atmosphere which contains hydrochloric gas or when it gets in contact with chlorinated liquid) cause considerable corrosion on the gauge body. For such applications most of our gauges can now be made of nickel plated parts. The nickel plating is visible by the color which is more yellow than the natural aluminum surface.

Many Advanteages for Our Customers:
New Shapemeter in Great Demand

The axially drilled BFI-Shapemeter roll has proven to be a amazingly successful development. Not only does it replace the deflector roll in a mill, but it can as well be ground as is a deflector roll.

The bore holes for the pressure sensors are drilled into the roll from its face sides parallel to the axis of rotation. The smallest wall thickness of those holes is 11mm (0.43″). Compared to the previous version (one radial bore hole for each sensor, covered with
a lid), the axially drilled holes hold enormous advantages. The completely closed surface is a basis for operational reliability while the measurement accuracy remains at the proven high level of the radially drilled shapemeter roll.

Compared to the competitive models on the market, the BFI-Shapemeter roll is now technically nearly unbeatable. Its telemetric data transfer, virtually maintenance free design, the option to repair the roll or to replace sensors on site, are most attractive
advantages for the long-term use of this shapemeter roll.

The flexible construction as well has proven to be a decisive advantage when discussing the technical details with our customers. For mill upgrades, we can offer our roll at the same diameter of the existing deflector roll, at a diameter down to 200mm (7,9″). The competitive models often have only specific diameters to offer, which in many cases would cause expensive redesign of the rolling mill table.

For wedge shaped strip, a shapemeter roll cannot be used instead of the deflector roll but only in a special arrangement with the roll lowered from above. Although an expensive construction, but with many competitive advantages as well. Shapemeter rolls of other types cannot be used at all on wedge shaped strip, since the mentioned dipping construction is a BFI-patent, thus only available to users of BFI shapemeter rolls.

VUD ST 30 for Wavy Strip

The new VUD DG25 is a thickness gauge for sheet and strip material of 1,5 to 11 mm (appr. .06″ to .45″) thickness. It measures the passing strip by two measurement wheels continuously during the processing. The measurement depth from the strip edge is up to
300mm (11.8″). In this application – limited by the vibration damper – the maximum strip width is 2000mm (appr. 78,5″). The maximum strip speed is 30m/min.

This gauge is designed to measure especially thick and wavy strip. The measurement wheels, each carried by a measurement arm, are large in diameter, in order for the gauge to measure over welds, i.e. the strip can be measured continuously without traversing the gauge off the strip to exempt seams.

The strip passes through a gap between two spring suspended measurement arms. The two wheels measure the strip at an equal measurement load from above and from below. The measurement arm’s spring load is adapted to the individual requirements during the
installation of the gauge so that the measurement rollers follow very wavy strip in the vertical motion.

Due to strip thickness changes, the measurement arms are pushed apart or pulled closer together. The distance between the arms is monitored by a digital transducer inside the gauge. The signals of this transducer are transferred into the Vollmer measurement computer where they are evaluated. In the application shown here, the results are displayed on a PC monitor, visualized by the Vollmer-Software VRecoS.

In case that the passline is not exactly level, the lateral incline of the VUD gauge can be adapted to the slope of the passline, so that the connecting line between the axles of the two rollers is always perpendicular to the strip. In applications with a vibration damping device, this feature is not required.

The strip is led through two sets of guide rollers of the vibration damper, so that even very wavy strip is passing through the gauge without causing too much vertical movements. In the photo, the upper rollers are lifted for strip insertion. During processing, the upper rollers are hydraulically pushed down, so that the gap between the
rollers is about the double size of the strip thickness. Drive side and operator side are mechanically synchronized.

The damping rollers are automatically moved up/down by the commands “Gauge on/off strip”. The upper limit is formed by limit stop switches, the lower limit stop is set mechanically by spacer blocks, their size depending on individual requirements. The damping device is fastened to the site floor by strong screw anchors. The height should exactly match the passline, so that the lower rollers are just driven by the strip but don’t lift it.

With Axially Drilled Sensor Tubes:
New VPMR/bfi Shapemeter Roll

The enhanced design of the new Vollmer shapemeter roll VPMR/bfi has axially drilled tubes for the sensor units. The previous design had the bores for the sensors drilled radially into the solid steel body. The sensors were inserted from the outside, resulting in a nearly seamless surface. Now the tubes for the sensor units are drilled parallel to the roll axis and the sensors are positioned and clamped there with a defined load.

Afterwards the roll surface is ground even and then the roll is calibrated. This combines the benefits of the piezo-electric sensors (wide measurement range but high sensitivity) with a completely closed roller surface.

For the customer, this results in an extremely stable calibration, producing increased operational reliability of the shapemeter roll. The completely closed surface guarantees that even under the worst environmental conditions there will be no marks on the strip.

Stroke plus .8” / minus .9”:
Long Stroke Transducer Type /02

These transducers have a measurement stroke of +2,1 /- 2,3 mm (+0.8″ and -0.9″) and most of their parts are the same as in the standard type MUBE/MOBE-0 transducers with a stroke of +/- 1mm. In order to achieve a good measurement accuracy despite the extended stroke, the modified transducers come with an individual linearization file. This file is copied to the VMF 1000 or VMF 2000 amplifier before transducer symmetry is adjusted.

Any VMF 1000 amplifiers from software version 2.01 and VMF 2000 amplifiers from version 3.29 are ready for this procedure. An upgrade kit for older measurement amplifiers can be supplied.

The modified transducers (i.e. type /02) are recognizable by the groove around the brass cap nut as shown on the photo right. The /02 transducers and their extension cables have 6-pin Tuchel-connectors. The linearization curve is matched to the length of the entire cable connection. In comparison, transducers of the type /0 and their extension cables have 5-pin Tuchel connectors.

New On-line Grinder Gauge

This is the first of the new VSS roll grinder gauges for moving bed grinders. It was designed to achieve an almost maintenance free operation.

On moving bed grinders, the roll is moved past the stationary grinding wheel, whereas on large grinders the support carries the grinding wheel and the gauge along the roll.

On moving bed grinders, the gauge is stationary as well, and it is only moved into and out of the measurement position. The drives for the measurement arms as well as the
measurement linear encoders inside the gauge are completely protected against dirt. The measurement arm slots in the housing are covered by a moveable metal strip, and the transducers including their lever mechanics work inside the completely sealed body of
the measurement arms.

Only the diamond measurement pads which slide over the roll surface during the measurement, are subject to wear and may require replacement after a long time of
operation. The lubrication of the measurement arm’s slide bars is designed to last for a period of approximately10 years with about 50 measurements per day.

The measurement arm bodies are staggered so that the measurement pads may come very close. Due to this feature this VSS gauge is able to measure rolls of very small diameter. The maximum diameter which can be measured by the gauge shown left is 850 mm.

As an option, this VSS gauge can be equipped with a pneumatic measurement arm lifting device. This feature allows the measurement of rotating rolls with longitudinal grooves as are used in the printing industry. Using information from the grinders rotary encoder, each measurement arm is lifted just before the groove hits the measurement pad and is quickly released directly after the groove has passed the pad.

New Long Stroke Digital Transducer

This new digital transducer was designed to work gauges for which the stroke of the standard-transducers is not sufficient. In comparison to the transducers with glass scale encoder, as have been utilized so far, the new transducers have a metal ruler. The marks are formed by many small magnetic fields. The most obvious advantage is the sturdiness of the metal ruler, since in some cases the glass rulers tended to get cracks when the transducer was mechanically overstressed.

Like most of our other transducers, this one is also offered with diamond lifting device so that the transducer ram can be pneumatically lifted from the measurement surface and the measurement pressure may be pneumatically increased or decreased.

The maximum stroke of this transducer, counted from its zero position, is +/- 10 mm. The digital sensor inside the transducer puts out a position signal via a digital counter to the measurement electronics. The measurement data can be evaluated either in a digital
VMF measurement amplifier or directly in a measurement PC by means of the V-graph software. The transducer forms a unit together with the counter and the data cable. In case of a defect, the entire unit needs to be replaced. After a new sensor unit is installed into a gauge, the unit needs to be adjusted to match the calibration curve in the counter M031.

The advantage for our customers is reduced downtime on one hand and reduced repair costs on the other hand.

The same target, cost reduction, was achieved by the recent replacement of the MUBE/MOBE/92 type transducers by modified MUBE/MOBE/02 transducers. The
type 92 transducers are from now on only produced for replacement. The modified transducers have a measurement stroke of +2,1 /- 2,3 mm (that is the same as the type 92 transducers). Most of their parts however, are the same as in the standard type MUBE/MOBE-0 transducers with a stroke of +/- 1mm. In order to achieve a good measurement accuracy despite the extended stroke, the new modified transducers come with an individual linearization file. This file needs to be copied to the VMF 1000 or VMF 2000 amplifier before transducer symmetry is adjusted. Any VMF 1000 amplifiers from software version 2.01 and VMF 2000 amplifiers from version 3.29 are ready for this
procedure. An upgrade kit for older measurement amplifiers can be supplied.

High Ranked Visitors from India

Mr. Parekh (l.) and Mr. Dingar (r.), the two company owners of Multiform, together with our boss during their stay at our company
in Berchum on April 13. The subsidiary company Vollmer Gauge India is a joint venture of Multiform and Vollmer Germany

Shapemeter Roll with Laserspeed

When space is precious, as it was in this application, the Vollmer shapemeter roller brings its narrow construction to bear as an unique advantage.

This Vollmer shapemeter roll (BFI-system) in combination with a water-cooled laser strip speed gauge is the basic item for the modernisation of a 20-roll cluster mill, which had already been upgraded with a Vollmer strip thickness control a number of years ago.

The present modernisation includes two additional VBM 1076. Together with the two previously installed VBM 1076 thickness gauges, they now form two pairsof tandem gauges. They measure the very thin copper strip rolled in this mill with optimal accuracy.

These are the strip data:

Thickness 0,045 to 2 mm
width 660 mm
strip speed 400 M/Min.

An essential element of the Vollmer strip shape control is the optical strip edge detection by electronic line cameras. It allows the utilization of all measurement data from the shape roll, even those data created by the sensors measuring the strip edge. Without edge detection, this data used to be left out, because the system could not determine wether a sensor is completely covered by strip under moderate tension or if only a small portion of it is covered by strip under high tension. This is important for two reasons: Too loose edges result in a larger amount of off-spec strip material that has to be cut off, and they may cause a curvature of the inner strip section. Too tight edges on the other hand tend to cause strip breaking. Therefore, our strip edge detection decreases the downtime and increases the output especially when looking at older mills where the strip tends to run away
laterally during the rolling.

The shapemeter roll is driven by a timing belt. The shapemeter roll itself drives a tachometer (not installed in the photo) by a second such belt. Its signal is used for the automatic thickness control. An additional rotary incremental encoder is installed in the operator’s side bearing of the shapemeter roll. It is used as a safety backup for the mass-flow system’s strip speed measurement.

Standard Connector Bridges now integrated at the factory

VMF 2000 Wiring Alterations
So far, a number of contacts in the I/O interfaces X7 andX8 of the VMF 2000 measurement amplifier have been bridged externally. The short-circuit bridges were soldered into the connector plug of the extension cable to provide power and ground to the opto-isolators.

Beginning with the production number 2138, those bridges are now integrated into the VMF 2000. The collectors of the outputs and the cathodes of the inputs of the two interface sockets X7 and X8 are bridged internally as stated in the following:
X7: 19-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27-28
X7: 30-31-32
X8: 19-20-21-22-23-24-25-26
X8: 27-28-29-30-31-32

It is still possible, to connect those interfaces with the internal voltage supply or with an external voltage supply. However, never connect both kinds of voltage supplies, this will cause severe damage!

In standard applications, old VMF 2000 amplifiers can simply be replaced with new VMF 2000 amplifiers. It does not matter, if the bridging is repeated in the plug of the connection cable.

In special applications however ( such as tandem thickness gauges ) the nominal size signal from the VMF of the working gauge is passed on to the VMF of the control gauge. In such cases, different bridges are required. Therefore, amplifiers in such applications need to be replaced with specially prepared amplifiers, otherwise damages might occur.

New VMF 2000 amplifiers from production number 2138 may be replaced with older VMF 2000 amplifiers only after the required bridges were soldered into the cable’s connector plugs.

Multiple Measurement Tasks

Gauge for Truck Chassis Beams
This gauge was custom-designed for one of the largest German truck manufacturers. It measures continuously the U-shaped profile at the outgoing side of a shaping line. In this line, 4 to 10mm thick strip is rolled off a coil and then continuously bent to form an upside-down U. At this stage, the profile passes through the gauge before it is automatically cut to the desired length. Right after the cutting, all the required holes are punched into the chassis beams.

The gauge measures the width of the profile’s back (200 to 340 mm), the height of its side walls (70 – 100 mm), their squareness to the back, the arch measured across the back, and the twist of the back.

Since the massive power input in the shape line produces some debris on the profile’s surface, the gauge was designed so that all sensitive parts are situated above the profile to protect them from being blocked by dirt deposits. The frame with the entire center gauge can be moved off line in a long roll guide system. The two height gauges pull off the line to opposite sides of the profile, each in its own slide base.