The development of the first strip thickness gauge worldwide, that could measure the thickness of the strip during the rolling process in cold mills with an accuracy of µm, was the start of our company in 1963.
Vollmer America
Strip Shape Control
AFC (Automatic Flatness Control)
The AFC works through other mill control components than does the strip thickness control.
With a suitable servohydraulic mill screwdown system that may be retrofit into installed into older mills and usually exists on new mills, a strip thickness control will achieve the required results.
The effectiveness of the strip shape control depends largely on the type of control components that are installed in the mill. The basic control components are: Roll tilting, roll bending, intermediate roll shifting and zone cooling.
Roll tilting is available in all but certain cluster mills. Not all mills have roll bending units (positive and negative). The intermediate roll shifting is only available on 6 high mills and certain special cluster mills. An efficient zone cooling can be added to many 4 high and 6 high mills.
The strip shape control can only use the control components that are installed by the mill, so that the success of the strip shape control depends on the configuration of the mill. Vollmer shape controls use all existing control components, achieving the ideal shape result.
Strip Shape Measurement
Even with a limited availability of control components, meaning a limited control potential, the shape measurement has great advantages for the user. Knowing the current strip condition enables the adaptation of the rolling conditions to the shape situation. In the case of poor strip shape, strip breaks can effectively be prevented. In case of strip with a uniform tension distribution, the mill can be operated with high efficiency. Strip shape measurement has always resulted in a productivity increase.
What's New
VIP 08 Flatness Measurement System
While the strip thickness tolerances were a significant criterion for the quality assessment of strip material in the eighties and nineties, significant improvements in controls and automation have made good thickness control a given among suppliers.
First Isotope Thickness Gauge Application in Mexico
During this past fall, we installed our first two – Model A3000 Isotope Thickness Gauges in Mexico. The application was for stainless steel on a heavy-duty reversing mill with 24/7 operation.
Quality and Yield Optimization on Cold Rolling Mills
In order to accommodate for the high demand in accuracy, quality and yield, it is essential to optimize the existing operating equipment. In the past Vollmer has supplied and been known for their high performance thickness gauges in conjunction with the automation of the screwdown system.
News & Events
BFI Article shows new design for shape roll measurement
The well-proven BFI version shape measurement roll has undergone a design change that improves its ability to measure the tensions profile on flat product without marking the strip. The detectors have been redesigned to fit into the roll while leaving the surface of the roll completely clear of machined marks. This eliminates the former problems associated with the axially installed sensors.