Posted on 29 Jan 2013
Simetal Opal provides laser measurement system aids
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
highprecision 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.
