WO2022171816A1 - Dispositif de mesure d'épaisseur d'objets métalliques à mesurer - Google Patents

Dispositif de mesure d'épaisseur d'objets métalliques à mesurer Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022171816A1
WO2022171816A1 PCT/EP2022/053410 EP2022053410W WO2022171816A1 WO 2022171816 A1 WO2022171816 A1 WO 2022171816A1 EP 2022053410 W EP2022053410 W EP 2022053410W WO 2022171816 A1 WO2022171816 A1 WO 2022171816A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sensor
measurement
thickness
measurement object
measuring
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PCT/EP2022/053410
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Martin WIED
Matthias Irle
Original Assignee
Emg Automation Gmbh
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Application filed by Emg Automation Gmbh filed Critical Emg Automation Gmbh
Publication of WO2022171816A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022171816A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B15/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electromagnetic waves or particle radiation, e.g. by the use of microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays or electrons
    • G01B15/02—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electromagnetic waves or particle radiation, e.g. by the use of microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays or electrons for measuring thickness
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B15/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electromagnetic waves or particle radiation, e.g. by the use of microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays or electrons
    • G01B15/04—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electromagnetic waves or particle radiation, e.g. by the use of microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays or electrons for measuring contours or curvatures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B2210/00—Aspects not specifically covered by any group under G01B, e.g. of wheel alignment, caliper-like sensors
    • G01B2210/40—Caliper-like sensors
    • G01B2210/42—Caliper-like sensors with one or more detectors on a single side of the object to be measured and with a backing surface of support or reference on the other side
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B2210/00—Aspects not specifically covered by any group under G01B, e.g. of wheel alignment, caliper-like sensors
    • G01B2210/40—Caliper-like sensors
    • G01B2210/44—Caliper-like sensors with detectors on both sides of the object to be measured

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for measuring the thickness of metallic web-shaped or piece goods-shaped measuring objects, such as continuous metal webs in the production of metal sheets or isolated metal slabs, which are produced in the metal industry as a raw product for further processing of the metal.
  • the present invention relates in particular to such a thickness measuring device of metallic objects, by means of which the thickness measurement of the relatively smaller thickness compared to the width or length dimension can be carried out easily and safely even in various critical environmental conditions as precisely and simply as possible.
  • the device according to the present invention relates specifically to such devices or measuring devices by means of which a non-contact measurement of thicknesses of such metallic objects or measurement objects can be carried out, both in an ongoing continuous process of moving measurement objects and discontinuously in the case of Measuring objects, which are measured in terms of thickness as piece goods, such as metal slabs after casting in a moving or stationary situation.
  • measuring the thickness values of such continuous metal webs (sheets) or metal slabs as precisely as possible usually requires the provision of a detection of several measuring points across a surface of the measuring objects as well as various reference measurements or calculations to compensate for the unevenness and to accurately detect inaccuracies in material thickness in such cases. Therefore, measurement using contact-based measuring sensors with probes was sometimes preferred in the prior art in order to enable the most accurate possible detection and determination of the thicknesses of such metal objects, especially in the area of quality assurance for determining the thicknesses of the end products.
  • the detection of the thickness of such metallic measurement objects is relevant on the one hand for quality assurance in order to achieve a product thickness that is as close as possible to a tolerance range.
  • an indirect assessment of such objects is also carried out to determine the total volume via the external dimensions in the thickness and width direction.
  • optical methods of this type also had to be provided with corresponding reference measurements in the area of the objects to be measured, so that the correctness could be checked and an actual measurement made possible at all using such methods with multiple, differently aligned and arranged optical sensors.
  • the present invention also has the task of providing a thickness measuring device for such metal objects to be measured, which allows a reduced information density in the acquisition of measured values and thereby facilitated further processing of measured values with nevertheless sufficiently reliable thickness acquisition.
  • the device according to the invention is used to measure the thickness of metallic web-shaped or piece goods-shaped measurement objects with a significantly smaller thickness in relation to a width, i.e. essentially plate-shaped or web-shaped metal objects, in particular metal webs or metal slabs in the production and processing of metals, with at least one sensor , with an evaluation unit connected to the sensor, in which means are provided for evaluating and processing measured values of the sensor or sensors for determining thickness values, and with a memory for storing values or information in particular on a relative position, position or orientation of the at least one sensor and / or a support surface for the measurement object in relation to the sensor, the device being characterized in that the at least one sensor is a radar sensor with a measuring direction corresponding to a thickness direction depending on The measurement cone widens from the distance to the measurement object and that the sensor is at a predefined distance from the measurement object and directly above and/or below the measurement object for non-contact measurement of the thickness of the measurement object using surface detection using radar and averaged evaluation over a measurement area corresponding
  • the device of the invention thus has at least one radar sensor, preferably two radar sensors, for example, directly above and below the measurement object for measuring thickness dimensions of the metallic measurement object, with which a fixed measurement of a relatively large measurement range is realized by the spreading measurement cone, specifically in a non-contact state by the predefined distance of the radar-based sensor from the measurement object directly above or below the respective surface of the measurement object.
  • continuous external reference points can be dispensed with. A one-off referencing when setting up the measuring system is sufficient.
  • an evaluation unit is provided with which the evaluation of the thickness detection by the radar sensor or sensors over the surface in the relatively large measuring area takes place in such a way that an average value of the surface and thus the average thickness of the measurement object with technically can be determined with a surprisingly simple measuring system.
  • an average, reliable value of an actual thickness of such metal webs or metal slabs can be easily determined with little effort.
  • the device according to the invention has radar sensors or at least one radar sensor mounted at a predefined variable or fixed distance, which is (are) coupled to a memory and an evaluation unit, so that the thickness values can also be measured without external additional continuous reference values or complicated Calculations can be reliably recorded using, for example, triangulation or lateral (fictitious) reference lines on the measurement object.
  • the measuring device according to the invention has the considerable technical advantage that it still allows reliable detection and measurement of thickness values of such metal objects even under the most adverse environmental conditions, such as high temperature, smoke, dirt, water vapor or the like, without the need for complex measures as previously with conventional ones systems are required.
  • the device of the invention is extremely insensitive to dirt and can be mounted at a relatively large distance from the measurement object as well as in the high-temperature range. A very close arrangement, for example in laser-based or optical systems, as has been used up to now were set is therefore not necessary.
  • With the relatively large distance comparatively large measuring ranges of the surface of such objects, which can include large dimensions, are also possible without a large number of different individual sensors with punctiform measuring ranges being required for this purpose. Due to the size of the measurement area and the possibility of a relatively large distance between the sensors and the measurement object, reliable measurement values with a high measurement quality and accuracy can nevertheless be achieved with the invention.
  • the measurement range M is defined here as the detection area of the measurement cone K on the surface of the measurement object.
  • the measuring range is also referred to in the literature as a measuring spot within the frustum-shaped measuring cone:
  • a measuring range M can be larger than the respective measuring spot of the sensor if, for example, several sensors are arranged next to each other or in the form of an array. In this way, very precise measured values or sufficiently precise measured values for such metallic objects as metal slabs or continuously produced metal sheets can be provided with relatively little computing effort.
  • the area of the measurement area on the measurement object can be easily configured. Due to the cone shape of the measuring cone, the size of the measuring range can be changed by simply adjusting the height of the sensor.
  • Radar technology has a large measurement range variance (distance between sensor and measurement object) without losing focus.
  • relatively large thickness variations can also be detected with one and the same device, e.g. B. from 1 mm to 400 mm, preferably thicknesses from 25 mm to 350 mm, with a complex readjustment or focusing with changing measurement distance is not required.
  • the radar-based sensors according to the invention are arranged at a predefined distance (H) from the surface of the metal webs or metal slabs, so that the measuring spot or measuring range (M) generated by the conically widened measuring cone (H) and thus enlarged is at least three times that of the radar sensors at the antenna output, preferably tenfold, expanded by a larger one to achieve sufficient width of the measurement objects for the correction and averaging of a thickness variance in the width direction that is present in such metallic slabs or strips.
  • the sensors preferably have measuring cones with a measuring range (M) on the object to be detected of 30 mm to 1,200 mm in diameter, depending on the application and the dimensions of the webs or slabs.
  • the at least one radar-based sensor is arranged approximately centrally in a width direction above and/or below the measurement object in such a way that a large-area measurement area M of at least 60%, preferably at least 80%, of a width and/or a length of the Measurement object is covered by the sensor.
  • a large-area measurement area M of at least 60%, preferably at least 80%, of a width and/or a length of the Measurement object is covered by the sensor.
  • the device of the invention does not require any complex precautions and, above all, no multiple touch sensors or contact sensors for detecting the individual positions at a large number of different measurement points.
  • the measuring device according to the invention using radar technology also has the advantage that it is independent of various environmental situations, such as strong heat in or near a heating furnace, in a dirty or smoky production area or the like, which can affect a conventional thickness measurement. Strong water vapor is produced in some applications.
  • this has the advantage that, unlike optical sensors, the radar-based sensors then continue to function perfectly. The measurement of the thickness is in each case sufficiently precise for the respective further processing of the measured values.
  • a complex arrangement of equipment and focusing of individual optical measuring sensors, such as laser sensors, measuring mirrors or camera lenses, is also not in the area of the often critical environmental conditions necessary. Due to the radar technology, the device according to the invention can also be provided at a relatively large distance from the measurement object. Last but not least, with the large-area measuring area, a good averaged value acquisition of the thickness of such objects can be carried out with a single measurement. This significantly reduces the technological outlay for detecting the thickness compared to the prior art. Alternatively, a smaller measurement range M of, for example, 10% of the width or length of the measurement object can also be recorded.
  • the senor is aligned and arranged in a substantially vertical thickness direction in relation to the measurement object.
  • the sensor is thus aligned with its measuring direction approximately perpendicular directly in relation to a thickness direction, ie vertically in the case of a horizontally lying or transported measuring object. Due to the direct vertical alignment in relation to the thickness direction of the measurement object, the position of the surface can be measured directly with the radar-based sensor without the need for lateral devices or devices for measurement, reflection or reference formation here for a thickness measurement.
  • the widest possible scattering of the measuring cone or the measuring spot of such radar sensors can take place, which leads to a fairly large-area detection of the thickness and effectively averaged determination of the values of the surface and thus the total thickness of such measurement objects.
  • the at least one sensor can be adjusted in a height position in relation to the measurement object.
  • the adjustment of the height positions for thickness measurement has the advantage that a corresponding size of the measuring range can be variably adapted and set as required. Depending on the width of the metal objects to be measured, the measuring range can be increased or decreased in a targeted manner by changing the measuring distance.
  • this also has the advantage that focusing or adjustment of an optical system after a position adjustment or height adjustment of the sensors is not necessary, as is necessary with conventional optical sensors of this type, such as laser sensors or camera-based sensors.
  • the device according to the invention can thus be variably adapted to different circumstances quickly, specifically and very easily.
  • the at least one sensor is attached in a variable or adjustable manner in terms of its distance or position in relation to the measurement object.
  • the sensor is mounted, for example, on a frame, on a track, a carrier or the like in such a way that the distance or the position can be adjusted.
  • the sensor can thus be adjusted, for example, to the left and right in relation to a running direction of a metal strip in a metal web production.
  • the height or the position in relation to an overall device can also be easily varied here.
  • the position and preferably also the distance can be variably adjusted in such a way that the respective distance values can be deposited or stored in the memory of the evaluation unit of the measuring device.
  • the device according to the invention allows a thickness detection that is as precise and technically easy to implement as possible, which is sufficiently precise in the metal industry for metal slabs or metal strips and does not require a great deal of technological effort.
  • the senor is arranged to be movable in the transverse direction to the measurement object, preferably traversingly movable.
  • the movable arrangement for example in a production device for a continuous metal strip, metal sheet or metal slab, has the advantage that a single radar-based sensor can detect an even greater width of the measurement object for thickness measurement.
  • the traversing, i.e. back and forth, mobility of the sensor can be achieved, for example, by means of appropriate servomotors, which, due to the continuous movement of the metal strip or metal slab below it, result in a kind of serpentine shape of the measuring section of the measuring area M along the surface of the measuring object results.
  • the senor is arranged behind a radar-permeable protective cover, insulation and/or housing wall.
  • the at least one radar sensor according to the invention is thus securely protected from the often very harsh environmental conditions in the metal industry and the processing of metal slabs or metal strips.
  • a radar-transparent protective cover can be provided, for example, in the form of a heat-resistant pane of glass or similar radar-transparent, non-metallic panel elements.
  • heat insulation can also be provided as a shield against the usually very high temperatures of, for example, up to 500° C., 800° C. or even higher of such metal parts in manufacturing processes.
  • the senor can also be protected by a housing wall and a housing box that shields the sensor at least in the direction of the measurement object.
  • a housing wall and a housing box that shields the sensor at least in the direction of the measurement object.
  • a radar-based sensor in the form of an array of a plurality of individual radar sensors extending in the transverse direction of the measurement object is provided as the sensor.
  • a separate individual radar sensor in the transverse direction for example in a linear or rectangular arrangement of the sensors.
  • the individual radar sensors are in the form of an array, i.e. one in the form of a predefined field or a predefined line with specified distances from one another and provided at corresponding positions when measuring on both sides.
  • the device can be used to carry out a very precise and direct thickness measurement over an even wider and/or longer range of measurement objects in one operation. Thickness profiles of measurement objects can also be easily created with the invention. In this way, a variation of thickness values can be continuously recorded, stored and further processed over the width of the measurement object, for example.
  • the resolution can also be determined via the number of measuring sensors. Each individual measurement spot from the multiple sensors enlarges the detected measurement area M.
  • the measured values of the sensors in the outside area can preferably be blanked out in order to avoid receiving incorrect strip/slab thickness information. This mainly has advantages for narrower strips/slabs.
  • the senor can be moved in a horizontal direction in relation to the conveying direction F of the measurement object, in particular in a traversing direction in relation to the measurement object.
  • the sensors or the at least one sensor based on radar technology can thus be moved in the horizontal direction towards the measurement object or away from the measurement object or the surface of the measurement object.
  • the at least one radar-based sensor and the evaluation unit are fende thickness measurement with a coupling or at least one consideration of a speed of the measurement object in the conveying direction F formed.
  • the thickness measurement is thus carried out continuously by the evaluation unit in the running process without stopping the respective measurement objects (metal slabs or metal strips).
  • the consideration or direct coupling with the conveying speed in the conveying direction F also has the advantage that the measurement evaluation can be adjusted according to the respective speed of the measurement object towards an optimal evaluation of the thickness measurement values.
  • a high measurement quality with regard to the detection of the thickness of the measurement objects is also achieved in continuously running processes or production plants.
  • a thickness profile running in the longitudinal direction is recorded, which can be used for improved control, regulation and quality assurance.
  • the invention also brings advantages in non-continuous, quasi-static measurement situations, since, for example, a known width of the measurement object together with the thickness measurement according to the invention enables a very precise volume determination of the objects.
  • the at least one radar-based sensor is arranged on one side of the measurement object and a contact surface with a predefined distance from the sensor that is stored in the memory of the evaluation unit is provided for the contact of the measurement object.
  • a thickness measurement of such metallic objects that is technologically quite easy to implement and is nevertheless surprisingly very precise with a sensor provided on only one side is possible according to the invention or sensors possible.
  • the measurement technology to be used for this is the so-called radar measurement with a time/distance determination. Due to the known path or distance to the contact surface and the measured duration of the emission and the return reception of the reflected radar signals, it is possible according to the invention according to the technologically quite surprisingly simple way, the thickness of the respective metallic measurement object can be easily and safely recorded even under critical, unfavorable and rough environmental conditions.
  • the distance-time measurement can be carried out with the sensor by means of a previously performed calibration of the position of the sensor relative to the contact surface or via a known structural variable or position.
  • At least one storage of various data and information of the device or the sensors and the measurement object is present in the memory of the evaluation unit, in particular at least data on the height position of the sensor, on the vertical position of the sensor in relation to the measurement object or the conveying direction F of the measurement object to the measurement area M or to the measurement spot of the expanding measurement beam of the sensors and/or to the distance of the sensor(s) from the contact surface.
  • This stored and previously fixed data and information is used for quick and uncomplicated detection, calculation and evaluation of the thicknesses of such metallic measurement objects. They can also be used for the purpose of a control calculation of the thickness values.
  • a measuring spot of the measuring range (M) of the sensor has an elliptical or oval shape with the longer main axis in the width direction of the measuring object.
  • the sensor is therefore not provided with a usual circular measuring area (M) of the measuring spot, but with a measuring spot with an elliptical or oval shape, which is larger in the width of the measuring object to be measured and which has a smaller extent in the longitudinal direction of the measuring object.
  • the widths of the metal strips or metal slabs to be measured can also be completely recorded with one or a few sensors and, according to the invention, a meaningful thickness value can also be reliably recorded via an averaged evaluation of the thickness variance over the entire width.
  • An extension of the measuring range in the longitudinal direction, ie the feed direction, or forward direction of a metal strip or lengthwise extension of the metal slab is of smaller magnitude, since this is where the shorter secondary axis of the elliptical shape of the measuring range is located.
  • Such an elliptical or oval shape of the measurement area can be achieved in various ways and can be achieved, for example, via an antenna shape of the sensors designed as radar sensors.
  • a radar lens or another radar wave-shaping device of one of the antennas used can also serve as sensors for this purpose.
  • the evaluation unit has a control module for direct feedback in a production process of the metal webs for its adaptation on the basis of the thickness values measured with the sensor, in particular a control module for direct feedback in an upstream and/or downstream rolling process or heating process of the metallic measurement objects.
  • a control module for direct feedback in an upstream and/or downstream rolling process or heating process of the metallic measurement objects With such an evaluation unit and a control module, the manufacturing processes can be directly influenced on the basis of the average thickness values of the metal slabs or metal strips obtained in this way.
  • the feedback according to the invention has the advantage that it is possible, for example, to intervene directly in an upstream rolling process in order to set or change the defined target thickness of the metal objects on the rolls via the roll gap in the roll stand.
  • the thickness measurement according to the invention thus achieves better dimensional stability and accuracy in lower tolerance ranges of such metal objects whose surfaces often vary in thickness over the width direction.
  • Direct feedback for example in a heating process, has the advantage that control can be better and more precise in a heating furnace for the production of metal objects in the metallurgical process.
  • a relatively high level of thermal energy has to be supplied, in particular with thicker metal slabs, which according to the present invention can be quickly adapted to the thickness variations at the measuring point through direct feedback.
  • Other forms of direct feedback based on that provided by the radar sensor Measured and averaged thickness values of the measurement objects are also conceivable in order to directly influence, vary or even stop the manufacturing process.
  • the evaluation unit is provided with means for determining a total volume or a total weight of metal slabs measured by the sensor as a measurement object.
  • the radar sensors of the thickness measurement record the beginning and end of the slab, with the integration of the longitudinal speed the length of the slab can also be calculated.
  • the evaluation unit is thus through a corresponding deposit of specific weights of the respective material and on the basis of the existing measurements of the thickness with knowledge of the length and width - z. B. from a memory or other measurements, a correct determination of the total volume of cuboid metal slabs possible, so that their total weight is easy to calculate without a direct detection of the weight itself is required.
  • the device is designed and adapted for measuring thicknesses of measurement objects in the range from 25 mm to 350 mm and/or widths between 700 mm and 2,800 mm.
  • the measuring objects to be measured with the invention which have a significantly smaller thickness in relation to the width and usually come as metal webs or metal slabs from a metal production process, preferably have values in the range of thicknesses from 25 mm to 350 mm, with the thicknesses of Metal tracks can also be in a smaller range of, for example, 3 mm to 30 mm.
  • the widths of such metal slabs to be measured with the invention are in the range of 700 mm to 2,800 mm, with the sensors being adapted accordingly in the arrangement, number and size of the respective inventively specially expanded measuring spot of the measuring range.
  • the adaptation to these width values results in an automatic averaging of the thickness values reaches almost the entire width of the measurement objects, so that a thickness variance that frequently occurs here, which is usually present in such metal objects produced by rolling, is taken into account in the determination of the thickness value.
  • An essentially selective sensor system cannot do this.
  • the different thickness values which can be detected in intermediate areas or with only reduced sizes of measurement spots and can lead to errors in the thickness evaluation, are thus avoided according to the invention in a structurally surprisingly simple manner.
  • the invention is specially optimized for this type of application in terms of the shape and size of the measuring spot and in adaptation to the measured objects and their thickness and width, so that the correct detection and determination of the thickness values is possible even under adverse environmental conditions and in a continuous process of Fier ein of such metal slabs or webs is hereby made possible.
  • the ratio of the thickness to the width which is defined in claim 1 as a smaller thickness than width, can for example lie between values of 1:3 to 1:300, preferably 1:10 to 1:200.
  • the greater width in relation to the thickness is thus defined in a range that can be measured with the devices according to the invention using the specially designed radar sensors with an evaluation unit and stored values of, for example, a support plane for determining the average thickness values of such metal slabs or metal strips.
  • the measuring direction and the distance of the sensors to the respective measuring objects are set and adjusted. According to the invention, even relatively large different thicknesses of metal objects can be measured without the sensors used to measure the thickness being adapted or changed Influence on the measurement result.
  • the measurement area or measurement spot of the sensor on the measurement object or the surface of the measurement object has a diameter of 30 mm to 1,200 mm, in particular depending on its current width.
  • the thickness of the measurement objects to be measured can therefore preferably also be detected with a single sensor according to the invention and corresponding evaluation units, depending on the width of the measurement objects, with the averaging to compensate for a possible thickness variance in the width direction of the measurement objects (metal slabs or metal strips) being automatic and simple here via the system and the construction of the radar sensor itself.
  • a plurality of individual sensors next to one another in the form of an array is also possible, for example in order to adequately detect wider measurement objects with a smaller measurement spot in the lower area of the specified areas. Due to the higher number of radar sensors in an array arrangement, the higher number of measured values leads to a correspondingly even better or higher measurement resolution of the thickness values in the direction transverse to the strip.
  • the senor is arranged, provided or controlled with a measurement range in relation to the width of the measurement object such that a central area of the measurement object is detected in its width direction without overlapping edges of the measurement object.
  • the thickness measurement according to the invention takes place on the basis of stored reference values of a support surface for metal slabs or on the basis of the respective opposite sensors provided on both sides (top and bottom), without border areas being passed over. As a result, only the respective surfaces are recorded for determining the thickness of the metal objects, and it is not necessary to generate a quasi-overlapping recording of measurement data in the edge area, which interferes with the evaluation.
  • the sensor can either be a single sensor with a measurement range that is somewhat smaller in width than the actual width of the measurement object.
  • a plurality of sensors can also be provided in an array, with the sensors provided at the edge also not protruding beyond the edges of the measurement objects and preferably in one A continuous measurement is carried out indoors. Even with a sensor that moves back and forth in alternation in the transverse direction to the measurement objects (width direction), the control can be provided in such a way that there is no overlapping or grazing of edge regions of the measurement objects. This has advantages with regard to the automatically averaged evaluation according to the invention to compensate for the variance in thickness present in such metal objects over the width of such measurement objects such as metal slabs.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for measuring the thickness of metallic test objects with sensors arranged on both sides above and below a test object and an evaluation unit with memory;
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for thickness measurement with the possibility of vertical adjustment of the sensors;
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for measuring the thickness of metal objects to be measured, with a sensor arranged on one side and a support surface for the object to be measured;
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for measuring the thickness of metallic measurement objects with an array of sensors for radar-based measurement above and below the measurement object;
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for thickness measurement with a pair of sensors above and below the measurement object with sensors arranged so as to be traversingly movable in the width direction 1
  • FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention for measuring thickness values of metallic measurement objects 1 using two sensors 2, 3, the sensors 2, 3 using radar technology or microwaves to directly measure a distance value H towards the surfaces of the measurement object 1 together with an evaluation unit 4 and thus a detection of the thickness D in the measurement area M.
  • a sensor 2, 3 is provided on an upper side and an underside, which are so-called radar-based sensors.
  • the sensors 2, 3 allow the surface of the measurement object 1 to be detected in a latitude and longitude direction in order to determine measured values for determining the thickness D.
  • the measurement object 1 is either, as shown in the schematic FIG. 1, a so-called metal slab with an essentially rectangular shape with a relatively small thickness D compared to the width B and longer lengths L in the conveying direction F along a production process or the like.
  • the measurement object 1 can also be any other metallic measurement object 1, as long as it has a thickness D in a thickness direction with comparatively lower thickness-to-size ratios than in the width B or length L.
  • the measurement object 1 can also be a continuous in one Manufacturing process or machining process moving continuous metal sheet or metal sheet act, which requires a continuous measurement of the thickness by means of the measuring device 10.
  • the device 10 is adapted to a radar-based measurement of thicknesses of such metal objects 1 in the range of 25 mm to 350 mm in the case of metal slabs 20 without the need for adjustment or focusing on the sensors 2, 3.
  • a device 10 for thickness measurement is provided according to the invention, which has sensors 2, 3 based on radar technology or at least one such sensor 2 (cf. FIG. 3).
  • the thickness D of the measurement object 1 is measured by emitting microwaves using the radar sensors 2, 3, which are reflected on the surfaces of the measurement object in a fairly large measurement range M.
  • the measuring ranges M of the sensors according to the invention are for sizes or diameters of 30 mm to 1,200 mm.
  • the radar beams reflected in this way are recorded again by the sensors 2, 3 and further processed in an evaluation unit 4 to determine the thickness D of the measurement objects 1 in the measurement area M.
  • the device 10 for measuring the thickness of metallic measurement objects 1 can thus carry out a thickness measurement of the respective thicknesses D both on stationary and on moving measurement objects 1 .
  • a first sensor 2 is provided approximately in the middle of a conveying direction F of the measurement object 1 at a fixed height distance H, while at the same time on the underside below the measurement object 1 in a conveyor belt, roller table or the like corresponding parallel and simultaneously operated and arranged second sensor 3 is provided.
  • Both sensors 2, 3 are based on radar technology, which enables a determination of the thickness D of the measurement object 1 in a fairly large measurement range M in a simple technical manner via a distance/time measurement of the transmitted radar beams and the reception of reflected radar beams.
  • a means for evaluating radar-based measured values of sensors 2, 3 and a memory 5 are provided in an evaluation unit 4, in which, in particular, values with regard to the position and location of sensors 2, 3, the recorded values of the radar measurement at the Surfaces of the measurement object 1 and/or an exact position of a bearing surface 11 (cf. FIG. 3) are stored. Further data and values for determining the thickness D of the measurement object 1 can also be stored in the memory 5 of the evaluation unit 4 .
  • the sensors 2, 3, the evaluation unit 4 and the memory 5 or a control of the system (not shown) are connected to each other directly or indirectly via respective lines 9 shown schematically.
  • the sensors 2, 3 of the device 10 are formed with a measuring cone K that spreads in the measuring direction according to a thickness direction of the thickness D of the measuring object 1, so that, depending on the distance of the sensors 2, 3 from the measuring object 1, a relatively greatly enlarged measuring range M on the surfaces (upper surface and lower surface) of the measurement object 1 results.
  • the widened measurement cones K are shown schematically and indicated in FIG. 1 , these also correspondingly applying analogously to the further exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 with somewhat more simplified representations.
  • the measurement cone K which widens toward the measurement object 1, is provided in the sensors 2, 3 according to the invention in such a way that a comparatively large measurement range M, depending on the distance H (height) on the surface(s) of the measurement object 1, is used to determine tion of the thickness D can be recorded and measured.
  • the radar sensor 2, 3 is either provided with a special transmission part for expanding the microwave beams in the direction of the measuring cone K, or on the front side of the transmitting part of the sensors 2, 3 there is a corresponding optics or device which allows such a widening of the measuring cone K for thickness detection to allow.
  • the measurement cone K can have an opening angle of 5° to 30°, for example, in order to allow the relatively large measurement range M to be set with the respective measurement spot on the surface of the measurement object 1 .
  • the sensors 2, 3 are each protected by a housing 8, thermal insulation 7 and/or a protective cover 6 from the generally harsh and adverse environmental conditions of such metal production processes.
  • the protective cover 6 on a front side of the housing 8 is implemented as a radar-permeable cover, for example in the form of a glass window, a plastic panel or the like.
  • the thermal insulation 7 has the advantage that the device 10 with the sensors 2, 3, even at very high ambient temperatures of, for example, 500° C., 800° C.
  • the housing 8 is essentially a completely enclosed housing 8. However, it can also be realized outwardly in a direction pointing away from the measurement object 1 as an open housing 8 in the manner of a hood.
  • the front side of the housing 8 with the protective cover 6 is implemented with an oblique shape or orientation in relation to the conveying direction F of the measurement object 1 . This has the advantage that any dirt particles or the like that may hit it do not simply adhere directly to the surfaces of the protective cover 6 and can be better discharged laterally.
  • the thickness measurement according to the invention has several technical advantages: On the one hand, a non-contact measurement of the measurement object 1 is readily possible and relatively independent of the respective distance from the measurement object 1 .
  • the measurement with the The device 10 does not require any further reference formations or devices outside of the sensors 2, 3, for example in the form of reference measuring devices or fictitious reference lines. Relatively large distances from the measurement object 1 can also be realized with the device 10 according to the invention, which was not easily possible with previously known optical or laser-based systems.
  • the invention has the advantage that a relatively large measurement range M on the surfaces of the measurement object 1 can be detected with a single sensor and in a single measurement situation (measurement process).
  • the thickness measurement is thus carried out with an averaging of the surfaces of the measurement objects 1 formed as a quasi automatic average value, so that a thickness measurement as a so-called average value or mean value can be determined easily and in a simple manner with the device 10 according to the invention, despite a frequently varying surface shape.
  • This has the particular advantage that even in the case of so-called metal slabs with surfaces that are often not very flat, very reliable thickness values can nevertheless be determined directly in a relatively simple technical manner, even under very rough and adverse environmental conditions.
  • the invention has the advantage that a measurement accuracy and the recorded measurement values are not adversely affected by smoke, dirt or the like from the outside. Even at very high temperatures, a very precise measurement can still be carried out without the protective covers 6 or housing 8 that can be provided as a functional alternative.
  • the radar-based sensors 2, 3 are accordingly relatively insensitive to such ambient conditions and can be used in a variety of ways for thickness measurements.
  • the relatively large measuring ranges M detected with the invention due to the widening measuring cone K of the sensors 2, 3 have the significant advantage that a quasi-automatic averaging of measured values due to the size of the measuring range M in the respective section ( Measuring spot) of the measuring cone K is given.
  • these measurement ranges M can also be varied and changed as required by changing the distance between the sensors 2, 3 and the measurement object 1.
  • the radar-based sensors 2, 3 do not require any complex technical adaptation of other components of the device 10, such as the focusing of lenses or optics as in optical measuring systems or camera-based measuring systems.
  • the simple change in the distances to the measurement object 1 allows a different size Configuration of the measurement area M easy to implement on the measurement object 1.
  • a lens geometry or an antenna geometry of the sensors 2, 3 can also be adapted when the size of the measuring range M changes in this way.
  • the otherwise required complicated focusing as with optical systems namely a manual or automatic focusing of the optical devices in front of the actual sensor of the device, is omitted.
  • a continuous reference value measurement outside of the sensors 2, 3, which is normally required in such systems is also omitted.
  • a stored one-time reference measurement can be provided for calibration.
  • further reference measurements for example automated ones, can also be provided during further operation of the device 10 .
  • the storage of position values or distance values of the sensors 2, 3 in relation to a supporting surface 1 or the like is stored in the memory 5 of the evaluation unit 4.
  • a simple determination of thickness values of the thickness D can be carried out in the evaluation unit 4 without a further reference measurement provided outside the measurement sensors 2, 3.
  • the invention also has the advantage that the thickness D can be measured accurately and effectively in free space and even through walls of, for example, a heating furnace or a processing machine of metal strips or metal slabs as measurement objects 1 .
  • large-area values of a thickness D can also be measured with sufficient accuracy and measurement quality in a limited closed space, which can also be a gas-tight sealed space.
  • the housing 8 with the protective cover 6 and/or thermal insulation 7 serves to protect the sensors 2, 3 from external environmental influences.
  • the housing 8, the protective cover 6 or both can be provided with heat-resistant and dirt-repellent materials or coatings, as long as a radar-permeable form is provided at least on the protective cover 6, which points in the measuring direction of the measuring cone K of the sensors 2, 3.
  • Various such radar-permeable materials can be used for this.
  • Fig. 2, Fig. 3., Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show corresponding schematic perspective side views of further possible exemplary embodiments of a device 10 according to the invention for measuring thicknesses D of metallic test objects 1 using the example of a metal slab, with device 10 can also be used as an alternative to measuring a continuous metal strip as the measurement object 1.
  • synchronously operated sensors 2, 3 with radar technology are provided on an upper side and on a lower side, each approximately in the center of the measurement object 1.
  • the metal slab as measurement object 1 is moved between the sensors 2, 3 in accordance with a conveying direction F, and the thickness D (cf. Fig. 1) is measured here on the basis of the measured values of both sensors 2, 3 by the reflection of measuring ranges M of the radar beams, which also widen in the form of a measuring cone K towards the measuring object 1 (cf. FIG. 1).
  • the thickness D cf. Fig. 1
  • the two sensors 2, 3 are arranged so as to be adjustable in a direction Y vertical to the longitudinal direction or conveying direction F of the metal slab 1, as illustrated by the arrows Y in FIG.
  • the sensors 2, 3 can easily be adjusted to the respective size of the measurement objects 1.
  • larger or smaller measuring ranges M are achieved due to the conically widening measuring ranges of the sensors 2, 3 (cf. FIG. 1).
  • a new focus or other form of adjustment of the radar sensors 2 3 is not necessary.
  • FIG. 3 Another possible exemplary embodiment of a device 10 for measuring the thickness of metallic test objects 1 is shown in FIG. 3 .
  • a single sensor 2 with radar technology IN ANY is only at the top.
  • the measurement objects lie on a support surface 11 provided at a predefined point and position, so that a single sensor 2 can Thickness measurement of the thickness D of the measurement object 1 can be done.
  • the distance between sensor 2 and surface 11 is stored in memory 5.
  • a height adjustment in direction Y (cf. arrow in Fig. 3) and thus an adjustment of the distance of the sensor 2 from the surface of the measurement object 1 is possible in order to vary the size of the measurement area M accordingly or on the measurement object 1 to adjust.
  • a relatively very precise measurement of the thickness values D of the measurement object 1 can also be implemented with relatively simple technical means.
  • the sensor 2 on only one side, for example above the measurement object 1, is arranged at a predefined distance from the bearing surface 11, so that the reflected radar radiation in the evaluation unit 4 can be used to directly detect and calculate the thickness with very little effort.
  • varying distances with an adjustment in the vertical direction Y to the bearing surface 11 can also be made.
  • the device 10 according to the exemplary embodiment in Fig.
  • FIG. 3 is therefore relatively inexpensive and nevertheless offers a sufficiently precise and precise determination of thickness values D, in particular also due to the quasi-automatic averaging due to the relatively large measuring area M on the surface of the measuring object 1 (cf. Fig. 1 with Fig. 3).
  • 4 shows another possible embodiment of a device 10 of the invention in a schematic perspective view.
  • the difference from the previous exemplary embodiments is a plurality of sensors 2, 3 arranged here, for example, in a row in the transverse direction in relation to the conveying direction F above and below the measurement object 1.
  • These sensors 2, 3, arranged in a row as a kind of array are also radar-based sensors and are placed synchronously and analogously on the upper side opposite that of the lower side.
  • a plurality of measurement tracks on the surfaces of the bottom and top of the measurement object 1 can be determined directly with radar technology, for example based on the measurement object 1 moving in the conveying direction F. With the detection of such a number of tracks, a type of thickness profile of the measurement objects 1 in the transverse direction can also be reliably detected in a single process in addition to the thickness D itself.
  • the respective above and The sensors 2, 3 arranged below of the array of a plurality of radar sensors 2, 3 are arranged and operated in pairs and synchronously with one another, so that a multi-track thickness determination and thus a type of thickness profile of the measurement objects 1 is easily achieved with the invention, even under adverse environmental conditions, with high measurement quality can be.
  • Fig. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention for measuring the thickness of metallic measurement objects 1 using radar technology:
  • the sensor 2, 3 is in a direction X transverse to the conveying direction F of the Measuring object 1 synchronously movable above and below the measuring object 1 attached and mounted.
  • the radar sensors 2, 3 thus form a pair of sensors 2, 3 that can be moved back and forth synchronously and together between the lateral edges of the measurement object 1, so that together with the simultaneous movement in the conveying direction F of the measurement object 1, a type as indicated in Fig. 5 serpentine measurement detection of the surface of the measurement object 1 results.
  • the device 10 is controlled and evaluated via the evaluation unit 4, which is indicated schematically as in FIG. 5 or FIG Sensors 2, 3 is connected, as well as a direct connection between the measuring sensors 2, 3, which coordinate with each other (cf. Control and signal lines in FIG. 1).
  • the relevant data can be stored in a memory 5 of the evaluation unit 4 .
  • the data are in particular the respective position and type of movement of the sensors 2, 3 in this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 of the reciprocating traversing movement in direction X transverse to the conveying direction F.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices With Unspecified Measuring Means (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif (10) permettant de mesurer l'épaisseur d'objets métalliques à mesurer (1) se présentant sous forme de bande ou de pièce ayant une épaisseur inférieure par rapport à une largeur, en particulier des bandes de métal ou des brames de métal (20), dans le cadre de la production et du traitement de métaux, ledit dispositif comprenant au moins un capteur (2, 3), une unité d'évaluation (4) reliée au capteur (2, 3), dans laquelle sont situés des moyens d'évaluation et de traitement de valeurs de mesure du capteur ou des capteurs (2, 3) pour déterminer des valeurs d'épaisseur, et une mémoire (5) destinée à stocker en particulier des valeurs ou des informations concernant une position relative, un emplacement relatif et/ou une orientation relative du capteur (2, 3) et/ou d'une surface d'appui (11) pour l'objet à mesurer (1) par rapport au capteur (2, 3), ledit au moins un capteur (2, 3) étant un capteur radar doté d'un cône de mesure (K) s'élargissant dans la direction de mesure selon une direction d'épaisseur, en fonction de la distance (H) par rapport à l'objet à mesurer (1), et le capteur (2, 3) étant disposé dans l'unité d'évaluation (4) à une distance prédéfinie de l'objet à mesurer et directement au-dessus et/ou au-dessous de l'objet à mesurer (1) pour permettre une mesure sans contact de l'épaisseur de l'objet à mesurer (1) sur la base d'une détection de surface au moyen d'un radar et d'une évaluation moyennée sur une plage de mesure (M) correspondant au cône de mesure (K) élargi.
PCT/EP2022/053410 2021-02-12 2022-02-11 Dispositif de mesure d'épaisseur d'objets métalliques à mesurer WO2022171816A1 (fr)

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