Overview

Web/strip width measurement is crucial to modern manufacturers. Tight profit margins and the demand for quality make it imperative that processes operate efficiently. Statistical process control (SPC) procedures and ISO-9000 standards require reliable measurement documentation. Measurement of products ranging from extruded shapes to flat objects moving at high speeds present problems that other width measurement systems are unable to solve. The cost of classic width measurement system can also be prohibitive.

Accurate measurement is one of the vexing problems found in strip product processing lines having a variable product passline (distance from the bottom of the strip to the top of the emitter). The SCAN-A-LINE™ product development team has recognized the need for dimensional measurement that is completely independent of product passline. This is especially significant near the payoff or rewind mandrels where passline varies as the coil diameter changes. Errors are unavoidable when attempting to measure materials with a varying passline when using any single sensor system. Position errors occur because the edge is viewed by a single point receiver (or camera in a camera-based system). Errors can be calibrated out, but any passline changes after system calibration will result in additional measurement errors in the material dimensions.

The Passline Independent Measurement System (PIM System) solves these difficult variable passline measurement problems with a unique and flexible measurement system utilizing new SCAN-A-LINE™ sensor and processing unit technology.

Description

The Passline Independent Measurement System utilizes a single or dual SCAN-A-LINE™ Binocular-Receiver (10XBR-Series) sensor system consisting of an emitter and two receivers per sensor. The dual receivers, each with a pair of signals, interpret the scan from the emitter simultaneously and produce four edge detections. The Model MPPU is fast and flexible enough to interpret and translate the edge signals from the sensor(s) into dimensional values, even with a one foot [305mm] varying product passline, all with a linearity of 0.024 inches [0.81mm] at 2-sigma.*

Built-in software allows easy calibration of the SCAN-A-LINE measurement system to traceable width standards. Calibration to traceable standards is required for many ISO-9000 and SPC programs. Harris Instrument Corporation can supply traceable standards for any configuration application (optional). Contact your manufacturers representative or fill out the SCAN-A-LINE™ Information Request Form for quotation or our latest brochures.

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Thickness Independent Width Measurement

Features

•  Linearity of 0.024 inch [0.81mm] @ 2-sigma

•  Patented Scanned LED Technology
•  NO MOVING PARTS
•  Solid State Reliability
•  No Light Sources to Replace
•  High, Low and Target Limit Relays
•  Multiple Analog Outputs Available
•  Sensor FAULT Output
•  Serial I/O for Data Output to Computer, Data Logger or Printer (optional)
•  Several Customer Interfaces Available
•  Centerline Position Output Available
•  Custom Software Available

Overview

Accurate measurement is one of the vexing problems found in strip product processing lines having a variable product thickness. The SCAN-A-LINE™ product development team has recognized the need for dimensional measurement that is completely independent of product thickness. This is especially significant near the payoff or rewind mandrels where passline varies as the coil diameter changes. Errors are unavoidable when attempting to measure materials with a varying thickness when using any single sensor system. Position errors occur because the edge is viewed by a single point receiver (or camera in a camera-based system). Errors can be calibrated out, but any thickness changes after system calibration will result in additional measurement errors in the material dimensions.

The Thickness Independent Measurement System (TSR System) solves these difficult variable thickness measurement problems with a unique and flexible measurement system utilizing new SCAN-A-LINE™ sensor and processing unit technology.

Description

The Thickness Independent Measurement System utilizes a single or dual SCAN-A-LINE™ Time-Share Receiver (10XAS-Series) sensor system consisting of an emitter and two receivers per sensor. The dual receivers, each with a pair of signals, interpret the scan from the emitter simultaneously and produce four edge detections. The Model MPPU is fast and flexible enough to interpret and translate the edge signals from the sensor(s) into dimensional values, even with a one foot [305mm] varying product passline, all with a linearity of 0.024 inches [0.81mm] at 2-sigma.*

Harris Instrument Corporation can supply traceable standards for any configuration application (optional). Contact your manufacturers representative or fill out the SCAN-A-LINE™ Information Request Form for quotation or our latest brochures.

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Features

•  Digital Panel Meter calibrated to show (inches or millimeters) camber in real numbers or Bargraph Display (BGA) to show camber error

•  Sensor Types: EG-30A or 10XAS-Series

•  Resolution: EG-30A Sensor 0.080” 10XAS-Series Sensors 0.024” [0.61mm] @ 2-Sigma

•  Repeatability: EG-30A Sensor 0.02” [0.51mm] 10XAS-Series Sensors ±0.005” [0.127mm]

•  Minimum system span: 3’ [914.4mm] Sensors spaced 1.5’ [457.2mm] apart

•  Camber specifications: 6’ [1.8M] span: 0.040” of camber can be detected per 1 Meter [3.2’] 3’ [0.9M] span: 0.080” of camber  can be detected per 2 Meters [6.5’]

Overview

Product Camber can be a serious problem in the many different manufacturing processes. Unfortunately product camber is seldom measured until the processes have been completed. Products with excess camber must either be reworked or scrapped, adding unnecessary material, energy, labor and waste disposal costs. Online camber measurement can detect camber problems before the process is producing reject material. By making appropriate adjustments to the process, either by manual adjustment or automatic control, the process can usually be corrected to produce top quality product.

Camber measurement requires the installation of three equally spaced Scan-A-Line position sensors (EG-30A or 10XAS-Series) along the travel path of the process to be measured. The sensors are carefully aligned to ensure that their measurement centerline positions all fall along a straight line. The product edge positions, as measured by the outside sensors, are then added together and divided by two. If the object being measured has no camber, the edge position from the center sensor will equal the average of the two outside edge positions. Any deviation, positive or negative, will indicate the camber of the product.

The process path does not need to be perfectly parallel to the line defined by the sensor centerlines. The resolution of the sensors and the fixed spacing of the sensors will define the sensitivity and accuracy of the system. Roll formed wire shapes and small extruded strips can be measured, using a first edge sensor option. Products with variable thickness can be accommodated by placing the sensor / receiver over one end of the emitter. This permits measurement of the bottom surface edge positions. Although the process can pass over any portion of the sensor measurement windows, it is important to restrict the process passline for accurate camber measurement.

Harris Instrument Corporation can supply traceable standards for any configuration application (optional). Contact your manufacturers representative or fill out the SCAN-A-LINE™ Information Request Form for quotation or our latest brochures.

Features

•  System Accuracy: ±0.0625" [±1.6mm].

•  Minimum Product Length: 6" [152mm].
•  Maximum Length Variation: Up to 30' [9.1m].
•  Minimum Product Width: 0.5" [13mm]
   (Must be aligned over Sensor & Laser Array).
•  Line Speed: Line speed is only limited by the length of product & spacing of lasers in the Laser Array.
•  10XAS-Series: 10" [254mm] to 60" [1524mm],
   On-Line Sensor Balancing.
•  Model LMPU: Two 12 bit Analog Outputs, Serial Communications Port, Sensor Fault Alarm, Switching Power Supply.
•  Laser Array: Up to seven (7) lasers, Lasers spacing based on dynamic range of sensor.

Overview

The new SCAN-A-LINE™ LM System – Length Measurement System incorporates an Auto-Sync – 10XAS-Series sensors and a Length Measurement Processing Unit - Model LMPU with a Laser Array and personal computer running Windows®-based software into a dynamic length measurement system for measurement of widely varying length materials.

As illustrated below, the computer display of the LM System provides the operator with several outputs:

1) Measurement accuracy of ±1/16" [±1.6mm],

2) Speed of product on line in feet per minute,

3) Time logging of the material run.

Edge detection's from the SCAN-A-LINE™ 10XAS-Series sensor and the Laser Array are processed by the Model LMPU. This data is then forwarded to the PC running the LM System software. This software then processes the measurement Information from the Model LMPU and produces several outputs: that are displayed on the program Run Screen.

Configuration of the system is performed through the Windows®-based software Calibration Screen. System troubleshooting is available with the Diagnostics Screen. A large, visible display of the measured length of the current part in the sensor is shown in the upper-right area of the screen. A smaller display, immediately below the length display, indicates the speed of the part, in feet per minute, as it passes over the sensor.

Features

•  Linearity of 0.050 inch [1.27mm] @ 2 sigma
•  Line Speeds Vary with Sensor Selection
•  Patented Scanned LED Technology with NO MOVING PARTS
•  Solid State Reliability
•  No Light Sources to Replace
•  Upper/Lower Limit Relays
•  Multiple Analog Outputs Available
•  Serial I/O for Data Output to Computer, Data Logger or Printer (optional)
•  LCD Touchscreen Customer Interface

Overview

In many manufacturing processes there is a need to measure cut-to-length materials. There is a wide assortment of devices designed to provide precision and repeatability in various high-speed cut-to-length operations. With many of these systems, the movement of the uncut piece is measured with a pulse-counting encoder attached to a driven roll or conveyor belt. When the required number of pulses have passed the knife or saw device, the cutter is activated and the product is cut to the desired length. In these other systems a through-beam photo sensor is triggered by the advancing product and the cutter is activated to cut the product to the target length.

There are many variables that can affect the precision of these other cut-to-length solutions. The material may slip, stretch or compress on the conveyor belt or drive roller. The cutter may have delays that vary with the type of material being cut. The actual mechanical positioning may require moving the sensors for varying sizes of material. Sensors may also become contaminated or attenuated and cause unacceptable errors in finished product.

The SCAN-A-LINE™ Dynamic Cut-to-Length Measurement System – DCLM System produces accurate, line-speed-independent, length measurements of moving parts by using highly reliable SCAN-A-LINE™ sensors and processors.

Description

The Dynamic Cut-to-Length Measurement System utilizes a dual SCAN-A-LINE™ Auto-Sync 10XAS-Series sensor system consisting of two emitters with one receiver each and interconnection cabling of 15 feet [4.6m]. The receivers interpret the scans from the emitters to produce two edge detection signals. Special edge-tracking functions in the Model MPPU lock onto the leading and trailing edges of the product, ignoring the other edges (if any) and computes several readings of the product length measurement. These readings are then averaged by the system for an overall linearity of 0.050 inch [1.27mm] at two-sigma and accuracy of 0.031 inch [0.79mm].

Built-in software allows easy calibration of the SCAN-A-LINE measurement system to traceable width standards. Calibration to traceable standards is required for many ISO-9000 and SPC programs. Harris Instrument Corporation can supply traceable standards for any configuration application (optional). Contact your manufacturers representative or fill out the SCAN-A-LINE™ Information Request Form for quotation or our latest brochures.

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Multi-Strip Measurement

Features

•  Four analog outputs representing absolute width, deviation, position, or guiding
•  Outputs are scaleable.
•  Easy to calibrate, the same as a single sensor system.
•  Independent high and low limit for each strip.
•  Dry Contact relays for HI, LO, GO.
•  RS-232 output (ASCII) with selectable decimal point.
•  Includes diagnostics.
•  LCD Touchscreen Display (local or remote) of measurements or graphs (with Model  MPPU Level 4).
•  Versatile – up to 4 strips.

Overview

SCAN-A-LINE™ measurement systems can be configured to provide the simultaneous measurement of up to four strips with a single sensor. This option can be of benefit in applications such as multiple extrusions, the monitoring of strip width and presence prior to the joining of components, multiple slitting operations, and other similar applications. The Multi-Strip Measurement Option – MMA Option for the Model MPPU is available in two configurations, both of which may be used with any standard SCAN-A-LINE™ 10XAS-Series measurement or position sensor system.

The Model MPPU Level 4 Multi-Strip Measurement Option is the more versatile of the two configurations. This configuration permits up to four strips to be monitored by using one or two SCAN-A-LINE™ sensors. Each strip to be monitored may be of a different width (see Figure 1). A second sensor may be required due to total width of strips, or their location may require the use of a second sensor. In a dual-sensor system, the number of strips per sensor may vary so long as there are no more than four strips in total. The narrowest strip measurable with this option is 1” [25mm]. Because measurement requires a 0.5” [12.7mm] gap between strips and between the strip and the edge of the emitter portion of the sensor the maximum total of strip widths that can be measured for four strips is 38.75” [984mm] with a single SCAN-A-LINE™ Model 10XAS-40 sensor.

The Multi-Strip Measurement Option is provided by an optional modification to the SCAN-A-LINE™ Multi Purpose Processing Unit LCD Touchscreen Interface – Model MPPU Level 4. The MMA Option provides up to four analog outputs for the strips being monitored. The factory configurable outputs can represent absolute width, deviation from target width, or edge position.

Each measured width is supplied with independent high and low limits. The analog output for each measurement is scalable by the user in a range form 0-10VDC. However, the same scale must be used in all selected outputs.

The Model MPPU Level 4 with the MMA Option is equipped with relays for process control or alarm purposes. The relays are set to provide upper (HI), lower (LO) and GO signals via dry-contact relays; the normally-open GO contacts on the GO relay are powered closed so long as all the measurements are within the operator-set limits. The relays are not assigned to a specific strip. If any upper or lower limit is exceeded for any of the strips, the corresponding relay will be activated.

The MMA Option can also provide for the detection of missing or broken strips. The occurrence of a broken strip will cause an out-of-tolerance condition for the pre-set limits and the lower relay will close. Likewise, a change in width due to a foreign object falling onto the processing line will cause the upper or lower limit to trigger.

The Model MPPU Level 4 also provides a serial communications (RS-232) output for each of the four measurements. The RS-232 is configured as a single string and is provided in ASCII with a user-selectable decimal point.

The LCD Touchscreen Display of the Model MPPU Level 4 can be used to display either four measurements of width or two graphs of width (see Figures 2 and 3). Graphs may be based on elapsed time our distance along strip. Distance requires a tachometer input.

The Multi-Strip Measurement Option with the Model MPPU Level 1 provides for measurement of two strips with a single SCAN-A-LINE™ 10XAS-Series sensor. Interface with the MMA Option is limited to communications via a serial port. Input commands and instructions normally achieved via touchscreen on the Model MPPU Level 4 are communicated to the Model MPPU Level 1 via a serial port. The Model MPPU Level 1 MMA Option is supplied using a modified version of the SCAN-A-LINE™ Multi-Purpose Processing Unit RS-232 Customer Interface – Model MPPU Level 1. Relay outputs are available for the two measurements as described for the Model MPPU Level 4.

System Components:

•  SCAN-A-LINE™ 10XAS-Series Sensor – Single or Dual.
•  Application-oriented processing unit – Model MPPU Level 4 Model MPPU Level 1
•  Application-oriented software – Multi-Strip Measurement for up to 4 strips
•  Optional remote display of width
•  Remote display of measurement data is available for any of the above measurement outputs via an optional serial panel meter (SPM Option) remote display.
•  Additional configurations combining width measurement, deviation analogs, and edge position analogs are available with special engineering.

The following output configurations are currently available for either customer interface of the MMA Option:

•  Up to four strips with 4 absolute (0VDC to 10VDC) width analogs. An RS-232 output of all strip width measurements. Relays for any  strip out of width limits.
•  Up to two strips with 2 absolute (0VDC to 10VDC) edge analogs and 2 absolute (0VDC to 10VVDC width analogs. Relays for either  strip out of width limits. An RS-232 output of both strip width measurements. Graph screen shows both widths (Level 4 Only).
•  Up to two strips with 2 deviation (±10VDC) analogs. Relays for either strip out of width limits. An RS-232 output of both strip width measurements. Graph screen shows both widths (Level 4 Only).