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The SPOT actuator provides remotely controlled target alignment of a SPOT pyrometer for even greater accuracy in temperature measurement for aluminium processing applications that use the SPOT AL EQS (Aluminium Extrusion Quench and Strip) pyrometer. The motorised unit is designed for use at the billet reheat furnace exit, die entrance and exit, and quench exit on aluminium extrusion presses. The actuator is capable of operating in automatic or operator-controlled modes to suit the needs of an individual aluminium plant.
The SPOT actuator enables extremely accurate alignment, as it takes 900 measurement points over 90 degrees and aligns on the optimum measurement position on the profile.
Richard Gagg, Industry Manager – Metals for AMETEK Land, said, “The SPOT actuator, which was designed in response to customer requests for automatic pyrometer alignment, is expected to result in major efficiencies for aluminium plants. Our SPOT AL EQS pyrometer is becoming established as the leading temperature measurement tool for the aluminium industry, and this innovative accessory is set to enhance that position even further.”
Compact, fast acting and easily configurable, the SPOT actuator is designed for mounting a SPOT AL EQS pyrometer onto the billet reheat furnace exit and/or extrusion press entrance face, where the actuator allows the SPOT AL EQS pyrometer to scan along the length of the billet generating a temperature profile.
At the next stage of processing, the actuator can be mounted on the press exit or a suitable part of the press superstructure in close proximity, looking downwards onto the profile, to target the extruded profile as it emerges from the die. This temperature measurement is typically fed back to the press control system to enable dynamic press speed control. The SPOT actuator allows for rapid and precise alignment following die changes, so it can be repositioned on multi-cavity strands or in locations where it maximises the signal strength on narrow sections.
The actuator may also be used for alignment at the exit of a quench box or on a nearby structure to allow for alignment with wandering sections exiting the quench. The small and well-defined measurement spot of the pyrometer, combined with its fast 15ms response speed, facilitates such dynamic tracking.
The innovative features of the SPOT actuator include a hotspot “autoscan”, which when triggered causes the device to scan the entire range of movement and then align the SPOT AL EQS with the hottest part of the extrusion. This can be activated either locally by the operator or from an external command. If the latter, the actuator has the ability for an autoscan to be triggered automatically from a PLC upon a die change. This functionality significantly simplifies the alignment of the pyrometer, allowing the operator to focus on more critical tasks.
The SPOT AL EQS, in combination with the new SPOT actuator, is an extremely flexible instrument with pre-configured algorithms that make it especially suitable for use at the extruder press exit and quench position, as well as at mill entry and exit positions in hot rolling mills. In addition, the pyrometer’s algorithms can be customised and tuned for custom applications and specific aluminium grades.
This innovative pyrometer is specifically designed to work in low emissivity environments, where regular pyrometers might struggle to provide accurate and reliable readings. It has the ability to measure a wide temperature range from 200 to 700 °C / 392 to 1292 °F. Utilising the latest detector design, in combination with highly advanced data processing algorithms, AMETEK Land has created an extremely accurate and repeatable pyrometer with an industry-leading response time.
SPOT pyrometers are designed for high accuracy, high reliability, simple installation, easy configuration and flexible digital communications. They can be easily interchanged with other AMETEK Land pyrometers as well as equipment from other manufacturers. All processing functions are integrated into a single pyrometer, making them easy to integrate into all levels of measurement and control systems.
Designed in close collaboration with industry-leading aluminium producers and plant control system engineers, the SPOT AL EQS pyrometer and SPOT actuator are helping to lead the way in improving aluminium extrusion and strip plant throughput, quality and energy efficiency. This latest AMETEK Land temperature measurement instrument already has demonstrated its ability to provide high-accuracy temperature data for process improvement.
AMETEK Land (www.landinst.com) is a business unit of AMETEK, Inc. a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices. Land designs and manufactures a wide range of instruments for industrial non-contact temperature measurement, combustion efficiency and environmental monitoring.
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