F’IS: Efficient Damage Detection in Hot Rolling Mill

Vibration monitoring systems at ThyssenKrupp Stahl prevent unplanned downtime – Relocation of measuring points secures significant cost advantages

Herzogenrath, May, 26th 2004 – A modified and more cost-effective vibration monitoring solution presented by FAG Industrial Services GmbH (F’IS) has convinced the operators of ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG’s (TKS) hot rolling mill at Bochum. The selection of new measuring points enabled the Herzogenrath vibration monitoring and maintenance specialists to offer an extremely low-cost, efficient method for early damage detection, which proved its performance capability during its very first field test.

Support and work rolls are particularly high-wear areas and thus critical spots in hot rolling mills as they are subject to immense loads from the hot slabs or strips arriving at high speed. For this reason they have to be exchanged for machining at regular intervals after relatively short periods. Permanent vibration monitoring of these so-called chocks helps to detect pending damage in the early stages and thus avoid unplanned downtime. As a rule, the highly sensitive sensors required for this purpose are attached to the chocks and therefore have to be removed with each replacement and reattached later on. The former F’IS solution with bayonet joint had already provided cost savings as it was significantly less time-consuming and required less personnel.

The new F’IS solution, however, is to attach the sensors directly at the rolling stands of the rolling mill so that they are at a safe distance when the chocks have to be exchanged. First tests have shown that sufficiently strong signals for vibration analysis were received from the rolls. Moreover, previously unnoticed damage was successfully diagnosed immediately. Money-wise this convincing method is even more cost-effective than the former bayonet solution and significantly cheaper than conventional permanent vibration measuring solutions.

A total of seven FAG DTECT X1 series systems are in operation at TKS Bochum, all showing properties that were formerly restricted to much more expensive online systems. These digital vibration monitors on the basis of permanent frequency-selective monitoring will enable correspondingly trained TKS employees to interpret the incoming signals on their own in the future. In addition, the Herzogenrath F’IS diagnostic experts are able to receive the signals via telephone line and recommend maintenance activities to the TKS maintenance engineers after comprehensive analysis.

DOC (27.50 KB)

Más notas de prensa

· Publicaciones

Press Contact

Si precisa más información no dude en ponerse en contacto con nosotros.
Contacto