The SIROLL Air Bearing Shapemeter roll comprises a series of hardened, precision machined rotors supported on a stationary stainless steel arbor by air film bearings. The rotors are fitted with low friction linings to maintain high reliability in the event of accidental high speed contact with the arbor. This design results in low inertia rotating elements with negligible frictional resistance inherent in the air bearings. The sturdy construction of the instrument reflects the hostile operating environment of a rolling mill, in which it must operate, for extended periods of time. The conditioning electronics are mounted remotely in a sealed heavy-duty enclosure.
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An array of jets supply each rotor with air from a common
plenum chamber in the centre of the arbor. The differential
pressure measured between the top and bottom of the inside of
each bearing is proportional to the load applied to the rotor.
Hence, the tension is calculated at each rotor position across
the width of the strip to provide the tension profile or ‘shape’
of the rolled strip. Each differential pressure output is
measured by means of a high integrity pneumatic transducer,
which is remotely located in the transducer housing attached to
the end of the shapemeter arbor via an armored signal umbilical.
Each measuring channel has a single moving part – the rotor.
All other parts are stationary, including the measurement and
signal transfer elements.
The stationary signal outputs provide continuous readings that
are independent of mill speed allowing a fast signal response
and high accuracy even at low rolling speeds.