ABB has launched an advanced Low-Force System for cold rolling mill applications. Aimed at processes producing ultra-thin metals including aluminum, copper, and steel foils, the new Stressometer Low-Force Flatness System combines high accuracy with a robust design and a low total cost of ownership, the company reported.
Fitted into a compact 200 mm diameter roll, the Low-Force System maintains the physical footprint of ABB's standard Stressometer sensor while integrating specialized material properties to detect extremely small force variations to within a few grams with high resolution. This enables tighter flatness, thickness, and tension control in finishing applications handling foil gauges ranging from 50 down to five microns.
The Stressometer Low-Force Flatness System is suited for finishing mills and integrated lines handling breakdown and finishing passes. "Its high performance enables precise control where standard force sensors become noisy or inaccurate, particularly below 20 microns," said a company spokesperson. "By ensuring consistently high quality, it enables producers to maintain high throughput whilst reducing scrap and re-processing."
"The new system addresses customer requests for solutions that will help them improve quality, yield and energy efficiency in their metals production processes," said Marko Sydanlammi, Global Portfolio Manager, Force Measurement at ABB's Measurement & Analytics division. "Our new Low-Force System offers the performance needed to meet these demands, even in the most challenging foil applications, while ensuring durable performance and lowest lifecycle cost."
"Demand for ultra-thin metals is growing as companies across sectors including electronics, automotive, aerospace and medical device manufacture look for new ways to produce smaller, lighter and more durable products and components," noted the spokesperson. "By enabling tighter control of cold rolling processes, the Low-Force System allows operators to ensure their products are consistently produced to the right requirements."
ABB's Low-Force System features a solid mechanical design requiring minimal utilities input and virtually no wear-related maintenance, the company reported. This provides improvements in lifetime performance and accuracy under temperature variation, as well as saving energy by reducing compressed air consumption.
For more information contact:
ABB
Process Automation-Measurement & Analytics
7051 Industrial Blvd.
Bartlesville, OK 74006
go.abb/processautomation