REDEX Advances Metal Strip Flatness Measurement and Control
REDEX USA has announced its Unflatness Measurement System PRO, designed to improve flatness measurement and control in metal strip processing through a combination of high- and low-tension measurement technologies. The system achieves stated measurement accuracy of up to 99.5% at the line exit and incorporates an integrated REDEX controller to enable immediate flatness correction downstream of the leveler.
Accurate flatness measurement is essential to the production of high-quality rolled metal products, where variations in strip geometry can affect downstream processing, material utilisation and finished component quality. Measuring flatness under different tension conditions provides a more comprehensive assessment of strip behaviour throughout the production line.
The UMS PRO system uses two measurement stages. In the S-Block zone, the UMSi seamless roll measures strip flatness under high tension, achieving approximately 98% measurement accuracy. At the line exit, a UMS-LT roll performs a second measurement under low-tension conditions, with accuracy of up to 99.5%.
By combining these measurements, the system is designed to provide consistent flatness monitoring across the full tension spectrum, supporting tighter process control and adherence to demanding product tolerances.
Proactive Flatness Control
Unlike a measurement-only approach, UMS PRO incorporates an integrated REDEX controller for proactive flatness regulation. This enables corrective action immediately after the leveler, helping manufacturers address flatness deviations during processing rather than relying solely on downstream inspection.
The system also features dynamic switching between high- and low-tension measurement rolls, adaptive target regulation and a Waterfall diagram that displays flatness measurements along the entire coil length. This visualisation allows operators to examine flatness variations throughout a coil and assess process consistency.
Another feature is the reduction of unregulated material. By activating before the strip enters the high-tension zone, the system can eliminate up to 75 metres of material that would otherwise remain unregulated, potentially reducing scrap and associated production costs.
By combining measurements taken under different tension conditions with integrated control and coil-length visualisation, REDEX aims to provide metal strip producers with a more proactive approach to flatness management, improving process consistency while supporting tighter tolerances and more efficient material utilisation.
For more information: www.redexusa.com
