Temperature measurement for the aluminum industry
When manufacturing aluminum products, it is crucial for the final result that the material has the exact right temperature during production. If the materials do not have the correct temperature during production, there is a risk that the finished product’s mechanical properties, such as hardness and elasticity, will deteriorate.
Below you can read more about the different phases in aluminum production where temperature monitoring is of critical importance.
Read more about infrared temperature measurement in the industry.
Billet
When producing something in aluminum, you start with a solid block of aluminum, called a billet. This is the raw material in the extrusion process.
A billet must be heated before it is fed into the press and extruded into the correct shape. If the material is not hot enough, it can damage the press or revert to a solid form, blocking the entire process.
Originally, thermocouples are used for temperature measurement, but these are generally slower, require maintenance, and can become inaccurate over time. These thermocouples are also expensive to replace and are unable to handle changes in alloy type and surface finish.
At Hans Buch, we offer infrared temperature measurement for accurate billet measurement, enabling process optimization and control, and reducing wear on the die. This maximizes process uptime, prevents wasted items, and reduces costly repairs of damage caused by underheated items solidifying during the extrusion process.
Extrusion and Quench
The aluminum that comes out of the press is called the extrusion. This will be shaped according to the desired form, but the metal will still be hot and soft.
After the hot extrusion has left the press, it must be rapidly cooled. The cooling rate affects the finished product’s hardness and elasticity.
Quenching is a process that brings the extrusion’s temperature down to ambient levels at a controlled rate. It can be achieved by forced air convection or with soft industrial water. The fastest cooling is achieved using water, which results in a harder product, but if the cooling is too rapid, the aluminum profile can crack or distort.
Therefore, it is important to monitor the cooling rate of the extrusions moving through the quench. This ensures a finished product with the necessary properties and avoids any structural damage to the profile by cooling it too quickly.
How to Measure Temperature in Aluminum Production?
As described above, it is important to measure the temperature at every stage in the production of aluminum.
When performing temperature measurement in aluminum production, high temperatures are involved, and it is therefore important to have the right tools developed for the purpose. With infrared temperature measurement you can safely and accurately measure the temperature, thereby ensuring the quality of production.
SPOT AL for Efficient, Infrared Temperature Measurement in Aluminum
SPOT AL is an advanced, non-contact infrared pyrometer for use in aluminum production.
SPOT AL is a highly accurate and stable digital pyrometer from AMETEK Land, operating via groundbreaking SPOT technology and unique, advanced data processing algorithms. The tool is used to measure aluminum temperature in:
- Extrusion (E)
- Quench (Q)
- Strip (S)
- Forming/Forging (F)
- Forming/Forging of higher magnesium alloys (F Mg)
- Liquid applications (L).
The preset algorithms provide the most accurate digital temperature readings of aluminum with low and variable emissivity. This ensures optimized press speed and high-quality products with minimal waste.
Easy Integration with All Control Systems
SPOT AL easily integrates with control systems to enable press optimization. The video camera, focus distance, and other features can be accessed and configured locally or remotely.
By combining Ethernet, Modbus TCP, video, analog, and alarm outputs in a single unit, SPOT AL is specifically designed to measure the temperature of aluminum in a range of processing applications.
We Help You with Infrared Temperature Measurement in Aluminum
When you use SPOT AL for infrared temperature measurement in aluminum, you benefit from AMATEK Land’s 40 years of experience with specialized solutions for the industry.
If you are unsure how to work with infrared temperature measurement in aluminum, or if you want to know more about how SPOT AL works, you are always welcome to contact us.
For more than 100 years, we have provided Danish companies with solutions that meet their needs – and our team of specialists is ready to do the same for you.
Also read more about temperature measurement in asphalt or temperature measurement for the steel industry.
