EuroWire July 2024

Technology News

Eddy current testing in hot wire rod inspection

required by the hot rolling process: a very high speed up to 250m/s and a wire temperature higher than 1,200°C, while maintaining accurate results. The system comprises a coil support, an air stripper, two guide sleeves, a cooling system and the encircling coil. The coil carrier is a robust cast iron structure holding the testing system. The eddy current encircling coil and guides are maintained at a controlled temperature using integrated cooling lines to prevent overheating. The flow of cold water through the probe is continuously monitored, and an alarm is triggered in the event of any interruption, allowing operators to take corrective action before any damage occurs to the coil. The eddy current probe is tailor made to the product diameter to ensure optimal inspection. The eddy current equipment is located directly after the rolling mill, before the wire undergoes cooling and coiling. As the hot wire approaches the inspection station, it is detected and the eddy current electronics are triggered. The product then passes through the test encircling coil, and the resulting signals are received by the CMS Zet@ Master eddy current instrument. With high sampling frequency, the Zet@ Master manages signals to and from the

Controle Mesure Systemes (CMS), a France-based company and a member of the CMS Group (which also includes Sofratest and CMS Inc, the American subsidiary), specialises in the design and manufacture of non-destructive testing solutions using eddy current and ultrasonic technologies for a wide range of applications. Among the diverse range of applications, CMS offers turnkey equipment for in line hot wire rod inspection using eddy current. Quick, non-destructive, reliable and repeatable, this technology is used to inspect the surface and sub-surface quality of a product, to detect and analyse critical defects down to 100µm depth, such as inclusions, cracks, scabs, pitting, holes and scale. The system is also capable of recognising roll-induced defects, as they occur periodically. The test results are used to quickly intervene and optimise the production process. Wire mills can produce coils up to 14km long, so conducting a rapid and comprehensive analysis of eddy current signals can promptly detect any changes or irregularities in the production process. This approach minimises wastage of both time and material. Controle Mesure Systemes has designed a robust eddy current coil that can operate under the extreme conditions

Eddy current encircling coil

encircling coil at a very high speeds, for efficient and accurate inspection. The live data is transmitted to the operator’s screen to monitor the production quality in real-time. It is also sent to the supervision software for further processing and analysis, and to the MES to adjust the testing settings, if necessary. supervision software automatically generates reports gathering the necessary information, and concludes whether the inspected product and/or batch meet the required standards. All data is held securely for post-processing or future reference. The CMS supervision software allows the display of inspection results across different stations along the production line. Although each workstation uses the same software, they can display views specific to their respective functions. The CMS eddy current generator complies with the EN 15548-1 standard. Controle Mesure Systemes www.cmseddyscan.com After production, the

Invented in 1952.

Fit for the future.

25

www.read-eurowire.com

July 2024