AMETEK launches new pyrometer for aluminium industry

Date: 14 July 2016

AMETEK Land, the leading industrial infrared non-contact temperature measurement specialist, has developed an innovative new pyrometer that provides high accuracy and a three-in-one capability specifically for aluminium applications, including extrusion press exit, extrusion press quench zone,

and aluminium strip mills. The SPOT AL EQS (SPOT Aluminium Extrusion, Quench and Strip) pyrometer is an extremely flexible instrument with pre-configured algorithms that make it especially suitable for use at the extruder press exit and quench position as well as at mill entry and exit positions in hot rolling mills. In addition, the pyrometer’s algorithms can be customised and tuned for bespoke applications and specific aluminium grades.Richard Gagg, Global IR Product Manager for AMETEK Land, said: “The SPOT AL EQS is a revolutionary new pyrometer, designed for even greater accuracy and convenience.

It incorporates Land’s 35 years of experience producing high-accuracy, reliable temperature measurement equipment for the aluminium industry. We are confident that we have developed a temperature measurement solution that will optimise efficiency and achieve cost savings for aluminium producers, who now no longer need separate pyrometers at different points in the aluminium process.”

Cristiano Baiano, Automation Engineer at SAPA Profiles UK, said: “The implementation of the SPOT AL EQS across a number of our manufacturing sites has better enabled us to meet the exacting standards of our automotive customers. We were impressed with how easy it was to integrate the technology into our control system. We now have more information available for our operators to make better informed decisions.”

This latest addition to the LAND range of SPOT pyrometers was specifically designed to work in low emissivity environments where regular pyrometers might struggle to provide accurate and reliable readings. It has the ability to measure a wide temperature range from 200o to 700°C / 392o to 1292°F. Utilising the latest, cutting-edge temperature detector design in combination with the most-advanced data processing algorithms, Land has created an extremely accurate and repeatable pyrometer with an industry-leading response time.

Incorporating the latest digital communication capabilities, the SPOT AL EQS can be configured remotely through a dedicated webserver and with Power over Ethernet (POE) capabilities is able to communicate data over Ethernet through a variety of different protocols (TCP-IP, Modbus TCP, DHCP, http, udp and ICMP). This further ensures that, along with the traditional 4-20mA/0-20mA output signal, the SPOT AL EQS can be easily integrated into any plant control infrastructure.

SPOT AL EQS works straight out of the box and can be installed by just a single person, offering greater convenience and ease of use. If the sensor is in an inaccessible location, SPOT AL EQS has a remote viewing capability to verify alignment and ensure a high level of accuracy. A built-in camera aids alignment, which, combined with a green LED, allows the user to position the measurement point in an optimal location to avoid ambient lighting reflections. Data from the SPOT AL EQS is available remotely as snapshots using free SPOT Viewer software or standard web browsers.

SPOT pyrometers are designed for high accuracy, high reliability, simple installation, configuration and flexible digital communications. They can be easily interchanged with other AMETEK Land pyrometers and other manufacturers’ equipment. All processing functions are integrated into a single pyrometer, making them suitable for use in all sized plants.

Designed in close collaboration with industry-leading aluminium producers and plant control system engineers, the SPOT AL EQS pyrometer is helping lead the way in improving aluminium extrusion and strip plant throughput, quality and energy efficiency. This latest AMETEK Land temperature measurement instrument already has demonstrated its ability to provide immediate data for process improvement.

For more details, visit www.landinst.com/products/spot-al-eqs and www.spotthermometer.com or email land.enquiry@ametek.com.

AMETEK Land (www.landinst.com) is a business unit of AMETEK, Inc. a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices. Land designs and manufactures a wide range of instruments for industrial non-contact temperature measurement, combustion efficiency and environmental monitoring.