Contactless real time measuring system for the length of sheets in stainless steel production lines

A real time system to measure without contact the length of stainless steel sheets in a production line is presented in this paper. The items are measured in real time as they are cut in the production line and are moved forward by a conveyor passing down a differential laser sensor device which measures and integrates its perpendicular speed. One challenge of the system is to deal with different length and speed maintaining the accuracy. Also installation, calibration and supervision procedures have been established. In addition the designed system must be robust enough to be installed in the hard industrial environment of the iron and steel works. The presented system has been designed and installed for quality control purpose in a stainless steel factory.