Timeframe: 01.07.2019 bis 30.06.2022

NRW is known worldwide for the production of steel. In the frame of the project ASRA, IMS Messsysteme GmbH, SMS Group GmbH, IMST GmbH, Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Fraunhofer FHR cooperate in order to sustainably increase efficiency of steel production lines. The goal is to perform for the first time inline radar measurements of the steel strip contour at the harsh environmental conditions at the roughing stand in hot rolling mills in order to realize real-time width control (Short-Stroke-Control). The early detection of variable edge shapes and ski formation, the recognition of the beginning and the end od the steel strip as well as speed measurement allow for a significant scrap reduction, resulting in high energy and cost savings.

In ASRA, a modular, integrated multi-channel radar system will be developed in D-band (110-170 GHz), enabling high-resolution shape measurements. Radar signal processing methods will be developed and implemented in FPGAs by Fraunhofer FHR to perform real-time high-resolution measruements. Moreover, the project ASRA applies the expertise of Ruhr-Universität Bochum in SiGe-chip technology and IMST GmbH know-how in the design of complex integrated wireless frontend systems, including planar antennas and lenses. Thanks to experience of SMS Group in the modelling and control of the production of steel strips, and the expertise of IMS Messsysteme in the manufacturing and integration of different measurement systems in hot rolling mills, it will be possible to integrate and test the ASRA demonstrator in a realistic szenario.