EMG eBACS
Function principle
In hot-dip coating lines, the coating, which is only a few micrometers thick, is applied to the metal strip using air knives. In this area, the continuous metal strip is widened beyond the blowing width of the nozzle by baffle blades. The aim of using baffle blades is to avoid air turbulence at the strip edge and any adverse effects on the coating. Accordingly reduced zinc dust and noise are beneficial additional effects.
The baffle blades must continuously follow the strip edges, whose position changes due to the bowing of the strip or changes in the strip width, at the smallest possible distance of typically 3 - 5 mm. The contact rollers, which are often still used in older edge masking devices and are operated by pneumatic cylinders, exert mechanical pressure on the strip edges, which can cause them to become damaged. In addition, deposits of the coatings are formed on the rollers, which can be particularly severe in the case of coatings containing aluminum such as Galvalume®.
The inductive and temperature-resistant edge sensors of the new and even more precise “ESI” generation from the EMG eBACS product range enable precise and, in particular, non-contact detection of the strip edge. They replace the disadvantageous contact rollers and can also be a robust and contamination- as well as temperature-resistant alternative for optical sensors.
With stepper motor-driven linear actuators and additional position sensors, an EMG iCON® control amplifier ensures that the edge masks react quickly and reliably.
Particularly during the critical process of changing the strip, even a brief partial opening can help to ensure that as few meters of strip as possible are affected.
Please also take a look at our video: eBACS Baffle Blade Control System.
EMG supplies well-known manufacturers of air knives with the EMG eBACS baffle blade control components and optimises the integration together.
Complete retrofits of existing air knives at the operators' premises are possible, but require a feasibility check.
Customer benefits
- Non-contact strip edge measurement
- Avoidance of mechanical contact rollers
- No deformation of the strip edge
- High precision strip edge tracking for baffle position for homogeneous zinc coating on the strip edge
- Suitability für all hot-dip coatings (GI, ZnMG, ZnAlMg, Galvalume®, Aluminizing)
- Low maintenance
- Compact integration
Discontinued components
Of course, we also offer you qualitative replacement solutions for discontinued components. You can find a list of our discontinued components here.
Further EMG solutions
Perfect for this industry
Due to the large number of individually implemented solutions, EMG's understanding of the special features of the manufacturing processes supported by EMG's quality assurance systems has grown over the years. EMG's long-standing presence in the market has led to very in-depth knowledge and experience from which our customers benefit. For example, the EMG eMASS® strip stabilisation system enables demonstrable improvements in quality and zinc consumption in the hot-dip coating of steel sheets.
Steffen DombrowskiProduct Manager