We owe our success to our customers
 Shapeline systems have been tested and accepted as important parts of their production lines by some of the world’s leading makers of steel and other metals. The requirements of our customers are not only to have a system that can measure and report the information they require – but that this system can operate for a long time in a demanding environment for a minimum of cost and effort to maintain. In the time scale of the industry, Shapeline´s ten years in business is short. But the fact that ALL the systems we have delivered during these years are still in operation speaks for itself. We are proud of the operational longevity of our systems, which never fails to make a good impression in a presentation.
If you wish to get in touch with a suitable representative from any of our reference customers, please do not hesitate to ask us and we will establish the connection.
voestalpine BU-Strip, Munkfors, Sweden
Böhler Uddeholm was the first company to install a Shapeline crossbow measurement system. Its purpose was to maintain quality assurance (crossbow measurement) of precision saw steel. The system was installed in a finishing line in 1998 and has been in use on an everyday basis since the installation without problems. As of September 2007, the system has been replaced in the finishing line by a new Shapeline 500 system and is now being used to evaluate new applications in a hardening line at the same plant. Shapeline has carried out an investigation into how parameter adjustment in the hardening affects flatness with this customer. Please contact us for details.
System type: Shapeline 500, two modules
Material width: 500 mm
Accuracy: 8 microns
Installation date: May 1998, September 2007
ArcelorMittal (EKO-Stahl), Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany
ArcelorMittal wanted to make the tension leveller adjustments faster, more precise and less dependent on the individual operators. To accomplish this, they installed a Shapeline crossbow measurement system in 2001. To ensure integration of the system into the line, Shapeline developed a mirror unit that made the geometry more compact, and subsequently installed a three-module system. The result is that ArcelorMittal now has an accurate measurement and rapid feedback to the leveller, 24-hours a day.
System type: Shapeline Flex, three modules
Material width: 1700 mm
Accuracy: 50 microns
Installation date: October 2001
Sandvik Materials Technology, Sandviken, Sweden
Sandvik Materials Technology produces stainless and carbon hardened strip steel. In 1999, Sandvik decided to install two Shapeline 500-systems in two inspection lines, and later one system in a hardening line. The systems measure crossbow, I-units and strip width for quality assurance. Sandvik also use the measurement data for virtual slitting, a tool that Shapeline developed in co-operation with Sandvik. The virtual slitting tool enables the personnel to try different methods and see the result before the strip is slit in the line.
System type: Shapeline 500, two modules
Material width: 400 mm
Accuracy: 6 microns
Installation dates: November 1999 (2 systems) and August 2005 (one system)
Hugo Vogelsang, Hagen, Germany
Like Sandvik and Böhler Uddeholm, Hugo Vogelsang produce hardened strip steel for demanding customers, mainly sawsteel producers. Hugo Vogelsang bought the first system in 2000 that was followed by another three systems, all of which are installed in the hardening lines for hardening parameter adjustments and quality assurance. The systems are mounted on rails and can easily be removed out of the line for calibration and service. As several strips are produced in parallel in some of the lines the user interface was customized to handle several strips as individual measurements.
System type: Shapeline 500, two modules
Material width: 530, 560, 600 and 900 mm
Accuracy: 6-8 microns
Installation dates: November 2000, March 2002, June 2003 and September 2007
SSAB Oxelösund, Sweden
SSAB produces well known steel plates such as Hardox and Weldox. The production of thin, quenched plates is extremely demanding and to handle this, SSAB has sophisticated spray cooling systems and powerful, advanced roll levellers. To control this equipment in a systematic way, the four installed Shapeline systems are extremely useful. Installed in 2001, the first system helps the operators to level the plates flat. It was also heavily used to tune the new quenching line, which led to a rapid start-up and the flattest hardened thin plates in the world. A second system was installed in 2003 for quality assurance at the end of the same line.
In 2005, SSAB decided to install two more systems in the nearby rolling mill building. These systems have been redesigned in a number of ways to meet the requirement of withstanding the harsh environment, and the performance in terms of resolution has been doubled compared to the old systems. Among the features that have been added are: TEC-cooling with temperature control, air purge, new mechanics to admit service during full production, and a new alarm system that continuously checks the system status at a number of points. One of the systems measures plates on a roller table. To handle vibrations and movement due to the uneven transportation, the system has been equipped with two laser lines. The double laser line set-up enables measurement of surface slope, thus allowing it to differentiate between movements and unflatness.
The systems are used for quality assurance, roll leveller adjustments and production flow control. In 2007, SSAB Oxelösund received a fifth system, Shapeline Flex with six laser/camera modules to be used for roll leveller adjustments and quality assurance.
System types: Shapeline Flex, three modules (two systems) and six modules (three systems, whereof one double line system).
Material width: 3300 and 3500 mm
Accuracy: 50 microns
Installation dates: September 2001, September 2003, December 2005, January 2006 and March 2007.
Stahlwerk Unna, Germany
Stahlwerk Unna has two systems in two hardening lines. The product is hardened saw-steel and they have several strips running in parallel in the lines.
System type: Shapeline 500, two modules
Material width: 560 and 600 mm
Accuracy: 8 microns
Installation dates: June 2002 and October 2004
SSAB Tunnplåt, Borlänge, Sweden
SSAB in Borlänge produces high yield strength carbon steel strips. The setting of the line parameters is complicated and it is difficult to tune the line to achieve a flat strip. With the installed Shapeline system, this work has been more straightforward and systematic, and better results have been achieved in the line.
There is also a Shapeline system in a galvanizing line at SSAB. This replaced an old, point-based system and does a much better job. All material can be measured and the high resolution enables a better view of the edges.
System type: Shapeline Flex, two modules
Material width: 1800 mm
Accuracy: 0,2 mm (annealing line) and 0,1 mm (galvanizing line)
Profile frequency: Up to 220 profiles per second (annealing line)
Installation dates: December 2002 and January 2003
Hydro aluminium, Grevenbroich, Germany
In 2004-2005, BWG (Duisburg, Germany) built a new litho-line for Hydro. Hydro wanted a quality assurance system and the ability to control the tension leveller in the line to improve the flatness. To accomplish an accurate measurement in-line, BWG built a special flatness measurement section consisting of a flat table, a pinch roll, and a controlled loop. In this way, the tension is kept low and the flatness can be measured in-line.
The system measures crossbow and I-units. A special function for measuring 3-5 fibres along the strip was developed for Hydro. The function shows the topography at specified width positions along the strip. The result is shown as graphs, updated in real time with key values. The system in Grevenbroich has a high degree of automation. Measurement results are received by a CAQ-system and flatness data is sent to the upstream tension leveller.
System type: Shapeline Flex, three modules
Material width: 2200 mm
Accuracy: 50 microns
Installation dates: March 2005
MEFOS, Luleå, Sweden
MEFOS is a Swedish steel research centre. For flatness related projects, MEFOS uses a Shapeline system for crossbow and flatness measurement. The system is built on aluminium beams for easy modification to different geometries for different lines. Until now, the system has been used almost continuously for carrying out a number of tests in both Sweden and Finland. Please contact Mrs Nilsson (see below) for more information about these projects.
System type: Shapeline Flex, Three module demo-system
Material width: Up to 3500 mm
Accuracy: 50 to 200 microns, depending on the geometry
Profile frequency: Up to 220 profiles per second
Delivery date: August 2004
ArcelorMittal (I/N Kote), New Carlisle, Indiana, USA
I/N Kote produces galvanized strips for the automotive industry. Some customers are very concerned about the material crossbow, so Shapeline installed a crossbow measurement system in the line in early 2005.
The system is placed after the 4-high skin-pass mill to measure strip shape with high density and precision. The measurement data is used for quality assurance and control of the mill in the line. According to Hector Lopez, I/N Technology Manager “The system is an important tool to continue improving the quality of our product. The system is straightforward to use and easy to move around in the line. This has helped us to find parameters to change and systematically improve the strip quality”.
System type: Shapeline Flex, one module
Material width: 1800 mm
Accuracy: 100 microns, depending on the geometry
Profile frequency: Up to 25 profiles per second
Delivery date: January 2005
Dansteel, Denmark
Dansteel produces quality steel plates for the international shipbuilding industry, boiler production, the transport sector, and the rapidly expanding wind turbine industry. The Shapeline system is placed on a roller table and measures crossbow of the material.
System type: Shapeline Flex, one module
Material width: 3600 mm
Accuracy: 0,2 mm
Profile frequency: Up to 100 profiles per second
Delivery date: August 2006
ArcelorMittal (Mittal Steel), Chicago, USA
Mittal Steel USA is the largest steel producer in the United States and a major supplier to the North American automotive industry as well as to the broader transportation sector, serving customers in a number of industries.
The Indiana Harbour facility is the largest steelmaking complex in North America, with a total raw steelmaking capability of 10 million tons annually. It is a fully integrated steelmaker, strategically located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in East Chicago, Indiana, 20 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois. Mittal Steel installed the Shapeline system for tuning of quenching in the CAL. The system has a double laser line projector for vibration elimination and is installed for a vertical pass-line.
System type: Shapeline Flex, two modules, double laser line
Material width: 1525 mm
Accuracy: 50 – 200 microns, depending on measurement speed
Profile frequency: Up to 100 profiles per second
Delivery date: May 2006
CD Wälzholz, Germany
Established in 1829, CD Wälzholz is one of the leading cold-rolling mills in Germany. One of the main products is hardened special steel and the company has a high quality ambition. The Shapeline system is placed in a hardening line for in-line quality assurance and furnace adjustments.
System type: Shapeline 500, three modules
Material width: 700 mm
Accuracy: 6 microns
Installation date: May 2006
ThyssenKrupp Steel AG, Germany
ThyssenKrupp, Duisburg has installed a crossbow measurement system in an electro-galvanizing line. The purpose is to verify the shape before the material enters the galvanizing stage to avoid damage.
System type: Shapeline Flex, two modules
Material width: 2000 mm
Accuracy: 100 microns
Installation date: December 2006
SSAB Oxelösund AB, Sweden
SSAB plate division has installed two width measurement gauges for the plate lines capable of precision width measurement and edge waviness.
System type: Shapeline Width gauge
Material width: 3300 mm
Accuracy: 0,2 mm
Installation date: April 2007, September 2007
Paturle Aciers, France
Shapeline 500-systems in an inspection line measuring crossbow, I-units and strip width for quality assurance.
System type: Shapeline 500, two modules
Material width: 550 mm
Accuracy: 8 microns
Installation date: March 2007
Posco, Pohang, Korea
Shapeline Flex with two double line modules used for quality control of Silicon Steel Strips.
System type: Shapeline Flex, two double line modules
Material width: 1270 mm
Accuracy: better than 0.3 mm
Installation date: December 2007
voestalpine BU-Strip, Austria
Shapeline Compact systems in a hardening line measuring precision crossbow after hardening on extremely thin special steel.
System type: Shapeline Compact
Material width: 15 mm
Accuracy: 1 micron
Installation date: January 2008
Swebor Stål AB, Sweden
Shapeline Flex system for quality assurance and leveller control in plate hardening plant
System type: Shapeline Flex
Material width: 2500 mm
Accuracy: 150 micron
Installation date: December 2008
Corus / Tata Steel, The Netherlands
At the IJmuiden Direct Sheet Plant, Corus is measuring the edge profile of the continuous slab at the exit of the caster. The purpose of the measurements is to optimize the settings of the caster to eliminate the risk of break-out from still molten core. After a few months of tests, Corus has decided to permanently install the equipment.
System type: Shapeline Ignis
Material width: 100 mm
Accuracy: 0.3 mm
Installation date: February 2009
Mechel Chelyabinsk, Russia
Flatness and width measurement after exit of hot strip mill. The measurement data is used for thickness data correction as well as width and flatness measurement and evaluation
System type: Shapeline Flex, integrated into thickness guage (from Mesacon)
Material width: 1700 mm
Accuracy: 0.3 mm
Installation date: November 2009
To be installed:
Shapeline Inside. Integrated Shapeline Flex with 3 laser/camera modules for hot application at hot rolling mill at Severstal, Russia. The system is also providing flatness and strip position data to Mesacon Thickness Measurement System. Three six-module systems for plate applications for Usiminas, Brazil. AK Steel, USA, has ordered a two-module system for edge-wave measurements on electrical steel strip.
Other references:
Several precision Shapeline Compact systems used for cross bow measurement on saw and precision steel in Germany. Installed from early 2008.
Four sensors for precision weld-seam inspection systems in Austria installed in July 2004 and November 2006.
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