A new thermometer system has been introduced for measurement of aluminium extrusions at the quench exit – the AQTS (Aluminium Quench Thermometer System).

The information it provides can be used in conjunction with data from the die exit system to verify the cooling rates which are required to achieve correct mechanical properties in temperature-critical alloys.

AQTS senses radiation in the near infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum and provides outputs that can be analysed to display surface emissivity as well as temperature.

For most applications the system can be fitted ‘straight from the box’ without elaborate set-up procedures, provided the sensor head is shielded from reflected ambient light. A light shade assembly designed specifically for this purpose is also avaliable.

Because it is not necessary for the extrusion to completely fill the target area and alignment is not critical to make an accurate measurement, the thermometer does not usually have to be repositioned to accommodate different sections.

The AQTS system automatically compensates for a very wide range of product shapes and alloys, including the 6000 series and other types commonly used in extrusion manufacture.

Exceptional situations involving unusual alloys and complex sections, such as finned heat exchangers, can be accommodated by trimming the system with reference to a specially developed thermocouple.

Once these settings have been determined, they can be quickly input either manually or through an RS232C/RS422 serial link.

For More Information:

Tom McDougall
Land Instruments International
Infrared Temperature Measurement
Dronfield
S18 1DJ
England
Tel: (01246) 417691
Fax: (01246) 410585