IMS Measuring Systems for Tube Mills

IMS Measuring Systems 

Tube Mills

MEASURING SYSTEMS FOR THE 

STEEL, METAL AND ALUMINIUM INDUSTRIES 

Precision out of passion, 

quality out of conviction and 

innovation out of tradition 

X-ray measuring systems, isotope measuring systems 

and optical measuring systems from the world’s 

leading manufacturer IMS have been a guarantee for 

highest product quality in the production and processing 

of steel, aluminium and non-ferrous metals since 

1980. 

Our non-contact measuring and detection systems are 

used in the steel, metal and aluminium industries wherever 

meticulous material testing is required to guarantee 

the highest standards of quality – worldwide under 

the toughest operating conditions. 

Both in hot production, such as continuous casting 

plants, hot rolling mills and tube mills, where shimmering 

surfaces, heat, dirt and moisture are common, as 

well as in cold rolling mills and service centres, measuring 

systems from IMS measure and detect reliably and 

with highest precision. 

Exactly reproducible measurements and evaluations in 

real time optimise your production lines and increase 

product quality while simultaneously reducing production 

costs and reject rates. 

IMS MEASURING TASKS AT A GLANCE 

ELECTROACOUSTICS/ 

MAGNETICS 

Inclusions / Shell Defects 

Width (Radar) 

Thickness (Radar) 

RADIOMETRIC 

MEASURING SYSTEMS 

Thickness 

Thickness Profile 

Profile / Wedge / Edge Drop 

Coating 

Coating Profile 

Tube Thickness 

Tube Profile 

Phase Content 

OPTICAL 

MEASURING SYSTEMS 

Thickness 

Width 

Position 

Edge Cracks 

Holes 

Pinholes 

Shape and Diameter 

Evenness / Flatness 

Coating 

2D / 3D Surface Inspection 

QUALITY MANAGEMENT 

MEVINET-Q 

Data Archiving 

Data Analysis 

Logging 

Production Tracking 

Quality Evaluation 

Claim Evaluation 

FORCE MEASUREMENT 

Strip- / Web Tension 

Shape / Flatness 

CONTROL SYSTEMS 

Coating 

Shape / Flatness AFC 

2 3

MEASURING SYSTEMS IN TUBE MILLS 


Tube Production and Metrology 

Measuring Principle and 

Physical Influencing Factors 

Production of seamless tubes is dating back 

to an invention of the Mannesmann Brothersin 1885. 

In order to ensure economical and future-oriented 

production of seamless tubes, it is necessary to know 

the properties of product after every single one of the 

typically three forming stages. 

The ever stricter demands being placed on the finished 

product „tube“ regarding uniformity and compliance 

with tighter tolerance limits with simultaneous savings 

in energy and raw materials necessitate a high degree 

of process reliability, which can only be achieved with 

precise, operationally reliable and durable measuring 

equipment. 

To verify the quality of the product, also to the users 

of the tubes, all product parameters measured are 

archived, monitored and analyzed. In this way it is possible 

to make information available on every single tube 

produced, both directly during the production process 

and months after delivery too. 

General measuring principle 

Tube wall thickness measuring systems work by the 

irradiation principle – a radiation source (transmitter) is 

arranged opposite to an ionization chamber (receiver). 

A measuring object (tube) located between the transmitter 

and receiver absorbs a part of the radiation. The 

residual radiation detected by the ionization chamber 

generates an electric current, which is processed, 

digitalized and then sent to a central signal processing 

system for calculation of the tube wall thickness. 

Double-wall measurement 

complete tube circumference 

and typical rolling 

shapes of different tube 

inside contours can be 

determined. 

OBJECTIVES 

Continuous acquisition and storage of all 

measured values, production parameters and 

system events 

Feedback of the measured values to the pilot 

control and / or tracking of the control devices of 

the rolling units 

Targeted error diagnosis to support the operator 

High availability of the measuring system 

PROFITABILITY 

Deliberate utilization of the lower wall thickness 

limits with simultaneous equalizing of the tube 

wall profile along the complete length of the 

tube according to the classifications and special 

customer requirements 

Reduction in downtimes after dimensional 

changes as manual sampling and manual roll 

adjustment are not necessary 

Increase in material yield with simultaneous 

savings in feedstock and energy 

Measuring principle 

Mass Measurement 

Signal processing 

electronics 

In the 1, 2 or 4-Channel version the complete 

mass of the tube in the respective 

measuring plane is measured – the 

wall thickness indicated corresponds 

to the mean of the tube cross section. 

This measuring geometry is therefore 

typically used for small tube dimensions, 

where the tube wall contour was 

already determined before the finished 

tube dimensions were reached or is of 

little interest. 

Double-wall measurement 

In the multichannel version (5, 9 or 13-Channel) of the 

system the tube wall is irradiated respectively at two 

points, i.e. twice. The beams are arranged uniformly 

around the center of the measuring system, as a result 

of which the wall thickness is determined around the 

Influencing factors 

The measurement of wall thickness, i.e. the measuring 

effect at the moment of measurement, depends on the 

following three main influencing factors: 

Measuring piece position 

Measuring piece temperature 

Measuring piece alloy 

These influencing factors are taken into account either 

through separate measurement or using customer data 

specifications. 

The measuring piece position is measured with the help 

of CCD line scan cameras. 

The position information and tube dimensions are then 

used to calculate the correcting parameters for wall 

thickness. 

The measuring piece temperature is measured with 

a colorimetric or ratio pyrometer depending on the 

production temperature. The correcting parameter for 

the wall thickness can then be calculated based on 

From top to bottom: 

Exit Stretch Reducing Mill – 1-Channel system 

dilatometer curves stored in the system. 

Internal view sources/detectors – 13-Channel system 

If grades of steel whose alloys differ from the standard 

Entry Reheating Furnace - 9-Channel system 

alloys are rolled, the correction values are also calculated 

here based on data specifications. 

4 5 

Receiver 

(Ionization 

chamber) 

Tube 

Transmittter 

(Source) 

Massmeasurement 

eccentric 

tube 

Measuring piece position measurement 

CCD- line scan camera 

Backlight



System Configuration 

Signal Processing 

Configuration 

The measuring systems are designed for the particular 

measuring task and rolling mill configuration in cooperation 

with the customer. A measuring system usually 

consists of the following components: 

Gauge (measuring frame in C- or O-frame shape 

with one to 13 measurement axes) 

Further sensor measuring systems to determine 

diameter, ovality, diameter profile, temperature, 

length and speed 

Auxiliary components for the gauge such as 

power supplies and monitoring equipment, 

cooling systems, etc. 

Central signal processing unit with multiprocessor 

system including operation, visualization 

and necessary network components 

Visualization stations for the operating and 

maintenance personnel 

Quality management system for documentation 

and archiving of tube and system data over longer 

periods of time 

Disturbance compensation 

To obtain exact measured data, the following influences 

must be compensated: 

Dirt, e.g. scale, dust, lubricants, etc. 

Measuring piece position changes on the roller 

table 

Measuring piece temperature, for calculation of 

cold or hot dimensions 

Measuring piece alloys deviating from standard 

alloys 

The influences of the disturbances are measured 

with the help of suitable sensors or obtained from 

data specifications and compensated by mathematical 

processes or automatic adjustment procedures. 

Signal transmission 

The detector signals are digitalized in the C- or O-frame 

and transferred to the measured value processing unit 

via an Ethernet network system. Fiber optic transmission 

components are used in the case of long distances 

between the gauges and the central signal processing unit. 

MEVInet 

The powerful multiprocessor system MEVInet is responsible 

for complete evaluation of measured values, 

monitoring of the measuring system as well as operation, 

visualization, data management and quality assurance. 

The individual components are connected to each other 

by a fast data network. 

The computer system MEVInet consists of the following 

main components: 

Real Time computer 

Operating system Windows 

Runtime system logiCAD 

Server, HMI 

Operating system Windows 

MS SQL-Server 

Visual Basic / IMS Dataviewer 

Project planning system 

logiCAD to IEC 1131 

(Freely programmable control and regulation) 

Comprehensive monitor screens enable optimum 

operation of the measuring system as well as userfriendly 

service and maintenance work. Optimization 

and long-term support of the measuring systems installed 

around the world are effected by remote maintenance 

via internet. 

The measured data is evaluated according to customer 

requirements and sent to master systems. 

The tube measuring system determines the following 

variables: 

Mean wall thickness 

Individual wall thickness around the tube 

circumference * 

Eccentricities of first to sixth order* 

Tube cross sectional profile * 

Outside diameter, ovality and diameter profile 

Temperature and length 

All measured values are available directly during 

measurement as online display and are shown at 

the end of the measurement as profile along the 

tube length 

Long-term data acquisition and statistical 

distribution 

* Dependent on type of system 

HMI 1 

HMI 2 HMI 3 

GAUGE COMPUTER ROOM OPERATION, QUALITY ASSURANCE 

Ethernet 

V-Client 

Windows 

V-Client 

Windows 

V-Client 

Windows 

Network 

Customer / IMS 

HMI 

HMI 

HMI 

Ethernet 

Q-Server 

Windows 

Raid 1 

Network 

IMS-Computer 

RTR1 

Ethernet 

Remote access 

Ethernet 

MC-Server 

Windows 

logiCAD 

MC-Server 

Windows 

logiCAD 

MC-Server 

Windows 

logiCAD 

MC-Server 

Windows 

logiCAD 

Network 

IMS-Measuring 

equipment 

RTC = Real Time Computer 

HMI = Operation and Visualization 

Ethernet 

Control and optimisation level 

Customer 

Measuring system 

Weight measurement 

bloom before Rotary 

Hearth Furnace 


Diameter measurement 

and length measurement 

hollow bloom 


Temperature measurement 

hollow bloom before 

PQF / FQM 



shell behind Reheat 

Furnace, before Stretch 

Reducing Mill 


Temperature 

measurement bloom 

before Rotary Piercing Mill 



mandrel bar of PQF /FQM 


Thickness measurement, 

temperature, diameter and 

length shell behind PQF / 

FQM 


Thickness measurement, 

temperature, diameter and 

length tube behind Stretch 

Reducing Mill 

6 7



Tube Mills and Typical 

Tube Contours 

Concentric tube 

Center of outside diameter 

= 

Center of IMS system 

Center of 

inside diameter 

Max. 

wall thickness 

Rotary piercing mill and press 

In the first forming step in tube production the solid 

bloom is „pierced“, i.e. a rolling or pressing process 

turns the solid material into hollow material (hollow 

bloom). 

In the rotary piercing method, which is the most widespread 

process in use today for the first rolling stage, 

the tensile stresses occurring inside the bloom, caused 

by the two staggered rolls (skew rolls) running against 

each other, are used to tear open a hole shortly before 

the piercing mandrel. The process is therefore less a 

mechanical „drilling“ than a „widening“ or „pulling on“. 

In the pressing method, which is often used in the preliminary 

stage of Pilger Mills, a die is pressed into the 

bloom under high pressure so that a hole is formed in 

the bloom by transverse impact. 

Eccentricity 

In the ideal case both piercing methods should form a 

concentric hollow bloom, i.e. the center of the inside 

radius is identical to the center of the outside radius. 

Eccentric tube 

Min. 

wall thickness 

As a result of the rotation of the bloom 

during the rolling process, the eccentricity 

has a spiral shape in dependence 

on the feed angle of the skewed rolls. 

The eccentricity formed in the bloom 

press only changes in amplitude, and 

not in orientation, along the length of 

the tube. 

MPM and Sizing Mill 

In an MPM (Multistand Pipe Mill) and 

Sizing Mill two-roll stands arranged alternately 

at 90° to each other are used. 

In the MPM the rolls roll against a 

mandrel bar, i.e. the rolls reduce the 

wall thickness while retaining a constant inside diameter. 

The outside contour only becomes round in the 

so-called extractor mill (MPM extractor), which is not 

reached by the mandrel (retained mandrel), but then 

previous irregularities in the inside contour are moved. 

Typical shapes occurring here are an internal oval and/ 

or an internal quadrangle (cloverleaf). 

The causes of this are: 

Uneven or offset rolls 

Rolls that are opened too wide or closed too far 

The shape is typically constant along the complete 

length of the tube. 

Push-Bench, Stretch Reducing Mill, Sizing Mill, 

PQF ® - and FQM- Mills 

As an alternative to the aforementioned two-roll mills, 

three-roll mills are used also. 

The Push-Bench process differs from the Stretch 

Reducing and Sizing Mill in that the rolls roll against an 

internal tool, the so-called mandrel bar, similarly to in an 

MPM mill. The mill stands are not driven – the mandrel 

bar with the hollow bloom attached to is pushed. 

Most modern rolling mills, the PQF ® or FQM Mills, 

are three-roll mills too and are using the same principle 

as the MPM mill to ensure the appropriate elongation 

of the material. Here also the retained mandrel bar will 

work as an internal tool. 

The Stretch Reducing and Sizing Mill produce the outside 

diameter and wall thickness of the finished tube. 

This is done by arranging numerous three-roll stands, 

which can be driven jointly or separately, one behind the 

other. In Stretch Reducing Mills with individual or group 

drives the wall thickness can be controlled locally using 

an automation system. 

All mentioned mill types produce a typical shape of an 

internal triangle or internal hexagon. 

Measured value display 

Very different gauge types can be used in the three-stage 

rolling process depending on the measuring task, which 

is reflected by different displays. In the field of mass 

measurement the mean wall thickness along the tube 

length is shown. 

As additional functionality the measuring system 

can determine the lengths of the thickened ends on 

stretch-reduced finished tubes in order to control a 

rotary saw by use of these tube length positions. 

Using numerous gauges in the passline, it is possible 

to monitor the control intervention of the automation 

system easily. 

This is done by comparing the measured data on the 

shell, which is stored temporarily, with the measured 

data on the finished tube. 

In addition to information on the mean wall characteristics, 

the Multi-Channel gauges determine the internal 

contour of the tube up to the sixth order (internal 

hexagon) depending on the number of channels (5, 9 or 

13-Channel). 

Internal tube contour of an PQF ® tube 

Various external influences, however, cause the two 

centers to be moved from this ideal position more or 

less strongly, resulting in an eccentric tube contour. The 

following main influences lead to an eccentric tube geometry: 

Internal oval and internal quadrangle 

Internal triangle and internal hexagon 

Unequal temperature distribution in the hollow 

bloom 

Imprecise centering of the bloom 

Worn or defective piercing mandrels 

Evaluation “thickened ends” 

8 9



High-resolution 

Diameter Profile Measurement 

Diameter profile measuring system in a PQF ® Mill 

New rolling technologies in the production of seamless 

steel tubes such as individually adjustable rollers 

in three-roll stands in PQF ® or FQM Mills or 

adjustable end stands in stretch reducing mills have 

made suitable and cost-efficient measuring systems 

necessary to meet the stricter demands for transparency 

in the rolling process and maximum accuracy 

in measurement. 

This demand can be met optimally using highprecision 

laser triangulation sensors. For this preferably 

18 or 24 sensors are arranged circularly 

around the circumference of the tube. Through 

synchronization of the individual sensors among each 

other, the measured data of all sensors are outputted 

simultaneously at measuring rates in millisecond 

range, resulting in a distortion-free representation of 

the outside profile of the tube. 

This configuration is particularly interesting in combination 

with a Multi-Channel wall thickness measuring 

system because it represents a fully integrated solution 

for measurement of all geometric parameters on 

hot tube requiring only one complete gauge. 

A version as independent gauge without wall thickness 

measuring system is also available. 

IMS has been using laser triangulation sensors from 

the Swedish company LIMAB, based in Gothenburg, 

since 2007 to determine tube position as an alternative 

to CCD camera systems. The business relationship 

between LIMAB and IMS was up-graded to a partnership 

in the field of diameter measurement in 2009 

with integration of high-resolution diameter measurement 

by means of LIMAB measuring heads into the 

IMS Multi-Channel tube wall measuring system. 

SYSTEM FEATURES 

Equipped with 18 or 24 sensors, other versions 

on request 

Data transmission via Ether-Net at up to 

1000 kbit/s 

Installation on water-cooled protective ring and 

behind protective doors with heat protection 

shields for measurement in hot environments 

Protection against contamination by pressure 

blower 

Easy-to-use calibration equipment 

Measuring principle and configuration 

The measuring principle used by the individual 

measuring heads is based on a distance measurement 

by means of optical triangulation. 

Triangulation 

measuring principle 

A laser point is dropped 

on to the surface of the 

material to which the distance 

is to be measured. 

The laser point is reflected 

diffusely by the surface. 

The light of the laser point 

is imaged within the measuring 

range of the measuring 

head on a CCD line 

(charge coupled device) 

via an optical system. The 

axis of the optical system 

is locked on a fixed angle to the outlet direction of 

the laser beam. 

By analyzing the position with the highest light 

intensity on the CCD line and based on the fixed 

geometrical relationship (triangulation), the position 

can be converted to a distance with the help of the 

calibration curve stored in every measuring head. 

The configuration for high-precision determination 

of the outside diameter and the profile consists of 

several individual sensors arranged in pairs opposite 

to each other. Simultaneous determination of the 

distances of all sensors to the surface of the material 

supplies the basic information needed for further 

calculation of the tube profile. 

Configuration 

with 18 sensors 

mean diameter 

At the end of the processing 

chain the following 

parameters are displayed, 

and process correcting 

variables derived as result: 

minimum and maximum diameter and their 

directional position 

ovality and evaluation of certain structures such 

as true triangular or hexagonal shapes 

Diameter, ovality and false-color profile 

TECHNICAL DATA SINGLE MEASURING HEAD 

TECHNICAL DATA PROFILE MEASUREMEN 

Measuring head measurement range 200 mm 

(standard version) 

Stand-Off Distance 100 mm 

Resolution 10 µm 

Measuring frequency 2000 1/s 

Wavelength 635 … 670 nm (visible red) 

Laser class 3R / 3B 

Minimum diameter > 20 mm 

Diameter range with up to 400 mm diameter 

change possible (freely configurable) 

Measuring accuracy diameter < ± 25 µm 

Measuring accuracy ovality< ± 50 µm 

18-Channel diameter profile measuring system 

LIMAB laser triangulation sensor 

10 11



Surface Inspection 

surcon 3D Tube 

In tube production, surface defects are often perpetuated 

through the complete process chain. Non-stop 

surface inspection from billet to finished tube is 

therefore critical for the quality of the final product. 

With “surcon 3D Tube” surface inspection system, 

IMS provides tube manufacturers with another 

high-quality measurement tool. The system allows to 

detect surface defects at a much earlier stage in the 

rolling process than before, and to counteract them 

early and effectively by means of concrete corrective 

measures. 

In particular, the three-dimensional information 

about the spatial extent of the defects offers a far 

more reliable basis for deciding to what extent a 

surface defect can still be tolerated or whether 

immediate intervention in the manufacturing process 

is necessary. 

In addition, 100% surface inspection ensures that 

immediate knowledge is available as to whether a 

detected error occurs once, repeatedly on a tube 

or at the same length position from tube to tube - 

information that can be reliably determined is almost 

impossible by manual inspection. 

BENEFITS 

Automatic detection and classification of 

relevant defects and geometric data (including 

depth and position) 

Detection of defects ahead of further processing 

steps in the production cycle 

Continuous logging of all measuring data, 

product parameters and system events 

Archiving of data for process optimization 

Substitution of manual inspection 

Examples of defect type detection using surcon 3D 

tube surface inspection 

The exemplary types of defects shown here as 

examples for seamlessly rolled tubes are only a 

selection of concise samples of how they can be 

detected with the help of 3D surface inspection on 

finished tubes of different dimensions. 

Height profile of a defect in the form of a “shell” 

Depending on the error type, the cause of the error 

can be determined as quickly as possible and a 

corresponding countermeasure can be taken, e.g. a 

change of roll stands if all the following tubes were 

rolled out with the same significant defects in the 

case of a roll breakage or bearing damage. 

Height profile of a defect in the form of “washout” 

Height profile of a defect in the form of “scale“ 

Height profile of a defect in the form of “impression” 

12 Internal arrangement of 8-Laser-Camera Surface Inspection System 

8-Laser-Camera Surface Inspection System installed in seamless hot rolling tube mill 

13

MEASURING SYSTEMS IN A SEAMLESS TUBE MILL 

MEASURING SYSTEMS IN A SEAMLESS TUBE MILL 

PQF ® - / FQM -Mill 

PQF®- or FQM-Mill 

(Premium Quality Finishing Mill or Fine Quality Mill) 

The flowchart shows an example of the measuring equipment 

of a modern seamless tube mill. The material is 

formed in three stages: after heating of the bloom in a 

rotary hearth furnace in a rotary piercing mill (piercing), a 

PQF ® or FQM mill (elongation) and a Stretch Reducing 

Mill (finishing). 

Characteristic for a PQF ® or FQM mill in comparison 

to a conventional MPM mill (Multistand Pipe Mill) is 

use of hydraulically adjustable three-roll stands and 

a retained mandrel. Thereafter the shells are rolled to 

the respective finished tube dimensions required in 

a Stretch Reducing Mill comprising up to 28 stands. 

Adjustable finishing stands can also be used here. 

Multi-Channel measuring system at entry walking beam furnace 

4-Channel measuring system behind SRM 

T [°C] T [°C] D [mm] L [m] 

Optical bloom 

identification 

(barcode) 

Bloom division 

for optimum 

finished tube length 

utilisation 

Bloom weight 

measurement 

Bloom heating in 

rotary hearth 

furnace 

High pressure 

bloom descaling 

Bloom centering 

Piercing of bloom 

in rotary piercing 

mill 

Rolling of hollow 

bloom to shell in 

PQF ® or FQM 

mill 

Laserscanner Roller table scale Ratio pyrometer Ratio pyrometer 

CCD camera 

(infrared) 

CCD camera 

(infrared) 

Takeover data 

specifications 

Takeover bloom 

weight 

Temperature 

measurement 

bloom 

Temperature 

measurement 

hollow bloom 

Diameter 

measurement 

hollow bloom 

Length 

measurement 

hollow bloom 

S [mm] D [mm] T [°C] L [m] S [mm] D [mm] T [°C] L [m] 

Surface 

defects 

Multi-Channel measuring system 

(13-Channel system) 

Intermediate 

heating of shells in 

walking beam 

furnace 

Stretch reducing of 

shells to finished 

tube dimensions 

4-Channel measuring system 

Surface inspection 

system 

Air cooling of 

finished tubes on 

cooling bed 

Multi-Channel wall 

thickness gauge 

Laser triangulation 

gauge 

Radiation 

pyrometer 

Laser length 

gauge 

Wall thickness 

gauge 

Laser triangulation 

gauge 

Ratio pyrometer 

Laser length 

gauge 

4-, 6- or 8-Laser- 

Camera-system 


measurement shell 

Diameter and 

outside profile 


Temperature 


Length 



measurement 

finished tube 

Diameter and 

outside profile 

measurement 

finished tube 

Temperature 

measurement 

finished tube 

Length 

measurement 

finished tube 

Inspection 

finished tube 

14 15

GAUGE TYPES 

GAUGE TYPES 

Mass Measurement 

Double Wall Measurement 

1-CHANNEL-SYSTEM 

Measuring equipment 




Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 

Measured values 


Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 

1-Channel, vertical to tube axis 

1-Channel, infrared 

Radiation or ratio pyrometer 

Laser Doppler velocimeter 

Mean value, minimum value, maximum value per tube 



Total length, length of thickened ends 


Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 



Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 

5-Channel, 5 x 72° offset 

2/4-channel, infrared or backlight; 

multi-channel by laser triangulation 



Mean value, minimum value and maximum value per 

tube, plus wall thickness characteristic of first and 

second order 

Mean value, minimum value, maximum value per tube, 

diameter difference (pseudo oval) or diameter profile 


Total length 






Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 

2-Channel, +/- 45° to tube axis 

2-Channel, infrared or backlight; multi-channel by laser 

triangulation 




Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 

9-Channel, 9 x 40° offset 

2/4-Channel, infrared or backlight; multi-channel 

by laser triangulation 






Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 

Mean value, minimum value and maximum value per tube 






Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 

Mean value, minimum value and maximum value per tube, 

plus wall thickness characteristic of first to fourth order 


diameter difference (pseudo oval in 2-Channel version) 

or diameter profile 


Total length 






Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 

4-Channel, ± 22,5° and ± 67,5° to tube axis 

2-Channel, infrared or backlight; multi-channel by laser 

triangulation 




Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 

13-Channel, 13 x 27.7° offset 

2/4-Channel, infrared or backlight; multi-channel 

by laser triangulation 






Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 


tube, plus wall thickness difference odd/even channel 

pairs 






Diameter 

Temperature 

Length 


tube, plus wall thickness characteristic of first to sixth order 


diameter difference (pseudo oval in 2-Channel version) 

or diameter profile 


Total length 

16 17

Technical Data 

Type Table/Configuration Range 

TUBE DATA 

Tube wall thickness 

< 50 mm single wall thickness 

Tube outside diameter 

16 to 750 mm 

Tube temperature < 1300 °C 

Tube speed 

< 15 m/s 

Additional components 

Gauge Version 

C-frame 1-Channel 

(mass measurement) 

C-frame 2-Channel 

(eccentricity measurement) 

O-frame 2-Channel 





(1st & 2nd order double 

wall measurement) 


(1st to 4th order 

double wall measurement) 

O-frame 13-channel 

(1st to 6th order double 

wall measurement) 

Material 

Alloyed and unalloyed steels, stainless steels, non-ferrous metals on request 

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT 

GAUGE DATA 

Gauge 

Cooling 

Drive unit 

Radiation source 

Number of sources/detector 

Traversing C- or O-frame, special designs on request 

Closed cooling circuit, supplied by customer cooling medium 

Pneumatic or electric 

Isotope Cs 137 (185 or 370 GBq per source), X-ray on request 

1 to 13 per gauge 

Keller, Land*, Ircon* 

DIAMETER, POSITION AND 

PROFILE MEASUREMENT 

1-camera system infrared 

2-camera system infrared 

1-camera system backlight 


Ionization chamber KG 126 or KG 60 


Measuring point size 

OD 80 to 100 mm (mass measurement), approx. 20 x 60 mm (double-wall measurement) 

2+2 camera system backlight 

4+2 camera system backlight 

MEASURING DYNAMICS 

Analog measuring time constant 

< 30 ms 

Laser-Triangulation (diameter) 

Laser-Triangulation (position) 

* * 

Cycle time data acquisition 500 µs 

3D Laser-Triangulation (contour) 

Cycle time data processing 

Cycle time data output 

MEASURING ACCURACY 

5 ms 

10 ms 

3D Laser-Triangulation (SIS) 

LENGTH MEASUREMENT 

Polytec, Beta Lasermike* 

Tube wall thickness Application-dependent < ± 0,3 % 

Tube diameter, position Application-dependent < ± 0,4 % of measuring range end value or < ± 25 µm 

Surface defects 

> 0,2 mm depth, length / width application-dependent 

Standard Option Not available On request 

* 

Tube temperature 

Tube length 

< ± 0,75 % of measuring range end value 

< ± 0,1 % of total length plus ± 20 mm end detection 

18 19

MEVIweb 

Human Machine Interface (HMI) 

MEVIweb 

User software developed inhouse by IMS with 

excellent user experience 

The impressive performance of all IMS measuring systems 

is not only defined by their reliable functionality, 

consistently accurate measuring results and impressive 

service life. The extremely user-friendly control and regulation 

software is also an important factor in the success 

of our radiometric and optical measuring systems. 

MEVIweb is the logical further development of the wellknown 

and previously used automation system MEVInet. 

Developed by IMS, this human machine interface 

uses the latest technology standards and always focuses 

on the user and his or her individual requirements. 

As an automation system of the latest generation, 

MEVIweb fulfils the following tasks using the latest software 

and hardware technologies: 

The following software extension packages are 

available to our customers for their individual 

control and regulation software requirements: 

• Q Lite 

• Q Basic 

• Q Professional 

• Q Data Exporter * 

• SPS Programming 

* (can only be used with Q Lite, Basic or Professional) 

• measurement 

• control 

• regulation 

• visualisation 

• quality management 

In addition to precise measurement technology, special 

emphasis was placed during development on diagnostic 

and maintenance support, including the possibility 

of remote diagnosis. Programming is effected with modules 

according to IEC 61131 of the logi.CAD system, 

using standardised operating systems and interfaces. 

CONVINCING USABILITY THROUGH: 

• Use of newest technologies (JavaScript, 

NodeJS, HTML5, CSS, JSON) 

• Open communication with standardised, 

non-proprietary interfaces 

• Large test coverage with unit tests, integration 

tests and simulation 

• Scalability 

• Platform independence (reduction of dependencies) 

• Unified configuration tools & improved user 

experience 

• Web configuration 

• Use of smartphones and tablets possible 

• Modern appearance with various customisable 

themes 

• Clearly structured, user-friendly interface 

• Enhanced functionality 

20 21

THE IMS GROUP 

IMS as Pioneer 

Since its foundation in 1980, IMS has successfully faced the ever-growing 

requirements of the rolling industry for high-performance measuring systems. 

The result: a product portfolio of high-precision, non-contact detecting 

systems that covers all measuring tasks arising in your production lines. We 

would like to present outstanding system developments, some of which IMS 

was the first manufacturer worldwide to bring to market, thereby establishing 

itself as market leader. 

1981 – 1983 

Successful development of 

microprocessor technologies 

(1981) and commissioning 

of the first optical 

width measuring system 

(1983) replace conventional 

analogue technologies 

1981 

1988 FIRST 

2nd Generation of Multichannel 

Profile Measuring System 

Market launch of the second 

generation of monoscopic 

isotope thickness measuring 

systems (gamma radiation) for 

flat products 

1995 FIRST 

3rd Generation of Multichannel 

Profile Measuring System 

Market launch of the third generation 

of thickness measuring systems for 

flat products, now based on x-ray 

radiation 

1997 FIRST 

Market Launch 

of Edge Drop 

Strip Edge Profile 

Measuring System 

The first radiometric 

strip edge profile 

measuring system 

for high-resolution 

measurement of 

strip thickness, 

wedge and strip 

cross profile enters 

service 

2001 FIRST 

Market Launch of 

TopPlan Strip Flatness 


Presentation of the 

three-dimensional and 

non-contact optical 

strip flatness measuring 

system TopPlan 

2008 FIRST 2014 FIRST 

Development Work on 

surcon 3D Surface Inspection 

Systems Begins 

As the first manufacturer 

worldwide, IMS develops a 3D 

surface inspection system able 

to detect the surface quality of 

slabs and billets at temperatures 

of even above 1,000°C 

using a laser sectioning 

technique 

2010 

Market Launch of a Billet 

Contour Measuring System 

The first measuring system 

for dimensional measurement 

of hot billets and 

profiles enters service 

successfully 

Market Launch of Camera 

Cluster Systems (CCS) 

First deployment of compact 

camera cluster systems (CCS) 

for width, hole and edge crack 

detection, slit strip width 

measurement, flatness and 

evenness measurement, sheet 

geometry measurement and 

pinhole detection 

2017 FIRST 

First Deployment 

of an XRD Phase 

Content Measuring 

System 

Successful commissioning 

of the 

first online phase 

content measuring 

system based on 

x-ray diffraction in a 

hot-dip galvanising 

line 

2020 

First Deployment of a Laser 

Thickness Measuring System 

The first laser thickness measuring 

system for cold-rolled strip 

is successfully installed and 

commissioned in a slitting line 

2022 FIRST 

Development of a 

Magnetic Strip Flatness 


Magnetic strip flatness 

measuring system for 

tensile strip developed 

as an alternative to 

conventional shapemeter 

rolls 

TODAY 

1984 FIRST 

1st Generation of 

Multichannel Profile 


Market launch of the first 

generation of monoscopic 

isotope thickness measuring 

systems (gamma 

radiation) for flat products 

1990 

Market Launch of Tube 

Thickness Measuring 

System 

The first high-performance 

measuring system for 

non-contact, continuous 

measurement of tube 

thickness, geometry, 

contour and position enters 

service successfully 

1996 

1999 

Development of Modern 

X-Ray Components 

In-house development of x-ray 

generators and control units 

specifically optimised for use in 

IMS measuring systems 

2002 FIRST 

Market Launch of IMSpect 

Coating Weight Measuring 

System 

Commissioning of the first optical 

coating weight measuring system 

for determination of coating 

thicknesses in pre- and post-treatments 

with chromates, titanium, 

zirconium compounds as well as 

in chromium-free pre-treatments 

First Deployment of 

MEVInet-Q Data Archiving System 

The first version of the MEVInet-Q data 

archiving system, equipped with scalable 

software for automated acquisition 

and visualisation of relevant measurement 

data, is deployed 

2009 FIRST 

2013 

2015 FIRST 

First Deployment of Radar 

Width Measuring System 

For the first time, a radarbased 

measuring system 

specially developed for use 

under even the harshest 

environmental conditions in 

hot rolling mills enters service 

Production of XR Thickness 

Measuring Systems Begins in the USA 

The US subsidiary IMS Systems, Inc. starts 

production of x-ray thickness measuring 

systems in revised form as compact, modular 

solution for strip thickness measurement in 

cold rolling mills and process lines 

Further Development of MEVInet-Q2 Data Archiving System 

Optimisation of the MEVInet-Q quality data archiving system as well as its 

automated evaluation of measurement data for quality assurance purposes 

over the entire production process from hot strip, cold strip, material finishing 

to dressing and straightening 

Market Launch of a Compact X-Ray Generator with Control Unit 

Integration of the compact x-ray generator and control unit combined into 

one component in IMS measuring frames simplifies installation, and enables 

faster control and trouble-free operation of the system 

2019 FIRST 

2021 FIRST 

Development of the Inclusion 

Detection System (IDS) 

The Inclusion Detection System 

(IDS), based on the principle 

of magnetic flux leakage and 

specially developed for the early 

detection of internal defects and 

shell defects in cold-rolled strip 

steels, has already entered 

service successfully 

First Deployment of a Radar 

Thickness Measuring System 

Specially developed for the harsh 

environmental conditions in hot 

rolling mills, the first radar thickness 

measuring system enters 

service in a Steckel mill 

22 23

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

SERVICE 

The Way Forward 

24/7 Service 

Worldwide 

We at IMS see ourselves as a self-learning organisation whose corporate 

concept is geared towards maintaining a high level of know-how at 

all times as the basis for our highly developed measuring systems: 

non-contact detection systems which, thanks to their innovative and 

customer-specific developments, are often not only ahead of the times, 

but also of our competitors. 

We can only achieve and guarantee this market lead over the long term if 

we work together closely with our customers as partners as the concrete 

and very individual problems of our customers are our challenges for 

constant new developments of advanced technology that withstands 

the harshest conditions thanks to precise yet robust mechanics. Strong 

partners from research and engineering round off our competence team. 

The result: precision systems of the highest order for optimally monitored 

processes in hot rolling mills, cold rolling mills and service centres. 

As the world market leader for 

measuring systems, we know that 

high-precision technology requires a 

maximum focus on quality. This also 

applies to our high-performance and 

comprehensive service, which turns 

our measuring systems into true 

full-business solutions. 

Worldwide service around the clock – which we offer 

and guarantee our customers through our IMS Service 

Centres distributed strategically around the globe. 

Even before delivery of the new measuring system, 

your employees can undergo intensive training in our 

in-house academy to ensure optimal integration and 

high-performance operation of the system in your process 

sequences from the very beginning. Our service 

team will of course take care of maintenance, repair 

and any spare parts that may be required for constant 

smooth operation in your production chain. 

Through remote maintenance at the highest technological 

level, we are able to carry out error diagnoses 

directly when required and guarantee immediate competent 

support for your employees on site. Your benefit: 

optimal service life of all components, while the systems 

are and remain adapted to the constant development in 

technical requirements. 

With our three service packages – Basic, Silver 

and Gold – we offer you exactly the service that is 

tailored to your requirements and needs. Support via 

our toll-free 24/7 telephone hotline is already part of our 

Basic package, and direct remote support is available 

from Silver onwards. Finally, our IMS Gold service as 

an all-round carefree package ensures that our service 

technicians are deployed on site in the event of a malfunction 

and that spare parts are available and delivered 

in less than 24 hours. 

You want a quote for your system? With pleasure! 

Simply contact us. 

24 25

„Responsibility means to 

blame yourself for the lack of 

sustainability.“ 

(Ronny Boch, geologist, free author) 

Conservation of resources 

through precision out of 

passion and quality out of 

conviction 

We at IMS, as the world market leader for measuring 

systems, are aware of our social responsibility of sustainable 

management! 

To give our customers, suppliers and stakeholders a 

transparent insight into concrete measures we have implemented 

in the IMS Group, we launched the project 

IMSocial in close adherence to the principles of Corporate 

Social Responsibility (CSR). 

But for us at IMS, IMSocial is more than just a project! 

IMSocial is a belief and stands for the values of our corporate 

philosophy. 

After all, the sooner even minor defects – which in steel 

products can already render them useless – are detected, 

the faster machining processes can be corrected. 

And precisely this contributes significantly to active climate 

protection as it is no longer necessary to produce 

new products to substitute defective ones, thereby saving 

energy and water, and also reducing reject rates 

significantly. 

Learn more about IMSocial and visit us at 

www.imsocial.info! 

We not only want to achieve sustainability in our products 

and customer relations, but also place the same 

demands on our social, ecological and economic responsibility. 

The first thought that comes to mind in connection with 

the non-contact measuring systems from IMS for the 

steel, non-ferrous metal and aluminium industries is 

certainly not one of active conservation of resources. 

However, our isotope, x-ray and optical measuring systems 

do exactly that: they save and preserve resources! 

The IMS product portfolio comprises numerous measuring 

systems and processes for various types of measurement. 

Our systems deliver and document exceptionally 

precise measurement results under the toughest 

conditions in hot and cold rolling mills as well as service 

centres. In this way it is possible to detect material defects, 

surface irregularities, tolerance and dimensional 

deviations and many other factors that, in the worst 

case, would lead later to material rejects at an early stage 

during the manufacturing process. 

26 27

IMS worldwide 

ARGENTINA 

AMPEXA 

AUSTRALIA 

FEC Australia 

BRASIL 

IMS do Brasil 

CHINA P.R. 

IMS Messsysteme 

(Shanghai) Co., Ltd. 

Shanghai Jiaxuan Intelligent 

Technology Co., Ltd. 

DUBAI 

IMS Maco 

Measuring Systems (FCZ) 

FINLAND 

Beijer Oy 

INDIA 

IMS Maco Services Pvt., Ltd. 

INDONESIA 

PT. Indojaya Mitra Sarana 

ITALY 

Mediter S.A.S. 

JAPAN 

Nireco Corporation 

KOREA 

IMS Systems Korea Co., Ltd. 

MEXICO 

IMSSYS Mexico S.A. de C.V. 

RUSSIA 

IMS Service LLC. 

SWEDEN 

Olsson & Falck AB 

SERBIEN 

UNICOM 

SPAIN 

Industrial Equipment and 

Consumables, S.L. 

SÜDAFRIKA 

REMAG (Pty) Ltd. 

TAIWAN 

Litefluid Engineering Co., Ltd. 

TURKEY 

IMS Metalurji Servis Ltd., Sti. 

Tarakcioglu A.S. 

USA 

IMS Systems Inc. 

VENEZUELA 

IMS Venezuela C.A. 

UNITED KINGDOM 

TRC Poole 

VIETNAM 

IMS Systems Vietnam Co., Ltd. 

Cuong Phat Co., Ltd. 

THAILAND 

EGYPT 

EUROSIA Trading Co., Ltd 

A.T.S. Company 

POLAND 

28 

IMS Systems Poland z o.o. 

29

20 of the 20 largest steel and 

aluminium manufacturers worldwide 

rely on the precision of 

IMS measuring systems as part 

of their quality assurance 

4500+ 

Measuring systems in use 

750+ 

Customers in 

60+ 

Countries 

30 31

IMS Messsysteme GmbH 

Dieselstraße 55 

42579 Heiligenhaus | Germany 

Phone: +49 (0) 2056 / 975 – 0 

Fax: +49 (0) 2056 / 975 – 140 

info@ims-gmbh.de 

www.ims-gmbh.de

IMS Measuring Systems for Tube Mills

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