| Abstract Scope |
For hot rolling applications, traditional thermocouples provide limited, single-point data that are unsuitable for these rotating, high-temperature environments. This study presents a novel rotary-joint fiber-optic sensor system integrated into a 25-inch-long roller on a lab-scale rolling mill. The fiber is embedded through 1-mm-diameter EDM-drilled holes positioned 0.5 mm from the roller surface, enabling real-time, spatially distributed temperature monitoring using Rayleigh backscattering. Experimental results align with thermal simulation models, confirming sensor accuracy. This new approach supports detailed thermal mapping for improved thermal crown prediction, flatness control and industrial-scale optimization. |