The core function of ibaQDR is accurately assigning quality data to the product along its length.

ibaQDR carries out this assignment based on the initial time-based data store. At the end of the process, the measured values occurring with a delay are precisely assigned to the product at the point where they were measured.

Data relevant for quality includes:

• Product dimensions (width, thickness, etc.)

• Profiles (strip coating, thickness cross-sectional profile, etc.)

• Production parameters (temperature, tension, pressure, etc.)

• Setpoints and measured consumption values, etc.

However, as an additional application for more in-depth process analysis and optimization using ibaQDR, it can also be useful to include more extensive signal data such as status bits, control data, etc. in the ibaQDR store. These ibaQDR applications may then cover several thousand signals.

The production line is split into several sections (measuring locations) in which data relevant to quality is generated. In addition the product, for example a steel strip, is divided into length segments, which are tracked through the line by a material tracking function.

The figure below illustrates this principle using the example of a strip processing line.

The measured data is initially stored separately by measuring locations, and the tracking ID and the position (length) of the product relative to the relevant measuring location are also stored. These measuring locations can be thought of as small individual ibaPDA systems along the overall line, which the product passes through in sequence over time. The number of measurement files produced is the same as the number of measuring locations.

The following graphic shows a simplified example of a hot-dip galvanizing line with measuring locations defined (red circles with “M”).

In this example, the measuring locations are:

• Uncoiler 1 + 2

• Welder

• Measuring roll 1

• Annealing

• Galvanizing

• Cooling

• Skin pass mill

• Stretch leveler

• Thickness gauge

• Shear

The completion signal for a product (e.g. cut at the end of a strip) filters out the measured data from the individual measuring location files by tracking ID and length value and writes it to a finished product file. This file now contains all measured values belonging to the product that has just been produced, standardized to the finished product length.

Material elongation due to production processes is taken into account. In addition to the finished product files, data relating to the entry strip can also be stored, or “intermediate files” can be generated during the process, which include all data up to a particular measuring location.

However, it is important to note that the length standardization here also takes into account strip elongation and thus standardization is to the last measuring location.