Microwave diffraction for steel strip detection

A system has been devised and tested successfully in a laboratory mock-up to tackle the problem of detecting the presence of a metal strip in the particularly hazardous environment of a steel works. This paper briefly outlines the environmental problems, and how they defeated more conventional techniques, before moving on to the basic principles involved with using microwave diffraction for detecting the strip. Modifications are then described to the fundamental concept which are needed to overcome practical problems. The paper finally outlines how the technique can be installed into the existing bed with very little disruption to the practical set-up and also gives a rough idea of costs involved.