557 Long Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15235 , USA

Email: fr@americansensors.com
www.americansensors.com
Tel : 412-242-5903 fax : 412-242-5908

HOT METAL DETECTOR

HMD-3000 SERIES
NON-CONTACT, RELIABLE, PRECISE, LONG-RANGE PRODUCT
DETECTION FOR ALL PRODUCTS FROM 200 C (392 F) EVEN IN
THE PRESENCE OF STEAM, SCALE AND WATER.

0.57

2.85

ALL-OR-NOTHING SIGNAL INDICATIVE OF PRODUCT

PRESENCE
ANALOG OUTPUT INDICATIVE OF PRODUCT TEMPERATURE
DIGITAL
AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL (AGC)
24 VDC or 80V to 260VAC, 50 Hz / 60 Hz.
APPLICATIONS:

MADE IN THE USA

HMD-3000 is the best designed and the most precise detection system for all hot metal
applications including:
Tracking.
Caster Torches.
Width Control.
Positioning.
Cut-to-Length.
Mill Water Control
Cooling Beds.
Annealing.

12-05 Rev.2

HMD-3000 Series Hot Metal Detector

1 of 8

557 Long Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15235 , USA
Email: fr@americansensors.com
www.americansensors.com
Tel : 412-242-5903 fax : 412-242-5908

DESCRIPTION:
The Hot Metal Detector (HMD) uses infrared sensitive PbS photocell to detect radiation from hot
objects starting as low as 200C. The incoming radiation is chopped with blades of miniature fan and
converted to electrical signal. The electrical signal is amplified in the two-stage programmable gain
amplifier as shown in Figure 1. The HMD-3000-S is the Standard version and the HMD-3000-D is
the Digital version
.
The first amplifier (Receiver) has built in temperature compensation to correct temperature
related variations of the photocell responsiveness. The Receiver has two gain controls: x2 and
x5, which provide four gain selections: 1, 2, 5, 10. Gain adjustment range is sufficient for most
applications. The adjustable aperture at the front of the hood can reduce any additional radiation
level. (Double Diaphragm option).

The amplified signal is fed to the Discriminator Circuit, which compares it with the preset
threshold voltage and activates the relay and opto-coupled MOSFET when signal exceeds the
threshold.

The amplifier output is also fed to the Amplitude Detector, which produces DC voltage
proportional to the amplitude of the chopped signal. This voltage drives the 4-20mA converter,
which produces the HMD current loop signal. The 4-20mA signal is proportional to radiation
from the hot object and can be used to monitor process temperature.

The Digital version, HMD-3000-D has digital output of threshold, gain and the temperature
inside the sensor in C

Automatic Gain Control (AGC) allows the sensor to choose the best gain setting so that the
energy of the signal is always between 30000mV and 8000mV. This means that it is never
saturated (over 9969mV) and never less than 3-times the threshold. This feature is particularly
good for intermittent steam conditions, different size targets, or different temperatures, or a
combination of conditions.

CHOICE OF PHOTOCELL:
The HMD 3000 is designed to use a lead sulfide (PbS) photocell. Lead sulfide has superior
hot metal detection capabilities. The output level is sufficient to provide reliable detection
even with product temperatures as low as 200C and is continuous when the hot product is
within the viewing field.

12-05 Rev.2

HMD-3000 Series Hot Metal Detector

2 of 8

557 Long Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15235 , USA
Email: fr@americansensors.com
www.americansensors.com
Tel : 412-242-5903 fax : 412-242-5908

HMD Block Diagram

RECEIVER

Amplitude
Detector

Amplifier

Gain x2 ON

Laser Control

Laser
Pointer

Gain x5 ON

Chopper

Discriminator

Threshold

Control Panel
Gain/Threshold/Test Switches
Status LEDs
Threshold adjust

Optocoupler

Relay

4/20mA
Converter

TERMINAL BLOCKS

Figure 1: Two-Stage programmable Gain Amplifier

Fiber Optic Cable: FOC-6

For applications where very hot objects must be monitored from a close distance or limited space
would not allow installation of the HMD unit in desired location, American Sensors offers the Fiber
Optic Probe, which allows locating the HMD unit up to 6m (18 feet) from the monitoring point.
HOT PRODUCT
(SLAB. BILLET, ROD..)

Air (out)

D
Water

Air (in)
Water (out)
74 cm (5 Ft)
Water in
21.6 cm
(8.5)

5m ( 16.5 Ft)
Fiber optic
length

12-05 Rev.2

HMD-3000 Series Hot Metal Detector

3 of 8

557 Long Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15235 , USA
Email: fr@americansensors.com
www.americansensors.com
Tel : 412-242-5903 fax : 412-242-5908

SPECIFICATIONS:
HMD3000

HMD3000-D

SENSITIVITY RANGE

Adjustable gain (1, 2, 5 or 10) via switches

Adjustable gain (1, 2, 5 or 10) via serial link

DETECTION THRESHOLD

Adjustable/Programmable, available at 4-20

mA

Adjustable/Programmable, available at 4-20

mA and digital output

Signal amplitude at 4-20 mA

Signal amplitude at 4-20 mA and digital output

NA

Enabled via digital link

Scanning

ENERGY
AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL
PHOTOCELL OPTIONS

PbS or Si
Horizontal 0.57
Vertical 2.85

NARROW ANGLE DETECTION

Signals

350VA with 250V Max.

10A Max

SWITCHING POWER
DETECT RELAY
SOLID STATE OUTPUT
DIGITAL OUTPUT RATE
FAULT RELAY

Triggers on object detected and object detected within window

Closing time: 7.5 ms / Opening time: 3 ms
MOSFET isolated optocoupled relay 0/24 VDC & 24/0 VDC, 100 MA
Response time: 2 ms
NA

40 ms to 1 sec

Triggers on power fault, 4-20mA fault, scanner fault, and over temperature limit

Electrical
80 to 240 VAC / 15 W (50-60 Hz)
or 24 VDC (23 V to 26 V) / 8 W

POWER SUPPLY
POWER CONSUMPTION

20 VA or 10 VA for 24V

SHIELDED CABLE
CONNECTOR
SERIAL LINK DIGITAL
COMMUNICATION

2 Meter, high-temperature Teflon cable

Quick disconnect 15-pin HARTING plug with ground shield
NA

RS232 and RS485

Mechanical
LASER POSITIONING
HOUSING
WATER / AIR COOLING
PROTECTIVE HOOD
MOUNTING

650nm (red) Class 2 laser

Hermetically sealed cast metal housing rating: IP66 (NEMA 4 & NEMA 12)
Removable water / air-cooling jacket with quick disconnect connections
Hinged protective hood with positive pressure air purge: 4-16 liters/min (0.14 -0.56 ft3/min) at 2
bars (29 PSI)
Fully Adjustable foot mount swivel stand

TOTAL WEIGHT
OPERATING TEMPERATURE

Approx. 9 kg (20 Lbs)

10C (-14F) to 60C (140 F)
Above 65C (149 F) auxiliary cooling is required: 1-2 bars (14.5 - 29 PSI) at 1-2 liters/min (0.035
- 0.07 ft3/min)

STORAGE TEMPERATURE
INSIDE TEMPERATURE
WARRANTY

12-05 Rev.2

20C (-4F) to 70C (158 F)

Alarm (fail safe)

Alarm (fail safe) + Digital output in C

2 Years

HMD-3000 Series Hot Metal Detector

4 of 8

557 Long Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15235 , USA
Email: fr@americansensors.com
www.americansensors.com
Tel : 412-242-5903 fax : 412-242-5908

MECHANICAL DRAWINGS:
HMD-3000 with Standard Tubus

HMD-3000 with Brick Tubus

12-05 Rev.2

HMD-3000 Series Hot Metal Detector

5 of 8

557 Long Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15235 , USA
Email: fr@americansensors.com
www.americansensors.com
Tel : 412-242-5903 fax : 412-242-5908

WIRING DIAGRAM: (ANALOG)

12-05 Rev.2

HMD-3000 Series Hot Metal Detector

6 of 8

557 Long Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15235 , USA
Email: fr@americansensors.com
www.americansensors.com
Tel : 412-242-5903 fax : 412-242-5908

WIRING DIAGRAM: (DIGITAL)

12-05 Rev.2

HMD-3000 Series Hot Metal Detector

7 of 8

557 Long Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15235 , USA
Email: fr@americansensors.com
www.americansensors.com
Tel : 412-242-5903 fax : 412-242-5908

PRODUCT ORDERING:
Analog /
Digital

Tubus type

Photocell

Input Voltage

Analog
Outputs

Detection Wiring

HMD
3000
Analog
3000-D
Digital

STAN Standard PBS (Standard)

30
SI (fast response)
BRICK Brick
FOC Fiber Optic

DC: 24 V
D Direct or Delta
AC: 80 to 240 V I MOSFET Isolated
NA North American
(Fault Relay 115 V)

4-20 mA
0-20 mA
0-10 V
Custom
(Specify)

ACCESSORIES:
HS 500: Adjustable stand, support and swivel heat shield
CB 500: Connection box with LED display
RB 500: Portable radiant bar to simulate hot target
RB-3000: Mill duty radiant bar to simulate hot target

12-05 Rev.2

KP-3000: Hand-Held Programming & diagnostic

Terminal
HL 20002: Extension Cable

HMD-3000 Series Hot Metal Detector

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