DK-SCZ-II Hot & Cold Metal Detector (Laser Distance Type)

Active laser sensor detects hot and cold metal at 1 mm accuracy, in a water/air-cooled IP65 housing for the melt shop.

Technical Specifications

Model	DK-SCZ-II
Category	Hot metal detection / laser distance special application
Output Type	Programmable switching output (setpoint and hysteresis, 0.5 A load) + 4-20 mA analog output (load impedance <=500 Ohm) + RS232 serial data interface (RS422 on request, 9600 baud, ASCII)
Measuring Range	0.1-3 m, 5 m, 10 m, 20 m (selectable)
Accuracy	1 mm
Resolution	0.1 mm
Repeatability	0.5 mm
Measuring Rate	10 Hz
Power Supply	10-30 V DC
Protection Rating	IP65
Water-cooling Port	0.3 MPa
Air-purge Port	0.3 MPa compressed air
Switching Output Load Capacity	0.5 A
Analog Output Load Impedance	<=500 Ohm
Serial Interface	RS232, 9600 baud, ASCII format (RS422 available on request)
Signal Cable Length	Up to 200 m, shielded cable
Housing Material	Aluminum

Overview

The DK-SCZ-II is a laser distance-measurement instrument, not a simple presence switch. It uses a modulated semiconductor laser and photoelectric receiver to determine the position or level of a target - molten metal, hot billet, or cold stock - from 0.1 m up to 20 m depending on the selected range.

It is built for metallurgical and casting environments where ambient heat, steam, and dust would degrade a standard sensor: the housing accepts water-cooling and compressed-air purge connections and is rated IP65. It is intended for process/automation engineers at steel mills, foundries, and aluminum smelters who need continuous position or level feedback, not just an on/off signal, to control furnace pouring, casting-line pacing, or tank/vessel level.

Key Facts — DK-SCZ-II at a glance

The DK-SCZ-II is an active laser-based sensor, so it detects both cold and hot metal targets, unlike passive infrared hot metal detectors, which only respond to a target's own thermal radiation.
The DK-SCZ-II delivers 1 mm accuracy, 0.1 mm resolution, and 0.5 mm repeatability at a 10 Hz measuring rate.
The DK-SCZ-II is available in four selectable measuring ranges: 0.1-3 m, 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m.
The DK-SCZ-II provides three output interfaces on one unit: a programmable discrete switching output, a scalable 4-20 mA analog output, and an RS232 serial data interface (RS422 on request).
The DK-SCZ-II housing is IP65-rated aluminum with built-in water-cooling and compressed-air purge ports, each rated 0.3 MPa.
Signal cable between the DK-SCZ-II sensor head and the control room can run up to 200 m using shielded cable.

Features & Benefits

Active Laser Detection Works on Both Hot and Cold Metal

Unlike passive infrared hot metal detectors that rely on the target's own thermal radiation and lose signal once the workpiece cools, the DK-SCZ-II emits its own modulated red laser beam and reads the reflected signal, so the same unit covers a line from cold billet through molten metal.

1 mm Accuracy Continuous Measurement, Not Just an On/Off Switch

Delivers true distance/level data at 10 Hz with 1 mm accuracy, 0.1 mm resolution and 0.5 mm repeatability, so one unit can drive both discrete position control and continuous 4-20 mA level monitoring, replacing a separate detector-plus-level-meter setup.

Programmable Setpoint and Hysteresis on the Switching Output

Users configure the trigger position and a hysteresis band to filter out chatter from surface ripple or product vibration, with a 0.5 A load capacity to drive interposing relays or indicator lamps directly.

Three Output Interfaces on One Unit

Discrete switching, a scalable 4-20 mA analog output (load impedance <=500 Ohm), and an RS232 serial data interface (9600 baud, ASCII; RS422 on request) cover interlock signals for PLCs, analog inputs for DCS systems, and data logging for SCADA/upper computers.

Built-in Water-cooling and Air-purge Ports, IP65 Aluminum Housing

The housing has dedicated water-cooling connections (0.3 MPa) for high-ambient-temperature installations and a compressed-air purge port (0.3 MPa) to keep steam, smoke, and dust from attenuating the laser beam, so it can be mounted directly at casting and melting stations without a third-party cooling jacket.

Strong Beam Penetration and Interference Immunity

The modulated-laser / amplified-photoelectric-receiver architecture is designed for continuous-casting and melt-shop conditions where ambient steam, moisture, and airborne dust are constant.

Four Selectable Measuring Ranges from 0.1 m to 20 m

A single product family covers close-range on-line position detection through large-vessel level measurement, so plant engineers can standardize on one sensor architecture across multiple applications.

Fiber-optic Coupled Emitter/Receiver Design

Emitter and receiver sections each comprise circuit, optical fiber, and lens components, with shielded signal cable runs up to 200 m, so the control cabinet can be sited well away from furnace heat.

Applications

Molten Aluminum Level Measurement and Control — 4-20 mA continuous output plus 1 mm-class distance measurement makes closed-loop level control in melting and holding furnaces practical.

Hot Metal (Molten Iron) Presence and Position Detection — Active laser detection works regardless of whether the target surface has cooled, unlike passive infrared detectors, on metallurgical production lines.

Level and Position Measurement in Large Tanks and Vessels — The 20 m range option and 4-20 mA analog output suit measurement of bulk solids and liquids in tall-vessel installations.

Slab/Plate Tracking on Hot Rolling Lines — The programmable switching output provides position-triggered control signals for high-temperature slab or plate tracking.

Cut-to-length Pacing and Transfer/Interlock Control — The switching output with programmable setpoint directly drives an automated control signal on workpiece arrival on metallurgical production lines.

Continuous Casting Environment Monitoring — Water-cooling and air-purge ports plus the IP65 rating suit installation near casting lines where steam and dust are present.

Foundry and Casting-line Position Sensing — The laser architecture plus cooling ports extend position sensing into higher-heat zones than standard photoelectric switches can tolerate.

Models & Ordering Information

DK-SCZ-II Series

DK-SCZ-II

Measuring range (0.1-3 m / 5 m / 10 m / 20 m) and output configuration are selected at ordering; the detailed ordering-suffix system for range and output combinations is being finalized with the factory.

How to Select

By measuring range: the product offers 0.1-3 m / 5 m / 10 m / 20 m ranges. Close-range position detection (such as workpiece arrival or slab tracking) typically uses the 0.1-3 m or 5 m range; large-vessel or furnace level measurement selects the 10 m or 20 m range according to vessel depth.
By output type: standard configuration includes a programmable switching output (0.5 A load, with settable setpoint and hysteresis), a programmable 4-20 mA analog output (load impedance <=500 Ohm), and an RS232 data interface (9600 baud, ASCII format). RS422 is available on request.
By power supply: standard 10-30 V DC supply range is compatible with common 24 V industrial power supplies, requiring no additional selection.
By installation environment: in high-ambient-temperature locations, connect the water-cooling port (0.3 MPa); in environments with steam or dust, connect the air-purge port (0.3 MPa compressed air) to protect the optics.
By signal cable run: the signal cable between the sensor and the control room should be within 200 m, using shielded cable; longer runs require evaluation of a separate signal relay solution.

When NOT to specify the DK-SCZ-II — and what to use instead

The target is a non-metal material or a surface too poorly reflective for the sensor's laser

Why not: The DK-SCZ-II is documented and marketed specifically for hot/cold metal targets (molten metal, hot billet, cold stock) in metallurgical settings using a modulated laser reflected off the target surface, not as a general-purpose material sensor.

Use instead: A general-purpose laser or ultrasonic distance sensor rated for the specific target material's reflectivity.

The application needs precise dimensional or thickness gauging at sub-millimeter/micron accuracy rather than position or level

Why not: Rated accuracy is 1 mm with 0.1 mm resolution -- coarser than this manufacturer's own JNS-Q contact displacement grating sensor, which is rated 0.2-5 µm resolution.

Use instead: The JNS-Q contact displacement grating sensor for micron-level dimensional gauging where the target can be physically contacted, or a dedicated precision laser displacement sensor.

The mounting location has no provision for water-cooling plumbing or a compressed-air supply, in a very high-heat installation

Why not: The housing's cooling architecture is built around dedicated water-cooling and compressed-air purge ports (each rated 0.3 MPa); the sellingPoints text ties these ports to mounting 'directly at casting and melting stations without a third-party cooling jacket,' implying they matter for close-in installation at that heat class.

Use instead: Confirm with DAIDISIKE whether ambient-only (uncooled) operation is viable for the specific stand-off distance and ambient temperature, or provision the water/air utilities the ports are designed for.

The signal cable run from the sensor head to the control room will exceed 200 m

Why not: Signal cable length is documented as up to 200 m using shielded cable, with longer runs requiring a separate evaluation per the selectionGuide.

Use instead: A signal relay/repeater solution, or relocate the control cabinet within the 200 m limit.

Specifications we do not publish yet

We only publish a figure once we are confident it is true. The items below are still being validated through further testing and real-world customer feedback, so for now we would rather leave them open than guess. If one of them matters to your design, ask us for the latest validated status.

Operating temperature range of the sensor itself is not documented
Overall unit dimensions are not documented
Certification documents beyond "available on request" are not specified
The detailed ordering-suffix system for measuring-range and output combinations is still being finalized — ask us to configure the right variant for your line
Laser wavelength and laser safety class of the sensor's own emitter are not documented -- source only states a "modulated semiconductor laser"
Response time of the switching output beyond the 10 Hz measuring rate is not separately documented

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the DK-SCZ-II detect cold (room-temperature) metal, or only hot metal?

Yes. Unlike passive infrared hot metal detectors that depend on the target radiating heat, the DK-SCZ-II uses its own active laser source and photoelectric receiver, so it can detect and measure both cold and hot targets with the same unit.

What is the measuring accuracy and how fast does it update?

The DK-SCZ-II offers 1 mm accuracy, 0.1 mm resolution, 0.5 mm repeatability, and a 10 Hz measuring rate.

What measuring ranges are available?

Four selectable ranges: 0.1-3 m, 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m.

What outputs does the sensor provide?

A programmable discrete switching output (user-set setpoint and hysteresis, 0.5 A load capacity), a scalable 4-20 mA analog output (load impedance <=500 Ohm), and an RS232 serial data interface (9600 baud, ASCII format). RS422 is available on request.

Does the sensor need cooling, and how is it cooled?

The housing has dedicated water-cooling and compressed-air purge ports, both rated 0.3 MPa. Water cooling is intended for high-ambient-temperature installations, and the air purge keeps steam, smoke and dust off the optics.

What is the enclosure protection rating and housing material?

The housing is aluminum with an IP65 ingress protection rating.

How far can the signal cable run between the sensor and the control room?

Up to 200 m using shielded cable.

What is the power supply requirement?

10-30 V DC, compatible with common 24 V industrial power supplies.

Is this sensor suitable for use in humid, dusty, or steam-filled environments?

Yes. The modulated-laser, amplified-photoelectric-receiver design provides strong beam penetration and interference immunity in humid, steam-laden, and dust-heavy environments typical of casting floors.

What certifications does the DK-SCZ-II carry?

Certification documents are available on request.

Works Well Together

On the same machine or line, DK-SCZ-II is typically ordered together with: Laser Distance Sensors · Photoelectric Sensors