Infra-red film gauge controls web thickness

The FG710 infra-red film thickness gauge allows users greater production control which leads to a low cost of ownership.

The FG710 infra-red film thickness gauge allows users greater production control which leads to advantages such as, reduced scrap volumes, reduced startup times, improved product quality, greater productivity, fewer customer returns and a low cost of ownership.

A superior alternative to nucleonic sensors in the measurement of most products, FG710 offers high-speed measurement, simple calibration, minimal maintenance and excellent measurement performance characteristics.

FG710 can be used to measure mono-layer films, and simultaneously up to four separate co-extruded layers, for accurate measurement of barrier or tie layers for example.

It is also capable of measuring a wide range of film thickness from 12um to 5mm and a variety of film types: voided, hazed, pigmented, filled etc.

"Larger, faster and more complex production lines have resulted in the market demanding better sensor technology that provide faster measurement, excellent repeatability characteristics and higher resolution", comments James Millard, Marketing Manager, NDC Infrared Engineering.

"As convertors install new machines such as printing lines, slitters etc, running at higher speeds, for optimum productivity, the pressure is on for producers to supply product of continually increasing quality.

If manufacturers fail to keep pace with improvements then they risk losing out as their customers seek new suppliers who can provide product of consistently high superiority".

Streak detection is of significant value to film producers as effects of even the smallest repeatable web defect can amount to huge scrap volumes or downgraded film quality.

FG710's ability to detect streaks as narrow as one mm allows for the control system or operator to intervene and eliminate the cause.

Short and long-term measurement repeatability and stability in the FG710 gauge, allows for tighter control of the film to the target weight: this also gives line operators the confidence to reduce film weight towards the lower production limit.

Dependable measurement performance results in better product uniformity and consistent quality coupled with cost savings through reduction in raw material usage.

Fast, accurate profile control is critical to film producers.

Nucleonic and almost all infra-red sensors in the market have to perform a regular off-sheet standardisation routine helping maintain measurement stability (compensates for measurement drift due to temperature changes, source changes etc).

FG710's design allows internal and continuous standardisation, eliminating the need for off-sheet standardisation.

Maximising the sensor's on-sheet time is critical as the more scan data collected the faster the control actions will be.

This is especially critical during startups or after product grade changes when getting the film thickness profile back into tolerance quickly is important in ensuring minimal scrap.

FG710 features technical advancements including high efficiency light collectors replacing traditional lenses and innovative detector design.

The ultra fast 3ms data collection rate enables exceptional signal-to-noise characteristics and fast web scanning, vastly improving control output performance.

Furthermore, FG710 is unaffected by environmental conditions in production plants, such as humidity, lighting and temperature.

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