Converters receive quality, productivity and cost benefits from NDC Technologies’ high-accuracy measurement systems

NDC Technologies, a leading global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, sees a growing trend among converters to accurately and reliably measure their products across a wide range of applications. The company’s latest measurement technologies effectively meet this demand with their high-performance, on-line gauging systems that enable converters to increase productivity, optimize product quality and realize bottom-line benefits.

Thickness, Moisture, Basis and Coat Weight Measurements

NDC’s sensor portfolio includes twelve distinct technologies that can be configured to measure thickness, basis weight, moisture and coat weight across a wide range of coating and converted products. These sensors can be arranged as either fixed point or scanning measurements, depending on the application. NDC also provides measurement and control solutions for continuous coating operations, plus specialty patch and stripe coaters.

NDC’s strategies for measuring coat weight include a single, direct selective measurement. These infrared sensors include the IG710S backscatter gauge that can discriminate up to six components for high-resolution measurement of adhesives, wax, polymers, acrylic and water-based coatings. In addition, NDC’s SR710S infrared reflectance gauge is able to measure thin, clear coatings on metallic foils or metalized paper and plastics.

NDC’s coat weight solutions also include a combination measurement using two sensors positioned before and after the coating station where the coat weight is calculated by subtracting these two measurements. For greater accuracy and measurement performance, NDC’s “Same Spot Measurement” assures that multi-scanner measurements traverse exactly the same path, while the “True Net Coat Measurement” utility allows both sensors (base and coat) to be calibrated against a single coat response curve for accurate coat weight measurement.

Length and Speed Measurements

NDC’s Beta LaserMike LaserSpeed® gauge measures the length and speed of any moving surface with better than ±0.05% accuracy and without contacting the product. This advanced measurement system offers a cost-effective alternative to error-prone rotary contact encoders that can lose contact on various product surfaces due to slippage or web vibration, and require frequent calibration because of mechanical wear and tear. A contact encoder with inaccuracies as much as 2% can cost a converter a significant amount of money due to product give-away, waste, maintenance and system downtime.

LaserSpeed has no moving parts and is factory calibrated for low-maintenance operation. It uses laser-based technology to precisely measure both web and packaging products for paper, film, sheet and foil. Applications include measuring product length and speed at the slitter/rewinder, regulating coating/laminating applications, controlling critical length cutting operations, adjusting roll speeds in flying-splice processes and monitoring web tension of products. Converters realize numerous production efficiencies and material savings.

For more information, please visit www.ndc.com/converting and www.laserspeed.eu.