By Alfonse Novelli, president/founder, Novation, Inc. Automatic web-inspection systems are becoming increasingly more popular. Whether it be surface inspection on an extruder, print inspection on a gravure press or a coatweight gauge on a laminator, web-fed processes can be monitored automatically for out-of-spec conditions. Defects sensed then need to be found and culled … [Read more...] about Closing the web-inspection loop with automatic defect marking
Inspection & Gauging
Alternatives to nuclear sensors for on-line web-gauging of weight / thickness measurement
By Eric J. Reber, technical dir.-Mahlo America, Inc. The traditional method for the on-line measurement of extruded / cast films, extrusion coatings, solution and hot-melt coatings and nonwovens has been the use of one or more Beta Transmission Sensors. As the availability of certain isotopes has become uncertain and end-users increasingly are more concerned about the use … [Read more...] about Alternatives to nuclear sensors for on-line web-gauging of weight / thickness measurement
Coating-process digitalization opportunities created by absolute, in-process, coating-thickness measurement data
By Vivek Komaragiri, chief technology officer, Sensory Analytics This article discusses some of the coating-process digitization opportunities created by real-time measurement of coating-thickness measurement data, especially by using a precise and absolute thickness-measurement technology known as ruggedized optical interference (ROI) technology. To remain competitive in a … [Read more...] about Coating-process digitalization opportunities created by absolute, in-process, coating-thickness measurement data
UV-LED measurement solutions for adhesive-curing applications
By Jim Raymont, director of sales, EIT 2.0 LLC UV LEDs with peak spectral outputs between 365-405 nanometers (nm) increasingly are being used to cure adhesives, but converting a process from mercury to LED may involve more than “turning on” an LED and “turning off” a mercury source. It is important to work with your supplier/formulator to test, evaluate and – if needed – … [Read more...] about UV-LED measurement solutions for adhesive-curing applications
Image-based speed and length measurement method for roll-to-roll manufacturing
By Takayuki Uozumi, optical engineer, Canon, Inc. In roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing, accurate control of web speed is important for coating & laminating processes, and length management is critical for cutting processes. To measure speed and length, rotary encoders, which rely on physical contact with the surface of the products, are widely used in roll-to-roll … [Read more...] about Image-based speed and length measurement method for roll-to-roll manufacturing