Non contact type method for on line measurement of thickness of Calendered fabric sheet at different points on it's width. Existing practice is to cut the sheet on it's width at 2-3 places during running & to measure thickness of same cut pieces with thickness gauge.

I want Non contact type method for on line measurement of thickness of Calendered fabric sheet at different points on it's width. Fabric has rubber layer outside & fabric inside.

e.g. Sheet Spec: 1.12 +/- 0.02 mm

 

Flat Sheet Measurement of this range of thickness is very common in the Pulp & Paper Industry. Sensors are mounted in a scanning "frame" and moved continuously across the full width of the paper sheet during manufacturing.

There have been a number of attempts to produce a non contacting caliper measurement and several have been brought to market. However, A non contacting measurement is extremely difficult to do with any degree of reliability & repeatability so are no longer offered as market solutions. Most commercial solutions for paper applications and similar flat sheet applications have come to use a light touch or low contact pressure type of sensor. I think Honeywell are now marketing a new single sided non contacting sensor for coated papers but have not had any user feed back on its effectiveness.

In principle I cant think of any real reason why this type of solution would not work for you.

The major manufacturers in this area are Honeywell, Metso & ABB. However, none of these are likely to offer you a cheap solution.

Maybe someone else has more direct experience of this type of measurement on a fabric material ?

Rob
www[.]lymac.co.nz

 

I believe Keyence sells these type of gadgets as well, at least I remember a sales pitch.

Regards
cww