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IndiCam 100, developed by measurement and control technology specialist betacontrol, is based on an innovative infrared technology. The system permits precise, 100% material measurements combined with extremely short measurement and response times, even at very high fabrication speeds. IndiCam 100 is mainly intended for use in production facilities with calendar or slot nozzle extruders. A camera provides full coverage of the material up to a web width of 3.1 metres.
“With IndiCam 100, we are presenting a global innovation for the converting industry. 100% material inspection will now be possible for the very first time,” says betacontrol CEO Michael Hecht.
The innovative feature of the system, which was developed in-house, is that it permits precise, 100% material measurements combined with extremely short measurement and response times, even at very high fabrication speeds. The integrated infrared camera samples the material at 50 Hz and evaluates several tens of thousands of picture elements with a resolution of 0.1 million pixels. Measured data is used to generate temperature profiles in order to determine the mass per unit area by means of comparison with pre-established nominal values. Since thin materials cool down more quickly than thick ones, a correlation between material thicknesses and temperature gradients can be derived.
“Based on the fact that data can be collected immediately after the stretching process, temperature and sheet quality deviations can be recognised during the manufacturing process and corrected quickly,” says Michael Hecht. Since the camera has a high temperature resolution of 0.1 degrees Celsius, even minimal temperature fluctuations are detected. This also makes the measurement system suitable for applications that combine materials at temperatures that deviate widely, such as coating or co-extrusion.
Dr.-Ing. Frank Blecher, research and development manager at betacontrol, explains that the speed of the camera is of primary importance in addition to precise contactless material measurement, displaying the measured data, and controlling the process. “IndiCam 100 delivers measurements at 10 times the speed of the fastest conventional system. Combined with full-frame recording, dead time in the control system is dramatically reduced compared to traversing systems. This is why our innovative solution is also suitable for flat web extruders or web drawing calendars, which are typically used for very high production speeds,” explains Dr. Blecher.
www.betacontrol.de
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