Full Spectrum Infrared Light Analysis Enhances Web Gauging Applications

Abstract Accurate multi-component thickness and moisture data is critical to the productivity and efficiency of producers of plastic films, extrusion coatings, blown films, and nonwoven fabrics. Collecting this data on production lines in real-time ensures that raw materials are not wasted and that all products meet relevant specifications. This article describes several different noncontact online analysis techniques, which primarily measure thickness by passing either nuclear or electromagnetic radiation through the web and measuring its absorption patterns via a detector on the other side of the material.