11/15/2007 • Automation • Metrology

In-line thickness measurement of blown film

Both longitudinal and lateral tolerances occur in the material thickness for the extrusion of blown film. Measuring the thickness profile of the film and providing data for the host computer are the tasks of the "Profile measuring system for blown film" developed by Micro-Epsilon. This system will be presented for the first time at the K fair in Düsseldorf .

The system is available in both contact and non-contact versions and is used in production immediately after the film sizing unit. The contact version is used for all non-adhesive film. The non-contact system is used for adhesive (sticky) film. Both systems operate according to the capacitive measurementprinciple. The electronics inside the sensor are configured to measure non-conducting materials.  In non-contact capacitive film thickness measurement, a constant gap between sensor and film needs to be maintained, in order toachieve the required measurement accuracy. To achieve this constant gap, an air pocket is produced in front of the sensor in a control circuit using compressed air. The "pressing force" of the sensor against the blown film is also regulated with this apparatus. The distance is regulated by a closed loop control system using air gauging principles without using any electronic components.

The contact version of the system is also based on the capacitive measurement principle. Here, the sensor comes into direct contact with the film .

Both measurement systems are mounted on an automatic reversing device, which scans the film tube in a circular motion. The sensor continuously passes the film tube and therefore measures the film profile over the circumference, as well as the thickness profile in the longitudinal axis. The speed of the reversing unit can be adapted to the speed of production. This means a higher speed of the reversing unit generates data much faster when starting the extrusion. The machine operator starts the measurement itself on the machine controller. As well as the thickness value, the system also records the corresponding angular value so that the die is corrected at the right place. The "Profile measuring system for blown film" is suitable for film diameters between 160mm and 2,300mm. With customised measurement reports, the system can be adapted to the requirements of the customer. Remote maintenance via modem or VPN-connection ensures fast and simple support for the customer. A simple exchange of sensor from contact to non-contact is also possible, due to identical connectors and mounting points. The system can be fitted with various interfaces, including Profibus DP, CAN-Bus, Ethercat, RS232 and RS485.

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Micro-Epsilon Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG

Königbacher Straße 15
94496 Ortenburg

Phone: +49 8542 168-0
Fax: +49 8542 168-90

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