• Alfalfa

Alfalfa is dried like hay and pressed in this plant in 700 kg heavy bundles. A bundle contains also rips, leaves and dust. Therefore, it was important that this mixture in the bundles can be measured and that the moisture everywhere in the bundles is approx. between 10-15 %. Otherwise exists for example with approx. 25% moisture a self inflammation. The moisture is measured directly during the process before the loading.

Realised with MoistureScan

Video:
High quality (DSL, LAN etc.)
Low quality (ISDN, Modem)

• Pet food

The implementation of a third production line was added to increase the production capacity for pet food and utilized a MoistureScan for an automated moisture measurement. The extruded products are measured on the outlet of the cooler for final inspection prior to packaging. The SensorHead is flush mounted into the container wall at the interchange point of two chain conveyors. The moisture measurement is conducted continuously during the transportation of the product. Special installations are not required and the transportation is not effected. With only four different calibration curves for the entire product range, consisting of different forms, colors and prescriptions, the system guarantees the various tolerance limits of the moisture values.

Realised with MoistureScan

• Moisture and density profile measurement in whole cigarettes - without destruction of the cigarette

To increase stiffness the density of the tobacco rod is varied at the head and the joint of filter and tobacco rod during production of cigarettes. Doescher & Doescher developed a special measuring module which is measuring the full-length moisture and density profile of a cigarette non-destructive. These modules are part of modular, automated measurement stations supplied by one of the leading suppliers of measurement equipment for the tobacco-processing industry.

Customised development

• Density measurement after the Coffee mill

When packaging ground coffee into given packing units the bulk density of the coffee is of crucial importance.
If the bulk density is too small, the e.g. 500 gr. does not fit into the packing. The coffee powder can turn out into the welding seam of the packing and sealing of the package isn´t possible or vaccum of package doesn´t last. These malfunctions can be prevented with the DensityGuard. Changes of the bulk density can be dectected immediately and the comparator of the mill can be adjusted without time delay. This measuring system used at large coffee distillery in Berlin is particularly interesting when starting the mill. The attitudes of the mill, like gap width etc., can be supervised faster and be adapted thus to the new conditions. The time delay due to manual grinding and measuring the bulkdensity will be avoided.

Realised with DensityGuard

• Moisture measurement for lamellae

The measurement system was integrated into a machine for wood planks. It measures the moisture of each individual massive wood plan in seconds. The exact moisture measurement behind the measuring head plays a crucial size for the entire further production process. In case of exeeding or falling below the limits the planks are coloured marked and segregated directly behind the measuring head. Thus quality standards can be held and save complaint costs.

Apllication as a PDF: hardwood flooring

Realised with VenScan

• Moisture measurement in the production of wood-pellets

At present the most modern and largest wood pellet factory in Germany has been in production since the end of 2005 in Wismar. For controlling the process several MoistureScan Systems are used which measure the moisture of the saw dust and wood shavings at various steps of the production process. Measuring points are at the outlet of the drum dryer, the outlet screw conveyor of the mixing vessel and the distributor screw before the pellet press. The measuring instruments are to be mounted on the external wall of the screw or conveyer system without disturbing the product flow. Small color fluctuations as well as the different particle size of the wood particles do not affect the measurement due to the color and size independence of the MoistureScan technology. Thus a very exact and long-term-stable measurement is ensured. The measuring instruments gather both surface and core moisture of the saw dust utilizing microwaves that penetrate the product completely.

Application as a PDF: wood pellets

Realised with MoistureScan

• Moisture measurement in a block-type thermal power station

In order to allow an automated operation of a wood gas powered, combined heat and power plant, the moisture measuring instrument has been integrated into the clamshell of the transportation robot. After the drying process the wood chips with a target value of 10% moisture, the clamshell will forward the wood chips to the combustor. The accuracy of the measurement and the durability of the SensorHead are the decisive factors for the implementation of a MoistureScan, which, in an automated application, has to be able to handle constant movements in x-, y- and z-direction as well as frequent pressure changes due to squeezing and emptying of the clamshell.

Realised with MoistureScan

• Moisture measurement behind the fiber dryer

Accuracy of moisture measurement behind the fiber dryer is a crucial size for the entire further production process.
Due to the condition of the fiber (low density, glue deposit) an exact and long-term-stable moisture test was so far hardly possible. Through special developments, e.g. the reference resonator, it is now possible to measure directly behind the dryer. There is no necessary for "fiber collecting mechanisms", as the fiber can be directly measured in the product river. If desired, the measuring system is also available as explosion proof versions.

Realised with MoistureScan

• Moisture measurement in fiber bins
  For moisture measurement in the fiber bin, e.g. in the belt scale or in the forming bin, the measuring heads of the MoistureScan are inserted laterally into the wall of the bin. During the lateral transport of the fiber, the measuring head continuously monitors the moisture of the fiber. Spaltenbildung in the fiber raw is not critical for accuracy of measurements, as the procedure works independently of density.
  
  Realised with MoistureScan

• Moisture measurement at the forming belt
For process control, the MoistureScan is well qualified for the job. Due to the physical measurement principle, the water content in the cake is measured not only on the surface, but at the core as well. A falsification of the results of measurement by enviromental influences, e.g. foreign light, color change in the product (multi colour panels!) or density variations does not take place. This makes it possible to dye the wood fibers without affecting the accuracy of measurement (see illustrations).

In order to ensure an optimal reciprocal effect between the sensor and the product, the sensor is led on a carriage across the cake. Due to storage with counterweights, the contact pressure is minimal and the surface of the cake remains unimpaired.

Realised with MoistureScan

• Particle board manufacturing - Moisture measurement behind the wood particel dryer

For accurate moisture measurement behind a wood particle dryer, the MoistureScan XT was developed. The system also works at temperatures up to 140°C and low moisture levels between 1 - 5% with precise and consistent measurements. Whether directly at the dryer exit, in the gravity feed chute, or in a feeding screw or storage vessels, there are various installation possibilities. The measuring head must be only guaranteed to be covered with the product.

Realised with MoistureScan XT for high temperature

• Moisture measurement behind the veneer dryer

Dependent on the original situation of the veneer sheet in the wood trunk, veneers exhibit different moisture. The resultant is different moistures of the product before entering the dryer. A constant output of dampness is, however, immensely important. Otherwise, there is increased probability of glue tension within plywood panels due to differing moistures in individual veneer sheets. This can lead to increased committee and customer complaints.

The MoistureScan measures the water content in the veneer sheet within fractions of one second. Changes of the surface texture (branch holes and other defects), the color (colouring of the wood) or the mineral material content (different salt content) have thereby no influence on the measuring accuracy.

Over a number of measurements, which can be freely defined, the measuring system determines a sliding average value, which is handed over as similar voltage level to a following evaluation with the help of a measuring mark of approximately 10 cm diameter. With this immediate signal, the passage speed of the veneers can then be regulated by the dryer.

Realised with MoistureScan