Polymer foams are made up of a solid and gas phase mixed together to form a foam. A uniform cell structure is obtained through synthetic foam extrusion, where gas is either injected (physical foaming) or evolved by heat (chemical foaming) and must be thoroughly dispersed in the polymer melt. Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, pentane or butane is used in physical foaming. Chemical foaming uses chemical substances that decompose when exposed to heat.
Synthetic foams are produced in blocks and rolls. Block foams are cut and sliced, whereas thinner foams are produced on rolls. The most popular materials used in foams are PU (Polyurethane), PP (Polypropylene), and PP (Polypropylene). Other materials include EVA, PE, NBR, PS, PVC, silicone and EPDM.
Hammer-IMS provides solutions for both thickness and density measurement of the foams. The density information is calculated from the measured basis-weight and the measured thickness.
The low density of foams makes them excellent as thermal insulators and flotation devices, and their lightness and compressibility makes them ideal as packing materials and stuffings. The random geometry of these foams makes them good for energy absorption, as well. More recent manufacturing techniques have allowed for geometry that results in excellent strength and stiffness per weight. Thermoplastic foams are finding new applications in various industries including the automotive, sportswear, medical, packaging and furniture industries.
Foams delivered on rolls are mostly produced using a production line consisting of cylindrical extrusion and foaming stages. As part of the inline production process, the thin cylindrical layer is slit open and pulled horizontally.
Before collecting the foam on rolls, foam producers may opt to insert a Marveloc-CURTAIN solution to measure foam thickness and/or density. One or more fixed or traveling sensors ensure maximum coverage in cross-machine direction. When detecting local deviations, the machine operators are informed so that they can take appropriate action. The Marveloc-CURTAIN is equally fit for use as part of flat foam extrusion installations.
The M-Ray based measuring solutions of Hammer-IMS offer lower total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to conventional nuclear and radioactive measuring technologies. This is good news for foam manufacturers with the ambition to equip their production lines with faster and more accurate quality control.
Basis-weight and/or thickness measurement executed on foams results in uniform production quality. Equally important is that accurate inline measurement enables manufacturers to produce foams to specification instead of consistently producing foam that is slightly too thick. This way, foam manufacturers producing 24/7 save huge amounts of base material.
MARVELOC-CURTAIN-O
Our CURTAIN integrates our M-Ray technology enabling full-industrial solutions. CURTAINs are tailored to perform a 24/7 industrial measurement task. Each CURTAIN machine consists our innovative Marveloc 602 measuring device. The CURTAIN itself is basically a rigid metal frame that support high measurement reliability and robustness. The rigidity of the frame guarantees robust measurements even in harsh environments. The Marveloc 602 sensors in the CURTAIN system measure through the material, with the transmitter of the sensor positioned above the measured material and the receiver underneath. The M-Ray technology and CURTAIN’s respectable gap height support high measurement standoff, avoiding scratches and defects on the material.
MARVELOC-CURTAIN for Labs
In addition to a range of in-line solutions, Hammer-IMS offers thickness and basis-weight measuring systems for laboratory use. Typically, lab systems consist of a single fixed measurement head, optionally equipped with a feeder and/or scanner. The incorporated M-Ray measurement technology is non-radioactive and non-nuclear, so no increased safety precautions or legal restrictions apply for your lab environment. In-depth measurements from within a lab-environment are typically performed for purposes of: production process optimization; when developing new materials such as nonwovens, plastics or coatings, ...; to investigate used specimens to draw conclusions about endurance, wear and material stability.
MARVELOC-CURTAIN-C
The CURTAIN C-frame system, displayed on the right, uses a 100% classic scanning C-frame concept. Its design is sleek and slim. The system can be equipped with one or more measuring heads. The system brings the power of multi-head to classic C-frame measuring technology. The pure electronic nature of the M-Ray technology within this fixed or scanning frame is non-nuclear and non-radioactive. The M-Rays’ high dynamics allow for high-standoff measurements that are fast and accurate. C-frame CURTAIN systems are available with arm lengths up to 1.5 meter. Such systems are extremely flexible because they can simply be inserted on either side of a production line without interrupting production. C-frame type systems can be used on lines of any material width.
M-Ray OEM Module
Whether you are a machine builder, a sensor integrator, a scientific researcher, or just an enthusiast, Hammer-IMS can provide you with an additional M-Ray eye on your measurement tasks. Hammer-IMS is proud to present you its newly developed M-Ray OEM module.
The device has been developed with the main intention to open up the world of non-nuclear and non-radioactive thickness and basis-weight measurement to manufacturers of inline quality control systems. M-Rays - electromagnetic waves just like those used in your cell phone - can be applied to measure plastics, fabrics, nonwovens, coatings, etc. We are happy to assist you with your OEM projects.
Marveloc-CHARIOT
Hammer-IMS released the brand new M-Ray based Marveloc-CHARIOT (or shorter the Chariot!) measuring machine. The compact system is perfectly suited for new and retrofit production lines of thick nonwovens, coated textiles and heavy plastic sheets. The new system efficiently measures the basis-weight or thickness where capacitive measurements are typically not an option. The Chariot is an affordable solution as it incorporates a single-sensor traveling unit that scans the entire product width.
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