Floor covering

Quality control for vinyl, laminate, and wooden flooring

Inline measurement and inspection for vinyl, laminate, and wooden flooring

The manufacturing of modern hard flooring, such as Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), sheet vinyl, and laminate, involves laminating multiple layers. The quality of the final product depends on the perfection of each layer: the core, the decorative print film, and the protective wear layer. Defects in any of these layers from inconsistent thickness to visual flaws can lead to costly product rejection.

Hammer-IMS delivers non-contact measurement systems that enable manufacturers to control these critical parameters in real time. Our L-Ray, M-Ray, and Edge-Vision systems provide a complete quality assurance solution for high-speed flooring production.

Precise layer consistency with M-Rays

In vinyl flooring production, the M-Ray system is used to measure the basis weight (grammage) of individual layers, such as the PVC or decorative layers before lamination.

  • Layer weight control: Ensures that extruded or calendered layers have a consistent weight distribution across the entire width.
  • Coating application: Monitors the application weight of coatings, such as primers or adhesion promoters, ensuring proper bonding between layers.
  • Process optimization: Provides real-time data to control extruders and calenders, reducing material waste and ensuring consistent product buildup.
Learn more about M-Ray

Total thickness with L-Ray

The final thickness and flatness of a plank or sheet are critical for easy installation and a perfect finish. The L-Ray laser system provides precise, non-contact thickness measurements.

  • Final product inspection: Installed at the end of the line, the L-Ray measures the total thickness of the finished plank or sheet.
  • Core board profiling: Can be used earlier in the process to measure the thickness profile of core materials, such as HDF for laminate or WPC/SPC cores for vinyl, detecting variations.
Learn more about L-Ray

Detecting Surface & Print Defects 
with Edge-Vision-4.0

The visual appeal of vinyl and laminate flooring is paramount. The Edge-Vision-4.0 system scans the decorative surface at high speed to ensure it is flawless before the final protective layers are applied or before cutting.

  • Print defect detection: Identifies any errors in the decorative print layer, such as streaks, spots, color misalignments, or missing ink.
  • Surface integrity: Detects physical flaws on the surface, including holes, scratches, dents, or contamination.
  • Reduce waste: It identifies defects immediately, allowing operators to correct the issue or flag the material for rejection before further value is added, such as cutting and packaging.
Learn more about Edge-Vision-4.0