Automated Moisture Measurement of band- and plate-shaped Materials

With the VenScan a moisture measurement system that combines the advantages of microwave technology with a density - independent measurement technique has now become available.

The VenScan has been developed for industrial application in the textile, wood and paper industry, especially for band- and plate-shaped materials like wood planks. Between the two parts of the sensor head a gap with a homogeneous electromagnetic field is established. Every product passing through this electromagnetic field changes the characteristic of the field which is then analysed. The low calibration expense and the long-term stability of the measurement system allow for low-maintenance and reliable use. These characteristics are the prerequisites for the realisation of an expected economy in a production process.

It can be flexibly integrated into the production process, where it continuously measures the water content of the product. The measurement system consists of a gap sensor, connection cabinet and terminal. The product to be measured is guided contactlessly through the measurement gap.

Advantages

• In-Line measurement
• exact measurement due to high water selectivity
• independent from layer thickness and density
• non-contacting

Method

An electromagnetic wave penetrates the product to be measured. Unlike conventional measurement techniques that use a transmitter and antenna, in this new method, comprising a combination of transmission and resonance, the product is penetrated several times.  An intensive reciprocal effect between the field and the water molecules occurs in the product, resulting in very high sensitivity and precision of the water content measurement. This method measures in fractions of a second without heating and irrespective of density and thickness.

Characteristic features of this method are contactless measurement, low calibration effort, high measuring precision and excellent long-term stability.

The Benefits to You at a Glance

• The measurement system is independent of product thickness and density
• The water content parameter is continuously monitored
• This information is relayed to production continuously and immediately

Field of Application

• Wood
• Timber board
• Solid-wood flooring
• Parquet
• Veneer
• Foil
• Paper
• up to a thickness of 15 mm
• contactless
• Product temperature range: 0-70°C