Extrusion 8-2017

Rohrrezept auswählen und die Messung starten. Zusätzlich zur numerischen und grafischen Darstellung der aktuellen Mess- werte stellt das System dem Anwender auch Trend- und Stati- stikdaten sowie diverse Schnittstellen zur Verfügung. Hervorzu- heben ist dabei der inoTREND, mit dem fast spielerisch mittels „Multitouch“ die Produktions- und Prozesswerte visualisiert werden. Die darzustellenden Prozessdaten und Zeiträume las- sen sich vom Bediener individuell anpassen. Jedes System ver- fügt darüber hinaus über einen TeamViewer Client, mit dem auf einfache Weise und ohne großen Konfigurationsaufwand eine Remote-Sitzung realisiert werden kann. QUANTUM 360 for Pipe Extrusion: 360-Degree Measurement of Wall Thicknesses and Diameters W ith many years of experience and revolutionary technolo- gy, iNOEX based in Melle/Germany has for 33 years de- veloped systems and technical concepts specifically designed for the pipe, profile, cable and film extrusion industry. For some years now, iNOEX has been intensively working on the techni- cal development and sale of Terahertz (THz) wall thickness measuring systems for the plastics industry and can justifiably call itself the pathfinder for this key technology. Terahertz ra- diation is in the frequency range between microwave and infra- red radiation. Only a few years ago, this Terahertz frequency range was not at all or only partially usable due to the lack of transmitter or receiver units – also referred to as the „Terahertz gap“ in the electromagnetic spectrum. It is to this very issue that iNOEX has addressed its R & D activities. The results are compact and inexpensive transmission and receiver systems tai- lor-made for the pipe extrusion process, with sufficient output power for wall thickness measurement. The technological pro- gress of the past years has made these THz transmitters and re- ceivers increasingly powerful and also more and more cost-ef- fective. This forms the basis for the economic utilization of THz technology which offers undoubtedly great benefits. One of these benefits is that Terahertz radiation is a long wave, non-io- nizing radiation. Contrary to X-rays, the use of Terahertz radia- tion does not involve any health risk. Another interesting aspect is one of its physical properties related to varying temperatures. A temperature change of 10 °C of the measuring object would lead to a mere deviation of approx. 0,001 mm in the measured wall thickness which is a value that is significantly lower com- pared to other measuring systems. Due to this fact, measuring values do not need to be calibrated in practical use during the extrusion process of smooth or corrugated pipes. An additional and very significant advantage of this technology is the con- tactless measurement which makes the system very flexible. The mounting or use of dimensioned system components can thus be completely avoided. QUANTUM 360 features a Terahertz sensor which reverses 360° around the measured pipe. Wall thickness sizes between 100 µm to 60 mm can be mea- sured easily. High-precision measurement of every layer of a multi-layer pipe is possible, given different refractive indices. iNOEX GmbH Maschweg 70, 49324 Melle, Germany www.inoex.de 28 Messtechnik Extrusion 8/2017 Depending on materials and measuring methods, generally a measuring accuracy of 25 µm can be achieved. The combina- tion of a THz sensor and an opposing laser sensor provides si- multaneous diameter measurement. QUANTUM 360 covers a broad spectrum and is currently avail- able in four different sizes. All common plastic materials such as PE, HDPE, PP, PA6, PA12, PVC are measurable. All SDR classes contained in DIN 8074 for pipe diameters of 10 to 1000 mm are measurable by QUANTUM 360 . (see ) 80 percent or more of the total costs of the extrusion of plastic pipes can be attributed to production materials. Depending on the throughput rates of a pipe extrusion line, the materials and the produced standards, there are enormous savings potentials between minimum and maximum permissible pipe dimensions. Through appropriate measuring and control technology such as QUANTUM 360 combined with continuously performing gravimetric systems, five percent or more can be saved in raw material. All proven control algorithms such as e.g. mass throughput control, weight per meter or thin point control, equally the „Thermal Die Centering“, are available and com- plete this measuring system which thus becomes a full automa- tion system. Producers of foam core pipes are in intensive price competition with each other. The decisive criteria here is always a cost-effi- cient production process which uses as little material as pos- sible. Particularly the combined use of “Thermal Die Centering“ and thin point control will lead to substantial raw material sav- ings in the production of PVC foam core pipes. This is due to the fact that the thermal die centering will ensure a homoge- neous wall thickness which offers potential for optimization by thin point control. Furthermore, QUANTUM 360 is frequently able to measure all 3 layers individually. To the pipe producer, this opens up for the first time the possibility to measure and accurately control the important interior layer. The process can be automated through weight per meter control carried out by a gravimetric system. Not only the savings potential influences the success of a mea- suring and control system but also a comfortable operation. In this respect QUANTUM 360 sets new standards. The automa- ted centering performed by an XY cross table and the lack of dimensioned parts enormously simplify the reset of the system, specifically after a change of pipe dimensions. Added to which is the user-friendly visualization software which is based on a state-of-the-art software architecture and a 21” multi-touch display, all designed for the optimum support of the line opera- tor. It leaves him to select the pipe recipe and start the mea- surement. Numeric or graphic representation is available be- sides trends or statistics data and various interfaces. Especially to be emphasized is inoTREND for the almost playful visualizati- on of production and process values via „multi-touch“. Display of process data and production times can be adapted indivi- dually by the operator. Each system disposes of a TeamViewer Client requiring minimum configuration to set up a remote ses- sion.