In paper manufacturing the use of laser illumination can provide important information at many different stages of the process. In the beginning of the paper manufacturing process one can monitor information about fibers, flocks and consistency of the medium. Intense laser illumination can penetrate even through higher density medium.
In paper making the pulp is distributed on a web to create the desired paper structure. Important parameters for monitoring can involve the surface topography, homogeneity of the paper web as well as the line condition. One challenge in measuring the paper quality is the high speed of the paper web during production and the small details that need to be observed. The performance of traditional light sources like LEDs, halogen light or flash lamps is limited in due to low brightness and applicability.
Laser illumination with its short and powerful pulses can “freeze the motion”. This enables sharp images of the paper web surface, or the formation of it, and creates excellent starting point for quality control. In many case this monitoring can be done over a long and safe distance from the process that is difficult or impossible with traditional light sources.
Paper
- Accurate surface topography information
- High-power illumination to enable density measurements and homogeneity studies
- Compact solutions
- Measurements also over long distances
- Paper formation can be measured with back illumination
- High magnification of small details or defects from fast running paper webs
Pulp
- Analysis of fiber, flock and particle dimension and distribution
- Consistency and grammage
