LIMAB GMS 1100 Dimensional Measurement System
A complete turn-key system for dimensional measurement of gypsum boards!
It is important to know and control all dimensions when producing gypsum boards. In a continuous production it is very important that all produced boards are within given tolerance limits and if not to be able to correct any errors immediately. Especially today when gypsum boards are being produced at faster and faster speeds. An in-line dimensional system gives 100% control and the ability to make instant corrections.
LIMAB has a system that gives in-line measurement of the complete thickness profile over a board, taper profile, width, edge profile and edge angle. The laser based sensors use optical triangulation as the measurement principle. Both thickness and width sensors have no moving parts and thus low maintenance requirement.
Short specification
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Thickness range (typical)
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Thickness resolution
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Width range
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Width resolution
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6-35 mm
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0.01 mm
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595-1250 mm
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0.1 mm
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Width, edge profile and edge angle
LIMAB has a unique 2D sensor for measurement of width, edge profile and edge angle. A laser line is projected on the edge of the board, continuously measuring the edge profile. The measurement speed is 750 Hz. The ProfiCura LR sensors are normally placed 10-15 meters before the knife, between 2 rollers. However, it is also possible to place sensors by the wet belt where earlier feedback of edge profile detection is required, or installing sensors in both places running on the same GMS1100 system. The sensors have a long measurement range of 600mm for each side, which gives a total measurement range of 1000mm. It is possible to produce boards between 400-1600mm without having to reposition or recalibrate the sensors, saving valuable time.
Thickness measurement
The thickness measurement is normally done in the transfer table area where the boards are traversing. Then the complete cross sectional board thickness can be measured with a fixed sensors mounting frame.
If there is no physical space for this solution the thickness measurement can be done in the wet belt area before the knife with a traversing measurement. One of the benefits with a traversing measurement frame placed before the knife is that out of tolerance boards can be removed from the process prior to the first run in the dryer. The PreciCura digital sensors are 100% synchronised while they do the thickness measurement therefore giving more accurate measurements even when the boards are vibrating. The measurement speed is a constant 2000 Hz independent of exposure time; this means that if the traversing speed is 60 meter/minute the sensors are taking approx. one measurement each half mm across the board for presentation of the thickness profile providing a very accurate profile of the board, including the tapered edges.
System Software
The system software runs under Windows XP with TCP/IP network capability. The system PC is normally placed near the knife but additional operators screens showing measurements can be placed at the mixer and in operator rooms.There are a number of functions enabling an increase of the production yield with a reduced amount of rejected boards at the same time eliminating the need for time consuming manual sample tests. All measurements are displayed graphically and numerically. “Out of Tolerance” conditions will immeadeately be highlighted. Trend graphs can give early indications about slow process changes that will need later correction. The system is prepared for installation of an SQL database. Relevant data for every produced board can then be logged either on the system PC or sent to other computer(s) connected to the network. Min, Max and Average Thickness and Width, Taper Width and Height L/R and Edge Angels L/R are all stored. Production data, alarms, status information, recipes and more can be transferred to and from the GMS1100 system. Production reports with statistical evaluation can be printed containing information like ; Total Number of Boards Produced, Percentage of Boards "Within Tolerance", "To Thin" or "To Thick" and the same thing for "Width", "Edge Profile" and "Edge Angle. The system is prepared for a remote VPN-connection. By this it is possible to perform remote diagnosis and downloading of upgraded software versions.
Operators screen
Product editor
Stack control
Short Return of Investment (ROI)!
Example: Speed of the wet belt is 80 meter/minute (260 feet/minute), width of the gypsum board is 1250mm (49"), and this gives a production of 6000 m2/hour. The price to the customer is estimated to 1.50 Euro/m2 (1.90 USD), one hours production of scrap is a loss of 9.000 Euro (11.500 USD) profit. Pay back is in months rather than years.
Other important benefits of using an in-line measuring system instead of manual callipers is the saving of man hours and of course material costs as it is possible to reduce the safety margin and produce boards closer to lower tolerance limits.
For more information and technical specification, please download the brochure!