22 HONEYWELL
Pulp Paper & Logistics
More sensors improve Optical Caliper’s ease of use
A new generation of quality control systems is being taken up by the paper making industry. Pak Hui and Tom Steele explain how Honeywell’s latest Optical Caliper measurement system works
measurement, Experion MX, is that it should be easy to use, operate and maintain. Since its launch in September 2010, more than 50 of the new scanners have been sold among 75 QCS system upgrades. For Honeywell Process Systems, this is a significant milestone. Earlier this year in May, Honeywell upgraded its Optical Caliper concept, increasing the number of sensors used in the latest Experion MX architecture, and joining the also- new Fiber Weight & Moisture Measurements, which was released in January. Simplicity and ease of use in the new Optical Caliper measurement is achieved with clever mechanical features to eliminate sheet flutter and present the paper for precise measurement by optical laser triangulation.
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Introducing Optical Caliper The objectives for the new sensor include avoiding damage to the product, damage to the sensor, and an increase in operational robustness to handle a range of recipes or production conditions, such as speed, filler contents and process-induced fluttering. The concept (Figure 1) is to use the laser for distance
September 2012
he principles behind Honeywell’s latest Quality Control System (QCS) for paper quality
Figure 1: General concept block diagram
measurement on one side, and an effective and smartly-designed sheet stabiliser on the other. In addition (but not shown) are Z-distance measurement, temperature stabilisation and calibration mechanisms. These are needed for what may be a simple measurement concept but may need to work in hostile papermaking environments. This article is intended to provide a rudimentary explanation of the operating principles, which
are different from other similar offerings. Stabilisation of the sheet is the
key to the success of the Optical Caliper sensor. Honeywell has a host of patents focused on the design of the sheet stabilisation features. This new sensor is best described as having sliding sheet stabilisation, offering advantages over pinching or non-contacting stabilisation. There is less mechanical wear and product damage when the paper is not
pinched. When the paper is stabilised as opposed to floating such as in a non-contacting concept, there is no need to accommodate the fluttering dynamics of the paper.
One laser in the visible spectrum The laser is a triangulation device, using visible light. When used in the designated Honeywell scanner and system, it is a Class I laser system, interlocked with
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