Weight per Unit Area Gauge "MASS-SCAN Mark 3"

for MDF, Particleboard and others

Data sheet: Weight per Unit Area Gauge | PDF (138 KB)

Finding out the unrealized potential through the use of weight per unit area gauges

One of the most vital factors in the production of wood panels is the constant spreading of material.

If tolerances are exceeded, higher material and energy consumption are the consequences. MASS-SCAN, which constantly moves back and forth across the mat before it enters the hot press, maintains tolerances within the optimum range. The result is homogeneous forming in lengthwise and crosswise directions.

Considerations on the Past History of “Weight-per-Unit-Area-Gauges”
For many years the industry employed gauges that were found to be inaccurate. Consider for a moment the past method and how it was employed: For calibration, a panel sample with a known weight-per-unit-area was placed horizontally offside of the production line. The measuring system was then moved outside of the line on that sample for calibration (definitely the wrong thing to do, because an important influence was thus ignored!) Measurements of an MDF mat cannot be compared with a sample of finished MDF panel.
Why? Because the penetrating x-ray beam is not only influenced by the density, but also by the distance the beam has to travel through the material. The beams travel a longer way through the mat compared to a finished panel, right? This phenomenon is called “Beam Hardening Effect”. It was discovered in the EWS research lab and considered to be such an important influence that it was added to the calibration process of the MASS-SCAN (patented).
Other advantages: The x-ray tube functions without the need for a cooling device and the traverse drive utilizes high quality linear bearings. Both features extend the working life and reduce maintenance.

Furthermore, it becomes possible to early correct the imbalance resulting from the incoming material tilting against the belt.

The alternative stationary type of MASS-SCAN is a compact device which can be located either inside the forming head or on the dosing belt.

A new calibration method compensates the so-called beam hardening effect which results in a remarkable increase of accuracy (EWS patent).

Features

No further calibrations required after start-up.
Influences from environment auto-matically compensated.

Installation Locations

After pre-press
On dosing belt
In forming head

Technical Data

Technology:	x-ray
Anode current:	0.02 mA
High voltage:	40 kV (adjustable)
Operation modes:	traversing stepwise stationary
Measuring range:	up to 50 kg/m²
Drive:	stepper motor
Interface:	PLC

Beam Hardening Compensation (Same Weight per Unit Area, but lower signal on right side)

Remote Control

Technical assistance is available via "EWS-Online Support".

Software

Clearly arranged visualization by PiperWare Software (Please refer to separate leaflet).

Actual crosswise profile
Longterm profile, trending
Actual lengthwise profile
History function, data base

Data Evaluation by EWS „GAUGE-CONTROLLER“

Real time operating system
Network connection to visualization-PC

Profile cross to production
Trend, each bar shows 1 crossing
Difference from nominal value
Average value (moving mean)