On-line Surface Orientation Meter Development

Abstract:

It is important to determine early changes in product quality, via on-line systems, and to transfer this information promptly. Fiber orientation indicates the fundamental structure of paper and it may be safely said is an important physical characteristic which determines mechanical property and dimensional stability. We have developed an on-line fiber orientation meter measuring real time paper machine taking the lead in the world. Fiber orientation principle is based on catching the reflex light from the fiber side and its high speed observation is attained by measuring the strength of the reflex light resulting from the vertical incident light to the sheet surface by detectors, circumferentially arranged. In August, 1993, we installed two sets of proto-sensors for measuring two sides of paper in our Komatsujima Mill and we confirmed that the on-line surface fiber orientation measuring of continuous high speed running paper is possible. We then jointly developed with Yokogawa Electric Corporation the on-line fiber orientation meter for Quality Control System(BM7000XL) and succeeded commercialization of the on-line fiber orientation meter for BM7000XL after two years of field testing at Komatsujima Mill. Three sets of manufactured goods have been introduced into our two Mills and have been applied to quality control of copy paper and newsprint paper successfully for more than one and half years. We hope that it will be introduced as standard instrumentation equipment.