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Measuring system for determining moisture, temperature and homogeneity
Increasing quality requirements in product manufacturing and sampling are constantly presenting producers with new challenges. For mixing, pelletising, coating and granulating processes, it is important to know the exact process conditions in terms of moisture, temperature and homogeneity so that these can then be taken into account precisely and accurately in process control or process development. Compact measuring unit The particular development challenge for Ludwig GmbH was to generate a measuring unit that was as compact as possible and could be installed in even the smallest process preparation machines, e.g. for recipe testing in laboratory mixers. In recent years, very positive experience has already been gained with comparable measuring units for mixing systems from 300 to 5000 litres. The challenge now was to transform this system into a miniaturised version. Complex challenge The use of state-of-the-art electronics and materials was essential. In order to achieve the highest possible integration density, the measuring sensor and the evaluation unit were constructed separately from each other. It was also necessary to take into account during development that mixing troughs can be stationary and the tools rotate, or that the mixing trough itself rotates and the tools rotate around their own axis. The sensor arrangement in the base of the mixer is crucial in order to be able to accurately detect even small partial mixtures. This also reduces the risk of material sticking to the sensor. Both battery-operated and cable-connected measuring units are therefore required. The associated software (Fig. 2) can be installed independently on a laptop. Alternatively, it can be accessed via an external network. Depending on the application, different measurement modes can be parameterised to meet the individual requirements of the process. The measurement data can be transmitted and output via a WLAN UDP protocol, and digital or analogue interfaces are also available in parallel. WLAN data transmission All measured values are sent to a WLAN-enabled PC environment as a CSV file. There they can be used by tools such as EXCEL for effective measured value analysis, in line with Industry 4.0. The entire mixing behaviour of the materials thus becomes more transparent. This makes it easier to optimise recipes and implement them in practice. Fast and effective solutions thanks to modern technologies. Combined with the possibility of realising measurement tasks, which are the prerequisite for future-oriented processes in small mixing plants or laboratory units.