Abstract: A method for assessing the cure status of a fibrous blanket manufactured with mineral fibers and binder is disclosed and comprises a using an online optical reflectance measurement as an assessment of cure status. The optical reflectance measurement may preferably be a color image taken of any surface, and in particular of a sectioned face, after which the image is optionally divided into multiple regions of interest (ROI) and analyzed for a color system variable that is representative of cure status. In some embodiments, the color system variable is the B value. Alternatively, the optical reflectance measurement may be UV or IR reflectance of a sectioned face. When two or more regions of interest are defined on a sectioned face, comparative information is valuable to assess cure at different levels, layers or portions of the interior of the fibrous product.

Abstract: A method for assessing the cure status of a fibrous blanket manufactured with mineral fibers and binder is disclosed and comprises a using an online optical reflectance measurement as an assessment of cure status. The optical reflectance measurement may preferably be a color image taken of any surface, and in particular of a sectioned face, after which the image is optionally divided into multiple regions of interest (ROI) and analyzed for a color system variable that is representative of cure status. In some embodiments, the color system variable is the B value. Alternatively, the optical reflectance measurement may be UV or IR reflectance of a sectioned face. When two or more regions of interest are defined on a sectioned face, comparative information is valuable to assess cure at different levels, layers or portions of the interior of the fibrous product.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and controlling for cure status of binder on a fibrous product are disclosed. Cure status is monitored by measuring one or more control variables and attempting to keep them within known control limits. Exemplary control variables include oven temperatures at various locations and color values of sections of the fibrous product. Sensors such as thermocouples and image capture systems sense these variables continuously online and provide input signals for a MPC processor-optimizer. The MPC optimizers balances the constraints according to a programmed optimization function and priority ranking of control variables and solves for optimal control setting on manipulatable variables, such as oven fan speed, oven setpoint temperatures and coolant water flow rate.