Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting an areal weight measurement of a stretchable web using surface topology measurement data is disclosed. Areal weight may comprise a basis weight or a water weight. The apparatus measures a surface of the stretchable web with a basis weight measuring device to obtain a rough basis weight measurement. The apparatus then measures the surface of the stretchable web with a surface topology measuring device to obtain surface topology measurement data. The apparatus comprises a controller that corrects the rough basis weight measurement of the stretchable web using surface topology measurement data. The corrected basis weight measurement may be used as a feedback value in a real time manufacturing process of the stretchable web.

Abstract: Infrared spectroscopy techniques are employed to measure (i) the moisture level in both the sheet of wet stock and the papermaking machine clothing on which the sheet is supported and (ii) the moisture level in the clothing alone as a separate layer of material. Differential measurement thus yields the moisture content of the sheet of wet stock alone. Changes in the moisture level in the clothing at the press section can be correlated with corresponding changes in the quality or physical property of the paper produced. Both fixed point and scanning IR sensors are strategically positioned in the press section to generate machine direction and/or cross machine direction water profiles for process control.

Abstract: A method for affecting moisture content of a sheet of paper includes providing a moisture measuring device disposed in a papermaking machine to measure the moisture content of a sheet of paper and create a moisture profile of the sheet of paper, determining the moisture profile of the sheet of paper, and providing a water-spraying device to spray water on a press felt that contacts the sheet of paper during manufacturing. The method further includes selecting one or more zones on the press felt on which to spray water based on the moisture profile of the sheet of paper, and acting on the press felt by spraying water in the one or more selected zones on the press felt to affect the moisture content of the sheet of paper that contacts the press felt after the water has been sprayed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting an areal weight measurement of a stretchable web using surface topology measurement data is disclosed. Areal weight may comprise a basis weight or a water weight. The apparatus measures a surface of the stretchable web with a basis weight measuring device to obtain a rough basis weight measurement. The apparatus then measures the surface of the stretchable web with a surface topology measuring device to obtain surface topology measurement data. The apparatus comprises a controller that corrects the rough basis weight measurement of the stretchable web using surface topology measurement data. The corrected basis weight measurement may be used as a feedback value in a real time manufacturing process of the stretchable web.

Abstract: Infrared spectroscopy techniques are employed to measure (i) the moisture level in both the sheet of wet stock and the papermaking machine clothing on which the sheet is supported and (ii) the moisture level in the clothing alone as a separate layer of material. Differential measurement thus yields the moisture content of the sheet of wet stock alone. Changes in the moisture level in the clothing at the press section can be correlated with corresponding changes in the quality or physical property of the paper produced. Both fixed point and scanning IR sensors are strategically positioned in the press section to generate machine direction and/or cross machine direction water profiles for process control.

Abstract: In a papermaking system having a headbox to dispense a jet of liquid and paper forming fibers, an improvement comprising at least one sensor arrangement for simultaneously or sequentially measuring in at least one location the jet velocity or jet flow correlation of the jet at plural known angles relative to the machine direction. The measured data is analyzed to generate a velocity vector profile or velocity direction profile of the jet, and hence to determine the profile of fiber orientation angles laid down in the sheet formed of the jet.

Abstract: A method for affecting moisture content of a sheet of paper includes providing a moisture measuring device disposed in a papermaking machine to measure the moisture content of a sheet of paper and create a moisture profile of the sheet of paper, determining the moisture profile of the sheet of paper, and providing a water-spraying device to spray water on a press felt that contacts the sheet of paper during manufacturing. The method further includes selecting one or more zones on the press felt on which to spray water based on the moisture profile of the sheet of paper, and acting on the press felt by spraying water in the one or more selected zones on the press felt to affect the moisture content of the sheet of paper that contacts the press felt after the water has been sprayed.

Abstract: A system and method for processing measurements of a coating operation of a moving web, such as paper or plastic. A plurality of sensors are deployed at essentially the same cross direction (CD) locations and at different machine directions (MD) of the web. A measurement processor produces a plurality of measurement signal samples for each of the MD locations. The system also includes a computer that processes the signal samples produced by the measurement processor with correction data obtained from a quality control system and a distributed processing system. The signal samples of all the locations are combined to produce an MD profile of a characteristic of the web, such as moisture content, temperature, coating weight, drying rate and the like. The MD profile is adjusted with the correction data, which includes parameters, such as, dryer air temperature, dryer air pressure, web speed, base paper, coating formulation, coating weight, incoming moisture level, outgoing moisture level and infrared energy.

Abstract: A system and method for processing measurements of a coating operation of a moving web, such as paper or plastic. A plurality of sensors are deployed at essentially the same cross direction (CD) locations and at different machine directions (MD) of the web. A measurement processor produces a plurality of measurement signal samples for each of the MD locations. The system also includes a computer that processes the signal samples produced by the measurement processor with correction data obtained from a quality control system and a distributed processing system. The signal samples of all the locations are combined to produce an MD profile of a characteristic of the web, such as moisture content, temperature, coating weight, drying rate and the like. The MD profile is adjusted with the correction data, which includes parameters, such as, dryer air temperature, dryer air pressure, web speed, base paper, coating formulation, coating weight, incoming moisture level, outgoing moisture level and infrared energy.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the thickness of a moving web of material in which a ferromagnetic core carrying a winding and a ferromagnetic disc are disposed on opposite sides of the web at constant distances therefrom with at least one of said distances being maintained by a servomechanism including an optical distance measuring device whereby the inductance of said coil is a measure of the thickness of the web.