Precision Moisture Detection

Excessive moisture can lead to incorrect products and waste in the paper industry. A paper moisture sensor from MoistTech can help record accurate measurements every time.

The Background

A Wisconsin-based company in the paperboard/packaging industry focuses on paper laminating. Two webs of paper are used as top and base sheets in the laminating process. Find out how the company used MoistTech’s moisture sensor to track and improve their moisture levels for higher quality paper products.

The Problem

Before using the MoistTech IR-3000 moisture sensor, the Wisconsin paperboard company was experiencing curling and warping in their finished products. They figured it was caused by unequal moisture in the top sheet compared to the base sheet. The company had first tried to resolve the issue by implementing coat weight sensors to measure the coat weight of laminating adhesive and set it by setting standard work processes with tensions, coat weights, and stream settings. They also relied on COCs from their paper vendors to set targets for moisture in the top and base sheets equally.

The Solution

After implementing the IR-3000, the company was able to find that their paper moisture was varying, even from the COCs given to them from the paper vendors. This is what caused the continued warp issues. Once they could collect the moisture content data, they found which moisture levels worked and which caused issues. They charted the data to detail the variation they were witnessing and shared the information with the paper vendors, who tightened up their tolerance for moisture. The company then set the targets for moisture and continued to measure them, while rejecting anything outside this target with appropriate tolerances outside of mean values. As a result, they were able to significantly reduce warp issues and continue to tweak their processes with the goal of eliminating paper warp all together.

Contact MoistTech

MoistTech is a leader in the moisture measurement industry. The precise, non-contact, and no-drift sensors mean you will have correct and reliable moisture readings consistently. Request a quote today.