Sensors for Building Materials

Moisture measurement and control are very important at almost every stage of the production of clay bricks and ceramic tiles to ensure optimal product quality, yield, and operating efficiency. Rapid, dependable real-time measurement and feedback of the moisture content to the process controller allows for optimized tile and brick forming efficiency resulting in better product quality and minimizing further production rework or scrap. In addition, tile manufacturers can operate the high energy-intensive spray drying process more efficiently to reduce energy costs, bulk density variations and confidently produce consistent products to the desired target moisture content.

Nordson's gauging technology also includes color measurements to prevent production issues. For example, our Series 9 Gauge can help brick manufacturers avoid limestone contamination during production.

Manufacturers of building materials produce a wide range of products such as lumber, veneer, gypsum and cement board, asphalt shingles, organic roofing felt, and other commercial materials. All these products pose a common challenge when it comes to measurement as their surfaces are often covered with debris, sometimes wet, and slippery, making it difficult for mechanical contact encoders to provide accurate length and speed readings. Increasing the contact pressure of the encoder wheel can scar or damage the product making it unusable for customer delivery. Sending the wrong length or speed signal via PLC can trigger an inaccurate cut. The undesirable result is costly: product scrap, maintenance downtime, and lower product quality.

The Nordson LaserSpeed Pro Non-Contact Encoder provides a solution to the problem. It can virtually work on any surface, regardless of its shape, color, or texture, and eliminates the need for time-consuming gauge adjustments between products. The LaserSpeed Pro provides precise length and speed measurements for a variety of tough applications, including continuous length, speed control, cut-to-length, and more. That’s not all. With our Series 9 and PrediktIR II on-line gauges, we can also provide real-time moisture measurements on cellulose pulp sheets, cork sheets, oriented strand boards (OSB), fiberboards, particle boards, strawboards, and wood veneers.