Categories
- Machine Tools: Cutting (3,917)
- Machine Tools: Metalforming, shearing, folding and punching (1,481)
- Machine Tools: moulding (1,058)
- Cutting tools (1,766)
- Welding and Joining (1,488)
- Finishing, preparation, coating and painting (1,025)
- Automation and assembly systems (1,044)
- Manufacturing support (8,593)
- Industry news, commerce, exhibitions, education (8,185)
- Packaging (2,865)
- Specialist Manufacturing Sectors and Metals Producing (1,318)
- Books, CDs and Videos (189)
- IT for manufacturing management and production (3,425)
- IT for engineering, industrial and commercial applications (4,837)
- Manufacturing IT hardware and communications (1,569)
- Used machinery and machine tools (29)
- Materials handling and storage (912)
- Wood and non-metallics working (73)
- Metrology instruments and systems (3,798)
- Testing and quality control systems and services (4,939)
- Subcontracting services (1,142)
Radar Gauges Boost Raw Materials Level Measurement
A
Krohne product story
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team
Sep 16, 2005
Following successful trials that demonstrated a marked improvement in production efficiency, industrial plastics manufacturer Schwartz has chosen to install two Krohne Optiwave radar level gauges.
Following successful trials that demonstrated a marked improvement in production efficiency, industrial plastics manufacturer Schwartz has chosen to install two Krohne Optiwave radar level gauges.
The company has now also placed orders for additional instruments.
Schwartz, which is based in Germany, is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of plastic components that are used in industry worldwide.
Through using Krohne's Optiwave instruments the company has improved level measurement accuracy of raw materials, which is kept agitated in containers prior to processing.
Schwartz manufactures its products from polyamide, which is a plastic made from processing a raw material called caprolactam.
During production, caprolactam, which has a density similar to water, needs to be heated for it to remain liquid - at room temperature the substance will harden.
Before processing, it is stored in relatively small, two metre high containers where it is maintained at 120 degrees C.
The containers are fitted with agitators which, because of the turbulent surface they create on the liquid, make it difficult to accurately monitor the precise level of material in the tanks.
Previously the company used float-type devices which led to unreliable measurement readings being taken.
Optiwave radar level gauges are capable of measuring to an accuracy of +/- 3mm, despite the uneven liquid surface.
Their relatively small antennas and high resolution measurement frequency make them suitable for applications involving small containers and turbulent surfaces.
The Optiwave also has a pre-programmed agitator tank option, which can be selected via its quick setup wizard menu.
By using that function, the instrument will automatically compensate for fluctuations in level readings to provide accurate measurement output.
"We are really satisfied with these two Optiwave units because they let us detect the filling levels in our tanks with far more accuracy than was previously possible," said Ulrich Kottlamp, works manager at Schwartz.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Contact Krohne
Related Stories
