Hammer-IMS - CURTAIN Machine - Multi-Head Measurements at 30 Centimeter Stand-Off

Turn-key CURTAIN machines integrate the M-Ray measurement technology for industrial use. The machines are tailored to perform measurements 24/7 as part of an industrial production line. Every CURTAIN O-frame and C-frame contains one or more M-Ray based measuring heads. These sensor heads measure the basis-weight, thickness or anomalies in various flat semi-finished products. Thanks to the nature of the M-Ray technology, the measurement standoff can be as high as 30 centimeters. The high standoff is useful for measuring thick materials and avoids scratches and defects on the material.

Instead of M-Ray based Marveloc sensor heads, Hammer-IMS allows for integrating other sensor types (see Sensor Fusion page) into a traveling or fixed CURTAIN system.

Hammer-IMS has developed a new mechanical design for its O-frames for Marveloc-CURTAIN inline systems. Thanks to this new slim design, such an O-frame now only has a width of 300mm in machine direction, making it feasible to fit in almost any production line. Even though the frame is now slimmer, the design update was also able to realize a significantly increased frame rigidity, resulting in a further enhanced measurement precision.
The frame in the video has been equipped with 4 M-Ray sensor heads, but the Marveloc-CURTAIN inline systems can be equipped with a range of measurement technologies and any number of sensor heads, depending on your needs.

The CURTAIN O-frame machine, displayed on the right, consists of a rigid metal frame. The frame is mounted on accurate linear-drive mechanics, supporting high measurement reliability and robustness. The rigidity of the frame maintains high robustness even in harsh environments. The pure electronic nature of the M-Ray technology within this scanning frame is non-nuclear and non-radioactive. The traveling CURTAIN O-frame machine executes fast profile measurements, offering near-100% material coverage. The M-Rays’ high dynamics allow for high-standoff measurements that are fast and accurate. The width of an O-frame CURTAIN system can reach up to more than 5 meter.

The CURTAIN C-frame system, displayed on the right, uses a 100% classic scanning C-frame concept. Its design is sleek and slim. The system can be equipped with one or more measuring heads. The system brings the power of multi-head to classic C-frame measuring technology. The pure electronic nature of the M-Ray technology within this fixed or scanning frame is non-nuclear and non-radioactive. The M-Rays’ high dynamics allow for high-standoff measurements that are fast and accurate. C-frame CURTAIN systems are available with arm lengths up to 1.5 meter. Such systems are extremely flexible because they can simply be inserted on either side of a production line without interrupting production. C-frame type systems can be used on lines of any material width.

As an option, Hammer-IMS offers measuring solutions ready for use in potentially explosive environments (ATEX). When designing M-Ray measuring machines for this purpose, our engineers take into account a range of specific aspects:

• Using anti-static materials
• Applying qualitative grounding wiring to all machine parts
• Limiting radio power
• Reducing temperature
• Introducing overpressure systems and overpressure security mechanisms

Hammer-IMS has experience with delivering machines for ATEX environments. The picture shows the air supply of an overpressure system that is part of the countermeasures implemented for safe use in potentially explosive environments.