FIBERVIEW – Taking Samples from the Mat Belongs to the Past

Using the patent pending FIBERVIEW, the cooking and refining processes can be precisely adjusted and the consumption of energy and the fibre quality thus be optimised. A saving potential of up to 10 kW/h per ton of wood that is refined can be calculated.

Being able to manipulate the fibre sizes in a determined and reliable way, the manufacturers of MDF panels are now able to produce specific fibre qualities. Internal standards can be established. Even customer requirements can be specified in such a way that an allowed number of shives per class per m² can be determined. Especially in the case of complaints, concrete data is available whether the fibre quality was sufficient or not. Such a degree of objectiveness has been unparalleled so far.

The next step is the regulation of the refiner via an automatic control loop. Thus, reaction times are reduced, and further cost saving potentials can be realised thanks to faster adjustment.

FIBERVIEW is based on an imaging method. The surface of the passing fibre mat is continuously inspected by a line-scan camera with vertical illumination over a width of about 400 mm.

The basic construction of the measuring system is a solid frame construction. The visual field of the camera is protected from dirt and dust by a closed tube. The system is equipped with an automatic height adjustment so that camera and illumination unit automatically adjust to changes in the mat height depending on the mat moisture and, of course, upon product changes. Thus, it is ensured that the surface to be inspected always lies in the focus of the camera and that clear pictures are taken. Furthermore, the illumination of the system is automatically regulated to compensate influences by colour from different cooking conditions or wood types.

FIBERVIEW is already in operation at three major European wood based panel manufacturers.