What is moisture measurement in the manufacturing process? A clear explanation of the concepts of online and continuous measurement.

Inspecting finished products and measuring during process have different purposes.

When checking moisture of a finished product, the main purpose is to confirm that the product has reached the specified moisture level. On the other hand, when measuring moisture during process, it is important to understand how moisture is changing.

moisture changes even during the manufacturing process.

moisture can change due to drying, heating, cooling, storage, the condition of raw materials, and the surrounding environment. Therefore, it can be difficult to grasp the changes that occurred during process by only looking at the finished product.

In process measurement, "capturing change" is crucial.

When measuring moisture during the manufacturing process, it's common to observe not just a single measurement, but also changes over time. This allows us to check for any deviations from the normal state.

Sampling measurement allows you to view process as a "point" in time.

By measuring a sample taken at a specific point in time, we can determine moisture content at that time. However, we cannot directly understand changes that occurred during periods when measurements were not taken.

Online measurement allows you to view process as a "line."

Continuous measurement during process allows us to understand how moisture changes over time. Therefore, we can observe trends in moisture levels and temporary changes.

A way of thinking that combines both.

It's not always necessary to use only one of the two methods: sampling measurements and online measurements. You can also combine measurements to confirm a baseline moisture content with measurements to track changes during process.

Check moisture of the raw materials.

moisture of raw materials can be measured to check their condition before they enter subsequent manufacturing process. Changes in the condition of raw materials can affect moisture content in later process.

Check before and after the drying process.

By comparing moisture before and after drying, you can see how much moisture has changed due to drying.

Check for changes during process.

Measuring moisture during process can allow for continuous monitoring of changes in moisture due to drying and processing.

Check moisture of the finished product.

In the measurement of finished products, this is used to confirm that the product has reached the specified moisture level.

Understand the variation in moisture.

By looking at moisture levels over time, you can check whether moisture content is staying within a certain range or if there are large fluctuations.

Examine the relationship with process conditions.

By observing changes in moisture in conjunction with process conditions such as drying temperature, line speed, and feed rate, it may be possible to confirm the relationship between changes in process conditions and moisture.

Quickly detect unusual changes

Understanding the normal moisture levels makes it easier to spot unusual increases or decreases. This can be used to check process and detect abnormalities early.

Reviewing process based on recorded data

Continuously recording moisture measurements allows you to review process conditions later. By comparing these measurements with manufacturing conditions and quality results, you may be able to obtain information that can lead to process improvements.

View not only the measured values but also process conditions together.

Instead of just looking at changes in moisture content, checking it in conjunction with the temperature, line speed, supply rate, and drying conditions at that time makes it easier to understand the factors causing moisture change.

Connecting measurement, recording, and monitoring

By continuously measuring moisture and recording and monitoring the values, it becomes possible to compare not only the current process state but also past conditions.

Use the measured values to adjust process conditions.

If the relationship between process state and moisture content can be confirmed, moisture content can be used to check and adjust process conditions. However, how to make adjustments will vary depending on process and control method.

What to measure

Clearly define the material or product to be measured, its moisture content, and its condition.

Where to measure it?

We check whether the measured value can be treated as a representative value for process, or whether it is the location where the change we want to measure appears.

Is the measurement location representative?

If moisture varies depending on the location of the object, a measurement of only one part may not represent the entire object. It is necessary to determine the measurement location by checking the flow and distribution of the material.

How do you determine the standard moisture content?

When using online measurements for process control, it is important to verify how accurately the measured values reflect the actual moisture content. This involves checking the relationship between the measured values and the reference moisture measurement method.

Will product or process conditions change?

If product, materials, formulation, or process conditions change, it is necessary to check the impact of these changes on the measured values.

What will the measurements be used for?

Clearly defining the ultimate purpose of use, such as quality control, recording, monitoring, anomaly detection, and process condition adjustment, makes it easier to consider the necessary measurement methods and system configuration.