An exciting new addition to the Series 9 online moisture gauge is already saving time and money for manufacturers throughout the building industry in the UK. The Series 9 was originally launched to measure the moisture levels during production to ensure that the clay used in bricks and tiles contains the correct amount of moisture required, reducing production downtime and resulting in a higher quality brick or tile.
But now an additional feature of the Series 9 goes even further to aid production efficiency and product perfection. Using near-infrared technology, the latest Series 9 can identify a shift in colour within a split second which can allow any potential contamination which could cause discolouration such as limestone to be identified before any further wastage occurs.
Limestone contamination within a brick or tile manufacturing process can have several detrimental effects on the end product. Limestone primarily comprises calcium carbonate, which can react with other components and introduce various problems. For example, limestone contamination can weaken the brick or tile structure by causing gas bubbles which leave voids within the structure at an early stage of production. Further pores or gaps can arise during the firing stage if limestone is present and if undetected, these pores will allow moisture penetration making the brick or tile more susceptible to water damage, frost and deterioration over time. A further disadvantage of limestone is the overall appearance of the brick or tile as limestone impurities can introduce unwanted colour variations, streaks or uneven patterns making the bricks or tiles less visually appealing.
To mitigate these issues, manufacturers need to ensure proper quality control measures, including careful selection and testing of raw materials, monitoring of firing temperatures, and adherence to specific manufacturing guidelines. By eliminating limestone contamination and maintaining precise control over the manufacturing process, the likelihood of these damaging effects can be significantly reduced, resulting in high-quality, durable bricks and satisfied customers. The Series 9 on-line colour gauge introduces a hugely accurate failsafe check to further reassure the manufacturer that limestone or other contaminants aren’t present. It is the only on-line non-contact measurement gauge on the market with this unique colour measurement feature along with the moisture gauge resulting in near-infrared technology that is guaranteed to improve efficiencies, quality and a better end product.
