Paper is not just for writing material. It's used in paper towels, disposable kitchen items like plates, bowls, and cups, but also in cardboard boxes and tubes. With the wide variety of potential items that can be made from paper, paper producers need to have an efficient system in place to keep this cycle going.
Just as hay and grain producers or building inspectors need to be constantly aware of the moisture content of the materials they work with, so do paper producers. At every point throughout the production process, the importance of knowing how much water is in the product and when it is finished cannot be overemphasized by using a Moisture Meter - as you can probably guess.
Some paper Moisture Meters use a contact pin and a resistive characteristic to measure the moisture content of pulp. These gauges are very useful for manual inspection of paper products. However, there are other types of electrodes that can be used to measure the moisture content of paper.
In the papermaking process, some paper Moisture Meters do not use pins to test the moisture content of the pulp on the pulp, but special electrodes with rolling contact heads (such as Delmhorst's 12-E electrode). These special contacts allow the meter to read the moisture content of the pulp on the line without stopping production.
If there is too much moisture in the pulp as it goes through a given process, the paper may fall apart.
The importance of measuring %MC in paper extends to the fact that moisture can affect the efficacy of equipment involved in the papermaking process.
Measuring moisture in pulp and paper
Since moisture in paper can be the make or break factor in the final quality of a product, it is invaluable to use technology to ensure proper moisture levels. Delmhorst has two paper Moisture Meters: the RDM-3P and the P-2000.
These Moisture Meters provide direct contact to a variety of materials suitable for cardboard, corrugated and paper tubes and feature three different scales for more unique moisture measurements.
Keep paper well hydrated
Keep paper well hydratedThere are other non-portable Moisture Meters that can be used to measure moisture in paper and wood products. Additionally, there are a few precautions you can take to keep your current paper products at a good moisture level.
For example, when paper goods come in, the placement of deliveries should be considered. The paper should have time to acclimatize to the temperature of the environment, especially if it's been opened here.
To maintain a consistent temperature, it is also recommended not to place the paper in an area near heaters or cooling devices, as these may interfere with the paper's acclimation process. During paper production, wrapped paper should remain wrapped until it needs to be processed - not left out for hours.
Finally, the use of steam-proof wrap is highly recommended. Using these wrappers between paper production steps helps the paper stay tightly bound and fresh while keeping excess, unwanted moisture away from the final product.
