What is a non-contact thickness measurement?
Non-contact thickness measurement determines the thickness of a material without physically touching it. Using technologies like millimeter wave (M-Ray), ultrasound, or laser, sensors measure the distance to the material surface or transmission characteristics to calculate thickness precisely. This is ideal for fast-moving production lines, delicate materials, or situations where contact could damage the product or introduce contamination.
What is NDT thickness measurement?
NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) thickness measurement evaluates material thickness without altering or damaging the sample. It is widely used in manufacturing quality control, pipeline inspection, and structural integrity assessments. Hammer-IMS's M-Ray millimeter wave systems are a form of NDT measurement, providing accurate inline thickness and basis weight data without nuclear radiation or physical contact, making them suitable for continuous production environments.
What materials can Hammer-IMS measure?
Hammer-IMS solutions measure a broad range of materials including plastics (PE, PP, PC, PMMA), nonwovens, textiles, paper, pulp, MDF, OSB, plywood, mineral wool, gypsum boards, and coatings. The M-Ray millimeter wave technology can even see through opaque materials, enabling measurement of hidden layers or composite structures across many industries.
Is M-Ray technology safe for production personnel?
Yes. M-Ray uses electromagnetic waves in the millimeter wave spectrum—similar to those used in mobile phones—and is entirely non-nuclear and non-radioactive. This means your production team can work safely alongside Hammer-IMS systems 24/7 without any radiation exposure concerns or the regulatory overhead associated with traditional nuclear-based measurement technologies.
Can Hammer-IMS systems be integrated into existing production lines?
Absolutely. Hammer-IMS offers turn-key installations as well as upgrade solutions for existing lines. The Marveloc 602 platform and M-Ray OEM Module are designed for straightforward integration by machine builders and system integrators. Systems support API interfaces, closed-loop process control feedback, and Industry 4.0 connectivity, minimizing downtime during installation and commissioning.
What measurement speeds and accuracy does the system offer?
Hammer-IMS systems measure at up to 3 kHz, supporting production line speeds of up to 500 meters per minute. The multi-sensor head design ensures uniform cross-machine coverage, enabling detection of localized thickness deviations such as those caused by individual extrusion screw bolts. Thickness values can be adjusted to within international standards tolerances.
What is the M-Ray OEM Module, and who is it for?
The M-Ray OEM Module is a compact, stainless steel sensor package designed for machine builders, sensor integrators, and scientific researchers who want to embed non-nuclear thickness or basis weight measurement into their own equipment. It includes the sensor, API interface, documentation, a demo application, and reference source code, making integration straightforward for technical teams.
Does Hammer-IMS offer remote monitoring and data analytics?
Yes. The Hammer-IMS IoT Industry 4.0 Android app enables remote monitoring of all Hammer-IMS measurement devices from anywhere. Users can access real-time production data, review historical trends, detect quality anomalies, and analyze production line performance—supporting smart factory initiatives and proactive quality management for textiles, nonwovens, plastic sheets, and films.