Nonwoven Measurement and Gauging Systems

GSM (grams per square meter) of nonwoven fabric can be measured inline using Hammer-IMS's M-Ray millimeter wave gauging systems, which provide contactless basis weight readings at kHz speeds without cutting samples. Offline, a circular cutter and precision scale are used to weigh a defined area. Inline systems like Marveloc 602 are far more accurate and continuous, eliminating sampling delays and human error across the full web width.

M-Ray technology uses millimeter wave electromagnetic signals—similar in nature to those used in mobile phones—to penetrate and measure nonwoven materials contactlessly. The waves interact with the material's mass and thickness, allowing the sensor to calculate basis weight and thickness values in real time. Because it is non-nuclear and non-radioactive, it is safe for continuous 24/7 use in production environments without special licensing.

Yes. Hammer-IMS gauging systems are suitable for a wide range of nonwoven types including spunbond, meltblown, needlepunch, thermal bond, and composite nonwovens. The M-Ray technology is material-agnostic and maintains consistent measurement performance regardless of fabric color, surface texture, or density, making it versatile across both lightweight hygiene materials and heavy industrial nonwovens.

Basis weight, expressed in g/m², is the mass of material per unit area and is one of the most critical quality parameters for nonwovens. Inconsistent basis weight leads to product failures, customer rejections, and excess raw material use. Inline basis weight monitoring with Hammer-IMS systems enables closed-loop process control, tightening tolerances and significantly reducing material waste and production costs.

Hammer-IMS offers turn-key Marveloc-CURTAIN installations designed for both new lines and upgrades to existing production lines. The system integrates one or more fixed or mobile sensor heads in the cross-machine direction. Installation is supported end-to-end by Hammer-IMS engineers, and the system connects to your process controls via standard interfaces. A demo booking can be arranged prior to installation to validate system performance for your specific application.

Absolutely. Unlike traditional nuclear gauges (beta or gamma sources), Hammer-IMS M-Ray systems are entirely non-nuclear and non-radioactive. They use millimeter wave electromagnetic signals, posing no radiation hazard to personnel. This eliminates the need for radiation safety programs, permits, or restricted access zones, allowing operators to work freely around the measurement system at all times.

Yes. The M-Ray OEM Module is specifically designed for machine builders, sensor integrators, and research institutions. It comes in a compact stainless steel form factor with a full API interface, documentation, a runnable demo application, and reference source code, making integration into custom production equipment or quality control platforms straightforward and time-efficient.

Yes. The Hammer-IMS IoT Industry 4.0 app allows remote monitoring and analysis of all Hammer-IMS measurement machines via an Android application. Users can track real-time production quality, access historical data and trend analytics, and monitor multiple machines across different production sites—providing full visibility into nonwoven quality performance from anywhere in the world.