Overview
Paper moisture measurement and control are critical throughout nearly all stages of paper production and converting, as manufacturers must constantly adjust moisture levels to maintain optimal product quality.
MoistTech’s IR-3000 Series Near-Infrared (NIR) sensors provide non-contact, instantaneous, and highly accurate moisture and thickness measurements on paper webs, enabling operators to make real-time adjustments to the process.
Accurate control of both moisture content (4–8%) and coating thickness (2–60 gsm) ensures that paper and paperboard products remain within industry specifications 100% of the time.
The IR-3000 can simultaneously measure moisture, coat weight, and thickness, providing a complete solution for quality control and process optimization in one compact device.
Why Measure Moisture
Inadequate or excessive moisture content directly impacts the paper’s dimensional stability, density, and strength.
Quality Assurance
Energy Efficiency
Reduced Waste
Process Stability
Safety
RECOMMENDED MEASUREMENT LOCATIONS
MoistTech sensors can be installed at key points in the process:
- Pre-Coating – to monitor incoming web moisture
- During Coating Application – for real-time coat weight adjustment
- Post-Dryer / Final Verification – to confirm finished product moisture and thickness consistency
The sensors are mounted above the web or conveyor and connected to a local or remote display for real-time feedback. The system allows manual or automatic process adjustments based on live readings.
The IR-3000 Series provides several advantages that make it the preferred solution for paper manufacturing:
- Dual measurement capability – moisture and coat weight in one device
- Non-contact, continuous monitoring
- Insensitive to color, texture, or web speed changes
- Pre-calibrated and maintenance-free for fast commissioning
- 20x faster response than conventional NIR sensors
- One-time calibration – drift-free optical design
- Integration-ready outputs for PLC or quality control systems
These features provide reliable, real-time process control, leading to higher production efficiency and reduced waste.