Continuous Level and Point Level Measurement in Glue Applications for the Paper and Packaging Industry
Corrugated board has become an essential part of everyday life. Whether it's used for shipping boxes, product packaging, or sturdy transport solutions, this lightweight, robust, and fully recyclable material meets the highest standards in terms of sustainability, flexibility, and stability.
Its characteristic structure is created by shaping a layer of paper using corrugating rollers to form the typical wave profile. Depending on the desired strength and design, the corrugated layer is bonded with one or more flat paper layers using glue.
Process-Safe Continuous Level and Point Level Measurement in Agitated Tanks with Viscous or Sticky Liquids
A crucial element in this production process is glue. It guarantees the permanent bonding of the paper layers and must be available in consistent quality and quantity. Therefore, proper storage and precise monitoring of the adhesive are vital for maintaining an uninterrupted production process.
Glue Storage Application – Requirements for Level Measurement Technology
In a modern corrugated board factory, glue is stored in a dedicated tank. The substance is highly viscous and tends to stick and harden, especially during downtime. To prevent this, the glue is kept in constant motion by an agitator and is regularly replenished in measured doses. For safe and continuous level monitoring as well as precise limit level detection, the company relies on sensor solutions from UWT.
Process tank for the storage of glue
Challenges in Glue Storage
Storing glue in corrugated board production presents several process-critical challenges for level measurement technology:
- Highly viscous, sticky substance prone to hardening
- Material build-up on sensors or tank walls
- Motion from the agitator that can interfere with conventional measuring methods
- Risk of overfilling if limit levels are not reliably detected
- High demands on maintenance-free operation and user-friendly handling in daily industrial use
The Solution: Robust and Tolerant Sensor Technology from UWT
Continuous Level Measurement with the NivoRadar® NR 7200
The free-radiating 80 GHz FMCW radar sensor enables contactless level detection. With its narrow beam angle of only 8°, the sensor is ideal for narrow tanks – even in applications with integrated agitators.
Der kompakte, WHG-zertifizierte NR 7200 lässt sich über die UWT LevelApp intuitiv konfigurieren. Dort kann auch die Feineinstellung zur Rührwerkskompensation vorgenommen werden. Mit seiner schnellen Reaktionszeit erfasst der NR 7200 Messbereiche bis zu 20 m. Die kontaktlose Technologie sorgt für maximale Prozesssicherheit bei minimalem Wartungsaufwand – selbst bei anspruchsvollen Medien wie Leim.
Point Level Detection with the Vibranivo® VN 7130
The is used as a full detector and reliably detects sticky and viscous media, without the need for sensitivity adjustments.
Thanks to its extension tube, the switching point can be precisely positioned at the maximum fill level in the tank, providing reliable shutdown to prevent overfilling.
Insensitive to buildup, flow, turbulence or air bubbles, the vibrating fork is ideal for challenging media such as glue. In addition, the limit switch offers flexible remote adjustment of the switching point up to 4 metres (13 feet) – for maximum flexibility in installation and application.
NR 7200 and VN 7130 – reliable duo for level and limit level detection in glue tanks with agitator
UWT offers a reliable, field-proven solution for this application by combining the NivoRadar® NR 7200 and the Vibranivo® VN 7130:
NR 7200 – The compact 80 GHz FMCW radar sensor:
• Contactless, maintenance-free level measurement
• Narrow beam angle of 8° – ideal for narrow vessels or tanks with agitators
• Simple commissioning via the UWT LevelApp, including fine-tuning for moving elements inside the tank
• WHG certification for safe use in sensitive applications
VN 7130 – The vibration level switch for demanding media:
• Reliable point level detection of liquid or viscous media
• No calibration required, operates without sensitivity adjustment
• Remote switching point adjustment up to 4 metres (13 feet) for maximum flexibility
• Unaffected by buildup, turbulence or air bubbles
• Perfect as a full detector to prevent overfilling or as empty run protection
The successful testing of the limit level detection in close collaboration with the corrugated board manufacturer highlights the practical suitability of the UWT solution and the solution-oriented approach by means of direct dialogue with the customer.
Vibranivo® VN 7130 during application testing for limit level detection in glue
