Dimetix USA Blog

Dimetix USA recently exhibited at the CPP/Pack Expo 2011 in Las Vegas to promote Dimetix laser distance sensors.  The show was well attended and filled 3 large halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center.   The complete line of Dimetix laser distance sensors and accessories were displayed, along with live demos showing how the lasers could be used for roll diameter measurement and winder control.   Many thanks to those new and existing customers who stopped ny our booth.

Dimetix USA roll diameter measurement and winder control CPP/PACK Expo video

Bruce Vaughn of INSTARR (Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado) is leading the way in monitoring the melting of our polar ice caps with an apparatus that his organization has built to monitor the flow for water isotopes in ice cores. 

INSTARR has developed an apparatus that includes a Dimetix DLS-BH30 laser distance sensor with an integrated heater.  The laser sensor is mounted inside a temperature controlled freezer operating at -40 degrees F.  The distance sensor measures the relative distance change to the top of a plunger resting on a sample of Arctic ice.  The distance calculation is included in the parameters that determine the melt rate of the ice isotopes.

Applied GeoMechanics Inc. (Buffalo Grove, IL;  www.geomechanics.com)  has been added to Dimetix USA’s certified integrator list.  Tom  Weinmann  of Applied GeoMechanics  has successfully completed jobs using Dimetix DLS-C15 laser distance sensors to monitor bridge deflection.  Applied GeoMechanics Inc. and DIMETIX USA (www.dimetix-usa.com) made history when Ten DLS-C15 lasers sensors were used to monitor the lifting of a truss section on the Huey P. Long Bridge over the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 19, 2010.  The Dimetix DLS-C15 laser distance sensors were used in conjunction with specially fabricated targets and software developed by Applied GeoMechanics to monitor beam deflection during the day long lift.  

  The project involved barging in and lifting pre-assembled spans to reduce stress on the bridge and minimize interruption of traffic.   

 Applied GeoMechanics is currently working on a project to measure mid-span deflections of the M39 Bridge in Southfield, MI. using Dimetix DLS-C15 lasers.   

 Photos are courtesy of Aplied GeoMechanics (Buffalo Grove, IL) and ENR.com

Paper mills have been selecting the Dimetix DLS-C and FLS-C series laser from Dimetix USA (www.dimetix-usa.com) to monitor roll diameter and width via non-contact methods.  Mills operated by RockTenn, Boise Cascade, International Paper, Weyehaeuser, Burrows Paper, Clearwater Paper, KPAQ Industries, Georgia Pacific and MeadWestVaco have used Dimetix laser sensors incorporated with their own control systems and turnkey systems provided by integrator LASER-VIEW TECHNOLOGIES (Exton, PA; www.laser-view.com)  to monitor roll dimensions in process during winding and as finished goods. These customers have been impressed with the laser sensor’s ruggedness, repeatability, and overall accuracy over a wide range of roll sizes.   

Usually mills will mount one DLS-C laser overhead to measure diameter as the roll stops underneath.  Width is usually measured using a pair of DLS-C laser distance sensors in differential mode as the roll passes through.  With their large measuring range, all diameters and widths typically produced in mills today can be monitored. 

 While some paper mills take the traditional approach of reading the analog output of the laser sensors, others are adapting the Dimetix laser sensors in newer ways.  One common approach is to feed the laser range finder’s output into Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLC systems and speak to the device via internal tags.  Other mills take the RS232 serial ASCII output directly into their PLC processors or PC control systems. 

 Three DLS-C15 laser distance sensor are depicted in this photo monitoring a finished paper roll. One laser sensor is mounted over head to measure diameter and the other two units are mounted on the left and right sides to measure width.  Photo is courtesy of LASER-VIEW TECHNOLOGIES (Exton, PA) and Dimetix USA (Lionville, PA).

Ten DLS-C15 laser distance sensors from Dimetix USA were lifted aboard a 2,650 ton steel bridge truss section over the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 19, 2010. DIMETIX USA made history when Tom Weinmann of Applied GeoMechanics (Buffalo Grove, IL; www.geomechanics.com) worked with MTI in New Orleans to monitor the lifting of a truss section on the Huey P. Long Bridge. The Dimetix DLS-C15 laser distance sensors were used in conjunction with specially fabricated targets and software developed by Applied GeoMechanics to monitor beam deflection during the day long lift.

The project involved barging in and lifting pre-assembled spans to reduce stress on the bridge and minimize interruption of traffic. At first, Applied GeoMechanics nor the contractor (MTI), believed that a series of laser distance sensors and geometric target plates could detect deflection over such long beam spans outdoors and on the water. Steven Lubeck of DIMETIX USA convinced engineers otherwise by staging a proof of concept test on land. Further testing on-site proved the method to be valid.
The longest beam span on this truss section was approximately 30 meters, but longer spans should be feasible based on the 150 meter measurement range of the DLS-C30 laser distance sensor.
The DLS-C30 laser distance sensor is shown here in a paired configuration midspan on the truss section.
Photos are courtesy of Applied GeoMechanics (Buffalo Grove, IL) and ENR.com.

DIMETIX USA announces its new website www.DIMETIX-USA.com. DIMETIX USA distributes the DLS-B laser range finder from Dimetix in the USA. DIMETIX USA has been formed by technical and marketing professionals with hands-on knowledge on the Dimetix line of robust and accurate laser distance sensors. DIMETIX USA sells the laser sensors and also many accessories designed and manufactured in the USA.