| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L64492/01 |
| Title: |
IN-PROCESS OPTICAL MEASUREMENT OF COATING THICKNESS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Barton, Dr J |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
Heriot-Watt University |
| Scheme: |
LINK |
| Starts: |
01 March 1998 |
Ends: |
31 May 2000 |
Value (£): |
101,022
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Instrumentation Eng. & Dev. |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
The project will develop a technique to measure the thickness of a very thin (10mm) release coating which is a key component of stamping foils for the packaging industry. In-process coating measurement is necessary to improve quality control and to reduce wastage. Present methods are with the indirect or sufficiently sensitive for use in production. We propose a method based on detecting fluorescence emitted by a mow concentration of fluorescent dopant in the release coating; an optical probe head illuminated the foil and collects fluorescent light emitted by the release coating. The fluorescence intensity is a direct measure of the coating thickness. The proposed research programme will: (I) identify and characterise a suitable fluorophore to act as the indicator of coating thickness; (ii) investigate, design and optimise a rugged and compact system using optical fibres to connect the probe head to the optical source and detectors, within the constraints set by the fluorescence wavelengths, operation on the production machine, and the requirement for compatibility with the final foil product.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.hw.ac.uk |