Nip Measurement
Ensuring uniform nip pressure across the entire surface area of those rolls is crucial to producing a reliably consistent product, maintaining productivity, minimizing machine down time, reducing waste, and more.Obtain a uniform nip impression for roll setup, maintenance, consistency, and longevity
Taking routine nip impressions can help identify:
- Nip pressure and uniformity
- Roller alignment
- Proper machine setup
- Crowning (under- or over-crowning)
- Diameter variations
- Deflections
- Blanket & surface wear
Nip Pressure Measurement Option
There is no “one-product-fits-all” approach but depending on your application needs Tekscan offers three solutions:Fujifilm Prescale Film
single-use nip impression paper
Primary Use: Maintenance Tool
Also known as nip impression paper or a Fuji impression, Prescale film is used to measure pressure between nip rolls and calender rolls.
- Snapshot pressure measurements
- Visual pattern of peak pressure
- One-time use
I-Scan
multi-use nip pressure measurement system
Primary Use: Instrumentation Setup
A powerful, versatile tool that accurately measures and analyzes dynamic contact pressure between rolls.
- Used to understand full surface area of the nip
- Over 200 sensors to choose from in different shapes and pressure ranges
- Real-time display of pressure sensor data
NPAT
advanced nip pressure alignment tool
Primary Use: Maintenance & Setup Tool
The NPAT™ captures nip footprints and relative pressure distribution between nip rolls.
- Used to measure pressure distribtion, nip width, and cross width across rolls
- Clear visual representation of rolls using static snapshots
- Ideal for large nip roller areas
Comparison of Nip Impression Systems
FujiFilm Prescale (“Nip Impression Paper” / “Fuji Impression”)
Nip impression paper is used to measure contact pressures and is as easy as passing the film through the nip rollers. The film structure consists of micro-encapsulated color forming and developing material. When pressure is applied to the film, a red color impression is formed in varying density according to the amount of pressure and pressure distribution.
Main features
- Film is available in rolls and can be cut to size
- 7 available pressure ranges up to 30,000+ psi
- Peak pressure snapshot
- Optional digital analysis software
I-Scan™
I-Scan is a versatile solution for optimizing a process or manufacturing parameters. The I-Scan nip impression sensor is placed in the nip for real-time roller pressure measurement. With a wide range of sensor form factors and data analysis tools in the software, I-Scan is a powerful tool for a research and development team to improve yield.
I-Scan is a versatile solution for optimizing a process or manufacturing parameters. The I-Scan nip impression sensor is placed in the nip for real-time roller pressure measurement. With a wide range of sensor form factors and data analysis tools in the software, I-Scan is a powerful tool for a research and development team to improve yield.
Main features
- Ideal for engineering team analysis
- Recording & playback of dynamic pressure images
- Fast (100 Hz) sensor scanning
- Supports high temp sensors
Nip Pressure Alignment Tool™ (NPAT)
NPAT is an advanced, easy-to-use tool used to capture nip footprints and relative pressure distribution between nip rollers. The system utilizes a sensor made up of an array of thin and flexible pressure sensitive bands, which can be configured to match the size of an application.
NPAT is an advanced, easy-to-use tool used to capture nip footprints and relative pressure distribution between nip rollers. The system utilizes a sensor made up of an array of thin and flexible pressure sensitive bands, which can be configured to match the size of an application.
Main features
- Helps prevent equipment and product damage
- Provides quantifiable and credible data
- Easily maintained in-field
- Allows for proper machine set-up, machine comparison, and preventative maintenance
Compare Solutions with this Chart
| Nip Impression Paper | I-Scan | NPAT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Maintenance tool | Instrumentation setup. Used by R&D engineers to optimize processes. | Maintenance & setup tool |
| Data Captured | Static display of pressure that captures peak load only; No timing data | Real-time, dynamic display of contact area of the nip | Relative nip uniformity and pressure distribution |
| Ideal Nip Roll Size | Cut to size | > 450 mm (18 in) | 450 mm (18 in) to 10,973 mm (432 in) |
| Analysis Capabilities | Digital scanner; software only displays degree of pressure | Featured packed, robust software with in-depth analysis tools and features | Robust software with analysis tools and features |
| Efficiency & Productivity | Single-use product with a cumbersome setup process | Reusable, mix and match sensors capturing in-depth analysis of nip contact area | Reusable sensors that capture changes in pressure distribution in real-time |