Measuring coating where reproducibility counts

Technical textiles for protective and defence applications are used in items such as protective garments, tents, tarpaulins, covers and technical carrier materials. Depending on the end use, properties including flame resistance, water repellency, weather resistance or defined air permeability are often achieved via coating, finishing or printing. Reproducible application is therefore a central requirement in these processes.

Three-point monitoring across the width

Pleva's AF 310 microwave measurement system is designed for continuous, contactless online measurement of coating application during production. Positioned after the coating unit or doctor blade, it detects deviations early, before larger quantities of material run outside specified parameters. The company links this to consistent quality, reduced over-application and waste, and improved documentation.

Unlike single-position monitoring, the AF 310 measures at three points across the material width - left, centre and right. This makes differences between the edges and the centre visible and is intended to support uniformity across both width and length. Pleva highlights this transparency particularly for high-quality coatings, pastes or foams.

Data for QA, traceability and integration

In production terms, Pleva associates online measurement with faster setup times, reduced start-up waste, fewer manual inspections and improved reproducibility. Operators can see whether application stays within tolerance and correct the process in time. More accurate dosing of chemicals, pastes or foams is also cited, alongside reduced material consumption and lower drying energy requirements.

Measurement values can be visualised, documented and analysed using Pleva's Plevatec Pro. For the AF 310, coating application across the left, centre and right positions can be monitored with defined tolerances. Pleva positions the resulting data for quality assurance, process analysis and traceability, as well as for integration into corporate networks, for example via OPC UA.