Product Overview

Continuous Measurement of Moisture, Oil, & Other Parameters

MCT460 online sensors help operators control moisture within one-tenth of a percent to meet product specs every time. The MCT460 features NIR technology widely used and accepted in various industries for moisture and other online measurements.

Features

  • Simple to operate, integrate and standardize across multiple lines and locations
  • Rugged enclosure withstands harsh conditions
  • Proprietary temperature-controlled detector ensures measurement stability
  • Fully modular with all components easily replaceable in the field
  • Easy to troubleshoot with advanced on-board diagnostics

Benefits

  • Improve process control and final quality using accurate measurements of moisture, oil, and other parameters
  • Make quick decisions and adjustments to the production line using the analysis data
  • Save costs and reduce waste, which improves your company’s bottom line
Moisture & Compositional

Applications

Consistent Product Quality, Increased Yield, and Reduced Waste

Industrial Process NIR Applications

The MCT460 Online NIR Smart Sensor is used to continuously measure and control moisture, coat weight, film thickness, and product temperature during the manufacturing process. The sensors are capable of a closed loop control of belt speed, paper re-moisturizers, and other processes where moisture variation is controlled. The MCT460 Series can also be easily integrated into existing control systems with industry-standard IO protocols, adding data to maximize process efficiency. Some examples of industrial products that can be measured are:

Typical Applications:

  • Fertilizers
  • Paper products
  • Wood products
  • Converting: hot melts, pressure sensitive adhesives
  • Tobacco

Additional Applications:

  • Extruded plastics
  • PVB film
  • Textiles
  • Crumb rubber
  • PVC powders
  • Ceramics
  • Detergents, soaps
  • Ore
  • Biofuels
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Moisture & Compositional

How It Works

Control Moisture to Within 1/10th of a Percent

The MCT460 Series NIR analyzers are integrated into key areas of a production process to continuously monitor incoming raw materials or control processes on the production line. Each option is designed to integrate seamlessly over belt conveyors, auger/screw conveyors, or bins & chutes to analyze moisture, oil, and other on-line measurements.

The MCT460 scanning process is simple but reliable:
  1. Light from the lamp is directed through a rotating wheel at 2000rpm containing NIR filters selected for the application
  2. NIR light is directed onto the product being measured
  3. The light reflected off the product is captured by a mirror within the unit and focused onto a Peltier Cooled Lead sulfide detector.
  4. The detector’s output is taken by the on-board “smart” circuit board and compares to the internal reference beam. This is then converted into a percent of moisture, oil, and other parameters.
Moisture & Compositional

System Components

The MCT460 is an industrial-grade cast aluminum or electroless-nickel enclosure that includes a local display, which has all the power, digital, and analog inputs for operating the system. This allows for a simple installation process for most applications.

Options are available for stand-alone and system configuration.

Moisture & Compositional

Installation

Over-Belt Conveyor

MCT460 sensors are mounted 8-18 inches above the conveyor, ideally with continuous product flow.

Augers & Screw Conveyors

Installing the MCT460 on top of augers and screw conveyors allows for a measurement of the flow of material being conveyed by the flights of a screw. The MCT460 is installed offset to the side of the central shaft while the influence of the flights passing the unit are eliminated by the instrument’s software.

Bins and Chutes

Sight glass windows, such as Sapphire can be used for continuous flow of products against the window. Additionally, the snorkel sampler (sold separately) can be used to measure free-falling powders/granules in chutes.

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Moisture & Compositional


Moisture & Compositional

Accessories

IR Temp Sensor: Enables simultaneous product temperature measurement.
Snorkel Sampler: Designed to measure free falling powders/granules in chutes.
Cal Check Standard: Used to verify sensor stability over time and transfer calibrations between sensors.
Air Cooling: Vortex cooler attached to the sensor for high-temp applications.
Product Loss Sensor: Enables measurements when the product flow is discontinuous or there are frequent lulls in the production stream.
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Moisture & Compositional

Software

All MCT Series models use the proprietary SensorVu Windows®- based PC software, allowing operators to insert set-up parameters, perform or adjust calibrations, select product codes, examine internal diagnostic values, and remotely view moisture and temperature trends. SensorVu can also connect to multiple MCT Series analyzers in a single location for multi-system monitoring.

All MCT Series models use the proprietary SensorVu Windows®- based PC software, allowing operators to insert set-up parameters, perform or adjust calibrations, select product codes, examine internal diagnostic values, and remotely view moisture and temperature trends. SensorVu can also connect to multiple MCT Series analyzers in a single location for multi-system monitoring.

Trend screen with logging capability displays process reading changes in real time.

Trend screen with logging capability displays process reading changes in real time.

Review sensor health and performance from easy-to-follow prompts.

Review sensor health and performance from easy-to-follow prompts.

Simple, graphical calibration routine for quick setup of new products.

Simple, graphical calibration routine for quick setup of new products.

Moisture & Compositional

Specifications

Sensor Enclosure Powder coated cast aluminum
Reading Speed Up to 33 readings/second
High-Speed Gaiting Available? No
Communication Options USB, Ethernet TCP/IP, Ethernet IP, EtherCAT, ProfiNet, ProfiBus, Modbus TCP, DeviceNet, OPC-DDE Server
Product calibrations 100
Measured NIR Constituents 1,2, or 3 Simultaneously
Moisture Accuracy +/- 0.1%
Fats/oil Accuracy +/- 0.2%
Wet Basis Moisture Range Min. 0.1% Max. 90%
Dry Basis Moisture Range Min. 0.1% Max. 400%
Transmitter/Product Distance 200-450mm (8-18”)
Operator Interface 5.7 in. touch screen
Outputs 4-20mA, 0-10V (isolated), RS-232 & RS485
Languages 13 selectable languages
Weight 8.6 kg (19 lbs)
Ambient Temperature 0-50°C (32-120°F) With Water or Air cooling Up To 80°C (160°F)
Power Inputs 110 to 240V standard. 24VDC optional
Cable 10 ft (3 meters) standard
Compliance CE Certified (FCC CFR 47: Part 15: B: 2015, Industry Canada Interference-Causing Equipment Standard ICES-003: 2021)
Warranty Two years parts/labor; 3 years lamp replacement
Moisture & Compositional

Resources