Multiplexed NIR spectrometer

Multiplexed NIR spectrometer are widly used for the identification of plastic material in recycling plants. Waste collections from e.g. household waste are identified and analysed by an optical spectrometer and can therefore be sorted out.

Material identification in sorting plants

Multiplexed NIR spectrometer KUSTA1.9MPL-24V (formerly KUSTA1.9MPL) is a fast scanning near-infrared sensor, which is used for the identification of bulk solids in sorting plants. On a conveyor belt the singulated material is passed by under the illumination unit and the reflected radiation is transferred to the optical multiplexer via fiber cables. The multiplexed spectrometer scans the 64 measuring tracks at frequencies of up to 70 Hz and sends the identification results to the process control via an ethernet protocol.

KUSTA1.9MPL-24V is mainly used in plastic- and waste paper recycling. Depending on the application certain standard identification routines are included, which enable to reject several material types referring to freely selectable criteria.

In the version “-24V”, which is available from January 2016, the optical multiplexer, the spectrometer and the RGB sensor come in a separate housing of protection degree IP65, which can be mounted directly at the probe. Due to the high scan rate, materials on even 2 to 3 m wide conveyor belts can be identified at speeds of up to 3 m/s. For the detection of smaller particles (< 30 mm in diameter) hyperspectral imaging cameras KUSTAx.xMSI are recommended.

Additional equipment is described below.
Suitable software for LLA NIR technology is described here.

Schematic illustration of a sorting plant based on KUSTA1.9MPL-24V

Technical specification KUSTA1.9MPL-24V

	KUSTA1.9MPL-24V
Method	Non-contact and non-destructive testing (NDT) method based on NIR spectroscopy; Detection of absolute remission as a function of the wavelength
Wavelength range	1.36 µm - 1.94 µm
Spectral resolution	< 8 nm
Dispersion per pixel	4 nm
Scan rate	30 Hz - 70 Hz
Number of measurement tracks	Max. 64
16bit RGB sensor	Integrated
Operating voltage optical unit	24V DC, max. 3,6A (without industrial PC and control cabinet heating)
Operating voltage industrial PC	24V DC, max. 4,8 A
Operating voltage control cabinet heating	24V DC, 7A, 150W
Voltage 24V power supply	90…265 V AC, 50-60 Hz, fuse 20 A (T) Input: 100 V ... 240 V AC; Output: 24V DC / 20A
Environmental operating temperature	+5 °C to +55 °C
Environmental operating humidity	In process: 5 % - 95 % 20 % - 95 % rel.
Weight	31 kg
Dimensions (LxWxH)	500 mm x 500 mm x 300 mm
Base device	Optic module containing the spectrometer, optical multiplexer and control electronics in a housing of protection class IP65, external: industrial PC, 24V power adapter
PC configuration	Operating system Windows® 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 (64-bit), 2,1 GHz, 16 GByte DDR4 SDRAM, Solid State Disk 64 GByte M2 MLC, conectivity: DVI-I, DVI-Display Port, 6x USB, Ethernet
Software	Control software KustaMPL, customer specific analysis routines Optional: spectrometric development environment KustaSpec
Operation	Process mode: the process unit interacts via Ethernet interface with the industrial PC, which evaluates the spectra. Controling the system with a TFT display, mouse and keyboard for service purposes is possible but is not included in the scope of delivery.
Probe lines	PMAmpl (Remission) or PMT (Transmission)
Scope of delivery	Multiplexed NIR spectrometer KUSTAx.xMPL-24V, industrial-PC, 24V power supply

Product picture

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KUSTA1.9MPL-24V (PDF)

NIR technology for quality control

Multiplexed NIR spectrometer uniSPEC1.9MPL-24V (former uniSPEC1.9MPL) was developed for analytical evaluation of material in the production process. Due to the high spectral resolution, these NIR spectrometers are ideal tools for scientific applications. Additionally, a high luminous intensity and a large sensitivity of the spectrometers are perfect properties for the use in quantitative- and rapid analysis applications of material streams.

The spectrometer are widely used as online analytics in food industries, plastics- and paper industry, for thickness measurement in control of coatings, the quality control in mineral industry and many more. Depending on the application, uniSPEC1.9MPL-24V is utilised. LLA advises the best fitting device for the customised application.

For each application, customised analysis modules are developed. Additional control software for the NIR spectrometer is custom-built and scope of delivery. The user interface can be designed and customised. The software can be used to store measured information for a future analysis or to change parameters in working processes.

The multiplexed NIR spectrometer can be connected to probe lines (64 measurement tracks) via fiber cables. Thereby a spatially resolved recording of material streams is generated.

In real time, analytical results will be automatically forwarded to a subsequent control system (e.g. nozzle control system) by a standardised interface (e.g. Profibus, Ethernet). This ensures a reliable identification and ejection of defective material (impurities, rejects, extraneous material).

Additional equipment is described below.
Suitable software for LLA NIR technology is described here.

► Qualitative and quantitative analysis in the plastic industry
► Analytical evaluation of industrial minerals
► Evaluation of layers in the printing industry
► Analytical evaluation in the food industry

Technical specification uniSPEC1.9MPL-24V

	uniSPEC1.9MPL-24V
Measurement method	Contactless and destruction free measurement based on NIR spectroscopy; measurement of absolute remission depending on the wave length
Wavelength range	1.36 µm – 1.94 µm
Spectral resolution	< 8 nm
Dispersion per pixel	4 nm
Scan rate	30 Hz – 70 Hz
Number of measurement positions	Max. 64
12bit RGB sensor	Integrated
Operating voltage optical unit	24V DC, max. 3.6A (without industrial PC and control cabinet heating)
Operating voltage industrial PC	24V DC, max. 4.8 A
Operating voltage control cabinet heating	24V DC, 7A, 150W
Voltage 24V power supply	90…265 V AC, 50-60 Hz, fuse 20 A (T) Input: 100 V ... 240 V AC; Output: 24V DC / 20A
Environmental operating temperature	+5 °C to +55 °C
Environmental operating humidity	20 % – 95 % rel.
Weight	31 kg
Dimensions (WxHxD)	500 mm x 500 mm x 300 mm
Base device	Optics module consisting of spectrograph, optical multiplexer and control electronics in cabinet, protection class IP65, external: industrial PC, 24V power supply
PC configuration	Operating system Windows® 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 (64-bit), 2,1 GHz, 16 GByte DDR4 SDRAM, Solid State Disk 64 GByte M2 MLC, conectivity: DVI-I, DVI-Display Port, 6x USB, Ethernet
Software	Control software MPL, analysis software KustaAna customer specific analysis evaluation and monitoring software Optional: spectrometric development environment KustaSpec
Operation	Process mode: process unit interact with the industrial PC via an Ethernet interface which evaluates the spectra. A TFT display control system, mouse and keyboard is available for service purposes but is not extent of delivery.
Probe lines	PMAmpl or customised single probes upon request
Scope of delivery	Multiplexed NIR spectrometer uniSPEC1.9MPL-24V, industrial-PC, 24V power supply

 

The multiplexed NIR spectrometer KUSTA1.9MPL-24V and uniSPEC1.9MPL-24V can be delivered optionally with:

■ Process probes,
■ Calibration CUa and CLm,
■ Valve control for pneumatic ejection unit.

All information regarding these accessories are listed below.

Compact probe lines and single probes

The process probes collect the light reflected from or transmitted through the samples. The light is transferred to the spectrometer via fibre cables. The designed probe lines are connected to the multiplexed NIR spectrometer KUSTA1.9MPL-24V or uniSPEC1.9MPL-24V. Depending on the application, single probes or probe lines are offered.

Probe lines and components

The probe line PMAmpl consists of two parallel illumination units (LU) and a line with the integrated coupling optics (OL). All three items are affixed to each other by plates. The double-sided illumination unit reduces shadow formation on the input material stream, leading to an enhanced identification rate.

Mounting brackets allow installation of the probe line above the conveyor belt. Rubber buffers are added for vibration absorption. Heat-resistant glass protects the optic line (OL) in the probe lines to prevent staining and damage. Active cooling covers and automatic calibration equipment are available accessories.

The probe line PMT consists of an optic line below a shute and an illumination unit installed above the shute. The probe line PMT is designed for the evaluation of transparent material e.g. plastic foils.

Customised design of probe lines

The customisation of the probe lines is based on the following customer specific requirements:
■ Number of desired measurement tracks
■ Speed of the material stream
■ Measurement width for the material stream (conveyor belt width)
■ Height of the the material stream
■ 120 V version available

The probe lines are designed for measurement widths of 500 mm (PMAmpl500) to 2800 mm (PMAmpl2800). The measurement pitch is application specific and may be chosen between 20 mm to 50 mm. The coupling optics of the fibre cables realise a minimum track width of 25 mm. Two different probe line versions are offered for different material size: Vertical clearance ca. 300 mm (LR30) or ca. 500 mm (LR50).

 

*Customised lengths between 500 mm - 2000 mm in a 200 mm scheme on request