Meet our gauging solutions

Get film thickness data in real time

Empower your production line to produce high-quality film with consistent data on thickness measurement – in real time.

Thickness gauging

The role of thickness measurement in blown film extrusion

Our customers in 61+ countries have strongly emphasized that integrating film thickness technology directly into your production line, rather than relying solely on post-production laboratory measurements, offers significant advantages.

Inline thickness gauging allows for real-time monitoring of the film thickness during the blown extrusion process. It ensures that the film meets the required specifications and maintains consistent thickness across its width with milimetric precision. By detecting any variations in thickness, manufacturers can take immediate actions.

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Achieve quality control and cut material waste.

Octagon takes pride in offering a remarkable resolution of 0.1μm in its line of thickness gauges.

Benefits

4 reasons to measure film thickness inline

Minimize costs

By identifying deviations in real time, manufacturers can reduce material waste and avoid the production of out-of-spec products. This leads to significant increases in productivity and profitability.

Real-time info

Real-time data right on the screen empowers operators to make timely decisions and adjustments to ensure consistent and accurate film thickness.

Data-driven decisions

Fine-tune your process with data to optimize production parameters such as die gap, melt temperature, air ring settings, and cooling conditions.

Automated control

Achieve automated control over thickness by integrating a film thickness sensor with an air ring. Reduce human intervetion and ensure fast and accurate control.

How It Works

The world’s most resilient thickness sensors

Introducing our exceptional lineup of film thickness gauging products.

How does it work?

Bubble gauging

PMS-B and VenPad

Product Description:

Both the PMS-B and VenPad are advanced 360º thickness sensors, strategically positioned around the film bubble, a few meters above the air ring.

2x faster

Compared to flat film sensors placed after the nip roller, these sensors boast a measuring speed up to twice as fast, resulting in improved efficiency and productivity.

Operating Principle:

These sensors employ a rotating mechanism that revolves around the bubble while capturing thickness measurements with an unparalleled resolution of 0,1 μm. Following each rotation, the system screen displays information about thick and thin spots across the film.

PMS-B vs. VenPad

VenPad is a non-contact sensor specifically designed for measuring thickness of sticky film or films with delicate surfaces prone to scratching. VenPad's airflow technology prevents direct contact between the film and the sensor, ensuring accurate measurements without compromising film integrity.

Air Ring Integration

When integrated with an automatic air ring, the system seamlessly collaborates with the ring to automatically make necessary adjustments until the desired specifications are achieved, ensuring consistent film thickness control.

Technical features:

Measuring range:6 – 500 μm
Resolution:0,1 μm

Flat film gauging

PMS-FF

Product Description:

The PMS-FF thickness gauge is an advanced double capacitive sensor renowned for its ability to accurately measure multiple layer and barrier films.

Air Ring Integration

When integrated with an automatic air ring, the system seamlessly collaborates with the ring to automatically make necessary adjustments until the desired specifications are achieved, ensuring consistent film thickness control.

Operating Principle:

Positioned after the nip roller, the two sensors take measures at the edges of the lay-flat film. With automatic positioning, the two sensors dynamically adjust themselves to track any changes in width.

PMS-FF vs. PMS-B

While the PMS-B (B for "bubble") is positioned around the bubble right on top of the air ring, the PMS-FF ("flat film") is placed after the nip roller and is a non-contact sensor, allowing thickness gauging of barrier films as well.

Thickness and Width:

This system captures measurements of both thickness and width, transmitting the data to a computer for analysis. The results are then displayed on the screen, providing real-time feedback and facilitating precise monitoring of film dimensions.

Technical features:

Measuring range:6 – 300 μm
Resolution:0,1 μm

Why Octagon

What makes our sensors the best in market

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Related products

Achieve even more precision

Automatic Air Ring

Integrate your thickness gauge with an automatic air ring for automatic adjustments ensuring consistent film thickness control.

Offline Film Gauge

Equipped with two sensors (a capacitive and micrometer), the GPA Evo is a laboratory equipment used for quality control.

Comparison

Looking for more technical details?

The complete product in every aspect

Quality in every detail

FAQ

Frequent Questions

It is the best in cost benefit, not only because it is the fastest sensor but also because it has the unique feature of allowing you to start production during start-up in “fast” mode with increased measuring speed. Once stable production has been reached the rotation of the sensor returns to normal speed. In this way the volume of scrap decreases substantially with production changes, because the initial thickness corrections are made quickly and efficiently and in a few minutes the film reaches the desired tolerances.

The PMS-B is the best-selling sensor and in 90% of cases it does not mark the film.
For critical, very thin or tacky film we specify the VenPad sensor (Patented) without contact.

Mechanically the PMS-B Sensor is the most robust on the market. Its maintenance is very simple, just keep the Sensor clean and lubricate the bearings and the end-of-rotation mechanics. Our system is fully protected preventing the paraffin present in the plastic resins from reaching the moving parts such as conveyor belt, cables plugs, etc.
This sensor is recommended for all types of film with the exception of film with barrier layer. Film with energy-conductive components needs to be analyzed in advance. For barrier film we specify the PMS-FF Sensor.

For excellent thickness measurement, the sensor requires a strong mechanical support.

Having been manufacturing oscillating sensors for over 20 years we got to know the reality of the plastic industry very well. So we have perfected our systems over the years that they can work 24 hours a day without any stop seven days a week. Our system has been developed to function in the most diverse environments or climatic conditions. We guarantee stability and continuity in the functioning of our systems. At Octagon we know how to connect technology with the necessary robustness required in the industrial environment.

Yes. You can purchase only the sensor and use it for online measurement.

Ready to take the leap?

Talk to our sales team today.

Octagon enhances blown film extrusion all over the globe.

Meet our solutions​

Brought to you by Octagon's 35-year history in manufacturing solutions for the blown film industry

Discover Octagon’s extensive range of solutions and products specifically designed for blown film extrusion. Contact our sales team today to unlock new levels of productivity and maximize your efficiency.

Automatic Air Ring

Smartlip

Film Thickness Measurement

PMS-B | PMS-FF | Venpad

Offline Film Gauging

GPA Evo

Film Width Control

GMS | LMS

Gravimetric Dosing & Feeding

GDS | GDS Eco | WLS

Film Production Management

Octagon Software

Film Extruder Upgrade

Equipment Upgrade

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