Fibre quality analyser

OpTest has joined with IDM, for just over 11 months to showcase the HiRes fibre quality analyser. OpTest is a Canadian-based company specialising in image analysis.

The analyser rapidly and simultaneously measures fibre length, width, curl and kink for fibres up to 10 mm. It can also analyse shives and detect vessel elements during testing.

It complies to TAPPI Standard T271, PAPTAC Standard B.4 and ISO Standard 16065-1.

The two important measures of fibre shape are the curl and kink. Changes to length and shape occur during pulping and bleaching. These changes can affect the quality and performance of the final product.

The information is used to optimise fibre properties and identify the source of damage.

The key feature for Australia is the flow cell, which resists plugging or fouling and orients fibre for correct image analysis. This allows for easier measurement of difficult pulps without pre-screening or treatment.

Such pulps include high shive content pulp, mechanical pulp, linerboard pulp, nappy fluff and pulps with high flocculation propensity, recycled fibres, and non-wood (plant) fibres and long synthetic fibres.

The FQA uses a single high resolution camera that measures all fibre properties at once. The whole sample is drawn from the beaker and then used in determining the coarseness.

The FQA uses a touchscreen computer which allows the user to select the tests to run the information they want displayed and reported.