Our monitors track the amount of glass and resin in real time and display that information to the operator by weight in pounds or kilograms, and also, by the percentage of glass to the total weight of the materials applied. Our Gelcoat monitors do the same along with our monitors that have the additional catalyst display.
This allows the operator to monitor their usage as they make their application, not after the fact!
Our systems allow us to provide you with a highly customized solution to your monitoring needs.
Understanding how our systems work is very simple.
They are powered with 5 volt DC internally, a current no greater than that used in regular batteries, making them intrinsically safe.
Our systems measure glass using a motor-mounted sensor. This patented sensor can be installed on most chopper motors and is maintenance free. When the motor-mounted sensor can not be used, we mount a glass sensor in the glass path.
Measuring Resin and Gelcoat, we use a sensor activated by pump exhaust or a sensor that is activated by the movement of the pump.
Once our sensors are calibrated, “what you see is what you get.” If the monitor shows 98 pounds, then that is what came out of the gun head, and at no point does our system regulate output. We just count and monitor usage. If something were to go wrong with our system, your operation would continue.
Once calibrated, our monitoring systems are extremely precise – to within 3 tenths of a percent! In the mid-90’s, Bob Lacovara, then Technical Director of the American Composites Manufacturers Association, took a TFM monitor to Dow Chemical for EPA testing. Dow analysts found our systems to be off no more that a tenth of a pound in 35 pounds. This is just ONE pound in 350 pounds!
What does this mean? Large Savings for you!
Typically, our clients find that glass is under-applied. This is because a low percentage of glass allows for an easier roll-out. Well, a part that has 100 pounds of glass at 33% will weigh 307 pounds, while the same exact part with 28% glass will weigh 357 pounds. They not only gave away 50 pounds of resin, but they also sold a brittle, inferior part.
It’s well established that fabricators who do not monitor their raw materials over-build a minimum of 10%, usually much more. Download this Savings Evaluation Sheet (PDF format) and find out how much you can save using TFM equipment.
TFM’s monitoring equipment can also help you manage your waste, so you can ensure that you are in compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations and avoid costly penalties. Better yet, by reducing your use of hazardous products and generation of wastes, you can:
– Reduce the costs for waste disposal, permits, and materials management.
– Reduce administrative, compliance-related costs by dropping below regulatory thresholds for reporting.
– Gain customers who know they have made a wise choice in selecting a business that helps protect the environment