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What kinds
of products can your moisture meters measure (e.g.,
size, shape, color,
material)?
We can measure moisture content of all types of products,
including foods, chemicals, aggregates, papers, boards,
and many others—that is, any product where moisture
would have some affect on quality, whether it be taste,
shelf life, texture, weight, density, etc. Also see:
R&D Laboratories, Plastics
and Composites, Paint
Manufacturers, Pest Control Industries, Textiles,
Regulatory Agencies, Powder-Bulks
Solids, Paper and
Converting,
Agriculture and Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals and
Chemicals, Building Industry.
How do we know the right moisture meter to choose?
Moisture Register would be pleased to help you with
your selection. Simply fill out our Applications Data
Sheet (attached) or use the Contact Us feature on this
site to talk with one of our sales professionals. (Also
see our Product Chart.)
What moisture levels (as a range) can your meters
read?
Depending on the product and its presentation to the
moisture sensor, our meters will typically measure from
0.05% to more than 75% moisture content.
What accuracy level (as a range) can your systems
hold?
The accuracy is often dependent on the moisture range
of interest. If the range is small, say, 0-10%, the accuracy
will usually be in the 0.1% to 0.25% range. Accuracy
is better for smaller ranges and slightly wider for larger
ranges (e.g., 5%-50%).
What information do you need to understand our
application?
We need to know the product, its moisture range (%),
moisture target, color, shape, size, method of conveyance,
temperature, and whether you wish to measure online,
in the laboratory, or via handheld moisture instrument.
(Please fill out our online application form.)
How many samples should we send for testing
an application?
We require at least two samples, preferably three, at
different moisture levels that represent your range of
interest. For example, if your product moisture levels
are from 0-10%, we would need at least two samples, one
on the dry end of your range of interest and one on the
wet end. The samples should be packaged such that the
moisture does not change during transport. The quantity
needed is dependent on the type of moisture technology
desired. IR measurements require only a few grams of
sample at each moisture level, whereas RF measurements
may require several pounds.
Will you come onsite and work with us on our application?
We have many representatives across the USA and in foreign
countries whose job it is to do just that. We also employ
a direct Regional Manager sales force to come to your
facility for no-charge/no-obligation demonstrations directly
on your production line. Our representatives will have
all mounting brackets and other equipment necessary to
accomplish the demonstration in as little as 1-2 hours.
Are your moisture meters manufactured in the
USA?
Yes. All of our meters have been manufactured in the
State of California for over 70 years.
Can we send a moisture meter back to you for
calibration?
We offer full ISO 9000 compliance calibration checks
on all of our moisture analyzers. Certificates of compliance
are always available if needed. Also, full laboratory
services are offered in-house for system calibration
using recommended procedures from ASTM, TAPPI, AOAC,
or other appropriate testing agencies.
What does “ruggedly built” moisture
meters mean?
Seventy years of satisfying customer needs have exposed
us to almost every dusty, dirty, damp, high-temperature,
or other harsh environment that an instrument manufacturer
could ever experience. Over the years, our meters have
been designed, modified, and redesigned to meet these
stringent requirements.
How long have you been in business?
Moisture Register Company was started as a small family-owned
business in 1933. The first moisture instruments
introduced the non-destructive RF power loss measurement
method to the lumber industry. Over the years, new
technologies such
as RF,
near IR,
and microwave have been incorporated into our moisture
analysis instrumentation. (See About
Us.)
Where are you located?
Originally in Seattle, Washington, we have been in California
since the late 1940's. Our facilities have moved
six times, all around the
Los Angeles area: Alhambra, N. Hollywood, Santa Ana,
San Dimas, Pomona, and now since 1990 in our own building
located in LaVerne, California (near Pomona).
When should you use the RF moisture reading
technology (as opposed to NIR or microwave)?
Radio frequency is a nondestructive, penetrating technology.
It is therefore very useful for thick or unevenly dried
materials in which moisture distribution is not uniform—for
example, when the product is wetter/dryer in the center
than on the outside. Examples would include large dog
biscuits, gypsum wallboard, rolls of paper, cookies or
crackers, or dough.
When should you use the NIR moisture reading
technology (as opposed to RF or microwave)?
Near infrared is very useful for products that are powders,
granular, chips, chunks, flakes, sheets, webs, films,
coated materials, or are otherwise fairly thin and homogenous
in moisture distribution. About 90% of our on line moisture
instrumentation is supplied using IR technology.
When should you use microwave moisture reading?
Microwave technology is employed primarily for thick,
heavy, baled materials such as cotton, tobacco, or recycled
paper. A microwave transmitter is situated on one side
of the bale and a receiver on the other side. Consequently,
the microwave energy goes completely through the bale
and therefore allows for measurement of total moisture
content in the bale.
How do you calibrate a moisture meter?
All nondestructive moisture meters are classified as ”secondary” moisture
analysis systems, meaning they do not affect the product
in any way (they don’t use heat or chemicals, for
example). Thus, they must be calibrated using an officially
recognized testing device. These testing devices are
specified by an official industry agency such as ASTM,
TAPPI, USDA, and AOAC. The agencies publish manuals specifying
the official test methods for measuring moisture in the
products that they oversee. Typically, these official
test devices are ovens of the convection, forced air,
or vacuum types. A sample of a specified size is weighed,
dried at a particular temperature for a specified time,
then cooled and reweighed to determine weight loss. This
weight loss is the moisture content that was driven off
the sample at elevated temperatures. The weight loss
is divided by the original weight to determine moisture
content on a percentage basis. Obviously this testing
and sample-handling process takes a considerable length
of time and supplies answers too late to be useful in
the production process. By contrast, Moisture Register
Products supplies online, real-time moisture analyzers
that give instantaneous moisture results—precise
answers that are immediately useful for production decisions.
To save even more time, we can pre-calibrate our meters
using samples that you supply to our laboratory.
How do you analyze moisture on a conveyer belt, screw
convey, or pneumatic system?
Our IR sensor is like a large flashlight that shines
a beam onto the product surface about 1 inch in diameter.
The IR sensor is typically mounted about 9 inches above
the product as it moves along on a conveyor belt or vibratory
conveyor. If the manufacturing facility does not use
conveyor belts or vibratory conveyors, screw conveyors
are often used. To mount our IR sensor over a screw conveyor,
a 4-inch hole is cut into the conveyor cover, and the
sensor is mounted 9 inches above the product flow about
halfway between the center shaft and one of the outside
conveyor walls. If there is violent product movement
inside the screw, we sometimes remove about 3 inches
of the flight off the center shaft so that a bit of a
mounding action is formed under the IR sensor. The product
will still move nicely through the screw, but the sensor
will now be able to see only product without the screw
flight passing through the IR light beam. If the production
facility used only pneumatic (air-powered) conveying
systems, our patented Opto-Port (OP) sample collection
device is often the right choice. The OP system traps
a sample on the end of a quartz window inside a drop
pipe or under a rotary airlock valve, measures the moisture
in the sample, then removes that sample with an air blast
so that a new sample can be collected and measured. The
OP uses no moving parts and is sealed within the conveying
system.
What is nondestructive moisture analysis?
As mentioned earlier, our meters are ”secondary” moisture
analyzers because they do not heat or chemically treat
the measured product. Infrared energy causes a resonance
of water molecules, and moisture content can be determined
based upon the amount of energy used to cause the resonance.
The product is therefore not harmed in any way.
Radio frequency moisture meters measure a basic physical
property of the material, its dielectric constant. Water
has a dielectric constant of about 80, as compared to
a dielectric measurement of about 3-5 for most dry materials.
Any water addition will increase the combination dielectric
constant, showing up on measurement as an increase in
moisture content. Again, this dielectric measurement
will not affect the product in any way and is therefore
a nondestructive measurement.
What is your product warranty?
All Moisture Register Products have a one year parts
and labor warranty.
Can we rent a moisture analyzer?
YES! Online and laboratory moisture analyzers (and select
portables) are available for rental. The current
rental fee is 15% of the purchase price for the first
month. A security deposit equal to this same amount is
also required. Should you eventually purchase the instrument,
100% of the first month’s rental fee and
deposit will be applied toward the purchase price.
Do you sell reconditioned moisture meters?
No. We do not normally have any reconditioned units
available.
What information do you need to provide a quote?
We need to know what product you wish to measure, as
well as its moisture range, color, size, temperature,
method of conveyance, and whether you wish to measure
online, in the lab, or with a handheld device. We can
fax, mail, or email quotations to you.
What information do you need to process an order?
We need credit references, along with shipping and billing
information. Many of our moisture analyzers can be purchased
with a credit card.
What is your return policy?
There is a 20% restocking fee for returned equipment.
A Returned Material Authorization (RMA) number must be
issued in advance of return shipping, after a review
of the application/ installation details with one of
our Regional Managers.
What is your typical application testing turnaround
time?
Submitted laboratory samples are typically analyzed
and a report submitted within one to two weeks.
What are your payment terms?
For shipments within the United States, payment terms
are Net 30 Days unless an alternate payment plan is approved
before shipment.
For international shipments, we require advance wire
transfer or payment via Visa/MasterCard.
What are your service fees?
Upon our receipt of a portable meter returned for service,
we will inspect it to determine what needs to be serviced
and/or repaired. The inspection fee is $80.00 USD (2008).
Subsequently, we will notify you of the components that
need to be
replaced and approximately how many hours of labor will
be required. We will require your approval before we
begin the work.
What are your calibration fees?
If the portable meter only requires calibration, the
calibration fee is $120.00 USD. (2008)
If our preliminary inspection shows that the portable
meter requires major work in which the repair cost would
exceed half the cost of a new instrument, it will be
considered Beyond Economical Repair (BER). A 10% discount
will be offered at that time for a new meter if it is
ordered within 30 days, and we will waive the usual $80.00
(2008) inspection fee for the BER unit.
What information is needed to set up a credit
account?
Please send three credit references, including contact
name, phone number and extension.
What is the minimum order amount?
Currently we have a $25 minimum order fee. (2008)
What are your
FOB terms?
All shipments are made FOB point of origin. International
sales are freight collect Ex-Works.
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