sIRoLine – stationary NIR-Spectrometer for Online Plastic Identification
With the technique of the so-called near Infrared spectrometry (NIR) it is possible to identify bigger plastic parts coming from the household-, engineering electronics fields. It allows direct analysis of non-dark-colored plastic parts and other materials like carpets and textiles.
The basic principle of the method is the diffuse near infrared reflection spectroscopy whereby characteristic absorption behaviors of different polymer types are used in that spectral region. The polymer sample is radiated with a infrared light and the reflected light of the measuring place is analyzed using a near infrared detector array.
For plastic identification the samples are quickly passed by - e.g. using a conveyer belt - below the optical focus lens. The light focus (ca. 4 cm) of both movable NIR light sources can be adjusted for a distance from 50 up to 100 cm. The identified polymer is shown on the LCD-touchscreen mounted on front side of the unit.
The identification result is also generated by an integrated relay-interface board as an output signal for sorting systems. Polymer types and the corresponding relay positions can be set individually. A 9-pole-SUB-D connector allows easy cable wiring. Furthermore 
the online result can be displayed on a VGA screen. The device includes the optical NIR-system, the 
power supplies and the computer, which controls and evaluates the identification process. Parameter settings like model selection can be set by an external keyboard and by the integrated LCD-touchscreen. Additional connections like an USB-interface allow external data transfer. As an optional feature a LED array visualizing the identification result is available. (dimension in mm: 720 x 140 x 170, weight: 5 kg, power supply: 100-230 VAC,
50/60 Hz).
Identification of different plastic types is the result of a trained pattern recognition. After the measurement of the plastic sample the optical information (absorption bands of overtone- and combination vibrations) are processed by a neural network. The result of the calculation is a list of the most probable polymer type identified within a probability of 0 and 100%.
The software allows detailed spectra viewing, loading, saving and editing. The setting of different measuring parameters as so as the possibility to display the resulting spectra easily allows to develop own applications.
Furthermore up to 7 pre-set polymer types can be counted with corresponding external signal generation.
Depending on the resolution of the NIR-spectrometer (16 or 32 Pixel) it is possible independently of surface structure and contamination to identify relevant plastics as following:
PA6/PA66, PA12, PE, PP, ABS, PS, PPO, SAN, PC+PBT, PC, PC+ABS, PBT, PET, PMMA, POM, ABS+PVC und PVC
- Identification of plastics from household- and electronics waste as well as carpets and textiles
- Contactless and non-destroying measurements
- Measurements of bigger sample sizes
- Measuring time within few milliseconds
- Sample distance up to 100 cm
- Online setup for conveyer belt application
- Detailed spectra overview for easy evaluation
- 8 additional materials/spectra can be added
- 7 separated outputs for signal generator
According to different demands in recycling matters, customers can arrange to have the system calibrated using their own samples.
