By definition, a classic is something that provides consistent quality, appeal, performance, and longevity, so users can rely on its service to accomplish their objectives. In this article, you'll read about how that definition fits the Delmhorst NavigatorTM line of moisture meters. Designed and built on their classic models, today's iterations retain those definitive capacities and qualities while adding cutting-edge technology to enhance their appeal and functionality.
FOUNDATIONAL FUNCTIONALITY
The advent of the moisture meter was a game changer for countless product manufacturers and professionals. Prior to their introduction, manufacturers relied on tedious lab activities and oven-drying periods to ensure that the quality of their materials was sufficient to sustain the quality of their end product.
The first iteration of moisture meters used metallic pins to measure the electrical resistance or conductance properties of the material. The reading established the moisture content (MC) within the material, which was then compared to the optimal MC level for quality and durability. Too much or too little moisture would impair quality and usability. Treating the material to correct the MC level – adding moisture or drying it out as required – ensured that the final product would hold its shape and perform as expected.
In cases where a pin measurement isn't an option – flooded flooring, for example, where moisture levels can vary significantly from one side of the area to another – pinless meters using electromagnetic waves were introduced to provide the same data from varying points across those surfaces.
As an on-the-go tool, the moisture meter made it easier for anyone to accurately and almost instantly detect moisture levels in many industries and settings. With these tools at hand, manufacturers and producers could incorporate MC data as an integral aspect of their production processing. Consequently, the moisture meter has become an irreplaceable tool in the manufacturing process of thousands of products and goods, as well as an invaluable aid for professionals in the building and restoration industries.
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY ENRICHES CLASSIC DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE
Moisture meters are used in many industries today to maintain and ensure high-quality construction and production values, and Delmhorst’s recent innovations continue to augment the value of these devices.
- Adaptations in their physical design make them much easier to use. Previously, moisture meters’ unwieldy shape and size made them difficult to use in certain situations. Today's versions are handheld and portable, so they can safely travel to wherever they are needed.
- Back-lit digital displays also improve usability. The easy-to-read screens offer a variety of brightness settings to provide instant readings in virtually any location, including hard-to-access areas on any job site or manufacturing plant.
- The instruments are also programmable, so you can select the material you are testing to obtain the precise measurement needed, knowing that each one will give you the accuracy you require.
- Adding internet resources for convenience also expands the capacity of Delmhorst moisture meters. Digital manuals, guides, and informative articles can inform and guide users about best practices to ensure optimal outcomes for their projects and materials.
- Additionally, Delmhorst moisture meters in the '30' series are compatible with the company's forward-thinking EDGE™ app. This innovation gives users virtually unlimited data storage for all their moisture meter readings, access to a library of materials and resources to ensure accuracy on the fly, and Bluetooth® connectivity for swift and timely information sharing.
Adding these advanced capabilities to the moisture meter's 'classic' functionality only enhances their value.
EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MC MONITORING
Optimal MC quality in both materials and end products is critical to the success of countless artisans and producers in many industries. Delmhorst designed its moisture meters to respond to the production and development demands of thousands of commodities in several industrial segments:
- In the agricultural sector, moisture meters designed to read levels in hay and cotton ensure that crops are harvested at the optimal time, the product is properly stored, and quality remains throughout.
- Paper commodity manufacturers monitor MC levels throughout the production process to optimize the quality of both their inputs (pulp) and outputs (sheet, cardboard, etc.) for end products.
- Reliable material quality levels for leather production are also confirmed using moisture meters. Manufacturers of these goods utilize the device across the full scope of the production process, from harvesting the hide to its transportation to the production facility and then on to the storage and shipping of the final merchandise.
- A high-quality moisture meter is especially valuable in the wood and lumber industries, including both construction and water damage restoration:
- Billions of board feet of raw and milled lumber are produced each year in the United States for use in millions of construction projects.
- In 2021 alone, flooding across the country cost home and business owners over $3 billion in property damages. Restoring many of those properties to their optimal usability requires accurate remediation and control of residual moisture.
The quality of the goods produced in each of these sectors depends on maintaining an appropriate MC level throughout all their development and manufacturing processes.
In these and many other industries, professionals must understand the relative moisture content of both their environment and the materials with which they are working. Call Delmhorst today to find out more. Look for our next post, where we will more fully explore the benefits of the Delmhorst EDGE™ app.
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