NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 20020083222: Infrared Measurement

1 Pages·0.18 MB·English

by  NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Industrial Productivity and Manufacturing Technology
Infrared Measurement
N
orplex Oak Inc., Lacrosse Wisconsin, a This technique was developed in the course
division of Allied Signal, is a leading ofJPL's work on simulation of the solar and
manufacturer of laminates for printed planetary infrared heat loads on a spacecraft.
circuit boards. A laminate is made up Kline requested and received from NASA a
of sheets of "prepreg" placed between cop Technical Support Package that provided full
per foil. Prepreg is created by impregnating details of the irradiance measuring tech-
a continuous glass cloth, or web, with epoxy nique described in Tech Briefs.
resin and partially curing it by the applica- The NASA information proved very
tion of heat. helpful to Norplex Oak, says Bruce Kline.
To reduce emissions and lower the First it enabled confirmation of the compa-
cost of producing prepreg, Norplex Oak ny's own computer model prediction of the
decided to switch to infrared treating towers heat flux pattern. Additionally, it provided
for curing instead of the hot information that allowed Norplex Oak to
NASA TECHNOLOGY AIDED DEVELOPMENT OF AN
air systems in use. This make modifications to its infrared treaters to
INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING SYSTEM
required development of enhance consistency of the curing process,
infrared treating towers and and it provided a theoretical basis for devel-
involved extensive research for designing a opment of optimal heater placements, allow-
tower with optimal heat transfer characteris- ing the treater tower to produce an even
tics for prepreg. NASA technology provided infrared heat transfer to the web.
an assist. The new generation of infrared
Norplex Oak engineer Bruce Kline treaters, with the results of computer models
read an article in NASA Tech Briefs (see page incorporated, is now being used in produc-
141) about a technique developed by Jet tion. The treaters are successfully operating
Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for processing at increased speeds with improved product
data obtained by an infrared radiometer via a consistency. At left, a technician is operating
straightforward mathematical model into a one of the treaters at Norplex Oak's
map of thermal irradiance over a large area. Riverview Plant in Hoosick Falls, New York.