This section provides an overview for wood moisture meters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 25 wood moisture meter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked wood moisture meter companies as of November, 2024: 1.Checkline, 2.Wohler USA Inc., 3.Lignomat.
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Categories Related to Wood Moisture Meters
A wood moisture tester is an instrument that measures the moisture content in wood.
Accurate determination of moisture content is important because it greatly affects the shrinkage, swelling, weight, strength, and durability of wood. Also, when wood with a high moisture content is processed, it can warp, bend, or crack during the drying process.
There are various methods for measuring moisture content in wood, including electrical methods that measure electrical resistance, electrical capacity, absorption of radio waves, etc., the total drying method that measures weight before and after drying, and chemical analysis methods.
Wood moisture meters are used to measure moisture in wood drying and preservative treatment plants, sawmills, wood chip mills, plywood mills, wood furniture mills, housing manufacturers, and construction companies.
For example, building materials for housing are heavier and less strong when moisture content is high, so drying makes them ready for use. Also, high moisture content can cause discoloration and decay fungi, so correct construction management is necessary.
Wood moisture meters are also used to control the moisture content of fuel wood chips for power generation. Moisture in wood is an important control item because it has a significant impact on power generation efficiency.
Wood moisture can be measured by electrical resistance, electrical capacitance, microwave, infrared, or dry weight methods.
Electricity is applied to the wood to be measured, and the electrical resistance is measured. The resistance value is converted to a moisture value. Since the resistance is about 100 MΩ, a high voltage of several tens of volts is applied.
This method is suitable for measuring objects with a large change in specific gravity, but its disadvantage is that it damages the object to be measured since a needle with a diameter of 2 to 3 mm is inserted.
High-frequency electricity is applied to the measured object, and the change in electric capacitance is measured, converted to a moisture value, and displayed. A transmitter circuit is used for detection, and the change in capacitance is measured as a change in the transmitter frequency or period. The most commonly used oscillation frequencies are 100 KHz to 20 MHz.
The advantage is that it is easy to miniaturize as a handy type. It can measure from the surface of the wood to several centimeters inside. This type is also called a high-frequency moisture meter.
The disadvantage of the electric capacitance type moisture tester is that it is affected by the specific gravity and thickness of the measured object, so it is necessary to set the specific gravity and thickness. Also, since the measurement is made by contact, the sensor may be affected by the adhesion of tar and other substances when measuring large quantities.
This is a moisture meter that measures the amount of microwaves attenuated by moisture, converts it to a moisture value, and displays the value. The microwaves used in moisture meters are in the vicinity of 10 GHz. Microwaves are easily absorbed by moisture and are easily converted to heat.
The microwave moisture meter consists of a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter emits radio waves to one side of the wood, and the receiver is placed on the opposite side of the wood to receive the transmitted radio waves. The more moisture there is in the wood, the more radio waves are absorbed, and the moisture value is displayed by measuring the strength of the received radio waves.
One of the advantages of microwave moisture meters is that they can measure internal moisture content down to the center of the wood. Moisture can be measured without damaging the measured object. In addition, measurements can be taken continuously. The disadvantage is that the device is large. It is installed in lumber mills and other facilities.
Near-infrared rays are invisible light outside of red. Since it is well absorbed by moisture, this method irradiates light containing near-infrared rays, measures its reflectance, and converts it to a moisture value.
Near-infrared moisture meters have the advantage of being easy to install because they measure only the surface of the object to be measured. It is also possible to measure even thin objects without damaging them. The disadvantage is that it can only measure surface moisture of less than 1 mm from the surface. Therefore, it is affected by surface water. Also, it is affected by changes in the color of the measured object.
This is a method in which the measured material is dried in a convection dryer and the moisture content is measured from the weight before and after drying. This method is called the total dry method. The weight of wood dried at 105°C until there is no change in weight is called the total dry weight, which can be calculated using the weight of the wood before drying to obtain the moisture content.
The disadvantage of the dry weight method is that it is time consuming to measure and cannot be used on a production line. Also, if the sample is cut, the product may be damaged. Manpower is another disadvantage.
There are other methods, such as the neutron method, which irradiates wood with fast neutrons and measures the amount of neutrons converted to thermal neutrons, and the chemical analysis method, which uses Karl Fischer reagents.
The handy type can measure moisture content simply by placing the sensor on the surface of the wood, and is applicable to around 20 types of wood. In addition to moisture content, some products have functions such as average value, temperature compensation, and upper limit alarm.
Wood moisture meters are specially designed to measure the moisture content in wood chips. The measurement can be made by inserting the moisture meter's sensor into a pile of wood chips.
Stationary types are installed in lumber mills and other facilities and can continuously measure moisture content. Most are microwave wood moisture meters, with the transmitter and receiver installed separately. The wood will move between the transmitter and receiver to measure the moisture content.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Wohler USA Inc., established in 1932 and headquartered in Middleton, Massachusetts, is a manufacturer that specializes in measurement and control instruments. The company offers a range of products, including analyzers and testing instruments, video inspection systems, and cleaning systems. It also offers diagnostic tools, rods, brushes, adaptors, and more. Its product allows users to visually inspect hard-to-reach areas such as chimneys, flues, and HVAC ducts. It serves industries such as HVAC, plumbing, chimney sweep, non-destructive testing, and more.
Checkline, founded in Lynbrook, New York in, in 1958 is a manufacturer of precision measuring instruments for quality control. The company's product portfolio includes force gauges, torque gauges, coating thickness gauges, wall thickness gauges, and textile test instruments. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation. They also provide services including product selection, installation, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair.
Delmhorst Instrument Co., founded in Towaco, New Jersey, in 1946 is a manufacturer of moisture meters and detection tools. The company's product portfolio includes hygrometers used for monitoring and measuring humidity levels in different environments, Infrared Thermometers used in industrial, automotive, and research settings, gas detectors, and electronic leak detectors are designed to identify leaks in plumbing systems, HVAC components, and refrigeration units. The company serves markets including Medical and Healthcare, Aerospace and Defense, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and Construction and Building.
Lignomat USA Ltd. was established in 1979 and is based in Portland, Oregon, USA, as a manufacturer and provider of moisture meters. The product portfolio of the company consists of Ligno-Scanner S, Ligno-VersaTec, Ligno-VersaTec, and Thermo-Hygrometers, among others. The meters serve as valuable diagnostic tools for material testing and are also utilized in various applications such as wood drying, building surveillance, flooring installations, and monitoring moisture levels during storage and shipping. The company serves various industries, including construction, woodworking, flooring, building inspection, and shipping and logistics.
Kett Electric Laboratory Co. Ltd., founded in 1946 with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of precision measuring equipment and devices. The company's product line includes near-infrared grain testers, infrared moisture analyzers for wood, whiteness testers, water activity analyzers, and coating thickness electromagnetic probes. These products are used in laboratories and research facilities for the testing of materials and products, as well as in the field to measure the thickness of paint and undercoats. The company serves markets that include agriculture, pharmaceuticals, construction, and food processing.
Uni-Trend Technology Co. Ltd is a manufacturer of environmental testing instruments that was established in 2003 in Dongguan, Guangdong, China. The company’s products are designed to test environmental factors, electronics, and voltages. Its lineup includes sound level meters, infrared thermometers, and power quality analyzers. The company maintains several internationally accepted certifications for manufacturing and operational standards, including ISO 9001, CE, and UL. It mainly serves clients in China’s education, construction, and research and development sectors.
Wöhler Technik GmbH, established in 1932 and based in Bad Wünnenberg, Germany, is a manufacturer of measurement instruments. The company produces products such as gas analyzers, soots, inspection cameras, pipe cleaning devices, and temperature-measuring equipment. Apart from this, the company also produces measuring, inspection, and cleaning equipment for building services. Plumbers, chimney sweeps, and installers use the tools manufactured by the company. The company has five subsidiaries in different locations, such as France, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Trotec GmbH is a German manufacturer of air treatment and climate conditioning machines and equipment that was established in 1994 as a subsidiary of TKL GmbH. Based in Heinsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, the company produces air conditioners and purifiers, as well as heaters, dehumidifiers, and ventilators. It also offers equipment for measuring or monitoring various air conditions, including pressure, humidity and flow. Aside from its products, Trotec GmbH also provides rental, calibration, repair, and training services to its clients in the commercial and industrial sectors.
PRONOVA, founded in 1998 and based in Berlin, Germany, is a manufacturer of analytical and measurement equipment. The company specializes in gas analysis equipment for measuring flue and process gases, water analysis equipment, and agricultural measuring solutions. With in-house hardware and software development capabilities, it is capable of offering customer-specific OEM products. It has been serving biogas plants, sewage and landfill sites, and laboratory facilities while also following the standards of DIN/ISO 9001:2008 certification.
Established in 2006, Testo India Pvt. Ltd., a Pune, India-based subsidiary of Testo SE & Co. KGaA, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in measuring instruments. Complying with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard set by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), the company produces measuring instruments for temperature, humidity, pressure, and flow (bulk fluid movement). The company also offers electrical, sound level, and nanoparticle measuring devices. These products are designed for industrial applications with regard to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R), as well as environmental monitoring technology, in sectors like food service, retail, and pharmaceuticals.
Dongguan Habotest Instrument Technology Co., Ltd, formed in 2018 and based in Dongguan, China, is a manufacturer of a broad collection of measuring products. The company specifically produces handheld digital multimeters, digital clamp meters, pen-type voltage testers, plug socket testers, and environmental testers. It also manufactures handheld digital anemometers, digital wood moisture meters, smart gas leak detectors, digital lux meters, and digital decibel meters. Its handheld digital multimeters can measure voltage between 0-600 V, measure current between 0-600 A, measure resistance between 0-60M ohms, and measure capacitance between 0-9.99 mF.
Elcometer Limited, established in 1947, has a global network of facilities and is a manufacturer in the UK and the USA of inspection equipment for the coatings, concrete, and NDT industries. The company's core portfolio of products covers four divisions: Blast, spray, coating inspections, and NDT equipment. Example products include industrial and commercial spray equipment used for protective coatings to meet OEM requirements, bodyshop spray equipment, and components used primarily to provide repair and customized work to the interior and body of passenger cars, trucks, vans, and trailers by their clients, including commercial, industrial, and OEMs.
Teledyne FLIR LLC, originally known as FLIR Systems and founded in 1978, is an American manufacturer headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon, specializing in thermal imaging cameras and sensors, now operating as a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated. FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) offers handheld and fixed mount thermal cameras, thermal security cameras, thermography cameras, machine vision cameras, and gas detection cameras. They provide airborne systems, unmanned aerial and ground systems, land and maritime systems, and traffic management software. These products find applications in various fields and industries, such as airborne law enforcement, border and maritime patrol, critical infrastructure and force protection, search and rescue operations.
Multi Measuring Instruments Co., Ltd. was founded in Chiba, Japan in 1986 and is headquartered in Tokyo. As per its namesake, Multi offers a vast array of measuring and testing equipment used across a number of industries. Some of their offerings include voltage meters, network testers, lux meters, cable locators, sound meters, various thermometers, gas analyzers, and water quality meters. Multi Measuring Instruments has a mission for its products to improve the global environment by detecting inefficiencies and leaks, developing products that will be useful for solar and wind power generation.
Comeco Inc. was founded in 1989 and is located in Plovdiv, Bulgaria is a manufacturer and distributor of industrial control and measurement equipment. The company offers an extensive product catalog, including electrochemical control equipment, level control equipment, USB interface adapter IA250, turbine flow sensors for liquids, and low-cost smart transmitters. These products have applications in oil and gas refineries, waste and sewage treatment, controlling chemical processes through electrochemical methods, maintaining a consistent liquid level in industrial tanks, and regulating the flow of liquids through pipelines.
PeakTech Prüf- und Messtechnik GmbH, established in 1957 and based in Ahrensburg, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic measurement technology. The company's product portfolio includes multimeters, voltage testers, thermal imaging cameras, isolating transformers, and sound level meters, as well as calibrators. These products are applied in various industries, including electrical engineering, environmental monitoring, aviation, telecommunications, and research and development. The company provides customer services, including technical support, repair, service requests, and product development.
Bionics Scientific Technologies (P) Ltd., founded in 1999, is an ISO certified laboratory equipment manufacturing company in India. The company's head office is located in Delhi, and they provide a wide range of laboratory equipment that are used in laboratory research, light industrial production, medical and healthcare and educational sectors. Their product range includes analytical instruments, laboratory equipment and other consumable products that easily meet day-to-day challenges faced by scientists and researchers in different testing procedures performed in labs and fields.
Panomex Inc., an established manufacturing company based in India with more than 15 years of experience, specializes in a wide range of industrial and scientific instruments. Their product portfolio includes digital moisture meters, gas detectors, ultrasonic thickness gauges, and more. The company also continues to deliver advanced solutions to a wide range industries, and owns manufacturing unit equipping with research and development lab, with an engineering team with sound experience in meteorology. They offer products to both Indian market and export to overseas mainly in Asia, Africa and Middle East countries.
U-THERM International HK Limited, established in 2008 and headquartered in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloong, Hong Kong, is a supplier of laboratory analysis, testing, and measuring instruments and equipment. Its extensive product range includes analytical balances for precise laboratory weighing, spectrophotometers for quantitative analysis across scientific fields, DRS spectrometers, as well as ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) instruments for detecting metals and nonmetals in liquid samples, and lab or medical refrigerators for storage purposes.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Checkline |
21.1%
|
2 | Wohler USA Inc. |
15.8%
|
3 | Lignomat |
15.8%
|
4 | Delmhorst Instrument Co. |
15.8%
|
5 | Wagner Meters |
10.5%
|
6 | Kett Electric Laboratory Co. Ltd. |
10.5%
|
7 | Kusam Electrical Industries Limited |
5.3%
|
8 | Mxrady Lab Solutions Private Limited |
5.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the wood moisture meter page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 5 | 25.0% |
Germany | 5 | 25.0% |
India | 4 | 20.0% |
China | 3 | 15.0% |
Japan | 2 | 10.0% |
Bulgaria | 1 | 5.0% |
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