Overview
ISO/TS 20460:2015 - Paper and board - Automated on-line testing - Metrological comparability between standardized measurements and output of on-line gauges - gives guidance to link and, where applicable, calibrate online paper and board gauges against laboratory measurements. It addresses the practical challenge that online measuring equipment uses different technologies from laboratory methods and provides a framework to achieve metrological comparability so online results can be trusted for process control or contractual purposes. The Technical Specification is applicable to all kinds of paper and board.
Key topics and requirements
- Calibration vs. correlation
- Defines calibration (relation to measurement standards) and correlation (association between online sensor output and laboratory measurements).
- Methodology requirements (Clause 4)
- Requirements for measuring equipment, measurement processes, consistency of online systems, and automatic/ static/ dynamic calibrations.
- Principles for periodic calibration and decision-making when adjusting gauge sensors.
- Comparability methods (Clause 5)
- Sampling, conditioning and stability procedures.
- Specific guidance for common properties: basis weight, thickness, moisture content, brightness/colour/whiteness, ash content, and gloss.
- Statistical process control (SPC) and evaluation
- Use of control charts, CUSUM, and capability/performance concepts to evaluate online gauge capability (ISO 22514 references).
- Annexes
- Annex A: typical tolerances
- Annex B: graphical evaluation examples
- Annex C: principles, limitations and error sources for online gauges
- Scope limits
- Properties without standardized laboratory methods (e.g., formation, fibre orientation, optical roughness) are outside the main scope, though methodology guidance is recommended.
Practical applications
- Establishing reliable links between online production sensors and laboratory QA data for process control and product specification.
- Validating online gauge output for operational control, reducing laboratory load and enabling real‑time decision-making.
- Supporting contractual or dispute resolution decisions by documenting metrological comparability.
- Guiding periodic calibration and verification programs for instrument suppliers, mill metrology teams, and QA laboratories.
Who should use this standard
- Paper and board manufacturers and production engineers
- Quality assurance laboratories and metrology specialists
- Instrument and online gauge suppliers and integrators
- Auditors, contract managers and technical consultants involved in measurement comparability and SPC
Related standards
Normative references cited in ISO/TS 20460:2015 include ISO 187, ISO 287, ISO 534, ISO 536, ISO 1762, ISO 2469, ISO 8254-1, ISO 15397, ISO 22514-1 and ISO 22514-7 - useful for conditioning, measurement methods and statistical evaluation.
Keywords: ISO/TS 20460:2015, automated on-line testing, paper and board, online gauges, calibration, correlation, metrological comparability, SPC, basis weight, moisture, brightness.