Marposs, a world leader in measurement, inspection and test technologies, has announced the availability of its Aeroel Extruline laser measuring systems for diameter control and flaw detection of opaque or transparent extruded products such as glass pipes, medical tubing, sections, electric cables and other similar products.
This system features on-line diameter measurement and automatically prevents the production of out-of-tolerance products by detecting and locating diameter flaws all along the product’s length. Its non-contact technology enables the measurement of moving products – hot or soft – without damage, signaling an alarm for out-of-tolerance conditions. This helps reduce scrap and risk of rejects later in the process.
The Extruline systems can measure diameter and ovality of stock from 0.05mm (0.00196”) to 149mm (5.86”) using either a single or dual axis (XY) laser gauge, depending on the diameter range and the type of product. These non-contact systems are impervious to product vibration and movement, enabling continuous inspection. The gauge is installed just after the extruder head, eliminating any contact with the guiding roll and resulting in faster and more effective regulation.
The systems feature straightforward operation equipped with Extruline software, with guided menus ensuring maximum ease of usage, even for untrained staff. Systems also include Glass Logic – a high performance software developed by Aeroel – providing reliable gauging of transparent products like glass pipes and medical tubing. In addition, thanks to factory pre-programming, Extruline systems are immediately operative in their basic functions. These systems are offered at competitive prices with quality certification and a three-year guarantee.
In addition to three single-axis Extruline.X models, there are also two double axis Extruline.XY models available. Depending on the system, repeatability falls within ±1 and ±3.5µm (For a single shot repeatability (±2σ)). All of the Extruline.X laser systems come with pre-loaded software, which is easy to use and simple to program even by nonexperts. Also included is a CE-200 Operator’s Interface Panel and connecting cables.
By connecting a printer to the CE-200 panel, users can access a print-out of a complete statistical report including a flaw location report for any flaws detected along the product length. The panel also features Ethernet or Rs232 interface to connect a remote computer that can be used to download the measured data or to program the system.
How it works
The Extruline systems use a Xactum Laser Gauge, installed at the exit of the extruder, which measures the outside diameter of the product. The non-contact operating principle enables through-feed inspection without having to stop or slow down the product, as its vibration and movement do not affect the gauging accuracy.
The measured average diameter is continuously compared with the nominal value pre-set by the operator: if the product size moves out of the pre-set limits, the Extruline software automatically corrects the extruder so that the product is always within the desired tolerance limits. The measured data are displayed on the screen of a CE-200 Operator Interface Panel, which is also used to program the system. All measurements are recorded and processed to get a complete statistical report, which can be printed immediately. Any sudden change in the product diameter is detected as a flaw, and the position of each flaw along the product length is stored in the system’s memory in order to print a Flaw Location Report for each spool.