EoW July 2007

testing & measuring

State-of-the-art measuring heads, scanners, and data acquisition units

Zumbach AG, Switzerland, is a global supplier of process and quality control technology. The company has launched a new range of dimensional measurement and quality monitoring systems for the wire and cable industry. The company has also introduced new processors designed to provide on-line measurement and data acquisition, control, display and quality monitoring. The new ODAC® 63TRIO measuring head is a three-axis laser measuring system with a measuring field of 64mm (2.52"), and uses the same principle as the smaller model ODAC 33TRIO, which pioneered synchronous three-axis measurement. The system enables the accurate detection of out-of-round condition, regardless of the orientation of the product ovality, in combination with reliable and fast diameter measurement and other valuable functions. Advantages of the ODAC 63TRIO include synchronised measurement axes on one single plane, ultra compact design, reliable detection of mean value, accurate computation of circumference and cross section, and increased measurement accuracy and reliability. An integrated fault detector offers three times higher detection certainty and sensitivity than two-axis models, and available interfaces include J standard for USYS, RS-232/-422/-485, PROFIBUS DP and Ethernet. Zumbach’s new ultrasonic wall thickness scanners, UMAC® Z50 and UMAC Z100, incorporate transducers that can be synchronously adjusted to the best measuring position within seconds (motorised upon request). The scanners cover an outside diameter range from 5mm to 100mm (0.2" to 4"), depending on the model, and provide fully non-contact, in-line wall thickness measurement of cable jackets, tube and hose. In combination with the company’s WALLMASTER data acquisition, processing and display system, a full process control can be achieved. The new UMAC models allow easy and fast product changes, quick sym- metrical positioning of all transducers (centrally adjustable), four and six-point measurement, and non-contact uncritical centring, with no requirement to read just transducers. The units are constructed from non- corrosive materials for maintenance- free long-life underwater operation, and

their compact design allows them to be installed into a cooling trough directly after an extruder. Three new versions of the USYS family of multi-tasking controllers have also been introduced: the economical USYS 200 for one-point measurement and two multi- sensor systems – the USYS 2100 for up to three measurement sensors and the six-sensor USYS 8100. and capacitance can be measured, and additional sensors for faults, line speed, and events can be integrated. All faults can be logged and identified, and a complete status display of the parameters continuously reports the performance of the production line. Common features of the new controllers include an operator interface with choice of languages, menu-driven context- sensitive software keys, a faster and more efficient software platform, a bright high-resolution LCD TFT screen and an unlimited number of product recipes. The flexible configuration of the USYS controllers, with process specific Diameter, ovality, eccentricity

wall Each system manages and monitors quality and production costs by simultaneously carrying out multiple functions, including continuous measurement and display, monitoring of limit values, control and material savings, recipe management, statistics and data logging, and com- munication with a computer. Options include touch screens and a web server for LAN/Intranet. The new ODAC 60 and ODAC® 100 laser diameter measuring heads are manufactured with modular designs, and are available with a support rail or as an individual emitter and receiver. The heads have a maximum measuring field of 60mm (2.4") and 100mm (3.9"), respectively. Options include diagnostic output, input/output for synchronisation of multiple ODAC measuring heads, calibration standards, limiting support and splash guards. Different versions are available to work with a range of processors and interfaces. Both heads deliver 1,000 scans per second (2,000 optional) and feature compact and thickness measurement.

Zumbach’s ODAC 63TRIO three-axis laser diameter measuring gauge

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intelligence from the extensive Zumbach software library, provides optimal adaptability to suit the process and production line. These systems can be used in many wire and cable production lines. Typical configurations are JACKETMASTER for core and jacket extrusion, CELLMASTER for foam and foam-skin extrusion, and WALLMASTER for single or multi-layer

rugged design, flexible mounting, special beam geometries (narrow or parallel) and a range of measuring modes, including diameter, gap, penetration and multiple measurements. Zumbach Electronic AG – Switzerland Fax : +41 32 356 04 30 Email : sales@zumbach.ch Website : www.zumbach.com

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EuroWire – July 2007