EoW January 2014

News Technology

Next generation system ▲ ▲ The latest EFL from Beta LaserMike allows precision monitoring of excess fibre length

gauge is installed upstream in the process in-between the fibre guide and the jacket extruder. The other LaserSpeed gauge is installed downstream in-between the final cooling trough and the capstan. This system setup enables comparison of the fibre bundle-to-jacket ratio during the jacketing phase with an EFL ratio of 0.01% (0.1 per mil). Operation is made simple through the use of an easy-to-use software interface. Using the EFLTrak software, users can quickly create and store an unlimited number of product recipes for efficient production run setup, document product quality via data logging, conveniently configure input/ outputs to monitor external devices, and use real-time statistical process control to improve product quality and reduce unwanted process variation to minimise waste, scrap and rework. Beta LaserMike’s EFL measurement system can be specified with either LaserSpeed 8000 or 9000 gauges. (The LaserSpeed 9000 gauge measures forward and reverse directions, and true zero speed.) The EFL measurement system can be interfaced with a PLC to monitor the differential speed and ultimate EFL ratio, and can be connected to a light stack or alarm to notify operators when the EFL ratio exceeds tolerances. The EFL measurement system can also be used on fibre optic ribbon lines.

Beta LaserMike has launched the next-generation Excess Fibre Length (EFL) measurement system for loose tube fibre and fibre ribbon cable manufacturing. The ability to precisely monitor excess fibre length is important in a loose tube and fibre ribbon cable production, and is essential to the cable’s optical and mechanical performance. Leading optical fibre manufacturers have learned that excess fibre length can change dramatically during the production process. This change directly affects product quality, plant productivity, and production costs. Currently, many manufacturers still use time-consuming and costly techniques such as cutting cable and exposing, cleaning cable fibres to measure product and calculate the excess fibre length-to-jacket ratio. efficiently, accurately and reliably control the excess fibre length to make sure the fibre-to-jacket ratio of product meets exact production specifications. As a result, manufacturers are realising a number of process, product quality, and bottom-line benefits. The latest EFL measurement system integrates Beta LaserMike’s LaserSpeed® length and speed gauges and the EFLTrak™ software. Beta LaserMike’s latest EFL measurement system enables manufacturers to

Beta LaserMike – USA Website : www.betalasermike.com

Here’s how it works: one LaserSpeed

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January 2014