EuroWire July 2015

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July 2015 45
Technology
News
High accuracy helps reduce
manufacturing costs
NDC Technologies reports that its innovative Beta LaserMike LaserSpeed® non-contact
laser gauge enables wire and cable manufacturers to accurately measure the length
and speed of products during production to avoid costly product overages and
shortages, as well as reduce product scrap and rework.
Manufacturers of wire and cable have applications where they need to tightly control
the length and speed of product during production.
Applications include continuous length measurement, differential speed control,
cut-to-length control, product positioning, printing/marking control, and other
demands. Most manufacturers depend on the accuracy of their drive speeds or
mechanical contact encoders.
However, mechanical encoders can lose contact on various product surfaces due
to slippage or vibration, and require frequent calibration because of mechanical
wear and tear. A contact encoder with inaccuracies as much as two per cent can cost
a manufacturer a significant amount of money due to product give-away, waste,
maintenance, and system downtime.
To solve this problem, manufacturers have installed the LaserSpeed non-contact gauge
on their production line to directly measure the length and speed of product.
The LaserSpeed gauge uses advanced laser-based technology to precisely measure the
length and speed of wire and cable during production without making contact with
the product. This high-performance gauge projects a unique pattern on the surface of
the product.
As the product moves, light is scattered back to the LaserSpeed unit. This information
is translated into product speed, and pulses are produced to determine the product
length. Length and speed measurements are captured with ±0.05% accuracy and ±0.02%
repeatability.
NDC offers a complete line of LaserSpeed systems with measurement speeds up to
12,000m/min (39,400ft/min) and down to the true zero speed, standoff distances
up to 1,000mm (39.4"), and measurement depth of field up to 100mm (3"). NDC also
offers a European certified length measurement system that meets MID (Measuring
Instruments Directive) 2004/22/EG requirements.
NDC Technologies – USA Website:
▲ ▲ Measuring the length and speed of products during production to avoid costly product overages and shortages