WCA May 2019

High-Speed Lump and Neck-down Detection with Accurate Diameter

Abstract Taymer’s lump and neck-down (ZT) detection system with accurate diameter measurement is a tool that allows manufacturers to inspect and record product diameters for high-speed production environments. It is suitable for high-speed applications such as fibre optic cable production on draw towers and wire drawing lines. Due to the extremely high line speeds of these production lines, previous inspection technologies have had difficulty providing sufficient diameter measurement and lump and neck-down detection. The ZT system provides diameter measurement and diameter defect detection along 100 per cent of the product length at speeds up to 3,000m/min. The system also saves images of all defects, allowing operators and engineers to validate defects. This technology improves the quality of the product and allows manufacturers to prevent defective products from reaching customers. 1 Introduction Increasing Internet traffic and Internet speed are causing a sharp rise in the demand for fibre optic cable. In order to keep up with this demand, manufacturers must produce ever-increasing amounts of fibre. Diameter is a critical factor for fibre, as even small variations can cause structural failure and/or signal loss. There is therefore a need to measure diameter continuously, and detect diameter defects. However, the high production speeds of draw towers – up to several thousand metres a minute – pose a challenge for most current inspection technologies, necessitating innovation. Wire drawing is used to produce wire for a wide range of applications including the manufacturing of re-bar, springs, paper clips and, perhaps most importantly, electrical wire. This is also a growing industry, experiencing a similar increase in demand, and requiring comparable diameter inspection to verify that wire produced meets the desired gauge. The speeds of wire drawing applications can meet or even exceed those of draw towers – also up to several thousand metres a minute. Measurement By Craig Girdwood and Max Fondyga , Taymer International Inc

Taymer’s ZT technology is specifically designed to measure and record images of diameter defects for these high-speed applications. It can detect diameter defects as small as 1 micron at speeds up to 3,000m/min, and scans 100 per cent of product length at these speeds. The system also saves actual images of all defects that are detected, allowing the engineer or operator to review all defects and improve product quality by understanding and targeting causes of defects. In addition to defect images, the diameter measurements for the entire product run are saved to a database along with a record of any diameter defect information. The defect information includes defect size and location on the product. This allows defects to be isolated quickly by operators after production is completed. ❍ ❍ Figure 1 : Detected diameter defects on fibre, left, compared with off-line microscope image, right

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Wire & Cable ASIA – May/June 2019