WCA May 2019

Defect images are saved together with location information, allowing operators to quickly find and eliminate defects before further processing is performed or product fails in the field. 3.3 Limitations There are a few limitations to the ZT system: • With today’s production lines maximising use of space, installing additional equipment on-line can be a concern. The ZT is able to modify its stand and camera box to best utilise the available spacing, and can even be installed with different orientations to provide additional flexibility • As the system’s camera is looking at the surface, water droplets/grease/dust particles will affect the geometry of the product and will impact diameter measurements. Generally, this can be fixed with a well-placed air wipe. Alternatively, the system sensitivity can be decreased, which may result in some of the smaller defects passing through the filter 3.4 Test results The ZT system has been tested on numerous high-speed production areas in the world (eg draw towers). The images were taken of real defects in lines at production speeds ranging from several hundred to several thousand metres per minute. Figure 1 shows a saved defect image from the ZT system compared to a microscope image of the same defect. Figure 2 shows a sample image of a diameter defect. 4 Conclusions With the high-speed ZT system, diameter is accurately measured and recorded, along with diameter defect information and defect images. This functionality provides several benefits: • Suitability for any type of product • Ensuring the customer will not get defective products, improving customer relationship and confidence • Reducing rework and eliminating waste, thereby reducing material and labour costs • Assisting in internal improvements to production processes to reduce defects Courtesy of IWCS 2018 Cable & Connectivity Symposium, Providence, Rhode Island, USA, October 2018.

Taymer International Inc Markham, Ontario, Canada Tel : +1 905 479 2614 Email : craig.girdwood@taymer.com Website : www.taymer.com

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Wire & Cable ASIA – May/June 2019