Laserlinc launches 'world first' automation for off-line tubing testing

Laserlinc has launched what it says is a world first for the automation of off-line testing of long and thin medical tubing products (coronary and urinary catheters), complex shaped piece parts, corrugated and complex shaped tubing, braided cables, and similar high specification products.

Off-line testing of products is a critical part of ensuring quality and compliance, and yet to date testing has been carried out by several manual methods such as ring gauges, calipers, micrometers, engineering microscopes or even pulling a sample manually through a laser micrometer. While these methods may be fundamentally accurate, they can be very operator dependent, resulting in poor reproducibility associated with the method used and the degree of interpretation needed with each test method. For example, soft tubing can be easily deformed by contact methods leading to false readings caused by the way the test is applied and difference between operator techniques.

Metron automates the process of dimensional inspection. A sample up to 72inches (1.8m) is held by two Zero chucks, or other holding solutions, on the top and bottom of the instrument. Automatic, non-contact measurements along the entire length of the sample is achieved by tracking a high specification 3 axis laser micrometer along a precision motor driven slide actuator. The measurements taken are automatically data logged and processed by Metron’s interactive data visualisation system, TotalVu, which allows the operator to see product OD and ovality along the length of the sample. It is possible to analyse sample data in detail at any point of the scan and to zoom in to areas where a problem may have been identified. By doing this, process diagnostics can be performed to identify the problem. The measurement data can easily be stored and electronically shared in an internationally recognisable format as a raw-data file or formatted report.

Different sample lengths can be accepted up to a maximum of 72 inches or as specified by an end user and product diameters from 0.004 inch to 1.15inches (0.1 to 29.2mm) can be measured. Larger diameter products can be accommodated with a customised system. While Metron is commonly used in a vertical configuration (to accommodate long products) it is also available in a bench top mode for shorter or rigid samples.

Metron can handle a wide range of samples and products for off line testing. In many manufacturing processes quality control is an integral part of product inspection providing traceability and compliance of an operation. Metron fulfils this requirement by providing a faster, automated and operator independent test making such sample measurements more meaningful and more representative of the production.  

Metron is particularly ideal for high specification products where the fundamental measurement accuracy and traceability is required and would include products such as coronary catheters, guidewires, bump taper tubes, stents, braided cables, and automotive/aerospace tubes.