Extrusion International 1-2018

39 Extrusion International 1/2018 market. Due to its functionality, however, X-ray technol- ogy has proven itself as a leading method for measuring rubber hoses. Conventional technologies like ultrasound are reaching their functional limits, for example, because the signals of the individual layers are mainly absorbed in the rubber hose, and therefore, cannot be analyzed clear- ly. Before SIKORA devices were applied, the concentricity of the hoses was controlled manually after production. “Today, this kind of inspection is not competitive. We manufacture about 40 kilometers of brake hoses daily. This corresponds to about 15 million meters of hose per year. The increasing production volume was the incentive to further advance the automation of our production”, explains Theis. Today, due to the inline application of the X-ray devices, the manufacturer can intervene in the pro- duction process, identify eccentricities of the hose and eliminate them as well as their causes. SIKORA X-ray measuring systems are used at ContiTech for final quality control before vulcanization. Therefore, it can be ensured that the end product meets the required concentricity. Further geometrics, such as diameter, are measured by Laser measuring systems in previous produc- tion steps. Even though the X-ray measuring systems can contribute to material saving, ContiTech focuses on the highest quality. ”Brake hoses are safety products, thus, concentricity is paramount”, says Theis. There are other production advantages: “During co-extrusion, for exam- ple, the inner layer of the hose is applied a little thicker to ensure it actually exists to 100%”, explains Peter Hügen, Area Sales Manager at SIKORA AG and direct contact for ContiTech. “With the X-ray measuring devices, both lay- ers are precisely measured and visualized, so that the in- ner layer can be extruded to minimal thickness”, contin- ues Hügen. ContiTech‘s aspiration for the highest quality of brake hoseswas not the only reason that lead to the cooperation with SIKORA. International standards also give guidelines for quality standards and measuring methods that have to be met by companies and their products. Today, cus- tomers demand a 100% quality control and repeatability, which cannot be done by manual visual inspection. “Our customers are familiar with our quality strategy and know that X-ray technology is an integral part in our production process to produce premium hoses”, says Theis. For the implementation and enhancement of quality standards, ContiTech is collaborating with suppliers like SIKORA for a continuous improvement process. ”We understand that our cooperation is driven by our high quality standards“, says Theis. Due to an increase of the production speed for a strengthened performance, for example, ContiTech and SIKORA have successfully devel- oped a technical solution in order to increase the sample rate of the X-ray systems and to fulfill quality require- ments at the same time. For product data collection and management, the X-ray measuring systems are connected as standard via inter- face, such as Profibus or Profinet, to processor systems and the system control. In future, ContiTech is planning— also with regard to Industry 4.0 — to connect plants and systems with machines and operating data logging via OPC UA. Hence, the networking of plants and systems can be improved and relevant data can be archived per- manently. SIKORA and ContiTech are also cooperating in this matter to continue ensuring the highest quality of the brake hoses during production. SIKORA’s X-ray measuring system is used at ContiTech for measuring the concentricity. From left, Jan Eric Theis (Director Plant Engineering Hoses ContiTech GmbH), Peter Hügen (Area Sales Manager SIKORA AG) ContiTech brake hoses of highest quality SIKORA AG Bruchweide 2, 28307 Bremen, Germany www.sikora.net