Sikora’s X-ray measuring systems for inline quality control of microducts

HÖHLE is a manufacturer of first-class microducts that are used for building fiber-optical networks to house optical fiber cables as a protective channel. Located in Estonia, the company uses SIKORA X-ray measuring systems in its plant for quality control during the extrusion of microducts. The cooperation between both companies is based on their mutual commitment to deliver high quality products to fulfil the customer demands.

Known for short lead times and flexible services to its customers, HÖHLE puts high emphasis on the quality of the microducts they produce. Thus, they only use pure raw material of the highest quality and have also included continuous online measuring and control systems in the manufacturing process. For measuring the inner and outer diameter, wall thickness and eccentricity of the microducts the company has installed three X-ray based X-RAY 6000 PRO devices from SIKORA in their lines to measure microducts within diameter ranges between 3 and 20 mm. “The advantage of the X-RAY systems is that you are confident about the measured values and you get correct product dimensions immediately with the start-up of the line with ‘one shot’”, explains Toomas Koobas, CEO at HÖHLE, and adds, “For microduct production, continuous inline monitoring is the key factor when talking about quality. This can be achieved with SIKORA devices”.

Special at HÖHLE is the use of three separate monitors of the ECOCONTROL 6000 processor system connected to each X-ray device. These allow the operators to have constantly access to the current measuring values. The real-time visualization is the secret of a perfect process control. Compared to alternative technologies for quality control such as ultrasound, X-ray technology provides consistent measuring values without being affected by temperatures, or material. There is no need for coupling media and there is no calibration required. “With X-ray you get a measurement you trust and a guarantee of compliance with microduct specifications”, says Koobas.

For utmost quality control HÖHLE also uses SIKORA lump detectors in their lines. These systems detect the smallest non-conformities on the microducts surface. The operator receives immediate information in case of a fault and can take necessary actions. The combination of X-ray measuring systems and lump detection during the manufacturing process ensure the highest microduct quality for highest customer satisfaction.