CONTROL & INSTRUMENTATION | MACHINERY


Ensuring greater accuracy of extruded products helps to raise their quality – while also keeping control of material costs


Extra dimension: advances in control and instrumentation


Dimensional accuracy has become a critical factor for extruded products like pipes and profiles. Some products – such as window profiles – are made to exacting tolerances in order to function correctly. In other cases – such as large pipe – maintaining dimensional accuracy helps to control material costs. Many physical methods – ranging from sophisti-


cated camera systems to terahertz technology – are used to control physical characteristics including size, ovality and shape. Unsurprisingly, several new systems were on show at last year’s K2019 exhibition.


Pipe measurement Sikora, for instance, showcased its Centrewave 6000/1600 for the first time at K2019. The model, which measures the dimensions of hoses and tubes up to 1,600mm in diameter, uses millimetre wave technology. It measures continu- ously over 360° of the circumference of the pipe’s


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wall thickness, diameter, ovality, inner profile and sagging. “The Centrewave 6000 not only impresses because of its dimensions, but due to its benefits resulting from the technology for the extrusion process,” said Christian Schalich, head of sales for hose and tube at Sikora. Nominal dimensions are quickly reached,


start-up scrap is avoided, and processes are optimally controlled, said the company. Also, the system does not need any coupling media, as it measures precisely and independently to external influences – such as temperature or plastics material – and does not require calibration. “The device also automatically determines the


exact refractive index,” said Schalich. It defines the intensity and the speed at which


radiation travels through the material, which helps to measure accuracy. Manual input of modifications


April 2020 | PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION 13


Main image: New algorithms allow the ProfilControl 7 S Corrugated Tube from Pixargus to inspect previously ‘undetectable’ areas in corrugated tubing


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