Beta LaserMike non-contact measurement solution helps converters accurately control product length & speed for productivity gains
Beta LaserMike, a leading global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, reports that its innovative LaserSpeed® non-contact laser encoder has helped converters to accurately measure the length and speed of products during production to avoid costly product overages and shortages, as well as reduce product scrap and rework.
Converters of paper, film and foil products have applications where they need to tightly control the length and speed of product during production. Applications include continuous length measurement, differential speed control, cut-to-length control, product positioning, printing and coating application control, and other demands. Most manufacturers depend on the accuracy of their drive speeds or mechanical contact encoders. But, mechanical encoders can lose contact on various product surfaces due to slippage or web vibration, and require frequent calibration because of mechanical wear and tear. A contact encoder with inaccuracies as much as 2% can cost a converter a significant amount of money in unnecessary expense due to product give-away, waste, maintenance, and system downtime. To solve this problem, manufacturers have installed the LaserSpeed non-contact encoder on their production line to directly measure the length and speed of product.
“Laser-based length and speed measurements have become the standard measurement technology for many common converting applications,” said Richard Snaith, Beta LaserMike’s Director of Sales for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India. “For example, our LaserSpeed encoders are being used in a wide range of web and packaging converting processes for precisely measuring product length and speed at the slitter/rewinder, regulating coating/laminating applications, controlling critical length cutting operations, and monitoring web tension of products, to name a few. As a result of the higher measurement accuracies and tighter process controls, converters are realizing a number of production efficiencies and bottom-line advantages.”
The LaserSpeed encoder uses advanced, laser-based technology to precisely measure the length and speed of product during production without making contact with the material. This laser encoder projects a unique pattern on the surface of the product. As the product moves, light is scattered back to the LaserSpeed unit. This information is translated into product speed and pulses are produced to determine the product length. Length and speed measurements are captured with +/-0.02% repeatable accuracy. Beta LaserMike offers a complete line of LaserSpeed systems with measurement speeds up to12000 m/min (39,400 ft/min) and down to the true zero speed, standoff distances up to 1000 mm (39.4 in), and measurement depth of field up to 100 mm (3.0 in). Beta LaserMike also offers a European certified length measurement system that meets MID (Measuring Instruments Directive) 2004/22/EG requirements.
For more information on Beta LaserMike’s LaserSpeed non-contact encoder, visit www.laserspeed.eu.
About Beta LaserMike
Beta LaserMike is a global organization committed to the innovation, design, manufacture, and service of precision measurement and control systems for a wide range of non-contact measurement applications, including building products, non-woven materials, paper, plastic, wire and cable, fiber optics, pipe and tube, primary metals, and dimensional metrology. Learn more at http://www.betalasermike.com.