Tube Control Measurement, Sorting Modular System for Glass Tube Tube Control is a modular designed system of settled instruments and modules. It comprises measuring instruments for the tube dimensions, both for on-line measurement at the drawing line, for sample check and tube processing. The following measuring instruments are available: diameter gauges based on one CCD line camera for smaller tubes diameter gauges having two cameras for large sizes tubes cameras for the bend measurement wall thickness gauges instruments for sample check devices for tube sorting on-line at the draw or in further tube processing machines systems for automatic dimensions Tube control is designed tailor made in each case, based on proven standards and supplied turn-key. Cooperation with specialised supplier guarantees outstanding quality and reliability. VMA equipment is completely assembled and entirely tested in Germany before shipping. Installation at the customer s side takes a few days only. Start-up and training is made regularly by VMA experts having deep knowledge and long years of experiences. Tube Control is a state-of-the-art measuring equipment, comprising almost 35 years of experiences and latest technology at the same time. It is developed and manufactured by the leading company for non-contact optical measuring instruments of glass which specializes in this field of measuring technology. Beside Tube Control, a series of non-contact measuring instruments for flat glass and hollow glass is manufactured by VMA. Totally, almost 1,000 units are in use worldwide in nearly all field of glass production.
Tube Control Measurement, Sorting, Control ODM 20-130 Diameter Gauge Diameter gauge for the on-line measurement and sorting at a neutral glass tubing line Two diameter gauges for the measurement in two axis at a horizontal tubing line The instrument is used for the diameter measurement of tubes having a diameter of up to 130 mm. The device consists of: camera with telecentric lens, protection enclosure illumination electronic unit The device has been conceived as production series and will be adapted according to the different measuring tasks. Measuring gauge head and illumination are mounted at a carrier usually. Heat protection glasses, water cooling and cooling air allow an insert at thermally exposed measuring places in the production. The device works using line cameras, which photograph the outer edges of the tube by transmitted light. The camera has a telecentric lens, which measures the diameter in a precise way, even if the distance between tube and camera will be changed. In a micro controller, the video signal of the camera is processed to a diameter measuring value. Special attention has been paid to the user-friendliness of the system: the measuring procedure is done automatically. The adjustment of the measuring device to different diameter measuring ranges is done automatically using of a black box model comprising the characteristics of the lenses. Any adjustment is not necessary. measuring range < 130.0 mm, as per request measuring accuracy 0.01 mm measuring frequency up to 1000/s output numerical display, serial interface non-contact measurement no wear, no drift high measuring frequency and accuracy factory adjusted, no need of re-calibration certificate of accuracy will be provided
Tube Control Measurement, Sorting, Contol System for Glass Tube The instrument is used for the diameter measurement of large size glass tubes. The system comprises the following components: camera unit having two CCD line cameras illumination unit electronic unit Camera unit as well as illumination unit can be protected by means of water cooling, air cooling and heat radiation protection optionally. This way the measuring device can be installed in hot places (Borosilicate Glass, Quartz Glass) as well. The device is based on two CCD-line cameras. Each of them takes an image of an outside edge of the tube. The cameras are installed on a transfer unit. The positions of the cameras as well as the position of the tube edges on the cameras are evaluated in a computer. This way the diameter of the tube is determined in a precise and reliable way. Any operation of the device is not required. The measuring process works automatically without intervention of the operator. Two diameter gauges, installed at down draw tubing line for borosilicate glass 3.3. topside); diameter gauge, mounted on a quartz glass resizing lathe for semiconductor tubes (figure below) The camera unit changes the positions of the cameras by means of the motor driven transfer unit automatically in accordance to the diameter to be measured. Any adjustment and setting is not necessary. Measuring range 25... 900 mm Measuring accuracy 0.01 mm non-contact measurement measurement can be provided within flames also high measuring frequency and accuracy factory adjusted no re-calibration necessary no wear and drift
Tube Control Measurement, Sorting TM Wall Thickness Gauge The device is used for the non-contact wall thickness measurement of tubes. It can be used for on-line measurement at the tubing line, in tube processing machines and for sample check of tubes as well. The device comprises the gauge head and the electronic unit. If installed under hot conditions, appropriate cooling and heat protecting devices are supplied. Laser light is sent out onto the surface of the tube. The reflections of the laser light, which are generated at the outer side and the inner side of the tube are projected onto CCD-line sensors. The spacing between these two reflections are evaluated. Two laser measuring systems, which are used simultaneous, meet the surface from opposite directions. That way, the sensor is self-checking. Only reliable readings are sent out measuring range > 0.3 mm further ranges on request accuracy > 0.01 mm diameter of the tubes > 1.8 mm measuring frequency 1,000 readings per sec sensor dimensions 200 x 110 x 60 nm output digital display, serial interface Non-contact measurement Outstanding accuracy No drift and wear Laser diodes having unlimited lifetime Factory adjusted, certificate of accuracy will be provided No need of repeated re-calibration The device shows a robust design, it is hardly influenced by changes of the tube position No influences by internal defects inside of the tube, no influences due to internal light, measurement at hot tubes even within the flame is possible
Tube Control Measurement, Wallthickness, Diameter, off line instrument The off-line instrument is used for the sample check of tubes. The following parameters can be measured: Diameter Ovality Wall thickness Eccentricity Bend The instrument comprises the rotation bench for the tubes (topside) including wall thickness sensor head and cameras as well as the electronic unit (photo in the middle, left side). On the screens of the electronic unit, the results are indicated both digitally and graphically. As an example, the lower picture shows the wall thickness versus the rotation angle of 0...360, the minimum and maximum thickness, its difference, the eccentricity and some features related to the inner diameter, such as inner ovality. The tube is placed on the bench manually. After activating the start button, the tube is rotated. One revolution takes 360. Afterwards, the readings are evaluated and indicated. They are transferred to the operator workstation of the system Tube Control or the customers quality control system for further storage and statistic computation. objective judgement of the tubes precise measurement no influence of human factors measurement around the entire circumference automatic quality control
Tube Control Geometry Measurement, Diameter, Wallthickness, off line instrument The off-line instrument is used for the sample check of glass tubes and glass rods with a length up to 3000mm and a diameter up to 100mm. The following parameters can be measured: Diameter (inside, outside) Ovality Wall thickness Eccentricity Bend Defect Detection Stones, Bubbles, Scratches etc. The instrument comprises the rotation bench for the tubes (topside) including wall thickness sensor head, diameter camera and defect detection unit as well as the electronic unit. Defect Detection is delivered by JLI (Denmark). The results are indicated both digitally and graphically at the screens of the electronic unit. The tube is placed on the bench manually. The geometrical data are measurement at a selectable number of points of the tube length. The defect detection is carried out around the whole circumference and over the whole length. Afterwards, the readings are evaluated and transferred to the operator workstation of a quality control system for further storage and statistic computation. objective judgement of the tubes precise measurement no influence of human factors measurement around the entire circumference
Tube Control Measurement, Sorting, Control The equipment is used for the sorting of tubes at the tubing line. The device is made up of the following components: Sorting computer with potential free output LCD touch - screen display Sensors for drawing speed and cutter pulse The equipment evaluates the readings of the outside diameter gauges ODM(T) and/or the readings of the thickness measuring device TM(T). It is recommended to situate these instruments at the cold end of the tubing line. A signal passed / not passed is determined. Furthermore, the device is linked together with sensors for the drawing speed as well as the pulse of the cutter. That way a precise allocation of the readings to the tube pieces and an exact timing of the reject unit is provided. Set values and tolerances are fed in via LCD display. The trends of diameter or wall thickness is displayed graphically together with the tolerances and the warning limits. The tube length and the point of cutting is shown graphically. Alerts are indicated if the readings exceeds the warning limits. The degree of selection can be changed. The number of readings, which are allowed to exceed the limits, can be set. A number of service functions will support installation and commissioning. The allocation of the measured values to the tube length is very exact A high degree of selection exists The selection does not depend on the tube length The operation of the tubing line is assisted by the graphic display of the trend graphs essentially
Tube Control Measurement, Sorting Module Visualization The module visualization has been designed for the operation and data processing of tubing lines. Data logging and storage of the relevant parameters Monitoring of the tubing line, alert signal processing Daily Logbook Graphic display of the trends Support of technology analysis Statistic evaluation of the readings Issue of the manufacturing certificate The system comprises an PC in an industrial quality, the interface to the measuring devices as well as a special software. The data logging is continued even if the computer is used for other tasks, e.g. input of new manufacturing data or analysis of former manufacturing periods. The system is WINDOWS based. The operator interface is adapted to the specific needs of tubing lines. Comfortable data analysis can be done by a number of software tools. Special skills are not needed. Further investigations can be made by means of data base systems. The following examples of the operator interface are shown here: Trends of diameter and wall thickness (figure topside) Analysis of the refused tube pieces (figure in the middle) Analysis of the readings which are obtained from the offline instrument, indicating wall thickness and eccentricity (figure below) The operator of the tubing line is assisted substantially. The certificate of delivery is generated automatically on the base of a 100% control. The quality of the manufacturing can be shown to the customer in a convincing way. Parameters and status of the line are monitored continuously, the technology analysis is assisted by automatic data logging and data analysis essentially.