SIKORA measuring technologies ensure high quality requirements of microducts

Optical fiber cables are considered as pioneering technology. The construction of fiber-optic networks quickly continues and is promoted by large investment projects in network applications like “Fiber to the home” (FttH) up to the home. In the view of the above, the demand of microducts, which surround optical fiber cables as protection duct, also increases. Therefore, a continuous quality control of microducts at the production process is essential.

Glasfaserkabel mit bunten Microducts

The dimension of microducts has to match exactly with the respective optical fiber cable, for which the microducts are provided. Depending on cable type, specific requirements result due to norms for inner and outer diameter of the microducts. Even a minor deviation, for example of the inner diameter, might lead to the phenomenon, that the optical fiber cables rub against the inner layer during the air-blowing process and, in worst case, get stuck. Process safety permits a permanent monitoring of the production process and control of the product parameters.

The X-ray based X-RAY 6000 PRO of SIKORA continuously measures the inner and outer diameter, the eccentricity as well as the total wall thickness of microducts during production. The X-RAY 6000 PRO precisely determines the wall thickness of up to three layers of different materials. The production data is visualized on the 22’’ TFT monitor of the processor system ECOCONTROL 6000. The X-RAY 6000 PRO guarantees the compliance with the specifications, a constant quality and reproducible results by its continuous measurement.

If only a diameter and ovality measurement is required, the LASER 2000 T devices will be predestined. The 3-axis laser gauge heads are characterized by their high precision, reliability and continuous functionality.

For a surface inspection of microducts, the LUMP 2000 is used. With two or three measuring planes (depending on the selected model), the system detects even the smallest irregularities at line speeds of up to 3,000 m (9,842.5 ft)per minute. Due to the combination of double sensor technology, at which the difference of two sensors is evaluated, and infrared light sources, lumps and neckdowns on the surface of microducts are detected to 100 %.

More about microducts
Microducts are small, flexible ducts, which are used for the installation of microduct optical fiber cables. They consist of two layers: an outer layer of flexible plastics for the protection of the optical fiber cable as well as an inner smooth layer with little abrasion.