Micro-Epsilon to showcase non-contact colour sensors, thickness sensors and a new inline thermography system for injection moulding

At the Engineering Materials Live Show (11th May 2017) at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon UK will be launching moldCONTROL, an inline thermal imaging system for the early detection of defects and quality fluctuations in injection moulded parts, including multi-layered or transparent moulded parts. Micro-Epsilon will also be hosting a seminar at the show on ‘inline thermography’.

The Micro-Epsilon stand will feature the following interactive product demonstrations:

Inline thermal imager for injection moulded parts
The stand will include a demonstration of moldCONTROL, an inline infrared thermal imaging system for the early detection of defects and quality fluctuations in injection moulded parts. The system is well suited to large, complex, multi-layered or transparent moulded parts and can be easily retrofitted to existing injection moulding machines. Materials include all plastics, polymers, elastomers, rubber and even glass.

Present inspection methods rely on the human eye, vision systems and weighing, which cannot fully identify quality fluctuations until after they occur. By looking at the temperature of the parts as they leave the injection mould, moldCONTROL is able to detect any defective areas of the component or fluctuations in temperature that may indicate a quality issue. Weaknesses or thinning in a part can also be identified, which can be used to modify the mould tool design to improve the process. A number of different defects can be detected including incomplete injected parts; temperature deviations in extruded parts; temperature fluctuations in the mould tool; temperature deviations of individual cooling circuits; low or fluctuating pressures; and missing pieces inside a moulded 2-component part.

If you’d like to learn more, Glenn Wedgbrow, UK Sales Manager at Micro-Epsilon, is hosting a seminar session on inline thermography (Seminar Theatre 1, 11.30-12.10). In this session, delegates will learn how to improve quality control in injection moulding; the effects of mould tool cooling circuit issues in final part production; short shot identification, even in 2-part component moulds; and how to improve productivity through process understanding.

Colour measurement

For those with a need to measure colour, the stand will feature the colorCONTROL ACS7000, an inline high speed colour measurement system that measures the actual colour of the target by identifying their coordinates in the colour space. The system can be set up to continually monitor a production process and output the colour measurement via Ethernet, EtherCAT or RS422. The system can also be taught ‘pass fail/limits’ and then output out-of-tolerance alarms using digital I/O. Existing applications include automotive paint inspection, colour measurement of car interiors, coloured glass, transparent film and sheet production, printing, packaging, medical technology, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and in the processing of plastics, food, wood, paper, veneer and textiles.

High precision thickness measurements for less than £10k
Visitors can also see a demonstration of thicknessSENSOR, an affordable and compact thickness measurement system for strip, plate and film targets. The fully assembled system is immediately ready for use ‘out of the box’, offers high accuracy measurements (to 10µm) and costs less than £10,000.

The measurement system is designed to bridge the gap between customers’ own self-build solutions and the high cost, large investment thickness measurement systems that involve commissioning by the supplier’s own engineers. The fully assembled system comprises of a stable C-frame onto which two laser triangulation sensors are mounted. These sensors measure the thickness of strip, plate and film material such as plastics, metals, composites and fabrics. The compact controller integrated into the frame calculates thickness values and outputs these via analogue or digital (Ethernet, USB) interfaces.

For more information or to book an appointment on the stand, please call the Micro-Epsilon sales department on 0151 355 6070 or email

– ENDS – [590 words]

Note to Editors:Micro-Epsilon ( is a major global manufacturer of sensors, headquartered in Germany. The company’s range of displacement sensors measure everything from to distance, position, vibration, dimensions and thickness, using both contact and non-contact measurement techniques. These techniques include 1D, 2D and even 3D laser-optical sensors and systems, eddy-current, capacitive, LVDT & inductive, potentiometric and draw-wire principles. In addition, Micro Epsilon has developed its own range of non-contact infrared temperature sensors that can measure virtually any target temperature from -40 to +3,300°C. The company also manufactures a comprehensive range of colour recognition sensors.

With more than 45 years’ experience in the industry, Micro-Epsilon isn’t just a sensor manufacturer. The company is highly innovative and understands the importance of providing complete solutions and support services for its customers. The firm is renowned for its expertise in consulting, development and application of industrial sensors to complex, customer-specific solutions for measurement, inspection and automation. The focus is on selling technical advantage to its customers.

To download high resolution images for this article, please go to . Alternatively, you can request an image by contacting:

Issued by:Dean Palmer

Director

SilverBullet PR Ltd

20, Templeman Drive, Carlby, Stamford,

Lincolnshire PE9 4NQ

Tel: 01778 590 850

Mobile: 07703 023771

Email:

Reader Enquiries/Advertising:Louise Dodd,

Marketing Manager,
Micro-Epsilon UK Ltd

1, Shorelines Building,
Shore Road, Birkenhead
Cheshire CH41 1AU
Tel: +44 (0) 151 355 6070
Fax: +44(0) 151 355 6075

Email:

1