Press Release

Non-Contact Laser Gauge Captures Accurate Length and Speed Measurements in Steel Pipe Production Applications

LaserSpeed gauge provides a more accurate length and speed measurement solution over contact-type methods, enabling steel pipe producers to significantly increase productivity and quality

Dayton, Ohio–September 11, 2014 – NDC Technologies, a leading global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, offers the Beta LaserMike LaserSpeed® non-contact laser gauge to help steel pipe manufacturers accurately and consistently measure the length and speed of product during production.

Manufacturers of steel pipe require the accurate length measurement of products. Accurate length measurements control cutting systems that produce products to exact production and customer size specifications. Accurate length measurements also enable manufacturers to perform other important process functions, such as:

• Continuous length measurement
• Speed measurement
• Discrete product measurement
• Product positioning for marking/printing product information
• and other applications

However, many manufacturers still use mechanical contact tachometers/encoders to perform these measurements not realizing they are getting 1% or greater accuracy at best due to slippage and mechanical issues. Length discrepancies can directly affect product quality and create waste, costing the manufacturer significantly.

The Beta LaserMike LaserSpeed non-contact gauge directly measures the length and speed of pipe products with better than ±0.05% accuracy, ±0.02% repeatability. It is the ideal solution for replacing mechanical contact tachometers/encoders that are prone to a variety of measurement errors and high maintenance costs. The Beta LaserMike LaserSpeed gauge uses advanced, laser-based technology to perform these measurements. It projects a unique pattern on the product’s surface. As the product moves, light is scattered back to the gauge. This information is translated into product speed and pulses are produced to determine the product length. The LaserSpeed gauge has no moving parts and is factory calibrated, enabling manufacturers to realize the lowest cost of ownership.

The Beta LaserMike LaserSpeed gauge is available in a range of models to operate in a broad scope of environmental conditions:
• LS8000 Series – precisely measures length and speed at stand-off distances ranging from 300 mm to over 2,500 mm (12 in. to 98.4 in), and speeds up to 20,000 m/min (65,000 ft/min.)
• LS9000 Series – measures true zero speed (no movement) and automatically detects forward and reverse direction
• LS8000E/9000E – enclosed in a rugged environmental housing for double-sealed protection of hot and hostile environments
• LS8000X/9000X – enclosed in a stainless-steel housing for the toughest, extreme environments where heavy steam, mist, and spray occur

About NDC Technologies and Beta LaserMike Products
NDC Technologies is a global organization committed to the innovation, design, and manufacture of precision measurement and control systems for a wide range of industries. The Beta LaserMike line of laser and ultrasonic measurement technology provides in-process dimensional monitoring and sample/part inspection of products such as wire and cable, fiber optics, metals, rubber and plastic, flat rolled goods, tube and pipe, and other manufactured goods. Characterized by their ease of use, intuitive interfaces and low maintenance, NDC Technologies' products are supported worldwide by our Customer Care team, with local support in over 60 countries.