Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) has been a long-proven method for accurately measuring the length and speed of products. But many applications involving the drawing of long, continuous wire poses measurement challenges. Drawn wire that cannot be well-guided, moves off-axis and out of the measurement range can be problematic for traditional LDV-based gauges trying to keep the laser on the product’s surface. The result is hard-to-obtain and unreliable length and speed measurements. Wire products that are small and/or have a severe curvature compound this measurement issue.

These measurement issues can dramatically affect the ability to control product speed, achieve accurate cut-to-length requirements and other critical functions during the wire drawing process. Moreover, unreliable measurements can be costly due to product give-away, waste from scrap, process downtime and other conditions.

NDC Technologies’ patented LaserSpeed Pro M Series gauge solves this problem with wire draw lines. It uses a revolutionary LDV optical technique to provide highly reliable, highly accurate (up to 0.05%) speed measurements of small, bouncing unguided drawn wire. The LaserSpeed Pro M Series also works at high line speeds for extremely responsive velocity measurements to control elongation from stand to stand and throughout the drawing line.

This technology is extremely valuable in applications involving roughing, intermediate, pre-finish and non-twisting mills, reducing and sizing mills (RSM) and stations including wire laying head. Manufacturers benefit by producing a higher quality wire while significantly reducing the possibility of line cobbles. This increases the lifetime of the mill guiding elements including the wire loop shaper. Other production savings include a reduction in material waste, operational downtime and frequent periodic maintenance.

Learn more about the LaserSpeed Pro M Series gauge.

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