Keeping wires in line: CERSA MCI's quality control in wire and cable extrusion

CERSA MCI, a French leader in quality control solutions since 1981, offers unparalleled expertise in wire and cable extrusion.

Extrusion processes

Extrusion shapes materials by pushing them through a die, extensively used for wire insulation and cable sheathing. This process, performed hot or cold, ensures that molten plastic adheres to the wire's structure.

Drawing, a similar technique, shapes materials around a central conductor using tensile strength. It produces simpler shapes at room temperature.

The continuous profiles manufactured through extrusion protect against damage and wear. Thermoplastic and thermosetting materials are most commonly used, with machines shaping the material through a die. Rubber extrusion also exists, utilizing vulcanization solutions to heat insulation post-die.

Maintaining flawless extrusions

Several factors influence the quality of extruded wires and cables. Inconsistent pressure, worn dies, and fluctuating operating conditions can all lead to defects. These imperfections can range from surface roughness to variations in thickness and diameter, compromising cable integrity.

CERSA MCI's Advanced Measurement Systems

To address these concerns, CERSA MCI offers innovative measuring devices. These systems use non-contact technology with multiple measuring axes to continuously monitor the diameter and ovality of the extruded product.

For high-speed lines, CERSA MCI provides a solution to detect even the most fleeting defects: the new DLN (Diameter Lump and Neckdown) based on experience gained with the old LPS instrument. This revolutionary device measures the diameter on three independent axes, offering 250,000 measurements per axis per second! An astonishing speed that allows for the detection of very small geometrical defects, even on fast production lines. An all-in-one device for cable measurement up to 10 mm diameter.

For more information about CERSA MCI's advancements, read its news article and visit the company’s online stand.

CERSA MCI's product range includes reliable, fast, and precise measurement solutions, enabling manufacturers to maintain optimal product quality and performance. Its offerings include non-contact tension measurement gauges for fiber optics, airline defect detection devices for bare fiber optics, in-line diameter measurement devices for fine wires, measurement and defect detection instruments for coated and bare fiber optics, and much more.