(Lumetrics: Rochester, NY) -- Lumetrics, a manufacturer of world-class precision thickness measurement technology, has created the new Online Rotational Scanning System, an accessory to the OptiGauge, which will drastically reduce the production line start-up time and significantly improve product quality. The company is set to begin the first of five installations in the United States at one of the world’s leading manufacturers of film for the medical bag industry.

The Online Rotational Scanning System is a cost-effective way to measure blown, single, or multilayer film used for products such as IV and blood bags. The online system provides continuous measurement of a product during the production process, enabling a controlled feedback loop, and eliminating the quality control testing step that is usually completed post-production. This allows the product to be packaged and sold right from the line, in turn reducing labor costs. With the data derived from this system, manufacturers can achieve higher quality products, reduce costs and inspection time through a higher yield of good product, and ultimately improve customer satisfaction.

The fully automated, noncontact measurement system provides an alternative to the less accurate micrometers and snap gauges that are used post-production.

“With continuous oscillating measurements, our system provides more data than previously available on other systems,” says Lumetrics engineer Rylan Summit, who played an integral role in research and development of the Online Rotational Scanning System. “This will enable manufacturers to gain a better understanding of their product and process.”

From this data, customers can determine, with an instantaneous polar graph, exactly where thickness variations are located on their product.

All types of multilayer films, whether co-extruded, coated or laminated, can be measured on this system. While most technologies can tell only how much coating is applied or resins are used, the Online Rotational Scanning System can tell how evenly coatings and resins are applied and the consistency of the layers.

For additional information on this productivity improvement tool, contact Lumetrics at sales@lumetrics.com or call (585) 214-2455, or visit www.lumetrics.com.