Metron: An Automated Tubing & Guidewire Inspection Solution
By Matthew Baker, Gauge Advisor LLC
Manual inspection of long, flexible parts, such as medical tubing, guidewires, or extruded catheters, has long been a bottleneck in quality assurance. It’s tedious, time-consuming, and prone to human error. However, the LaserLinc Metron changes that with a fully automated inspection system built for speed, precision, and repeatability.
Metron scans the length of the part to map the diameter. It is capable of measuring parts up to 72” (1.8m) long and up to 1.15” (29.2mm) in diameter. For this reason, it is perfect for tubing & guidewire measurement.
Whether you’re manufacturing medical devices, precision tubing, or extruded wire, Metron delivers accurate, repeatable measurements. As a result, it eliminates the need for time-consuming and error-prone manual inspection methods. Need to measure the taper of proximal, body, and distal sections? This is your solution.
Why Manual Inspection Falls Short
Measuring long, small-diameter parts, such as tubing or wire, typically requires multiple fixtures, hand tools, and trained operators. Furthermore, each additional step increases the potential for:
Inconsistent measurements
Lengthy inspection cycles
As a result, higher labor costs and data entry errors can occur.
In industries where microns matter, relying on a ruler, handheld micrometer (snap gauge), or other manual methods adds unacceptable risk.
Metron’s Automated Inspection Platform
The Metron system eliminates this manual burden. Using a motorized vertical scanning slide and a LaserLinc’s triple-axis laser micrometer, Metron can profile the diameter along the length of a part. Key features include:
- Single-button operation for complex inspection routines
- Measurement of OD, ovality, length, taper, and more
- Motorized Part Holder (MPH) to aid in operator part placement.
- Motorized Part Rotation (MPR) for 360-degree part rotation
- Servo-driven for high-speed, repeatable part indexing
- Integration with LaserLinc software for data visualization and quality control
- Built-in light curtain ensures operator safety by automatically stopping the system if the inspection zone is accessed
Therefore, Metron brings speed and consistency to sample inspection that hand tools cannot match.
Software for Complete Statistical Analysis
Metron’s strength lies in its hardware, but its power is unlocked with LaserLinc’s Total Vu software. The platform provides:
Real-time SPC and pass/fail feedback
Reporting, trend graphs, and historical traceability
Custom recipes for fast product changeovers
Data export to external quality systems
With this in mind, you gain full visibility into your sample inspection process, from measurement to reporting.
Ready to Enhance Your QC Process?
If you’re looking for a reliable, accurate, and repeatable solution for inspecting critical tubing or wire components, consider LaserLinc’s Metron. It’s trusted by medical device manufacturers around the world.
While the Metron is ideal for samples up to 72” long, LaserLinc offers other options for different needs. For short sample OD/ID & Wall thickness measurement, consider:
These alternatives offer tailored solutions for different tubing types while maintaining high measurement accuracy.