NEWS RELEASE: Precision Without Compromise: Real-Time Ultrasonic Measurement for Medical Tubing
[Image courtesy of LaserLinc]
Enter real-time ultrasonic measurement, a modern solution for today’s most demanding medical extrusion lines.
The Hidden Costs of “Close Enough”
Most quality teams in the tubing space have, at some point, encountered the limitations of handheld micrometers or vision-based systems. These tools often miss subtle eccentricity or, can’t measure internal wall structures, and require line stoppages or product removal for analysis.
The result?
- Longer startup times
- Lack of compliance
- Material waste
- Missed defects that are only caught downstream, or worse, in the field
- Manual interventions that reduce throughput and introduce variability
As wall thickness requirements shrink and performance expectations rise, traditional methods simply aren’t enough.
Real-Time Ultrasonics: A Smarter Approach
[Image courtesy of LaserLinc]
Instead of reacting to problems hours later, manufacturers gain instant visibility into every change, deviation, or drift as it happens.
Key capabilities include:
- Detecting walls as thin as 0.001” (25 µm)
- Monitoring concentricity and eccentricity in real time
- Supporting measurement of polymers, composites, and even metal tubing
- Seamless integration into existing extrusion lines
- Enabling closed-loop feedback to control; air/vacuum pressure, extrusion screw RPM, or line speed
Real-World Impact: Efficiency and Compliance
For manufacturers producing cardiovascular catheters, implantable tubing, or precision sheaths, UltraGauge+ gauges help solve two problems at once:
1. Reducing scrap and downtime: Instead of manually dialing in wall thickness and wasting valuable material, teams can tune the process in minutes with real-time feedback.
2. Documenting compliance with confidence: Full measurement logs and traceability data, and SPC are provided for peace of mind and proof for both internal QA and regulatory audits.
In one recent implementation, a leading catheter supplier reduced startup scrap by over 40% while cutting average setup time in half.
Built for Cleanroom Environments
UltraGauge+ ultrasonic is designed with the medical space in mind. The sensors are compact, IP-rated, and available in configurations suitable for:
- Cleanrooms and Class 100+ production zones
- Multi-layer extrusion with complex material transitions
- Tight-space retrofits on legacy production lines
LaserLinc’s Total Vu™ HMI platform provides intuitive real-time visualization, SPC tools, and recipe management, making adoption fast and operator-friendly.
A Strategic Advantage for MedTech Manufacturers
As the demand for smaller, smarter, and safer devices accelerates, the product size and tolerance window for medical tubing continue to shrink. Relying on outdated inspection methods introduces risk at every stage, from startup to shipment.
UltraGauge+ solutions bring precision, visibility, and confidence to every foot of tubing you produce. It’s a simple upgrade that can transform your entire extrusion process.
About LaserLinc
LaserLinc develops advanced non-contact measurement and control solutions for precision manufacturing applications, including ultrasonic and laser-based, and dimensional inspection systems for tubing, wire & cable, and industrial extrusion. The company’s modular systems are trusted by leading manufacturers across North America and beyond.
Learn more about UltraGauge+ for medical tubing: laserlinc.com/ultragauge/
The opinions expressed in this news release are the author’s only and do not necessarily reflect those of Medical Design & Outsourcing or its employees.
