The true measure of success

SIKORA AG was founded in 1973 and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2013. Today SIKORA is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of measuring and control technology for the wire and cable, hose and tube as well as optical fiber and plastic industry. With 200 employees worldwide, 13 offices and more than 30 regional representatives all over the world, the company provides customers with innovative product solutions and individual service. The measuring and control systems are exclusively made at the headquarters in Bremen/Germany.

In 2003, SIKORA presented for the first time its X-ray measuring device X-Ray 2000, the predecessor of the current X-Ray 6000. Today, the system has successfully been on the market for 11 years and offers hose and tube manufacturers a continuous quality assurance, combined with increased productivity and long-term cost saving.

Producers of hoses and tubes are facing global competition and are especially measured in terms of their product quality and reliability. An important aspect in this respect is the continuous measurement and control of the wall thickness, the eccentricity as well as the inner and outer diameter of the product. Continuous measurement and control is the basis for the reduction of production costs, start-up scrap and rejections due to a lack of quality.

For online quality control during the hose and tube extrusion, SIKORA has developed its X-ray measuring device X-Ray 6000 and the high-end series X-Ray 6000 PRO. The X-Ray 6000 is particularly interesting for production lines where only products with single layer, respectively, with the total wall thickness have to be measured. It is a cost-effective and at the same time very powerful measuring device for the continuous measurement of the inner and outer diameter, wall thickness and eccentricity. In addition to products made of PE, HDPE, PVC and EPR, also foamed tubes and hoses made of EDPM, nylon, rubber and silicon are measured reliably. For multi-layer products, the X-Ray 6000 PRO is available and therefore predestined for composite tubes, automotive, hydraulic and compressed-air hoses.

No calibration needed

Measurements are taken continuously online at the extrusion process. X-ray technology has the great advantage that it requires no calibration, is not influenced by the type and temperature of the extruded material and, furthermore, does not need a coupling media such as water.

Measuring values are taken within fractions of a second and are displayed either at a monitor directly integrated in the gauge head or on a separate 22” flat panel vertical monitor. In addition to the numerical and graphical display of the measuring values, the system provides trend and statistical data.

The optimum benefit in regards to increased productivity is achieved if the X-Ray 6000 system is used for the automatic wall thickness control by adapting either the line speed or the extruder rpm. The operation of the equipment is user-friendly via touch screen.

The advantages of this system are obvious: With the commissioning of the X-RAY 6000 or X-RAY 6000 PRO, the system is operational and never requires any calibration. The measuring values, which are directly available after the start-up of the line, and the continuous measurement make the X-Ray 6000 / X-Ray 6000 PRO an indispensable component in hose and tube extrusion lines.

The X-Ray 6000 is available for products with a diameter of 5 to 100 mm, the X-Ray 6000 PRO for products with a diameter from 0.65 to 300 mm. Higher meAir Jordan V Low Supreme