Fiber Optic Measurement
and Quality Control Solutions
Fiber production requires highly accurate measurement systems capable of monitoring critical process parameters at increasingly high drawing speeds. CERSA MCI develops advanced fiber optic measurement solutions that help manufacturers ensure product quality, optimize production processes and achieve reliable inline quality control.
For many years, CERSA MCI has worked closely with optical fiber manufacturers to develop measurement technologies tailored to the needs of modern fiber production lines. Today, more than 650 high-speed fiber drawing towers worldwide operate with CERSA MCI measurement systems.
Why Fiber Optic Measurement Matters
Modern fiber production requires continuous monitoring of critical process parameters to ensure product quality and maximize production efficiency. Real-time measurement systems help manufacturers control fiber diameter, tension, airline defects and coating quality while operating at increasingly high drawing speeds.
Key Parameters Monitored During Fiber Production
• Bare fiber diameter measurement
• Airline defect detection
• Fiber tension monitoring
• Coating quality inspection
• Asymmetry and concentricity control
• Real-time process optimization
Full Inline Quality Control
By installing measurement instruments throughout the draw tower, operators can continuously monitor and adjust key production parameters. These systems provide immediate feedback for process optimization and quality assurance. For bare fibers, important measurements include cladding diameter, airline defects, tension and spinning profile. After coating application, additional measurement systems help monitor final diameter, geometry defects such as lump and neckdown, and coating defects including bubbles, delamination and impurities.
Why Manufacturers Choose CERSA MCI
• Proven solutions installed on more than 650 fiber drawing towers
• High-speed measurement performance
• Real-time quality control and process optimization
• Reliable operation on demanding production lines
• Industry 4.0 compatible communication interfaces
Optical Fiber Measurement :
For decades, CERSA MCI has worked closely with the world's leading optical fiber manufacturers to develop measurement technologies tailored to the evolving requirements of modern fiber production. This close partnership has enabled continuous improvements in measurement accuracy, reliability and production performance.
Today, more than 650 high-speed fiber drawing towers worldwide operate with CERSA MCI measurement systems. Designed for demanding production environments, our solutions provide reliable real-time measurements that help manufacturers maintain consistent product quality, optimize production efficiency and support continuous process improvement.
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Monitoring Fiber Quality
Fiber quality depends on the continuous monitoring of multiple process parameters throughout the entire drawing process.
By installing dedicated measurement systems at strategic positions along the draw tower, manufacturers obtain immediate feedback that allows rapid process adjustments and stable production conditions.
During bare fiber production, CERSA MCI solutions monitor critical parameters such as cladding diameter, airline defects, drawing tension and spinning profile.
After coating application, additional systems verify the final coated diameter, detect lump and neckdown defects, identify coating imperfections including bubbles, delamination and impurities, and monitor coating asymmetry and concentricity. Together, these measurements provide comprehensive inline quality control while supporting increasingly high production speeds.
Our Measuring Instruments for Fiber Optic Manufacturers
LISG: Laser Interferometric Sensor for Glass
5 in 1 gauge ! Ultra fast detection.
The LISG is designed for bare optical fiber measurements and for checking for defects during drawing. It uses interferometric fringe patterns produced by a fiber when placed in a laser beam.
Primary features :
- Real-time, high accuracy diameter measurements
- Airline defect detection (bubbles in the preform)
- Cladding non-circularity measurements
- Spinning profile and frequency measurements
NCTM: Non Contact Tension Measurement
Purely optical principle!
The NCTM is designed to measure the drawing force (tension) during optical fiber production. It uses a purely optical principle based on birefringence (light polarization).
Measurement capability from start to finish of the drawing process. Range: 0 - 400 grams, uncertainty: +/- 1 gr
AIR: Ultra fine "airline"
100% glass cross-section coverage
The AIR is designed to detect airline defects (bubbles in the preform stretched during drawing) in optical fibers. It uses the interferometric fringe patterns produced by a fiber when placed in a laser beam.
The measurement principle provides ultra fine airline detection, down to 0.3µm. By using 3 measurement axes, the AIR is the only instrument able to detect 100% of the airlines (with or without spinning) by covering 100% of the cross-section. Measurements are fiber position and vibration independent.
CM5: Coating Monitor 5 axes
All-in-one! Diameter and lump & neck detection
The CM5 is designed for coated optical fiber measurements and for checking for defects during drawing.
With its 5 measuring axes that cover 100% of the surface, and its exceptional measuring speed, the CM5 is the perfect instrument for a complete inspection of the coated fiber :
- Measurement of the outer diameter of the coated optical fiber
- Continuous detection of lump and neckdown flaws
- Detection of internal and surface defects and impurities in the cladding
- Detection of flaws, bubbles, delamination within the coated layers
- Measurement of the asymmetry of the glass within coating layers.
ASYM: Coated fiber asymmetry measurement
The ASYM provides real-time measurement of fiber coating asymmetry, ensuring optimal concentricity even for the latest generation of fine-coated optical fibers. Using a dual-axis laser interferometric system, it analyses light interference patterns to quantify global deviation caused by coating eccentricity.
Primary features :
- Real-time asymmetry measurement for ultra-thin coatings
- Accurate control of coating concentricity
- Fully operational with or without fiber spinning
- Enhanced process stability and defect prevention
Our software solution
for fiber optic measurement
CIM Software - Instrument manager
Our advanced CIM PROD PC software is a complete, production quality management tool for operators.
It comes with our instruments to provide their parameter settings, to clearly display the production measurements as well as any detected defects, and to generate real-time parameters and record all the measurements and events in a data base.
The PROD Full version has been developed for IN-LINE fiber optics measurements. Adjustment of tolerances, triggering threshold, and spool replacement are specific features for the production environment.
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optical fiber measurements
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