Ron Adkins is the Product Marketing Manager for Extrusion Products at Beta LaserMike, where he has worked for five years. Mr. Adkins has a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Also at Beta LaserMike, he has worked as an Application Engineer within the Sales Department and as a member of the Specials Engineering Department.

This paper discusses the merits of laser and ultrasonic technology as a means of measuring and controlling the diameter and wall thickness of extruded medical tube. Specifically, it will examine how the technologies work, how they are applied, and how they are used to improve productivity in the medical extrusion process. A discussion is included of how on-line gauging technology is used by the extruded medical tube manufacturer to decrease production costs, increase production capacity, improve quality and consistency, improve documentation of quality, and improve preventative maintenance and R&D activities.