Profile Projector or Metallurgical Microscope

We plan to buy a profile projector for viewing copper break samples happening at our Intermediate wire drawing stage. Should it be better than a metallurgical microscope?

Other uses of a Profile Projector for us would be to check die profile, thickness of insulation and diameter of wire, etc.,

Can we go ahead?. Your advice will greatly help us.

Thanks & Regards

Reuben

Hello Again Reuben,

We had both instruments in some of our plants.

We used the profile projectors strictly for profiles such as trapezoidal segment shapes of aluminum wires drawn and rolled for trapezoidal ACSR or rolled copper segment shapes for conductors for LPOF conductors. (Checked against ink drawn profiles on transparent film.) These profile projectors were on the plant floor and certainly could be used to accurately measure insulation thickness samples of reasonable size. (Not the small insulation thickness on say telephone wire.)

Metallurgical microscopes were found in laboratories or offices as all available drawing machine wire breaks were identified and saved. A separate base with a steel pin was also available so that small gauge insulation thicknesses could be accurately measured.

I really think the two instrument solution is the best but you may find that you can get by with only one. See if your supplier will give you a "loaner" of each for say a one month test period so you can determine which is the best solution for you and your plant.

Regards
Peter J. Stewart-Hay
Principal
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.Stewart-Hay.com
519 641- 3212