Updated March 10, 2026
Manual inspection of long, flexible parts like medical tubing, guidewires, and catheter shafts has long been a bottleneck in quality assurance. It’s tedious, time-consuming, and full of opportunities for human error. However, the LaserLinc Metron changes that with a fully automated inspection system built for speed, precision, and repeatability.
Metron scans the full length of the part to map diameter variation and taper profiles. It is capable of measuring parts up to 72” (1.8m) long and up to 1.15” (29.2mm) in diameter. For this reason, it is perfect for tubing & guidewire measurement.
Whether you’re manufacturing medical devices, precision tubing, or extruded wire, Metron delivers accurate, repeatable measurements. As a result, it eliminates the need for time-consuming and error prone manual inspection methods. Need to measure the taper of proximal, body, and distal sections? This is your solution.
For an overview of technologies used in regulated industries, see our medical device measurement and inspection solutions page.
Video overview of the LaserLinc Metron-L by LaserLinc to perform a scanning diameter measurement of parts up to 72”.
Why Manual Inspection Falls Short
Measuring long, small-diameter parts like tubing or wire typically requires multiple fixtures, hand tools, and trained operators. Furthermore, each additional step increases the potential for:
- Inconsistent measurements
- Lengthy inspection cycles
As a result, higher labor costs and data entry errors can occur.
In medical device manufacturing and precision extrusion, where microns matter, relying on a ruler, handheld micrometer (snap gauge), or other manual methods adds unacceptable risk.
Metron’s Automated Inspection Platform
The Metron system eliminates this manual burden. Using a motorized vertical scanning slide and a LaserLinc triple-axis laser micrometer, Like all precision laser micrometer systems, proper calibration is critical to maintaining measurement accuracy. Engineers can simplify this process using our Calibration Pin Selector Tool, which helps determine appropriate pin sizes for micrometer verification. Metron can profile the diameter along the length of a part.
Key features of the Metron include:
- Single-button operation for complex inspection routines
- Measurement of OD, ovality, length, taper, and more
- Motorized Part Holder (MPH) to aid in operator part-placement.
- Motorized Part Rotation (MPR) for 360-degree part rotation
- Servo-driven for high-speed, repeatable part indexing
- Integration with LaserLinc software for data visualization and quality control
- Built-in light curtain ensures operator safety by automatically stopping the system if the inspection zone is accessed
Therefore, Metron brings speed and consistency to sample inspection that hand tools simply cannot match.
Smart features like the MPH and MPR make the Metron an operator-friendly system.
Ideal for Tubing & Guidewire Inspection
The Metron system is designed for mission critical products. If you’re producing tight-tolerance parts like catheters, guidewire, or precision extrusions, Metron helps you:
- Ensure product consistency without relying on operator technique
- Cut validation time and reduce bottlenecks in quality control
- Automatically generate inspection reports for traceability and audits
- Measure multi-zone parts like tapers, proximal, and distal ends
Automated inspection can also reduce labor and scrap costs. You can estimate potential savings using our Medical Device Measurement ROI Calculator. With part holding fixtures customizable for different lengths and diameters, Metron measures a wide range of products.
Software for Complete Statistical Analysis
Metron’s strength lies in its hardware, but its power is unlocked with LaserLinc’s Total Vu software. The platform provides:
- Real-time SPC and pass/fail feedback
- Reporting, trend graphs, and historical traceability
- Custom recipes for fast product changeovers
- Data export to external quality systems
With this in mind, you gain full visibility into your tubing inspection and SPC measurement process.
LaserLinc’s Total Vu software displays diameter, ovality, and key SPC values.
Ready to Enhance Your QC Process?
If you’re looking for a reliable, accurate, and repeatable solution for inspecting critical tubing or wire components, consider LaserLinc’s Metron. It’s trusted by medical device manufacturers around the world.
While the Metron is ideal for samples up to 72” long, LaserLinc offers other options for different needs. For short sample OD/ID & Wall thickness measurement, consider:
These alternatives offer tailored solutions for different tubing types while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
What You Get with LaserLinc:
📅 4-Year Industry-Leading Warranty
🔧 2 Years of Unlimited Technical Support
✅ U.S.-Based Design, Service & Manufacturing
Take the Next Step
Gauge Advisor supports medical device manufacturers across the Western United States and California with tubing measurement and inspection systems for extrusion and device manufacturing.
We are the authorized sales and service partner for LaserLinc measurement systems supporting manufacturers with equipment selection, process optimization, and system integration.
If you’re evaluating measurement systems for catheters, guidewires, or other components, request application guidance using the form below.
By: Matthew BakerFounder, Gauge Advisor LLC
👉 Read these next:
Catheter, Cannula, and Guidewire Measurement: Choosing the Right Laser Micrometer Setup
Improve Quality Control: How to Accurately Measure Diameter & Wall Thickness of Rigid Medical Tubing