Surface Inspection Systems | Tubing & Web Defect Detection

Two inspection architectures

Choose by product geometry and defect signal

FlawSense and SHF3 VI are not interchangeable versions of the same instrument. They address different product geometries and different kinds of surface information.

Tubing & cylindrical products

LaserLinc FlawSense II

Maps the complete visible outside contour so raised and recessed events can be measured as three-dimensional geometry rather than inferred from a few diameter axes or camera views.

Direct 3D outside-surface topography
Pits, scratches, gels, blisters, dents, wrinkles, and other qualified relief events
Full-contour OD, true ovality, event position, shape, and severity
Inline production or controlled offline finished-part inspection

Explore FlawSense II Medical measurement systems

Film, sheet & continuous webs

Scantech SHF3 VI

Integrates defect-detection cameras within a web-scanner frame so visual inspection can be coordinated with the measurement architecture selected for the moving web.

Defect-detection cameras located within the scanner-frame beams
Transparent and opaque material applications
Examples include gels, holes, scratches, streaks, wrinkles, contamination, and opacity events
Can combine visual inspection with application-configured web measurements

Explore SHF3 VI Web gauging systems

Starting comparison

FlawSense or web visual inspection?

Start with geometry and the physical feature that must be measured. Final capability requires application review and, where appropriate, representative-sample testing.

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Preliminary routing comparison; the final system depends on the complete application.
Decision factor	LaserLinc FlawSense II	Scantech SHF3 VI
Product geometry	Tubing, catheter shafts, coated wire, cable, hose, and other qualified cylindrical products	Film, sheet, coated or biaxially oriented webs, and other qualified continuous webs
Primary signal	Direct three-dimensional outside-surface topography	Camera-based optical images and visual features
Representative concerns	Raised or recessed pits, scratches, gels, blisters, dents, wrinkles, cracks, and contour events	Gels, holes, scratches, streaks, wrinkles, contamination, dirt, opacity, condensation, and other image-visible defects
Dimensional context	Full-contour OD, true ovality, event height/depth, length, position, shape, and severity	Visual inspection can be combined with application-configured web measurement technologies
Material response	Opacity, reflectivity, finish, geometry, and motion affect fit; representative samples help confirm it	Designed for optical inspection of transparent and opaque materials; contrast, lighting, speed, and defect size still require review
First review step	OD envelope, defect library, surface, speed, handling, and good/borderline/reject samples	Web structure, width, speed, visual defect library, measurement goals, environment, and representative material

Match the method to the physics

What creates the rejectable signal?

A defect name alone is not enough. The same word—scratch, coating defect, contamination—can describe topography, visual contrast, an internal condition, or a functional failure.

Raised or recessed surface geometry

When the acceptance rule depends on measurable height, depth, shape, or full outside contour around a cylindrical product, begin with FlawSense.

Review 3D surface inspection →

Visual contrast or appearance on a web

When the defect appears as a hole, gel, streak, contamination, opacity change, wrinkle, or another camera-visible feature across a moving web, begin with web visual inspection.

Review web defect detection →

Wall, internal, dimensional, or functional risk

Surface systems do not replace ultrasonics, basis-weight or thickness gauging, leak, bond, burst, pull, chemistry, or other methods when those signals define acceptance.

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Coordinate the complete measurement stack

Surface inspection rarely stands alone

Use the dedicated solution hubs when the control plan also requires dimensional, profile, wall, or process measurements.

Web gauging systems

Review thickness, basis weight, density, cross-web profile, software, reporting, and compatible automatic-control architectures for continuous webs.

Explore web gauging systems →

Medical tubing measurement & inspection

Coordinate surface inspection with laser OD and ovality, ultrasonic wall and concentricity, full-length inspection, and offline QA.

Explore medical measurement systems →

Faster application review

Bring the product, defect library, and decision rule

Gauge Advisor helps separate the inspection question from the dimensional and process-control questions, then coordinates the appropriate manufacturer review, sample discussion, configuration, and quotation.

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Product geometry and complete material construction
Minimum, nominal, and maximum size or web width
Known good, borderline, and reject defect examples
Raised, recessed, contrast, color, opacity, or internal signal
Minimum defect height, depth, width, length, or area of concern
Line speed, vibration, tension, guidance, and available space
Transparent, opaque, reflective, textured, wet, or dry surface
Current inspection and laboratory reference method
Required images, records, reports, alarms, and traceability
PLC, MES, marker, cutter, diverter, or process-action requirements

Common starting questions

Surface inspection systems FAQ

These answers route the application. Representative products and defects may still be required to confirm performance.

Why are there separate systems for tubing and flat webs?

The geometry and inspection signal are different. FlawSense reconstructs the outside contour around a cylindrical product. SHF3 VI integrates camera-based visual inspection into a scanner frame for a moving flat web. Neither architecture is simply a different-size version of the other.

Can a diameter or thickness gauge detect every surface defect?

No. Dimensional gauges are designed for OD, ovality, thickness, basis weight, or profile. Some large defects may disturb those readings, but localized relief or image-visible features can require dedicated surface or visual inspection.

Can web gauging and visual inspection be combined?

Yes, in an application-configured Scantech architecture. SHF3 VI can combine visual inspection with supported web measurement technologies. The selected measurement head, web structure, width, speed, environment, and required outputs must be reviewed together.

Can SHF3 VI inspect transparent webs, and can FlawSense inspect clear tubing?

SHF3 VI is designed for optical inspection of transparent and opaque webs. Clear-tubing FlawSense applications follow a representative-sample review path. In both cases, actual surface response, contrast, geometry, speed, and defect characteristics determine performance.

Should we send representative defect samples?

Yes whenever practical. Known good, borderline, and reject samples help define the real physical signal, confirm sensitivity, establish thresholds, and avoid relying on a generic defect name or catalog specification alone.

What does Gauge Advisor provide?

Gauge Advisor provides application-first technical sales and support for LaserLinc and Scantech systems in the represented territory. Support includes preliminary routing, application review, sample coordination, configuration, quotation, integration discussion, and manufacturer-backed follow-up.