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Odyssey-4

The Odyssey-4 is a high precision system for the stripping of enamels from small gage wires down to 58 AWG and even smaller. It is the perfect solution for medical device manufacture.

Featuring ultra-violet laser technology, the Odyssey-4 vaporizes any polyimide-type insulation cleanly and precisely, whilst harmlessly reflecting from the shield or conductor, giving a perfect, nick-free strip every time. Unlike competing laser technologies no residue is left, so it is possible to connect to the wire without further chemical treatment.

Highlights of the Odyssey-4

Flexibility – ability to strip single or multiple wires or ribbons of up to 2″ (50 mm) in length and 2″ (50 mm) in width (2″x 2″). Wires are held in place by a fixture, ensuring accurate positioning.
Precise and clean – dual galvanometer scanner optical system strips the wires from top and bottom to give a precise 360-degree strip. This results in complete ablation of the insulation, without any damage to the underlying conductor.
Fast and consistent – typically strips a wire end in around 1 second and +/- 0.001 inch positioning repeatability for the best quality, every time.
Programmable and easy to use – strip parameters can be pre-programmed and selected from a simple to operate touchscreen. Different insulation types and thicknesses can be accommodated by adjusting the speed of the laser beam across the wire and the selected power.
Compact and efficient – the system is bench-mounted and connected to a standard single phase power supply. An under-bench control unit houses the extraction unit, controls, and laser chiller.
Customization: fixtures can be customized to accommodate different wire and strip requirements.
Inline systems are available to allow automated stripping from spool to spool using a precision wire transport system.
Quality control – inbuilt camera checks wire position and strip results. Optional vision control system validates quality.

Benefits

Retro-fits into existing production lines even when space it at a premium.
Reduces expensive scrappage.
Automates the stripping process to improve production yields.
Mitigates the risk of reputation damage and reduces cost of in-field failure by controlling one of the key processes of product manufacture.
Peace of mind – reliable closed-loop camera vision system to validate and verify product quality.

Application

Strip Types
The Odyssey-4 system is capable of stripping almost all magnet wire insulations from 30 AWG down to 58 AWG and smaller. The system can strip single wires or ribbons (bi-filar, tri-filar, twisted pair, etc).

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In addition, the same laser source can be used to cut the individual wires enabling precision connectorization - with the highest accuracy strip lengths.

Materials
All Odyssey systems are capable of stripping polyimide type enamel insulations found on catheter wiring and magnet wires. Note the laser will not strip fluoropolymers such as PTFE or ETFE.

Polyurathane Enamel EW / EWF
Polyester Enamel PEW
Polyester-imide EIW
Polyamide-imide
Kapton
ML
etc.

Specs

Min. Outer Cable Diameter	0.025 mm (0.001")
Max. Outer Cable Diameter	0.25 mm (0.2")
Stripping Length Increments	0.1 mm (0.01")
Strip types	Area ablation of enamel insulation plus cutting of conductors
Max. Stripping Length	50 mm (2")
Speed	Up to 3000 mm/s (120"/s)
Cable Loading	Via fixture plate - up to 50 x 50 mm (2" x 2") stripped at once
Dimensions (H x W x D)	Bench unit: 620 mm (24.41") x 200 mm (7.87") x 760 mm (29.92") Under bench unit: 730 mm (28.74") x 600 mm (23.62") x 630 mm (24.80")

More info

The Laser Wire Solution Odyssey-4 strips enamelled wire and multi-filar ribbon ranging in size from 0.025 – 0.25 mm OD (0.001" – 0.01"). The laser is strongly absorbed by the wire insulation causing it to vaporize with little or no heat affected zone. The laser light mostly reflects from the conductor, with only a slight surface melt evident under an electron microscope. By grossly changing the laser settings it is possible to also cut the wire using the same laser source allowing precision cutting of the wire as well as the stripping.

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Electron microscope image of a 42 AWG wire laser stripped with Odyssey laser technology

The wires are stripped from two sides to obtain a 360 degree strip.

The Odyssey provides the perfect solution for the highest quality stripping requirements. The laser is gentle enough to leave the underlying plating intact.

The system is simple to operate. Using the color touchscreen, the operator selects the desired stripping settings (laser power, strip type and strip positions) from the pre-programmed library and all parameters are automatically set. The stripping pattern can be complex, including multiple stripping layers, areas and combination of stripping and cutting via a fully flexible interface.

The Odyssey-4 begins the stripping process when the Operator starts the process via the touchscreen or by a supplied footswitch.

The wires/cables are held in position via a precision fixture plate. The fixture locates with high accuracy onto the machine mechanism. Multiple wires can be stripped as part of one operation.

Optional extra: additional high resolution camera, lighting and screen as a wire fixture loading aid.

Category: Odyssey