The LG-500 Laser Grooving Unit introduces a completely new approach to MI cable stripping for manufacturers of thermocouples, RTDs and other mineral insulated cable assemblies.
Instead of mechanically stripping the cable or cutting through the complete sheath, the LG-500 uses a 100 W fibre laser to create a perfectly controlled 360° circumferential groove around the outer sheath. This groove forms a predictable breaking line, allowing the cable tip to be removed quickly, cleanly and consistently while significantly reducing the risk of conductor damage.
By replacing one of the last highly manual production steps with an automated laser process, the LG-500 helps manufacturers improve quality, reduce labour dependency and prepare their production for the next level of automation.
Many manufacturers have already automated MI cable cutting and straightening.However, MI cable stripping often remains one of the last highly operator-dependent processes in temperature sensor manufacturing.Traditional stripping methods require considerable operator experience and can result in:
The LG-500 was developed specifically to eliminate these challenges through controlled laser grooving.
Unlike conventional stripping systems, the LG-500 does not cut completely through the MI cable. Instead, a precision fibre laser creates a perfectly concentric groove around the cable sheath. This controlled approach offers several important advantages:
The result is faster, cleaner and more consistent cable preparation for downstream sensor manufacturing.
One of the biggest advantages of the LG-500 is its simplicity. Instead of manually adjusting laser power, speed or focus, the operator only needs to select three production parameters:
Selecting the sheath material is important because every alloy interacts differently with laser energy. Stainless steel, Inconel and other high-temperature alloys each require their own validated laser parameters.
The machine automatically applies the correct laser process for the selected cable configuration.
This intelligent software significantly reduces operator training while ensuring repeatable stripping quality, regardless of who operates the machine.
+ Designed for mineral insulated (MI) cable with diameters from 0.25 mm to 8 mm
+ 100 W fibre laser with precision 360° circumferential grooving
+ Laser grooving completed in just a few seconds
+ Repeatable groove depth and positioning with reduced conductor damage
+ Simple operator interface requiring only three input parameters
+ Suitable for stainless steel, Inconel and other high-temperature alloys
+ Compact tabletop, fully enclosed Class 1 laser system, no shielding gas required
Speed is one of the major advantages of the LG-500. Current development testing demonstrates:
Combined with its automated parameter selection, the machine delivers identical groove position and groove depth throughout the entire production batch. The result is a highly repeatable process that is no longer dependent on operator experience.
Because the LG-500 creates a controlled circumferential groove instead of mechanically cutting or grinding the cable, manufacturers can significantly reduce the risk of: damaged thermocouple or RTD conductors, MgO contamination or distorted cable ends. This creates a cleaner starting point for ultrasonic stripping, welding and final sensor assembly.
The LG-500 has been developed for an exceptionally wide range of mineral insulated cable. Typical processing range:
0.25 mm to approximately 8 mm outer diameter
The machine has already been evaluated on numerous cable constructions, including:
One solution covering virtually the complete MI cable diameter range.
The LG-500 has been developed as a compact tabletop machine, allowing straightforward installation within existing production environments.
Although equipped with a powerful 100 W fibre laser, the machine is designed as a fully enclosed Class 1 laser system. Under normal operating conditions, no hazardous laser radiation is accessible to the operator, eliminating the need for laser safety glasses during standard production.
The enclosed design, combined with integrated safety interlocks, allows manufacturers to benefit from industrial laser technology while maintaining a safe working environment.
Unlike many laser welding or laser cutting systems, the LG-500 performs its laser grooving process without the use of argon or other shielding gases. This simplifies installation and reduces operating costs.The result is a highly efficient laser process with minimal operating complexity.
The LG-500 is designed to create the ideal preparation for the next manufacturing step. After laser grooving, the cable tip can be removed quickly and consistently using an ultrasonic stripping machine.
Because the laser produces a precise and repeatable breaking line, ultrasonic stripping becomes easier, faster and more predictable than with manually prepared cables. This combination significantly improves preparation quality for subsequent welding and sensor assembly.
Every MI cable construction behaves differently. For this reason, TMF offers laser-grooved sample packages. Customers can submit representative MI cable samples, after which our engineers prepare laser-grooved test pieces using the LG-500.
This allows manufacturers to evaluate:
The LG-500 has been developed in close cooperation with manufacturers active in high-temperature measurement and industrial sensor production. Throughout development, laser-grooved samples have been evaluated under real production conditions to optimise groove quality, stripping behaviour and process repeatability.
This continuous customer validation has helped shape the machine into a practical production solution rather than a laboratory concept.
The LG-500 is not a standalone machine, it is the next step in TMF’s vision of Complete Production Process Automation.
Today’s production flow:
Spool Holder → CS-1100 → Sorting Carousel → LG-500
Tomorrow’s production line:
Spool Holder → CS-1100 → Sorting Carousel → LG-500 → Laser Welding → Electrical Testing → Fully Automated Temperature Sensor Manufacturing
By connecting modular automation solutions, manufacturers can gradually transform individual manual operations into a fully automated production process while protecting previous investments.
The LG-500 replaces one of the last highly manual processes in temperature sensor manufacturing with a fast, repeatable and intelligent laser solution.
Whether you produce thermocouples, RTDs or other mineral insulated cable assemblies, the LG-500 helps improve quality, increase productivity and prepare your production for the future of automated sensor manufacturing.
