A simple approach to fine wire diameter measurement using a high-resolution flatbed scanner

Abstract

This article describes a simple approach for diameter measurement of fine electrical wire using a high-resolution flatbed scanner and image analysis technique. Wire diameter measurement is normally carried out manually using a vernier caliper, micrometer, microscope, or profile projector. Such methods are difficult to use for checking small diameter wires in the micrometer range. A simple wire diameter measurement method was developed using a high-resolution flatbed scanner, a standard PC, and Matlab software. The specimen wire was placed at the center of the glass plate of the scanner and covered with a 2 mm thick glass sheet. The image was scanned in grayscale using scanning resolutions of 1200, 2400, and 3600 dpi. The measurement results obtained using the flatbed scanner were compared with those obtained using a profile projector. The maximum percentage difference between the two readings for the 3600 dpi resolution setting is 4.5%.