Development of Continuous Thickness Measurement System for Long-Length HTS CCs

In this article, we present a newly developed continuous thickness measurement system for long-length high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coated conductors (CCs). Uniform thickness in HTS CCs is critical for maintaining consistent magnetic field performance and mechanical integrity, particularly in applications such as superconducting coil windings. Our system employs a reel-to-reel (R2R) mechanism integrated with confocal laser sensors to enable real-time, non-contact thickness measurements. Comprehensive trials were carried out to evaluate the system's accuracy and precision, including static scans at various speeds and comparisons with cross-sectional analysis using optical microscopy. Additionally, the system demonstrated high precision, with repeatability confirmed through 10 repeated measurements along the length and width of a 12 m-long Cu-plated HTS CC. This development is expected to significantly improve the manufacturing process, enhance quality control, and support factory automation for consistent production of high-performance HTS magnets.