Agr International has designed a system to automate bottle and preform measurements into a single operation.
Agr says the new Gawis 4D is both a thickness measurement system and a dimensional gauging device. When combined with automation, the system simplifies container measurement operations and maximizes testing throughput.
Agr says the system is built on a new measurement platform that incorporates advanced features, such as: a customizable user interface with swipe and zoom capabilities; job setup and editing tools called AutoJob; high resolution, USB 3 camera technology; and Industry 4.0 communication protocols to share data, support remote job change, and interface with factory robotic handling systems without operator intervention.
The vision technology can document dimensions of production containers for the qualification and management of molds. The measurement technology incorporates high pixel density camera components with enhanced telecentric optics and lighting. Agr says this combination provides the highest dimensional precision and repeatability as well as a low percent of process variation for individual measurements.
Advanced algorithms enable the measurement of a wide range of finish dimensions on bottles and preforms.
Also, a large library of industry standard finish measurement routines is provided with each system, which also can be customized.
In addition, AutoJob, a patent pending feature, provides automated recognition of key finish measurements on a bottle or preform sample. The operator can adjust the selection, add control limits to the selection, and incorporate additional measurements. Agr says this feature accelerates job creation and saves hundreds of labor hours through the course of a year.
Gawis 4D utilizes two approaches to thickness measurement. One method takes advantage of the full infrared bandwidth to expands capabilities by providing measurements on translucent plastic materials previously not possible with non-contact approaches. Agr says most high density polyethylene, polypropylene and heavily colored PET containers that have IR light transmission as low as 5 percent can now be measured.
The other method system incorporates Agr's traditional IR reference and absorption thickness measurement technology for PET bottles, preforms and most transparent materials.
The Gawis 4D system offers a wide range of measurement options including thickness at single or multiple discrete points anywhere on the sidewall or heel of the bottle or the ability to perform complete vertical or horizontal (circumferential) scans for analyzing material distribution.
For more information, go to www.agrintl.com.