Agr International introduces an all-new, high-precision laboratory thickness and dimensional measurement system for plastic containers
Agr International has unveiled their latest development, the Gawis 4D™, a totally new laboratory test system that is designed to provide a new level of design, process and quality management for plastic containers and preforms. This system affords operators with the ability to perform multiple measurements, on a wide range of plastic containers and preforms, with unmatched accuracy, repeatability and operational throughput. This all-in-one measurement system incorporates the latest optical gauging and thickness measurement technology, in combination with automation, to simplify container measurement operations while maximizing testing throughput.
Agr’s Gawis product line, introduced over 20 years ago has provided plastic bottle and preform producers around the world with a means to perform accurate and repeatable dimensional and thickness measurements as part of their quality management program. The Gawis 4D is the latest generation, all new measurement platform that incorporates a number of features and capabilities.
Some of the many features include:
- AutoJob™ – Quick and automated job creation, without advanced knowledge of the finish
- Increased measurement throughput up to 30%
- Compatibility with existing Gawis jobs
- High resolution , USB 3 camera technology
- Optimized lensing and telecentric optics
- 360º imaging, with frames captured up to 1º
- Performance to ISBT, ASTM and equivalent international standards
- Industry 4.0 communication protocols
Advanced Vision Technology for Precise Dimensional Gauging
A major design emphasis for the Gawis 4D is to provide measurements with a level of precision and repeatability for PET, PE and PP containers that not only can document dimensions of production containers but also have sufficient precision for the qualification and management of molds. The vision measurement technology incorporated in the Gawis 4D utilizes high pixel density camera components in combination with enhanced telecentric optics and lighting. This combination provides a very crisp edge shadow, making it possible to achieve the highest dimensional precision and repeatability as well as a very low percent of process variation for individual measurements. All this is done while increasing throughput by 30%.
The unique design of the Gawis 4D imaging system, along with advanced measurement algorithms, provides the capability to measure an extensive range of finish dimensions on bottles and preforms. Jobs can be configured for single or multiple combinations of measurements without sacrificing throughput. A large library of industry standard finish measurement routines is provided with each system. These are each customizable to meet the needs of the application.
AutoJob™
A patent pending feature on the Gawis 4D is AutoJob. This feature simplifies job setup by providing automated recognition of key finish measurements on a bottle or preform sample. With this feature, the operator simply selects the AutoJob mode. The Gawis 4D will then scan the sample, identify the standard finish measurements for that sample and incorporate them into the job. The operator can make adjustments or additional measurements as necessary. This facilitates easy job creation, saving hundreds of labor hours through the course of a year.
Thickness measurement
The Gawis 4D system utilizes Agr’s proprietary and proven infrared light spectrometer measurement technology to perform thickness measurements. This method offers fast and precise thickness measurement without contacting the container or preform and is compatible with most colors as well as a range of polymer materials. Major advantages of this technology are the speed and accuracy of measurement as well as its ability to measure thickness at discrete points or scan vertical or horizontal regions for analyzing material distribution. Further, measurements can be performed at multiple locations and regions on the sample to get a full profile of the bottle. Once a job is defined, measurements are performed exactly the same way on every sample.
Industry 4.0 communication
Industry 4.0 standard communication protocols have also been incorporated into the Gawis 4D to improve communications and support Industry 4.0 objectives. These include OPC and XML with TCP/IP connectivity. This capability facilitates advanced communication with other devices, to share data, support remote job change (commands and uploads) and interface with factory robotic handling systems without operator intervention.
Agr offers a complete line of products for the measurement and testing of plastic containers. Agr products are designed to assist container producers, converters and fillers stay competitive while meeting the increased quality demands of today’s changing world. Additional details can be found on the Agr website at www.agrintl.com.
Photo Caption 1: In addition to discrete measurements, the Gawis 4D can perform horizontal or vertical scans of the bottle/preform for analyzing material distribution.
Photo Caption 2: High pixel density camera components along with telecentric optics and lighting are incorporated in the Gawis 4D to achieve a high level of dimensional precision and repeatability