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In addition to un-paralleled measuring and testing precision, the SPT2 can test up to 270 bottles per hour, offering a 35% throughput improvement over existing industry offerings. This capability is a key advantage of this system and can result in significant savings in testing and production efficiencies.
To achieve throughput at this rate, the SPT2 employs a two-station design with concurrent volume measurement and pressure testing operations. A robotic handling system provides for optimal bottle travel and placement through the system. Closed-loop controls are in place to manage bottles throughout the system and dynamically monitor the testing process to maintain the most efficient bottle processing and throughput.
Multiple line compatibility is another added feature of this system. The SPT2’s “intelligent management system” and universal bottle holders can automatically adjust for bottles of different sizes and finishes. This capability combined with the high throughput rate makes it possible to test different bottles from multiple manufacturing lines, or hand-feed a set of bottles as required, without the need to stop and reconfigure the system.
In addition to pressure testing, the SPT2 can be configured with an optional volume measurement system. This capability provides a real alternative to the time consuming and labor intensive work required for laboratory volume tests that have often limited the frequency and number of bottles sampled for this important measurement. With the SPT2, volume measurements are performed simultaneously with pressure tests, capturing volume measurements with every pressure test. Furthermore, the SPT2 not only provides traditional volume fill point measurements, but also fill point at a given volume and overflow, all in a single operation.
The increased throughput of the SPT2 offers glass bottle makers a way to sample ware on a more frequent basis, and as a result, proactively detect and correct pressure and volume-related problems before they become quality issues, a plus for both bottle makers and their customers.
The SPT2 can be configured on a sampling line to provide a protocol to integrate easily with commercial process management systems. The SPT2 is also designed to operate seamlessly with Agr’s OmniLab® automated measurement system. When integrated with the OmniLab system, pressure and volume as well as dimension, weight and thickness data can be correlated into one report.
The SPT2™ and OmniLab® are part of Agr’s broad line of, on-line, laboratory testing and quality control devices for the glass container and filling industries.
