All over the world manufacturers in the glass fiberizing and wool industry are interested to increase the quality of their products. The GFM system works without contact with the glass and data can be collected in real time and used immediately for optimum control of the manufacturing process. This gives lower costs for raw material and shortens downtime in production, which in turn gives higher productivity and increased profitability.

The Gob Image Analyser has enhanced provision for communication and connection to external systems.The GIA system is based on a client/server technology using DCOM interface to provide means for necessary data exchange and remote control. This enables any Windows-based application e.g. Microsoft Excel and other third party SPC and SCADA programs to take advantage of the GIA real-time output capabilities.

GIA clients can be connected to the GIA server over LAN (Local Area Network) and in addition over the Internet. Gob viewers can be connected to optional CUs for easy real-time comparison between different production lines as well as at different plant locations.

Remote on-line help will also be possible together with software updates.

Third party "plug-ins" can be attached to the GIA software through standardized software interface components.

GIA Media Broker Server – GMBS
The GMBS acts as information exchange software, a bridge, between the analyser and other software systems such as Statistical, Math, Quality Assurance, SCADA, Visual Basic and Excel.

The media broker pulls real time data of the gob image analyser and transfers it using different connectivity servers. Servers are available for Windows Socket connection (WinSock), Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) or Ole for Process Control (OPC). Custom-made connectivity servers can be provided on request.

The GIA media broker server is purchased and licensed utilizing a “try before you buy” procedure.

GIA – Gob Temperature Measurement
The GIA camera has a built-in GTM for measuring the temperature along the length of the gob. For each scan (slice), a temperature measurement is made on about an 8 mm wide spot in the centre of the gob. All the temperature measurements can be shown superimposed on the image divided into up to 12 zones.

Two-colour pyrometer
A two-colour pyrometer highlights the temperature profile throughout the gob. It has a number of advantages over one-wavelength pyrometers. It features the insensitivity to variations in the emissivity of the glass and minimizes the influence of signal attention caused by dust and smoke, closely associated with the gob forming process.

GIA pyrometer principle
The GIA pyrometer works in a wavelength spectrum where most types of glass materials are semitransparent. This means that the radiation originates from the volume of the gob rather than from the surface, as is the case with ordinary glass pyrometers detecting radiation from a narrow band of around 5 microns.

The Gob Weight Control function of the GIA system is based on an advanced PLC, which keeps the gob weight stable. The gob weight and the GWC function adjust the tube height or the plunger position to keep a constant gob weight.

Reduction of weight and time
Control of the gob is essential and will allow a substantial reduction of the glass container weight.

Reduction of tolerances means better conditions in the forehearth and allows glassmakers to stay close to the set point, thus enabling them to reduce overall weight and consequently cut production costs. Whether it is a B&B, P&B or NNP&B process, to reach the correct weight of the product as soon as possible should be seen as a logical target. By using the automatic gob weight control of the GIA system, run-in time is considerably reduced.

Easy dynamic setting of parameters
The gob weight controlling is done by the GWC software, which also controls the input and output such as digital up/down output for the tube drive(s). Up to four IS-machines can be run on one CPU. The GWC supports easy dynamic setting of parameters such as inner and outer working range (two levels of control-response); backlash compensation and pulse-length can be set. The set point weight can also be set dynamically, which is compared to the weight fed by the GIA. The difference in weight causes the GWC to react and issues proper output for the tube drive.

An operator’s panel (OP) is connected to the gob weight control for supervision and routine operation. For each GWC one OP is available, which can be independently assigned to a GIA.

Stabilizing the process
The automatic gob weight control will stabilize the process as only small corrections are made and the weight can be reduced as the tolerances are tighter and the human factor is eliminated. A saving of 1.5-2 grams per container is a fact in a plant with an average container weight of approximately 300 grams.

Individual Needle Control in multi-gob operations
The Individual Needle Control (INC) is a collection of extended functionalities of the Gob Image Analyser (GIA) system and is aimed at double, triple and quad gob operations. The INC includes functionalities such as automatic individual needle control and split weight monitoring and can be used for all types of production processes, i.e. NNPB, PB and BB.