The main purpose of the individual needle control is to balance (equalize) the gob weights in a multi-gob operation. Today this is often done manually and can be perceived as tedious and time-consuming.
With the INC this is automatically done by using motorized actuators which are connected to the needles, a.k.a. plungers, on the glass feeder. The INC automatically calculates the weight differences of the gobs and then makes the necessary correction by sending pulses to the needle actuators.
The Gob Weight Controller in the GIA system then ensures that the weight is kept stable by automatically moving the tube by sending pulses to the tube-height actuator.
Contiuously monitoring of the gob
An additional feature of the INC is the Split Weight Monitor (SWM) which continuously monitors the gobs. The weight input is read from the GIA cameras which optically measure the gobs. If gob weights suddenly diverge and exceed a set tolerance, the SWM will issue an alarm/or automatically balance the gob weights and then enter gob weight control. The SWM is an effective safeguard for taking care of temporary abnormal behaviours in the feeder, e.g. temperature channelling resulting in split gob weights.
The GIA in combination with the INC gives the glass manufacturer a higher pack rate as all gobs are weight-controlled and production disturbances can be detected at an early stage. This is the only multi gob weight control system applicable for both Blow & Blow process and Narrow-Neck Press & Blow process. The GIA-INC can either work stand-alone or be interfaced to other needle/plunger controlling systems.
For more information and inquiries, please contact: info@gedevelop.com