The decision to equip all production lines with XPAR Vision infrared camera systems is a direct result of the need for quality control at the hot end in addition to quality selection at the cold end.

Oliver Wiegand from Wiegand-Glas explains: “Customer expectations are steadily increasing and put pressure on our inspection capabilities. In the meantime we are faced with environmental policy pressures regarding carbon emission and energy usage. In order to face this pressure we simply have to move our attention from quality selection at the cold end (correction!) to quality control at the hot end (prevention!). As we want to continue to be one of the most innovative and technically advanced companies in the container glass industry, and as XPAR Vision is the world leader in this field, our choice for XPAR Vision is a logic one.”

The results of the use of the new technology have been good although the implementation has taken some time. Implementing quality control at the hot end does require a totally different way of working. Josef Möhrlein: “As such we have gone through a process of changing our mind sets. Now the hot end operator is more self-supporting with regard to the quality and quantity of the hot end output”. The advantages are numerous. Karl-Heinz Mann: “Every change in the glass-forming process is visualised through the infrared images from the XPAR. As a result we are informed about any process variation in real-time and we are able to make necessary process corrections without any time delay”.

The main reason for Wiegand Glas to equip all production lines is to create a company wide emphasis on quality control. And not only on the level of the operators. Oliver Wiegand: “Through the XPAR Vision SQL database and XMIS (management information system) the supervisors incl. management have access to all hot end quality and efficiency data from all lines. Having this information allows for making all kinds of internal benchmarks which in return allows for asking the most relevant questions. As a result working on structural process improvement is embedded throughout.”

As a result, hot end quality control pays off. And last but not least: XPAR Vision assists Wiegand-Glas in ensuring that the systems are implemented effectively. This implementation assistance includes training of specialists and operators, hands-on assistance and consultancy.

No need to say that XPAR Vision is also happy with the decision of Wiegand Glas. Paul Schreuders: “The fact that Wiegand Glas has decided to equip all their lines with XPAR cameras is an important incentive for us. It is the ultimate confirmation that our technology is mature and it is the proof that hot end inspection and forming process control as an investment does pay off.”

Please also visit the Wiegand Glas website