ISWatch is an AI-powered infrared camera system for hot-end inspection, real-time process monitoring and process control. Two, three, four or more compact infrared cameras inspect hot glass bottles and jars directly after the IS machine.
Inspection is powered by the Cortex Glass neural network. A configuration with three sidewall cameras, a finish camera and a bottom camera supports inspection of round and complex non-round containers.
ISWatch detects and rejects critical defects such as:
Rejecting these defects at the hot end reduces blocked ware at the cold end. Personnel are alerted when critical defects are detected so they can respond promptly.
The system also rejects containers with:
ISWatch can be equipped with a finish inspection camera and an AI-driven neural network to detect finish defects.
With a bottom-inspection camera and an AI-powered neural network, ISWatch detects stuck glass and other defects in jar bottoms.
Using the bottom inspection camera, the system also monitors bottle movement along the hot-end transport path, measuring position, spacing and rotation. This helps production teams reduce jams, detect unstable transport conditions earlier and improve hot-end flow.
ISWatch provides real-time, cavity-specific information on:
Measurements are displayed in trend graphs alongside infrared images. Alerts help personnel respond to changes in the glass-forming process.
With the Image Storage module, camera images can be stored for several months and accessed through the ISWatch system or a web browser.
Compact camera cabinets can be mounted directly onto the conveyor or installed as freestanding units with a small footprint. Their compact design makes installation at the hot end straightforward.
Cortex Glass is developing an integrated approach that connects hot-end inspection, AI-driven process analysis and machine control. By linking detected defects and process information to forming conditions, this development helps production teams investigate possible causes and determine suitable adjustments.
ISWatch plays a central role as we work step by step towards an autonomous glass-forming process.
The ISWatch system provides a data interface for closed loop swabbing robot control.
The swabbing robot can be directed to swab a particular mold with the right quantity of lubricant based on the ISWatch measurement of:
The closed loop system can also use the information of the GobWatch (gob weight, gob temperature) and BlankWatch (blank temperatures and gob loading) systems to further optimize the robot swabbing process.
