Issue 4 - January, 2001

Introduction

Advanced Gauging Technologies (A.G.T.) was founded in 1997 by the father and son team of Ron and Scott Cook. Their intention was to bring isotope thickness gauging into the 21st century. In less than two years since the first AGT400 system startup, they have already received orders for more than 50 gauging systems – strong evidence that customers feel A.G.T. has delivered tomorrow's gauging system today, and backs it up with world class service.

The Gauging Times™ is a quarterly newsletter designed to keep existing and potential customers current with the latest thickness gauge technology and features. In each issue we'll share some of our system's unique capabilities, along with technical tips, personal profiles, and glimpses of our future product development.

Personal Profile

Robert J. Cook

Bob Cook handles Manufacturing and Assembly at Advanced Gauging. He is a certified welder, and supervises the building of all our measuring head mounting structures (C-Frames). His mechanical background is applied towards solving unique application challenges. Having been one of the top ASE Master Technicians for Pontiac in the past, Bob is always able to solve design problems when we need help. And, you'll see him in the field occasionally as he usually makes service calls each month.

If you happen to see Bob at your facility, go out to the parking lot and take a look at his 1988 Mustang GT. Beneath the hood lurks a supercharged and intercooled 306 C.I.D. engine. Under the car you'll see ladder bars and other suspension components without brand names. That's because Bob thought he could build his own components and do a better job. We'd question this, but we can't catch him with his 0-100 mph time of about nine seconds on street tires…

Bob and his wife Laura, children Sarah, Susie, and Robby have an extended family including three horses, four dogs and two cats. Sounds like a zoo, but they spread out on forty acres.

Leak Tests Service Spare Parts

A.G.T. Field Service Engineers are licensed to perform semi-annual inspections and source wipes (leak tests) on nearly all makes and models of isotope thickness gauges. Many of our customers have replaced older obsolete gauges with our AGT400 Thickness Measurement & S.P.C. Reporting System. When this happens, we recycle any old parts that still have some life left in them. Consequently, a significant portion of our facility has become a virtual graveyard of dinosaur gauges. You'll save time and money if contact us first when you need parts and/or service on your isotope gauge.

Upgrade / Replacement Of Obsolete Gauging Systems

Many customers have old and/or obsolete gauging systems that have become difficult to maintain, or don't offer the S.P.C. reporting and data storage necessary in today's quality – driven environment. For approximately half the cost of a new system, A.G.T. can upgrade obsolete GR100, GR200 and GR2000 gauges. We typically replace all system electronics with the exception of the C-frame, measuring heads, tachometer and indicator lights. This upgrade connects your existing measuring heads to the latest in gauging technology, and brings you all features of an AGT400 Thickness Gauge & S.P.C. Reporting System. Other brands of obsolete gauges can be completely replaced by the AGT400. Following is a list of our first twenty gauge upgrades:

Technical Tip

AGT400 Product Menu

In our last issue of The Gauging Times™, we listed a wide variety of materials you can measure with modern AGT400 thickness gauges. Our extensive Product Menu also allows accurate overall thickness measurements of coated products. We accomplish what many competitive gauges cannot by using two separate calibration offsets in our Product menu. Gain is used to compensate for different substrate densities or gamma ray absorption coefficients. Zero is used in a slightly different way to compensate for varying coating types. Operators simply click on the preset Product to be measured (up to 25) and they get accurate thickness measurements – even with coatings!.