Issue 7 - February, 2002

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 current and future customers up-to-date with the latest thickness gauging technology and features, along with services we offer. In each issue we'll share some of our system's unique capabilities, in addition to personal profiles, technical tips and glimpses of our future product development.

Personal Profile

Daniel J. Marchio

Daniel J. Marchio is the newest Service Technician for Advanced Gauging Technologies. In March of 2001, he graduated from DeVry Institute of Technology with an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics and Computer Technology. Upon graduation, Dan joined the team at A.G.T. to perform such duties as assembly and testing of the AGT400, and service of the many brands of isotope thickness gauges we now support.

Dan was born and spent his childhood years in the small town of Martins Ferry, Ohio. As a child Dan was always fascinated with how things worked and wanted to learn more about electronics. Upon graduating from Martins Ferry High School, he spent one year working at RXI Plastics to be able to afford a car for college.

During Dan's college years, he worked at Tracewell Systems in Westerville, Ohio. This job gave him skills in the areas of soldering, wiring, and troubleshooting circuits.

In Dan's spare time he enjoys lifting weights, working on his 2002 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T and spending time with his girlfriend Jen.

Replacement of Obsolete Gauges

Many customers have chosen to replace their obsolete gauges with the AGT400 Thickness Gauge & S.P.C. Reporting System. We can replace almost any thickness gauge using an AM241 radiation source.

Lots of older Gamma, Weston, Loral, D.M.C. and Hitachi gauges are nearing or in some cases are beyond the point where it makes sense to consider replacing them. Here are some reasons why this might make sense for you:

- obsolete hardware can be extremely expensive, and many times it can only be replaced with used components.

- obsolete software can be difficult or impossible to replace and/or have updated

- AGT400 Thickness Gauges are much more accurate (especially on coated materials) than previous generations of gauges.

- AGT400 Thickness Gauges automatically produce and store Coil Reports and Shift Summary Reports. These can be easily recalled at any point in the future.

ISOcheck™ and ISOcal™

AGT400 Thickness Gauges incorporate integrated internal samples. These samples are built into the Source Head device and make it very easy to verify gauge accuracy and make adjustments if necessary.

AGT400 ISOcheck™ in progress.

The ISOcheck™ procedure takes approximately one minute, and checks gauge accuracy at zero, infinity and three points within the typicalthickness range of your line. In addition, ISOcheck™ automatically adjusts the calibration curve (if necessary) based on the zero and infinity readings. We typically recommend the ISOcheck™ be performed weekly.

The ISOcal™ procedure performs the same basic functions as the ISOcheck™, but the calibration curve is reshaped based on all five measurement points (zero, infinity and three internal sample thicknesses). Generally speaking, the ISOcal™ procedure should be reserved for any time the ISOcheck™ does not produce acceptable results.

Following the ISOcheck™ or ISOcal™ procedures (or at any time actually) you may click Print Report for a document showing before and after values, along with DC power supply voltages.