Ethin joined the AGT family on March 31st, 2025, and has been making an impact ever since. One of his favorite parts of working at AGT is getting to dive into the science behind what we do, and seeing firsthand how it helps customers every day. He also loves the new experiences that come with traveling on the job and getting to meet so many great people along the way.

When he’s not in the field, Ethin is a big cooking and video game enthusiast. His specialty in the kitchen? A homemade chili with ground beef that’s hard to beat. His go-to comfort meal is a beef stroganoff with mashed potatoes; a classic done right.

Ethin also enjoys hiking, and one of his favorite places to visit is Savannah, Georgia where he’s originally from. For work travel, his favorite trip so far has been Sacramento, especially because it lined up with Comic Con—a perfect blend of work and fun.

We’re proud to have Ethin on the AGT team and appreciate the energy, curiosity, and dedication he brings to every job! 👏

This month, we’re spotlighting the AGT600 Industrial Laser Thickness Gauge a powerful, non-contact solution designed to replace traditional contact gauges with greater accuracy, reliability, and virtually no maintenance.

The AGT600 is built on a rugged C-frame design engineered to fit directly into your existing gauge track, allowing mills to upgrade their measurement technology with minimal downtime. Because it uses laser triangulation instead of mechanical contact, there are no tips, rolls, or suspension components to wear out — just clean, consistent, high-resolution thickness data.

Why the AGT600 stands out:

• Non-contact laser technology – no risk of marks or scratches on your material
• Real-time thickness & deviation outputs for closed-loop process control
• Touchscreen interface showing thickness, target, and deviation instantly
• ISOcal™ certified calibration using NIST-traceable samples
• High-speed, high-accuracy Keyence laser sensors for unmatched reliability
• Compact, space-saving design for tight lines
• Plug-and-play flexibility — permanent or mobile installation

The AGT600 can measure metals, plastics, rubber, vinyl, linoleum, and more, making it ideal for roll forming lines, coating lines, and inspection stations where precision matters.

By gauging material at the entry of the roll forming line, the AGT600 delivers the highest resolution thickness data possible, giving operators the control they need to protect quality, reduce scrap, and maximize yield.

📩 Contact AGT today to bring the AGT600 into your plant and experience laser-based measurement done right.

Technician Tuesday Spotlight: Tony Drakeford

   This week, we’re excited to highlight Tony Drakeford, one of the newest members of the AGT technician family! Tony is originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, and made the move to Ohio in 2015 to be closer to family. He officially joined the AGT family in August 2023, and we’re glad to have him on the team.

Tony’s favorite part of working at AGT is learning the science behind what we do and seeing how that knowledge directly helps our customers. He enjoys meeting new people on the job and values the relationships built while supporting operations across the industry.

When he’s not in the field, Tony loves traveling back to the East Coast to spend time with family. He’s also a big fan of our office workouts and staying active—while still fully embracing his love for good food.

We’re proud to have Tony on the team and appreciate the energy, curiosity, and dedication he brings to AGT every day!

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Mill Steel has recently placed an order for AGT400 system upgrades, reinforcing their commitment to precision measurement and consistent quality across their operations. These upgrades will enhance real-time thickness monitoring, improve data visibility, and support tighter process control on the line. AGT is proud to support Mill Steel as they continue investing in reliable, proven measurement technology to drive efficiency and product confidence.

At Advanced Gauging Technologies, accurate measurement starts with the people behind the equipment.

Our field service technicians work directly on customer lines, ensuring our gauging systems are installed, maintained, and performing exactly as they should; even in the toughest mill environments.

This week’s Technician Tuesday spotlight features Jim Russell, one of the dedicated professionals who helps keep our customers’ operations running smoothly.

Jim has been part of the AGT team for 13 years, and his favorite part of the job has always been the people he’s met along the way. One of his most memorable experiences was traveling to Korea for a startup; a trip that was originally planned for one week but unexpectedly turned into three due to a surprise quarantine. Despite the unexpected extension, Jim says, “I will never forget the kind people I met and how serene everything was…and the food was incredible.”

Outside of work, Jim’s favorite place to visit is Grand Cayman, a destination that never fails to impress. He also loves cheering on the Buckeyes every Saturday during football season and is a big Joe Burrow fan. Bonus tip: if you ever get the chance to grab a meal with Jim, you can’t go wrong with Italian.

From on-site troubleshooting to preventative maintenance and system optimization, our technicians bring expertise, reliability, and a customer-first mindset to every service visit.

👏 Thank you, Jim Russell, for the work you do and the value you bring to our customers every day!