News Article
26th March 2009
STT Launch Award-Winning Aerosol Crimp Gauge
CASTLEFORD-BASED gauging specialists, Specialist Tooling Technologies Ltd, have launched a new crimp depth and diameter gauge specifically for the aerosol industry. Based on a unique design concept, it is already delivering considerable cost savings at Unilever where it has already won the chairman’s annual innovation award for drastically reducing rejects.
The new STT gauge uses a novel three-point probe mechanism to centralise the can and take a true diameter reading, while simultaneously measuring the depth of the crimp. It can therefore deliver a greater accuracy and repeatability than traditional two-point, hand held gauges, which are prone to operator error, have a tendency to be easily damaged, and often get lost or misplaced.
Designed to measure aerosol crimps to FEA and ISO standards, the STT gauge is easy to set-up and operate, and requires no re-setting for different sizes of can. Measurements are taken ‘hands-free’ ensuring consistency and repeatability between operators.
STT can supply the gauge as a stand-alone, bench mounted unit, with optional data logging and SPC packages or can fully integrate it into the process line to provide totally automatic gauging.
Comments quality manager Mike Steed at Unilever, who are currently using nine units: “Rejections for crimps out of specification can be very expensive and historically cost the company thousands of pounds using conventional methods.”
He continues: “Since introducing the STT gauge there have been few if any write-offs.”
A BS EN ISO9OO2 registered firm, STT specialises in providing innovative engineering solutions to tackle specific production and measurement problems.
