ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Photonix,
Inc.® (NYSE MKT: API) today announced that it has signed
a value-added reseller (VAR) agreement for its T-Gauge®
industrial terahertz gauging system with Seltek Ltd. Seltek is a
leading manufacturer of measurement and process control systems for
continuous web production industries.
The T-Gauge® measurement system can be used for
online or offline measurements for quality assurance and process
control of web-based and converting industries. The
T-Gauge® Sensor is the world's first terahertz sensor
for online process control, quality control, and nondestructive
testing. With no ionizing radiation (like x-ray) and no radioactive
elements (like nuclear gauges), the T-Gauge® Sensor
provides an alternative to legacy technology that requires
excessive regulation and control. Terahertz energy will penetrate
opaque materials, allowing measurements to be performed on any
non-conductive material.
The T‑Gauge® Control Unit (TCU™) is the
central component of the T-Gauge® family of products,
and it sources the optical and electrical signals necessary to
generate and detect terahertz (THz) pulses if the TCU is connected
to THz accessories. It also transforms analog data into a digital
signal that can be analyzed using the onboard processor.
The TCU is a 19-inch (483 mm) rack, wall, or table mountable
intelligent instrument that controls the fiber-coupled THz sensor
and includes a high performance waveform processor. The TCU has all
the required connections for convenient interfacing to various
optical and electronic components. The high-speed delay included in
the TCU can be chosen from a number of delay lengths and speed
options. When utilized in conjunction with Advanced Photonix
T-Gauge® accessories, the TCU enables the user to
generate and detect pulsed terahertz energy that can be used to
measure physical properties. The TCU has received both UL and CE
marks, and can be operated in a wide range of environments. The
high signal-to-noise ratio of our THz signal allows the
T-Gauge® Sensor to operate at up to a 1kHz measurement
rate, which allows tight control of the manufacturing line.
API is developing a VAR partner network to enable
T-Gauge® industrial process control solutions for
continuous web, discrete manufacturing and anomaly defect
inspection applications. The company plans to develop a VAR network
which will serve vertical markets where VARs have unique subject
matter expertise. VAR partners are trained to sell, install and
support API T-Gauge® products. Each VAR will have an in
house application development T-Gauge® system to perform
feasibility studies and develop new market applications for
non-contact measuring of physical properties such as; multiple
layer thickness measurements, density, contamination by foreign
substances, sub-surface defects within a product and moisture
analysis. The technology is very adaptable to different sensor
configurations, including robotic controls, to support many
different applications. The resulting innovative gauge will help
manufacturers to improve quality and reduce costs.
Richard Kurtz, President and CEO
commented, "We are always on the lookout for strong VAR partners
and have been developing and building a VAR partner network. We are
pleased to have established this relationship with Seltek, which
has a long history of supporting a world-wide customer base for
manufacturing process control. Seltek provides a global presence
with world class customer support and market knowledge, which we
believe will lead to more rapid market adoption of our terahertz
T-Gauge® platform."
Yasar Karadeniz, Managing
Director of Seltek Ltd. said, "We are delighted about this new
relationship with Advanced Photonix. Their new T-Gauge®
sensor technology complements our existing sensor technology and
provides a precise, accurate and reliable system that our customers
can use to monitor and control their manufacturing process manually
or automatically."
Kurtz continued, "VARs are an important part of our distribution
channel strategy. VARs provide the end customer the total solution.
This solution is based on a Quality Control System or QCS. In web
or continuous manufacturing, a typical system is made up of the
scanning system that moves our T-Gauge® sensor across
the web material to measure physical properties, like layer
thickness, overall thickness, density, and sometimes moisture, all
at the same time. In a closed loop control system, the VARs
software interfaces between the T-Gauge® measurements
and the production control system. The position or location of the
sensor position relative to the web is used to control the
extrusion, calendaring or composite structure of the product
manufactured. The process control can be accomplished using
automated or manual die, pressure and material feed controls. The
VARs also take responsibility for: installation of the scanning
equipment and T-Gauge® sensor; Human Machine Interface
(HMI) of the control system for operator input; service and
support."
"In discrete manufacturing VARs can use robotic, two or multiple
axis or fixed locations to inspect product that is an individual
item, like blow molded bottles. Here depending on line speed, the
size and number of points to be inspected, the VARs can either
perform sampling or 100%."
Kurtz concluded, "Our VARs also have a worldwide network of
sales and service personnel expanding the number of 'feet on the
street' offering our T-Gauge® Sensor to customers."
About Seltek Ltd.
Seltek is engaged in the design, manufacturing, installation and
commissioning of process measurement and control systems for
continuous web product industries such as metal rolling mills,
paper mills, cast film lines, plastics, nonwoven, calendaring,
textiles, and converting. For more information visit them at
www.seltek.com.
About Advanced Photonix, Inc.
Advanced Photonix, Inc.® (NYSE MKT: API) is a leading supplier
of optoelectronic sensors, devices and instruments used by Test and
Measurement, Process Control, Medical, Telecommunication and
Homeland Security markets. The company has three product lines:
Optosolutions focuses on enabling manufacturers to measure physical
properties, including temperature, particular counting, color, and
fluorescence for Medical, Homeland Security and Process Control
applications. The Terahertz sensor product line is targeted to the
Process Control, to enable quality control, and Security markets
through nondestructive testing. The T-Gauge® sensor can
measure subsurface physical properties, like multi-layers
thicknesses, density, moisture content, anomaly detection and some
chemical features, online and in real time. High-Speed Optical
Receiver (HSOR) products are used by the telecommunication market
in both telecommunication equipment and in test and measurement
equipment utilized in the manufacturing of telecommunication
equipment. For more information visit us on the web at
www.advancedphotonix.com.
The information contained herein includes forward looking
statements that are based on assumptions that management believes
to be reasonable but are subject to inherent uncertainties and
risks including, but not limited to, unforeseen technological
obstacles which may prevent or slow the development and/or
manufacture of new products; potential problems with the
integration of the acquired company and its technology and possible
inability to achieve expected synergies; obstacles to successfully
combining product offerings and lack of customer acceptance of such
offerings; limited (or slower than anticipated) customer acceptance
of new products which have been and are being developed by the
Company; and a decline in the general demand for optoelectronic
products.
CONTACT: ir@advancedphotonix.com
SOURCE: Advanced Photonix, Inc.
RELATED LINKS: http://www.advancedphotonix.com
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SOURCE Advanced Photonix, Inc.