In insulating glass production, gas measurement is not the challenge. Consistency is. Operational questions typically arise such as: when should measurement be performed, is one measurement sufficient, and how are acceptance limits applied consistently across operators and shifts?
Gas fill verification is most effective when it follows a defined procedure rather than occasional measurement. Sparklike Handheld NOVA™ provides two measurement modes — Single and Multisample — together with configurable acceptance limits. Each has a clear operational role.
Single Mode: Routine Verification
Single mode is the standard method for everyday quality checks. It is appropriate when performing quick verification after gas filling, conducting routine spot checks, or when the filling process is already under statistical control and production variability is low and stable.
In Single mode, a measurement takes approximately 2 seconds and the result is displayed immediately. Up to eight previous results remain visible on the screen. If logging is enabled, results are stored with time, date, and any limit notifications.
In stable production environments, Single mode supports fast verification without interrupting workflow.
Multisample Mode: When More Control Is Needed
Multisample mode is designed for situations where additional control is required. In this mode, several measurement samples are taken from the same insulating glass unit and the device calculates their average. The latest samples are displayed alongside the calculated average.
This mode is particularly relevant when measuring larger units, verifying consistency across different areas of the glass, evaluating stability of gas filling, or documenting results for quality control review. Moving the measurement position slightly between successive measurements reduces localized effects and improves the representativeness of the result.
Averaging multiple samples reduces the influence of localized variation and positioning sensitivity. For documentation purposes, an averaged value provides a clearer representation of the unit’s overall gas concentration than a single point reading. Multisample mode does not replace process control, it strengthens it by reducing variability in the evaluation step.
Setting PASS/FAIL Acceptance Limits
Gas concentration thresholds are typically defined internally or according to production specifications. Handheld NOVA allows predefined LOW and HIGH limits to be set directly in the device menu. If a result falls outside these thresholds, a notification is shown next to the latest result.
Predefined limits provide two operational advantages: they reduce subjective decision-making and standardise PASS/FAIL interpretation across operators and shifts. Instead of relying on manual comparison, the device flags deviations immediately.
Positioning and Repeatability
Spark-based gas measurement requires correct positioning. Measurement reliability depends on pressing the barrel evenly against the glass, keeping the device at a 90-degree angle, avoiding movement during the measurement cycle, and measuring close to the spacer for improved spark ignition.
Consistent physical positioning is as important as measurement settings when aiming for stable gas verification.
From Measurement to Production Data
Once a consistent measurement process is in place, the accumulated results become a source of production intelligence. The Sparklike Handheld Nova™ stores over 30,000 measurements onboard. The Sparklike Handheld Nova™ web application connects to the device wirelessly, downloads that stored data, and provides trend charts, distribution histograms, and daily activity views, turning routine measurements into a basis for production decisions. Read more in IGU Gas Fill Trends: How to Turn Measurement Data into Production Decisions.
For manufacturers requiring full traceability, Handheld NOVA also supports QR code scanning to link each measurement to a specific insulating glass unit. Read more in Integrating Gas Measurement into Quality Documentation Systems.
Visit the Sparklike Handheld Nova™ product page for full technical specifications and capabilities, or download the brochure to share with your team.
