Hot End Inspection and Control Systems

GobWatch

GobWatch

Innovative gob monitoring, automatic gob weight control and gob inspection.

BlankWatch

BlankWatch

Precise monitoring of gob loading and temperatures of blank molds, plungers and neck rings.

ISWatch

ISWatch

Critical defect inspection (bird-swings, fins) and glass distribution monitoring directly after the IS-Machine.

Cortex Control timing interface

Cortex Control

A universal interface to the timing system for safe reading and writing of timing parameters, enabling closed-loop control.

Cortex Autonomous Forming

Cortex is developing an AI model of the glass forming process. By connecting inspection results, process measurements and timing data, we aim to understand how process changes affect glass quality. This forms the foundation for increasingly intelligent recommendations and automatic control—step by step towards autonomous forming.

01 — See

Make the process visible

Capture gob, blank-side, blow-side and container data. Use Cortex Control to read timing settings and track operator adjustments.

02 — Understand

Learn how the process behaves

We are developing an AI model that learns how process conditions and timing adjustments relate to glass quality.

03 — Decide

Choose the right adjustment

Turn process insights into AI-assisted recommendations, with the operator in control.

04 — Act

Close the loop

Apply validated adjustments within defined limits and measure the process response.

Step by step, with the operator in control. Cortex Autonomous Forming is our roadmap toward a more stable, transparent and self-optimizing forming process.

GobWatch

Gob Monitoring, Inspection and Control

3D gob monitoring, automatic weight control and AI-powered inclusion inspection.

Gob Monitoring, Inspection and Control

GobWatch is an advanced vision system for gob monitoring, inspection and weight control. Two high-resolution cameras create detailed 3D images of gobs from single, dual, triple or quad feeders. Gob weight control works with both single- and multi-weight feeders.

GobWatch can automatically reject the corresponding containers when deviations in gob weight, length or falling angle are detected. For flint glass, AI-driven inspection detects seeds, bubbles and stones, counts seeds and bubbles and provides information about their size.

Two GobWatch cameras monitoring falling glass gobs
GobWatch cameras monitoring glass gobs

Gob Monitoring

Gob images are processed and analysed in real time to monitor:

  • Gob weight
  • Gob shape, including length and diameter
  • Gob speed
  • Gob falling angle in X and Y directions
  • Gob temperature
  • Seeds and bubbles

Measured parameters are stored and displayed as trend graphs alongside gob images on an interactive touch screen.

Gob reference, width, length and weight graphs
Gob reference, width, length and weight graphs

Automatic Gob Weight Control

GobWatch automatically controls gob weight by adjusting the tube height and individual plunger height. Control can begin immediately after a job change because the system automatically configures the cameras.

  • Consistent and precise gob weight
  • Reduced job change time
  • Stable gob temperature
  • Consistent gob shape
  • Improved glass distribution in finished products
  • Fewer defects in formed glass products
Tube height, weight distribution and gob weight control
Tube height, weight distribution and gob weight control

Temperature Measurement

GobWatch measures temperature at different points on the gob, capturing horizontal and vertical temperature profiles and assessing temperature uniformity. These measurements help ensure consistent glass distribution in the finished container.

AI-Powered Inspection

A neural network inspects each flint glass gob for seeds, bubbles and stones. Seed and bubble counts are recorded and displayed in trend graphs, while a size-distribution chart shows the detected seeds and bubbles by size.

Seed count, bubble count and size distribution graphs
Seed count, bubble count and size distribution graphs

Hot End Reject

GobWatch can reject glass products made from gobs with deviations in weight, shape, temperature or falling angle. It can also reject products made from flint glass gobs containing seeds, bubbles or stones immediately after the IS machine.

Hot-end reject screen
Hot-end reject screen

Additional Process Monitoring

Additional cameras can monitor the glass flow from the orifice and the loading of gobs into the gob distributor.

This enables automatic detection of abnormal behaviour during gob forming and loading, generating alarms when deviations or unsafe conditions occur. It can also help identify critical events, such as a fire in the feeder area.

Gob Reference

GobWatch stores a reference for each article, including gob weight, shape, temperature and other key parameters. After a job change, this reference helps operators quickly achieve the optimal gob and reduce changeover time.

Camera Placement

The two cameras can be positioned close together or farther apart to suit the installation. Both cameras are cooled using compressed air.

Cortex Autonomous Forming

Cortex Glass is developing an integrated approach that connects hot-end inspection, AI-driven process analysis and machine control. By linking detected defects and process information to forming conditions, this development helps production teams investigate possible causes and determine suitable adjustments.

GobWatch plays an important role as we work step by step towards an autonomous glass-forming process.

Industry 4.0 / Smart Factory

Cortex systems collect real-time process and inspection data in a central database. Integration with customer information systems makes this data available for production monitoring, analysis and optimisation.

Historical data can be retrieved and visualised to investigate production issues and process changes from days or months earlier.

Process statistics screen
Process statistics screen

GobWatch Benefits

  • Real-time gob information
  • Consistent and precise gob weight
  • Faster job changeovers
  • Improved product quality
  • Increased productivity

GobWatch Specifications

  • Single, dual, triple and quad gob operation
  • Two high-resolution air-cooled cameras
  • Tube height controller
  • Individual plunger height controller
  • Multi/variable gob weight feeder operation
  • Tandem IS-machine operation
  • Inclusion inspection module
  • Hot end reject module
  • Remote diagnostics and support
  • Easy maintenance and service
BlankWatch

Blank Side Monitoring

Temperature and gob loading monitoring, synchronised with the IS-machine timing.

Blank Side Monitoring

BlankWatch monitors blank-side temperatures and gob loading parameters, with measurements precisely synchronised with the IS-machine timing.

The system is available in two versions:

  • Individual Section Version
  • Swabbing Robot Version

Individual Section Version

One thermal camera and two gob loading cameras are installed at each section. These fixed cameras provide real-time temperature and gob loading measurements, allowing production teams to respond when a measurement falls outside the specified range.

If a plunger becomes too hot, BlankWatch can automatically reject the affected bottles, preventing critical defects such as spikes and birdswings from reaching the cold end.

BlankWatch cameras installed along individual IS-machine sections
Individual Section Version

Swabbing Robot Version

A camera cabinet attached to the swabbing robot houses one or more thermal cameras and two gob loading cameras.

BlankWatch camera cabinet mounted on a swabbing robot
Swabbing Robot Version

Temperature Measurement

BlankWatch monitors:

  • Mold temperature
  • Neck ring temperature
  • Plunger temperature
  • Parison temperature

Temperature data is displayed in trend graphs alongside thermal images. Configurable warning and alarm thresholds alert personnel when temperatures exceed the set limits.

Cooling settings can be adjusted manually or automatically using BlankWatch temperature information to maintain consistent temperature conditions and a stable glass-forming process.

BlankWatch overview screen
BlankWatch overview screen
Temperature trend graphs
Temperature trend graphs
Neck ring temperature measurement
Neck ring temperature measurement
Plunger temperature measurement
Plunger temperature measurement

Gob Loading

Gob loading cameras provide information on:

  • Gob loading X-position
  • Gob loading Y-position
  • Gob arrival time
  • Gob speed
  • Gob length
  • Gob shape
  • Gob falling trajectory

Mold-related data is displayed in trend graphs alongside gob loading images. Warning and alarm limits can be set to alert personnel when a parameter falls outside the specified limits.

BlankWatch gob loading analysis
Gob loading analysis

Fire and Crash Detection

The BlankWatch Individual Section system can detect a fire or crash in a section at an early stage. An alarm immediately alerts personnel, and the affected section can be stopped automatically.

Blow Side Monitoring

BlankWatch Individual Section cameras can also be positioned on the blow side to measure blow mold temperatures and detect crashes in the IS machine. The affected section can be stopped automatically when a crash occurs.

Cortex Autonomous Forming

Cortex Glass is developing an integrated approach that connects hot-end inspection, AI-driven process analysis and machine control. By linking detected defects and process information to forming conditions, this development helps production teams investigate possible causes and determine suitable adjustments.

BlankWatch plays an important role as we work step by step towards an autonomous glass-forming process.

Industry 4.0 / Smart Factory

Cortex systems collect real-time process and inspection data in a central database. Integration with customer information systems makes the data available for production monitoring, analysis and optimisation.

Historical data can be retrieved and visualised to investigate production issues and process changes from days or months earlier.

BlankWatch Benefits

  • Stable blank-side temperatures
  • Precise gob loading
  • Improved glass thickness distribution
  • Reduction in critical defects such as spikes and birdswings
  • Reduced container deformation
  • Support for optimising machine timing
  • Early detection of fires and crashes

BlankWatch Options

  • Individual Section Version
  • Swabbing Robot Version
  • Hot End Reject
  • Interface for closed-loop temperature control
  • Section Stop Module
ISWatch

Hot End Inspection, Process Monitoring and Control

AI-powered infrared inspection and real-time, cavity-specific process information.

AI-Powered Inspection

ISWatch is an AI-powered infrared camera system for hot-end inspection, real-time process monitoring and process control. Two, three, four or more compact infrared cameras inspect hot glass bottles and jars directly after the IS machine.

Inspection is powered by the Cortex Glass neural network. A configuration with three sidewall cameras, a finish camera and a bottom camera supports inspection of round and complex non-round containers.

ISWatch cameras installed beside the conveyor
ISWatch cameras installed beside the conveyor
ISWatch infrared inspection examples of glass bottles and jars

Hot End Reject

ISWatch detects and rejects critical defects such as:

  • Fins
  • Birdswings
  • Spikes

Rejecting these defects at the hot end reduces blocked ware at the cold end. Personnel are alerted when critical defects are detected so they can respond promptly.

The system also rejects containers with:

  • Stones, bubbles, blisters and other inclusions
  • Shape and diameter issues
  • Thin or thick glass
  • Freaks
  • Stuck ware and fallen ware
  • Cracks
  • Choked necks
  • Wedged bottoms
ISWatch hot-end reject screen
ISWatch hot-end reject screen
Bird swing defect
Bird swing defect
Crack defect
Crack defect
Spike defect
Spike defect

Finish Inspection

ISWatch can be equipped with a finish inspection camera and an AI-driven neural network to detect finish defects.

Finish inspection examples showing container openings and highlighted defects

Bottom Inspection

With a bottom-inspection camera and an AI-powered neural network, ISWatch detects stuck glass and other defects in jar bottoms.

Using the bottom inspection camera, the system also monitors bottle movement along the hot-end transport path, measuring position, spacing and rotation. This helps production teams reduce jams, detect unstable transport conditions earlier and improve hot-end flow.

  • Transport behavior monitoring: measures movement stability to reduce line disturbances and stuck ware events.
  • Position and rotation insight: supports more consistent transfer behavior and hot-end handling performance.
  • Optimization support: improves troubleshooting and continuous improvement on conveyor and reject sections.
Bottom inspection examples, first group Bottom inspection examples, second group

Hot End Process Monitoring

ISWatch provides real-time, cavity-specific information on:

  • Glass distribution
  • Glass symmetry
  • Glass temperature
  • Lean / verticality
  • Diameter and shape
  • Ware spacing, position and rotation

Measurements are displayed in trend graphs alongside infrared images. Alerts help personnel respond to changes in the glass-forming process.

ISWatch cavity overview showing glass containers and highlighted quality deviations
Section and cavity monitoring overview

Image Storage

With the Image Storage module, camera images can be stored for several months and accessed through the ISWatch system or a web browser.

Infrared Cameras

Compact camera cabinets can be mounted directly onto the conveyor or installed as freestanding units with a small footprint. Their compact design makes installation at the hot end straightforward.

Freestanding ISWatch infrared cameras beside the conveyor
Freestanding infrared cameras
ISWatch cameras installed beside the conveyor
ISWatch cameras installed beside the conveyor

Cortex Autonomous Forming

Cortex Glass is developing an integrated approach that connects hot-end inspection, AI-driven process analysis and machine control. By linking detected defects and process information to forming conditions, this development helps production teams investigate possible causes and determine suitable adjustments.

ISWatch plays a central role as we work step by step towards an autonomous glass-forming process.

ISWatch Swabbing Robot Interface

The ISWatch system provides a data interface for closed loop swabbing robot control.

The swabbing robot can be directed to swab a particular mold with the right quantity of lubricant based on the ISWatch measurement of:

  • Glass Distribution
  • Glass Symmetry
  • Bottle Lean
  • Bottle Shape
  • Inclusions
  • Glass Temperature

The closed loop system can also use the information of the GobWatch (gob weight, gob temperature) and BlankWatch (blank temperatures and gob loading) systems to further optimize the robot swabbing process.

ISWatch Benefits

  • Real-time process information
  • Rejection of critical defects
  • Reduced blocked ware
  • Reduced sorting and re-sorting
  • Fewer customer claims
  • Faster job changeovers
  • Improved product quality
  • Increased productivity

ISWatch Specifications

  • Two, three, four or more sidewall infrared cameras
  • Bottom-inspection camera
  • Finish-inspection camera
  • AI-powered neural network inspection
  • Image storage capability
  • Multi-product operation
  • Tandem IS-machine operation
  • Remote diagnostics and support
  • Simple installation and maintenance
TopWatch

Hot End transport monitoring and bottom inspection

Position, spacing and rotation monitoring to reduce jams and transport disturbances.
TopWatch System

TopWatch monitors bottle movement on the hot-end transport path from a top-view perspective, measuring position, spacing and rotation. This helps production teams reduce jams, detect unstable transport conditions earlier and improve line performance with more reliable hot-end flow control.

  • Transport behavior monitoring:
    measures movement stability to reduce line disturbances and stuck ware events.
  • Position and rotation insight:
    supports more consistent transfer behavior and hot-end handling performance.
  • Optimization support:
    improves troubleshooting and continuous improvement on conveyor and reject sections.
  • AI inclusion detection:
    Advanced neural networks detect critical inclusions and anomalies inside JARS directly from the top view.
Bottom inspection examples, first group Bottom inspection examples, second group
FinishWatch

Hot End finish inspection

AI-powered inspection of glass container finishes.
FinishWatch system

FinishWatch uses a finish inspection camera and an AI-driven neural network to detect defects in glass container finishes at the hot end.

  • Finish inspection:
    Camera images provide a view of the container finish for defect inspection.
  • AI-powered analysis:
    A neural network analyses the images to identify finish defects.
Finish inspection examples showing container openings and highlighted defects
Cortex Control

Safe communication with your timing system

Read process information. Write timing adjustments.
Cortex Control timing interface

Cortex Control provides safe read and write access to the timing system, connecting process information with machine control.

  • Read from the timing system:
    Access timing information to support process analysis.
  • Write to the timing system:
    Communicate timing adjustments safely through Cortex Control.
Exhibition news 20–23 October 2026

Meet Cortex Glass at glasstec 2026

Cortex Glass will be present at the world's leading trade fair for the glass industry in Düsseldorf. Visit us in Hall 13, stand C22 and discover how intelligent hot-end systems turn process data into better quality, lower losses and faster process optimization.

Date20–23 October 2026
LocationDüsseldorf Exhibition Centre, Germany
Cortex Glass standHall 13 / C22
Opening hoursDaily from 09:00 to 18:00

From inspection to Autonomous Forming

At glasstec, Cortex Glass will present its vision for the next generation of container glass production: combining hot-end inspection, AI-driven process intelligence and closed-loop control.

Visitors can learn more about our systems for gob monitoring, blank-side thermal and loading analysis, hot-end container inspection and transport monitoring—and how their data can work together to support a more stable forming process.

What to discuss with us

  • AI-based defect detection at the hot end
  • Gob and blank-side process monitoring
  • Finish, sidewall and bottom inspection
  • Real-time process insight and closed-loop control
  • Cortex Autonomous Forming

Planning to visit glasstec?

Contact us to arrange a personal meeting with the Cortex Glass team in Düsseldorf.

Official exhibitor profile
In development

Cold End Presorting

Cortex develops a new AI-powered inspection unit designed to presort glass containers before they reach your existing cold-end inspection equipment. Add inspection capability while keeping your current machines in service, without replacing the existing inspection line.

About us

Focused on the hot end. Built around your process.

Dutch engineering and practical glass-industry expertise.

We are Cortex Glass

Founded in 2014, Cortex Glass develops systems for hot-end inspection, process monitoring and automatic control. Based in Groningen, the Netherlands, our team brings together machine vision, thermal imaging and AI with knowledge of glass production.

We help production teams understand what is happening in the forming process, identify defects earlier and make informed adjustments. Our focus is practical: consistent glass quality, a stable process and less waste.

Why the name Cortex?

Our name reflects what we aim to do. The cerebral cortex brings together sensory information, interprets it and helps guide our actions.

At Cortex Glass, we apply that principle to glass production. Our systems collect information from cameras and sensors, turn it into process insights and connect those insights with machine control.

By bringing inspection, analysis and control together, we help production teams understand what is happening, investigate why and determine the right adjustment — step by step towards autonomous forming.

See the process

From gob monitoring and blank-side temperature measurements to hot-end product inspection, our systems provide information where production teams need it.

Connect the information

Combining inspection results with process measurements helps teams investigate quality issues and understand the conditions behind them.

Cortex Control provides safe read and write access to the timing system, connecting process information with machine control.

Work towards autonomous forming

Cortex is working on connecting hot-end inspection, AI-driven process analysis and machine control. Step by step, we are building towards an autonomous forming process.

Trusted by Glass Manufacturers Worldwide

Glass manufacturers around the world use Cortex Glass systems for inspection, process monitoring and automatic control. From gob monitoring to hot-end inspection, our systems help production teams improve glass quality and process stability. The companies below are among the manufacturers using Cortex Glass technology.

Ardagh Glass
O-I
Anchor Glass
Verallia
Vidrala
BA Vidro
Gerresheimer
Saverglass
Bormioli Luigi
Stoelzle
SGD
GCA
Heinz Glas
Verescence
Vetreria Etruska
Asia Pacific Glass
Bangkok Glass
KC Glass
Amore Pacific
Kandil Glass
Zoujaj Glass
Wellgrow Glass

Let's discuss your production challenge

New line, system upgrade or a recurring quality issue? Tell us about your process and what you want to improve.

Stationsweg 3D, 9726 AC Groningen, The Netherlands

Discuss the right system for your line

Contact Cortex Glass to discuss AI-driven hot-end inspection, neural-network defect detection, thermal monitoring or transport monitoring for your container glass production line.

Call us or email us

Call us or email us to discuss your line, current issues and project goals. We can help you find the right system for your production process.

Headquarters & Contact
Cortex Glass BV Stationsweg 3D
9726AC GRONINGEN
The Netherlands
Email
Phone +31 508517127