Additel ADT710: the automatic pressure gauge reader that transforms pressure calibration

Manual calibration of pressure gauges is still, today, one of the main bottlenecks in metrology laboratories and in high-volume production environments. Each calibration cycle requires the constant presence of an operator, who must manually read each measurement point, record the values, interpret the position of the pointer, and compile calibration reports. This is a slow process, prone to human error, and difficult to scale when the number of instruments to be calibrated is high.

It is precisely to address these needs that the Additel ADT710 was developed: an automated pressure gauge reading and calibration system designed by Additel. A solution that integrates machine vision, machine learning, and automatic pressure control into a single platform, capable of performing full calibration of both analog and digital pressure gauges without manual intervention.

Manual pressure gauge calibration: an efficiency and repeatability issue

In calibration laboratories and production environments working with pressure instrumentation, manual gauge calibration involves significant operational costs. The operator must follow each setpoint, wait for the pointer to stabilize, read the indicated value, and compare it with the reference value generated by the pressure controller. Each step requires attention and time, and introduces the risk of reading errors—especially with analog gauges, where parallax and mechanical needle adhesion (a phenomenon known as stiction) can introduce significant uncertainty.

In high-volume production environments, this traditional approach becomes a serious operational bottleneck. Increasing the number of operators is not always the most efficient solution, and variability between technicians affects the repeatability and consistency of results.

Automation of pressure gauge reading has therefore become a real necessity for those aiming to increase productivity, reduce calibration time, and ensure a level of traceability that manual reading cannot provide.

What the Additel ADT710 is and how it works

The ADT710 is a fully automated calibration system for both analog and digital pressure gauges. The system is based on the integration of three main components that work in coordination to execute the entire calibration sequence without requiring continuous operator presence.

The three components of the system

At the core of the solution is the interaction between the pressure controller, the ACAL calibration software developed by Additel, and the ADT710 automatic reader itself. Once the device under test is connected via the interchangeable quick-connect fitting, the system takes control of the entire procedure. The integrated camera in the reader automatically positions and zooms to center the instrument display within the field of view.

An intelligent scanner immediately reads the test information displayed or encoded via pre-generated QR codes, acquiring parameters such as model, measurement range, and accuracy class. Once the initial parameters are confirmed, the automatic calibration process can begin.

The pressure controller first performs a conditioning cycle across the full-scale range of the instrument, then proceeds through each defined setpoint in the reference profile. For each measurement point, the camera captures a screenshot that is stored in the calibration report generated by ACAL, ensuring a level of traceability superior to any manual approach.

The AI-based recognition engine

The key element that distinguishes the ADT710 from traditional solutions is its proprietary AI-based visual recognition system. The Additel AI engine has been trained on thousands of different gauge dials and displays—both analog and digital—and is capable of automatically recognizing and interpreting the position of the pointer or the displayed numerical value, regardless of manufacturer or instrument type.

This approach completely eliminates the need for an operator to manually read and transcribe values: the system captures the visual data, interprets it, and automatically records it within the calibration report. The result is an objective, repeatable, and fully documented reading for each individual setpoint, with a screenshot attached as traceability evidence.

Electronic tapping mechanism and dual-scale gauge handling

One of the critical challenges in analog pressure gauge calibration is stiction: internal friction in the indicating mechanism can hold the pointer in a position that does not accurately represent the true pressure value, introducing systematic reading errors.

To eliminate this issue, the ADT710 integrates an electronically controlled tapping mechanism that induces a slight controlled vibration on the instrument before reading, ensuring proper pointer stabilization and more accurate, repeatable measurements.

The system is also capable of recognizing and handling dual-scale pressure gauges, automatically selecting the correct measurement unit based on the internal or external scale of the dial. This functionality significantly expands the range of compatible instruments without requiring additional manual configuration.

Digital pressure gauge calibration

The ADT710 is not limited to analog gauges. The system fully supports calibration of digital pressure gauges, allowing the operator to select which display reading should be used as the pressure value for testing. This flexibility also enables handling of advanced digital gauges—including those with multiple displays or visualization modes—ensuring that the correct value is automatically captured and compared against the reference in a fully traceable way.

Pressure range and application versatility

From an operational performance perspective, the ADT710 covers a pressure range from 95% vacuum up to 1,000 bar, in both gaseous and liquid media. This wide range enables the system to be used across a broad spectrum of industrial applications, from low-pressure instruments to high-pressure gauge calibration.

The system also supports back-mounted pressure gauges thanks to an adjustable connection arm, which adapts the connection geometry without requiring adapters or complex setups. Quick-change fittings—available in NPT, BSP, and metric threads—ensure fast transitions between different instruments, significantly reducing setup time.

Traceability and ACAL calibration reporting

In metrology, measurement traceability is a fundamental requirement, especially in ISO 17025-accredited laboratories or quality-controlled environments. Integrated with Additel’s ACAL software, the ADT710 automatically generates a complete calibration report for each tested instrument, including:

• Pressure value generated by the controller for each setpoint
• Measured value from the device under test
• A screenshot of the display or dial for each measurement point
• Calibration result with pass/fail conformity assessment

This approach provides a significantly higher level of documentation and traceability compared to manual recording, eliminating transcription errors and ensuring objective proof of the calibration process for each instrument.

Scalability for high-volume production

One of the most relevant features for high-throughput production environments is the ADT710’s ability to scale horizontally. Through a dedicated connector kit, multiple ADT710 units can be connected in parallel and managed synchronously via ACAL software. This multi-unit configuration enables batch calibration of multiple pressure gauges simultaneously, significantly increasing laboratory or production line throughput without proportionally increasing personnel.

This is particularly valuable for instrumentation manufacturers, accredited calibration laboratories handling large volumes of devices, and any environment where pressure gauge calibration is a continuous, high-frequency process.

Contamination prevention system

The use of pressure gauges in industrial environments often involves the risk that contaminants inside the instruments—such as oils, particulates, or process residues—may backflow into the pressure controller during calibration, potentially damaging internal components.

The ADT710 is compatible with Additel ADT108 and ADT109 contamination prevention systems, which can be connected to the rear of the device to create an effective barrier between the device under test and the pressure controller. This solution protects system longevity, reduces maintenance costs, and minimizes downtime risk.

Ideal applications

Thanks to the combination of advanced automation, AI recognition, wide operating range, and scalability, the Additel ADT710 is suitable for a wide range of industrial and metrological applications, including:

• Calibration and metrology laboratories, where cycle time reduction and automated data traceability are critical requirements
• High-volume production environments, where fast and consistent calibration of large numbers of gauges is required
• Oil & gas and chemical industries, where high-pressure gauges must be managed under variable operating conditions
• Pharmaceutical and food industries, where regulatory compliance and calibration documentation are essential
• Industrial plants with diversified instrumentation, where automatic recognition of different manufacturers and device types simplifies asset management