Date: 21 April 2026
Spark emission spectroscopy has been at the core of Sparklike technology since the company was founded in 2000. From the very beginning, the goal was clear: make the invisible gas inside insulating glass units measurable without breaking the seal.
In insulating glass production, most quality deviations are visible. Scratches can be seen. Excess sealant can be noticed. Spacer alignment can be checked. Gas content is different.
Argon and krypton cannot be detected by sight, and insufficient gas fill does not reveal itself as an obvious defect. Because of this, gas quality has historically been more difficult to verify consistently in daily production.
While gas accounts for a share of the total insulating performance, its presence is essential for meeting declared thermal values and industry requirements. For manufacturers, verifying gas content is about ensuring that the unit performs as specified.
Reliable gas measurement has always been essential.
The challenge was how to make the invisible measurable without damaging the product itself.
The Early Years: Proven Technology, Stationary Systems
Before the introduction of the handheld design, Sparklike devices were stationary and connected to external power. The spark-based measurement technology already enabled non-destructive gas analysis, but portability was limited.
Measurement was reliable, but not yet truly integrated into daily factory workflows.
The spark emission spectroscopy principle, where a high-voltage spark is induced into the insulating glass cavity and the resulting light emission is analyzed to determine gas concentration, formed the technical backbone. That foundation has remained unchanged for more than two decades.
2006: The First True Handheld Device
In 2006, Sparklike introduced its first handheld design, marking a decisive shift in how gas measurement could be performed in insulating glass production. The device evolved into the recognizable industrial form that many manufacturers still associate with Sparklike today.
For the first time, gas fill levels could be verified directly on the production floor using a portable device. Measurement was no longer limited by stationary systems or external power connections.
Verification could be carried out immediately after gas filling, while the insulating glass unit remained fully usable. This made gas control significantly easier to integrate into daily production routines.
The handheld device quickly became recognized across the insulating glass industry as a practical and reliable tool for quality assurance.
Interested for more Sparklike history? Read Sparklike Story – The Enabler Of Fast Argon Measuring Solutions for IGU Quality.
2008: Establishing the Industry Benchmark
In 2008, Sparklike Handheld 2.0 strengthened the device’s position in production environments. Measurement performance was further validated and durability improved, reinforcing its reliability in demanding factory conditions.
The industrial form remained consistent, but the internal robustness and overall performance were enhanced. The longevity of this generation speaks for itself: devices delivered more than ten years ago continue to be calibrated and serviced at the Sparklike Service Center.
For many manufacturers, this generation of Sparklike Handheld defined what non-destructive gas measurement should represent in insulating glass production.
2022: Handheld 3.0 – Refinement of a Proven Tool
In 2022, Sparklike launched the renewed Handheld 3.0. The update introduced an elegant graphite black finish and an improved user interface, while maintaining the same spark emission spectroscopy technology and 2-second measurement time.
The renewal refined usability and modernized the appearance, but the core measurement principle remained unchanged. The spark-based measurement technology had already proven its reliability in thousands of industrial applications. Also ift Rosenheim verified the accuracy of Sparklike Handheld 3.0.
By this stage, Sparklike Handheld could justifiably be regarded as a state-of-the-art device within insulating glass quality control. In terms of non-destructive gas measurement accuracy, speed, and robustness, it represented the highest industrial standard available to manufacturers.
However, while measurement performance was not the limitation, the underlying software and connectivity architecture reflected an earlier era of industrial development.
As insulating glass production environments became increasingly data-driven, expectations shifted toward integrated documentation, traceability, and system connectivity.
Handheld 3.0 remained reliable, proven, and widely used. But the next step in evolution would require more than refinement, it would require a new digital foundation.
The Industry Shift: From Measurement to Data Visibility
Over the past decade, insulating glass production has changed.
Quality control today is not only about spot checks. It is about:
- Traceability
- Documentation
- Integration into production systems
- Data-driven decision-making
Manufacturers increasingly require the ability to link measurements to specific insulating glass units, production lines, operators, and timestamps.
The previous architecture of Handheld could not support QR code linking, wireless data transfer, or scalable software development.
Incremental updates were no longer sufficient, and a complete renewal was required.
Handheld NOVA™: A New Generation Built on Proven Technology
Sparklike Handheld NOVA™ represents the first fully redesigned generation of the device since its original introduction.
Importantly, the spark emission spectroscopy technology remains the same. The proven measurement principle, reliability, and 2-second measurement cycle continue unchanged.
What has been completely renewed is everything around the core technology.
The main development focus was modernizing the software and significantly improving data usability. The objective was not to reinvent the spark but to ensure the device meets the expectations of today’s production environments.
Handheld NOVA™ introduces:
- A redesigned industrial structure
- A modernized software environment
- Wireless data transfer
- Support for QR-code-based traceability
- Enhanced measurement modes
This modernization enables continuous development. New functionalities can be introduced over time without being restricted by limitations of the previous model.
From Standalone Tool to Connected Quality Device
The evolution from early stationary systems to NOVA™ reflects a broader shift in how gas quality is treated in insulating glass production.
In 2000, the challenge was making gas measurable without destruction.
In 2006, the challenge was portability.
In 2022, it was usability refinement.
In 2025, the challenge is data traceability.
Gas measurement today must support documentation, audit requirements, and transparent quality management. It must fit naturally into production workflows, not interrupt them.
Handheld NOVA™ moves gas measurements from being a standalone activity to becoming part of connected quality control.
Evolution Without Compromising What Works
Perhaps the most important aspect of this story is what did not change.
The spark technology remains.
The non-destructive principle remains.
The measurement reliability remains.
For over two decades, Sparklike has built its gas measurement solutions around a stable technological core. With more than 2,500 handheld devices delivered and over 1,000 customers worldwide, this technology has proven its relevance across global insulating glass production environments.
Handheld NOVA™ is not a reinvention of that core. It is a structural renewal that ensures the technology continues to serve manufacturers in a modern production environment.
The invisible gas inside insulating glass units still cannot be seen. But today, it can be verified, documented, and integrated into daily quality control more seamlessly than ever before.
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