The systron proHD is the world’s only vertical glass processing centre that can cut, grind, and polish glass, stone, and ceramics using a waterjet in a machine tower, setting new standards in material processing. Originally developed to process flat glass, the systron proHD has undergone remarkable technical advancements over the years. Now, the machine can not only process glass but also stone and especially ceramics, which is unique to date.

“Innovative and efficient products often arise when you face customer challenges and develop creative solutions with them,” says systron CEO Franz Schachner. This philosophy also shaped the development of the new proHD. “A German producer of large ceramics approached us about two years ago. Since ceramic processing is similar to glass processing and largely uses the same tools, we quickly started various tests with ceramic slabs. These were very promising right away, and we pushed forward with the development.

The combination of CNC with an integrated waterjet is a game changer here. Water jet cutting is standard in the ceramics industry, but there is no other machine that can complete products like kitchen countertops or facade elements in one pass,”

explains systron Head of Sales Thomas Haan, who led the “proHD CERAMICS” project.

The processing of glass and ceramics mainly differs in the necessary processes. With glass, the focus lies primarily on the edges, both external and internal. In contrast, ceramics also require surface processing, such as brushing, engraving, or drilling blind holes.

For surface processing, a definite zero point of the machine is needed. In horizontal CNC machines, this zero point is fixed. However, vertical machines typically have a “movable” zero point, influenced by thermal expansions in the machine tower or installation tolerances. This movable zero point is either not measured or only passively adjusted via hydraulics or pneumatics in other machines. At systron machines, this zero point is precisely measured even for surface processing.

Additionally, a second water cushion was installed to guide the ceramic slabs from the backside. This water cushion acts both as a counter-holder and for tool cooling, for example, when milling rebates on the backside.

Thanks to the mechanical and software adjustments, the systron proHD now offers a variety of processing options:

• Rough edge grinding
• Fine edge grinding
• Edge polishing
• Internal processing with waterjet
• Internal processing with diamond tools
• Beveling
• Mitre joint
• Seaming of complex contours
• Rebate milling
• Blind hole with relief grinding (wedge)
• Brushing
• Drip groove grinding / engraving
• Removal of fibre mesh (in the development phase)

Systron’s glass customers also benefit from the further development of the proHD for the ceramics sector. Not only can more and more glass processors handle both glass and ceramic products with the same machine, but the processing options have also increased. “Thanks to the adaptations, we can now also mill rebates and grind a mitre edge (45-degree mitred edge glass corner) on glass. nAdditionally, we have now been able to develop automatic edge coating removal for cutouts,” explains Thomas Haan.

Ceraflex GmbH from Ried im Traunkreis specializes in the manufacture of products made from large ceramics, focusing on kitchen countertops, wall claddings, and versatile special solutions from large ceramics. With the innovative Solaflex measurement software, data is digitally transferred directly from the construction site to production preparation and then to the machine.

“We have been producing with the systron proHD for about a year now. Mainly, we process kitchen countertops, cut internal cutouts, and process them directly, saving several work steps on other machines.

Systron has perfectly solved the integration with our software. This has significantly increased our quality, productivity, and efficiency,” explains Martin Oberndorfinger, Production Manager at Ceraflex.

The systron proHD has thus established itself as an indispensable tool for processing glass, stone, and ceramics, offering an impressive combination of versatility, efficiency, and precision.