In addition to this impressive line with the systron seaming and grinding machine 6033es1, arcon Flach- und Sicherheitsglas GmbH and Co. KG in Feuchtwangen (GER) has installed the 6033proHD CNC glass processing centre. With glass storage automation and face-to-face positioning of the systron machines, arcon creates an outstanding processing variety with fewest possible resources.
Back in 1959, when company founder Alfred Arnold invented a new multi-pane insulating glass, he laid the foundation to set new standards in the glass industry. The Arnold-Glas group includes 5 other locations in addition to arcon in Feuchtwangen. Well-known products such as the sunbelt® and sunlite solar protection glass, arconnect® radio frequency transparent glass, the Ornilux® bird protection glass and various decorative and safety glasses are manufactured by arcon. Process optimization and sustainability shape investment decisions. The purchase of the systron line 3.5 years ago was a further step towards automation and increased efficiency.
is arcon plant manager in Feuchtwangen. He accompanied the entire procurement process and explains the conditions on site and the requirements they had: “In the previous cutting area we had 2-3 men who removed each glass by hand after cutting and transported it to the individual machines. Here we needed an automation solution. Every glass should be processed fully automatic, from the warehouse to the tempering furnace.” For this purpose, a tilting table and a turn shuttle were installed after the existing Hegla cutting table, which transport the glass to the systron seamer. The es1 is followed by a Washing Machine and 53-meter transport tables with 2 line passages. To complete the automation to the furnace, a systron tilting and air cushion table ensure further transport.
“Thanks to this automation we only have one man at the cutting table. You can also manually add panes using the turn shuttle,” says Biswanger.
The systron proHD CNC glass processing centre with integrated water jet cutting is installed exactly opposite the es1 seamer. It is loaded either by the operator directly or via the systron 20-slot storage system. “Our proHD exclusively produces unique items, which is why we don’t operate unmanned here. We use it to produce 99% model panes up to 3.2 x 6 m, in various thicknesses, with cut-outs, countersunk holes and all types of edge processing.”
Biswanger adds: “We have placed the two systron systems face-to-face. So the operator of the proHD can also check the seaming machine if necessary. He just has to turn around and immediately has the master terminal in front of him.”
There are also additional terminals at 3 positions that show a visualization of the entire production process of all systron systems in real time. This means you have a full overview of production with very reduced employee resources.
As is usual with projects of this size, integration into production played a key role. The correct interfaces to the Hegla cutting table and the tempering furnaces and connecting the various units were crucial for a flawless automation. “The orders come to the computer automatically. As soon as a barcode is scanned in production, the data is on the system. The operator is only busy when maintaining or changing tools,” explains Biswanger.
It is extremely important for arcon that the seaming machine runs reliably. During peak times it supplies two furnaces, where continuous utilization is of course essential. Andreas Winter, CEO of the Arnold-Glas Group, notes:
“The systron es1 impresses with its stability and functionality. The seamer has been running 100% reliably since it was installed at the beginning of 2020. Maintenance also works perfectly and that is a very important point, especially with the seaming system. If we have an unplanned downtime in the seaming process, there would be no alternative on site and we would be faced with a major challenge.”
He explains the company’s general future progress: “We always try to focus on sustainable investments. On the one hand with the machinery we acquire, where our goal is to purchase electricity and space-saving machines with the greatest possible output. On the other hand, we invest in our infrastructure. We renovated the roofs of our halls and equipped them with photovoltaic elements. This means we will generate an average of 2 megawatts of electricity, which covers around a third of our total needs in Feuchtwangen. We have invested a lot in recent years so we can look to the future from a strengthened, solid basis.”
