The Italian Bottero Group (Bottero) manufactures laminated glass lines for producing structural and safety glass. The glass manufacturer is relying on the benefits provided by Industry 4.0 to increase manufacturing productivity and flexibility. These include comprehensive data management as well as control, drive and communications technology from Siemens. The high degree of end-to-end automation allows Bottero to offer the best possible support to its customers through process optimisation and quality assurance as well as allowing small batches to be produced economically.
Bottero laminated glass lines are well-known in the glass industry for their high output levels. This plant performance is possible due to a fully automated, integrated process which starts as the plant is loaded by stackers, and continues through washing, to the addition of a range of polyvinyl butyral plastic (PVB) films. The line automatically sets itself up for film trimming depending on the glass format and type of film. Components from the Siemens digitalisation portfolio are essential elements of the automation and digitalisation of the laminated glass lines.
End-to-end automation and communication
Reliable data management allows production data to be transferred to the operator’s IT system or a local or higher-level cloud such as Siemens MindSphere as required. Bottero relies on the Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) engineering framework portal for its engineering. The processes are controlled by six Simatic S7-1500 controllers, five of which have fail-safe CPUs (central processing unit). Three Simotion controllers are used for the motion control. Sinamics converters, Simotics S servomotors and Simogear geared motors, which are optimally tuned to each other, are also used to ensure the processes run rapidly and smoothly. This facilitates plant availability and reduces downtimes. End-to-end communication, including upstream and downstream elements of the plant, is provided by Scalance X industrial Ethernet switches and Profinet.
Quicker and efficient – even in small batches
The high degree of automation allows Bottero to produce six by three metre glass sheets in less than 40 seconds – approximately one third quicker than standard processes. Also, for the most part, there is no need for operator intervention and rapid production changeovers are also possible. That is a significant competitive benefit, particularly when running small batches.
Magma X100 delivers AMB systems for wide range of industrial machinery
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
SpinDrive launches Magma X100 controller, bringing active magnetic bearing technology to a new generation of industrial applications. The Magma X100 expands SpinDrive’s oil-free, frictionless AMB technology to applications below 150 kW, unlocking new addressable markets.
Read more...Why lubrication fails in mining and what to do about it
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Lubrication Engineers explains the recurring failure points behind mining lubrication problems and how the right product, storage and application practices can improve equipment reliability.
Read more...Echain protects cables in cleanrooms igus
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Advanced polymer manufacturer igus has developed a new cleanroom energy chain with an innovative guide system that allows for abrasion-resistant travel over distances of up to 30 metres.
Read more...PowerFlex drives cut energy use by up to 30% amid rising costs
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Rockwell Automation’s PowerFlex 755TS variable frequency drives are delivering energy reductions of 10 to 30% in Africa’s industrial operations, with adaptive control and predictive maintenance features that cut downtime by up to 50%.
Read more...Next-generation oil-free motor systems with active magnetic bearings
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
WEG and SpinDrive are collaborating to integrate SpinDrive’s AMBs and built-in IoT condition monitoring into WEG’s market-leading electric motor offering, creating an oil-free, maintenance-free drive solution.
Read more...Direct drive with integrated control Vepac Electronics
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The PSD 40 direct drive is a mechatronic system with integrated control, bus interface and absolute measuring system, with no battery required.
Read more...AI-powered on-premises analytics for industrial drives Siemens South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Siemens is introducing a new on-premises analytics solution for industrial drive systems. The software enables users to evaluate drive data entirely within their own infrastructure and meet stringent data-sovereignty requirements.
Read more...Hydrostatic machine base for ultra-precision grinding centre
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Hyprostatik Schönfeld has developed a high-precision hydrostatic machine base for a new ultra-precision grinding centre for Optotech. The machine platform enables a previously unattainable combination of dimensional accuracy, dynamics and surface quality in the ultra-precision grinding of optical surfaces.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version