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.
Control without complexity Axiom Hydraulics
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
In an era where precision, performance and smart control define industrial success, the right driver can make all the difference. At Axiom Hydraulics, we’ve seen firsthand how the Sun Hydraulics XMD series transforms hydraulic systems, from mining and construction to agriculture and automation.
Read more...Planetary gear units for high torque requirements SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Packing a compact design, along with high torque and low-speed outputs, the new SEW PPK and SEW P2.e planetary gear units from SEW-EURODRIVE offer new capabilities in continuous heavy-duty applications where space is at a premium.
Read more...Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.
Read more...Servicing the electric motor sector
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.
Read more...Powerful high-precision hexapod
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.
Read more...Why turbomachinery should break free from vendor lock-in Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Today’s modern turbomachinery control systems form an important of operational efficiency, be it in heavy industries, traditional power generation or renewables such as hydroelectric facilities. Independence is the name of the game, and turbomachinery stands to gain lot from this newfound freedom.
Read more...Industrial gear units for mixing and agitating processes Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Nord Drive Systems encompass modular drive configurations that ensure optimum performance of mechanical speed control for specific applications in almost every industry.
Read more...PC-based control for a food capsule and pod packaging machine Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
For TME, a machine builder specialising in the packaging of powdered foods, Beckhoff’s PC-based control technology offers unlimited opportunities when it comes to performance and innovative capacity in terms of flexibility, scalability and openness.
Read more...Siemens and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate 20 years of innovation Siemens South Africa
News & events
Siemens Digital Industries Software is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Racing, representing one of the longest standing technical partnerships in Formula 1 today.
Read more...New torque sensors for fastening applications
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Sensor Technology, a global leader in innovative torque and load measurement solutions, has launched its latest advancement in torque sensing technology.
printer friendly version