The HEGLA Group’s range of topics at Vitrum covers glass cutting, its automation and performance increase. Industry 4.0, the opportunities of networking, digitalisation and integrated processes will be shown, making it clear the importance of these issues.

The ProLam LSR, a newly developed cutting system for laminated safety glass, is equipped with a time-saving laser diode heating system. “Productivity in LSG cutting can be increased by twenty per cent or more with the new heating process,” said HEGLA Managing Director Bernhard Hötger, emphasising one of the advantages of the new technology.

The laser applies the bundled heating energy precisely to the cutting contour, reaching the PVB inerlayer’s transformation temperature much more quickly than regular heating tubes.

The laser beam weakens only slightly as it passes through the interlayer, so that even demanding glass laminates of up to ten-ply interlayer can be separated with shorter processing times.

The new process also has a positive effect on edge quality: the interlayer remains cold outside the cutting area, thus preventing later delamination and enabling additional cuts without cooling times.

Individual glass marking, data capture and storage, and product tracking are the main focus at HEGLA boraident. Compared to CO2 laser marking, this technology leaves the surface completely undamaged.

Once the scratch-, smudge- and weather-resistant marking consisting of a logo, QR code or alphanumeric characters has been applied, it remains firmly attached to the glass.

“Capturing processes in real time is also advantageous for higher-level software such as ERP, MES, waste optimisation and capacity planning,” said Dr Jan Schäpers, Managing Director of HEGLA-HANIC, the software specialists.

The large amount of data collected by scanning and sensor technology can be used to analyse and optimise processes in depth.

The display of information helps to improve the employees’ overview and gives production managers an improved basis for decision-making. With appropriate integration into ERP and production planning software, many of these interventions take place automatically.

Tempered glass in perfect optical quality and flatness is the passion of HEGLA-TaiFin, the HEGLA Group subsidiary. With the CTFe, the company offers a unique tempering furnace in which the thermal heat is transferred by air circulation from closed convection boxes.

The glass surface is never exposed to the direct radiation of the radiant heaters, so that both coated and uncoated glass can be finished with the highest optical properties.

www.hegla.com

Image: HEGLA ProLam LSR cutting system for laminated safety glass with the time-saving laser diode heating technology.