Today, flat glass processors are not only required to contend with a variety of challenges such as the shortage of skilled labour, product quality and reducing the error rate, they also need to consider topics such as increasing efficiency in their own production by eliminating bottlenecks and increasing the degree of automation.

At this year's glasstec in Düsseldorf in Hall 17 / Stand A64, LiSEC will be presenting solutions including unloading systems based on robotics. In this interview, Sebastian Payrleitner, Head of Product Management Logistics at LiSEC, discusses developments in the field of logistics and reveals more about the robot solution that visitors to glasstec can expect to see.

Mr Payrleitner, what are the focal points of LiSEC's developments in the field of logistics and robotics?

Sebastian Payrleitner: We have focussed on solutions that support our customers with future requirements arising from the major trends on the market and the wishes of their own customers. Increasingly larger sheet formats and consequently also weights represent a major challenge. However, issues such as attaching labels to the front of freshly sealed units during frame assembly are also priorities, alongside trends such as the shortage of skilled labour and unmanned production, increasing flexibility in production and raising the level of automation in development.

What logistics solutions in the area of glass cutting will we see at this year's glasstec in Düsseldorf?

Sebastian Payrleitner: In addition to specialist presentations in the LiSEC Auditorium, we will be presenting a live robot unloading station at the trade fair, including a rotating carousel for A-racks, which unloads sheets from the LSG glass cutting system in a horizontal orientation and in a predefined sequence vertically at the rack. Two stacks are formed on each side of the A-rack during the unloading process. This machine solution impresses thanks to the uninterrupted unloading process of the LSG glass cutting line and the increase in quality due to precise robot handling. When used in conjunction with a downstream rotating platform for glass storage racks, this ensures a continuous work process.

Also on display will be the Logistics Cockpit – a rack optimisation system with one-piece flow.

If you are interested in seeing this robot solution live in action, we would be delighted to welcome you to the LiSEC stand in Hall 17/Stand A64. (Live demonstrations: Tuesday 22.10.2024 at 12:00, 14:30 and 16:30 hrs; Wednesday 23.10.2024 at 10:00, 12:00, 14:30 and 16:30 hrs; Thursday 24.10.2024 at 10:00, 12:00, 14:30 and 16:30 hrs, and Friday 25.10 at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:30 hrs)

In general terms, what areas or customers will find robotics solutions appealing?

Sebastian Payrleitner: The integration of a robot solution must be holistically harmonised with the existing processes, whereby both technical and economic aspects need to be taken into account. The solutions are therefore not only of interest in areas where the error rate or glass breakage needs to be kept to a minimum (i.e. where process reliability must be increased), but also for customers who want to raise output in conjunction with enhanced quality.

Robotics solutions are therefore very attractive in the glass processing industry for several reasons. The specific advantages include the fact that a customised robotics solution can also be integrated where space is limited, therefore offering the opportunity to increase the efficiency of existing production lines without having to change the hall layout. Space is often gained by saving on tilting tables or transport sections. Alongside workstation-relevant factors such as maximising safety in the workplace and minimising the physical strain on employees, particular emphasis should be placed on making loading and unloading processes more flexible thanks to robotics solutions. The use of robots can also bring advantages in different process steps such as horizontal versus vertical loading and unloading, small versus large sheets, etc., as well as optimised in-house production processes.

When it comes to the issues of economic efficiency and employee motivation in the glass processing sector, what role do robotics solutions play?

Sebastian Payrleitner: It is possible to justify the use of robotics solutions very objectively with a profitability calculation. This delivers the clear advantage that the existing team can be utilised for more qualified work in the factory, thanks to the elimination of revolving work. When it comes to efficiency, it is important to consider factors such as the enhanced quality of the end products, the reduction in waste and the one-piece flow, as well as the additional qualified capacities.