With its VSG ReMaster, glass machine manufacturer Hegla has qualified for participation in the sustainability campaign BlueCompetence, initiated by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA).
After laminated safety glass has been cut, broken down and separated, the machine allows for the storage of any remaining residual glass, without the need for further space and without having to stop the manufacturing process. Moreover, the glass can be put back into production as and when required.
Andreas Herzog Jun. is Managing Director of Glas Herzog, which makes high-quality glass, primarily for the building sector. For nearly three years now, its cutting line has required only one person. All the rest, says Herzog, “is handled by the ReMaster.”
For him, the benefit of the machine is above all that each piece is automatically and safely placed in bays from where it can easily be put back into the production process at any time. This apparently increases the quality of the glass, reduces the risk of injuries to staff and allows much better planning. Moreover, there is less scrap.
The pattern which is followed by the VSG ReMaster is simple. After the cutting and breaking process the remaining residual scrap sheets are fed back into the system, where they are automatically lifted up and placed into intermediate storage. The computer knows exactly where which sheet is located and can then put it back into production any time if it is suitable for a given manufacturing process.
According to Manfred Vollbracht, Managing Director of Hegla, the recovery rate for glass residuals is about 25 to 30% higher. However, the greatest highlight of this patented system is its location. The storage area – and thus virtually the entire system – is situated directly above the production line.
There is no need for any additional storage space, which would otherwise be required for those residuals. Thanks to a multiple loading option, it is possible to have up to 40 bays, each automatically storing three to four sheets, depending on size.
The ReMaster, says Vollbracht, is available not only for laminated safety glass, but also for float glass. Approximately 75% of all systems are sold in Europe, while the rest is sold overseas, mainly in the United States. Hegla will be demonstrating its VSG ReMaster at glasstec in Düsseldorf in October.
The purpose of the BlueCompetence initiative is to bundle the know-how and strengths of German mechanical engineering companies and thus to help towards the worldwide visibility and further development of their technical and market leadership.
