glasstec 2024 – cutting @LiSEC booth

This year, LiSEC is presenting at glasstec in Düsseldorf under the slogan: "360° of glass processing" as an all.in.one:solutions provider in global flat glass processing. Under the microscope at the trade fair – the highly automated LiSEC laminated glass cutting system in combination with float glass cutting and robot unloading. Daniel Schörghuber, Head of Product Management Glass Cutting at LiSEC, can draw on over a decade of experience in the design and product management of cutting systems. In this interview, he provides initial insights into this system constellation.

Mr Schörghuber, what is LiSEC exhibiting this year at glasstec in Düsseldorf in the area of glass cutting?

Daniel Schörghuber: This year, we are delighted to be presenting the fastest and most highly automated laminated glass cutting system live at glasstec in Düsseldorf – thanks to the VSL-A double bridge.

The system integrates a combination of cutting process optimisation with the patented "Selective Infra Red" (SIR) foil heating system and the unique intelligent "Dynamic Load Balancing" (DLB) of the two bridges.

The laminated glass cutting system is combined with our optimised float glass cutting system (DSC-A), with the innovative option of edge deletion.

Following the glass cutting process, the glass lites sheets are turned in the correct position and laser-marked with our new laser marking station (C-Mark) from cericom. The finished cut sheets are subsequently unloaded fully automatically by a robot. The production and performance data are demonstrated in real time using the new lis.analytics software product.

Why has LiSEC chosen to bring this particular machine to glasstec?

Daniel Schörghuber: LiSEC is known as an all.in.one:solutions provider in the global flat glass processing industry, particularly for the production of insulating glass production systems. In order to do justice to the trade fair slogan "360° of glass processing" and to demonstrate the state of the art in glass cutting technology, we opted to present this highly automated line variant at the event.

We have witnessed a sharp increase in the proportion of laminated glass in recent years, above all in companies that process insulating glass.

In the past, we used three LSG cutting bridges for this purpose, each of which was responsible for the X, Y or Z cut. Now we only need two bridges, which are in fact more productive thanks to the intelligent dynamic utilisation of the "double bridge". Furthermore, they operate with a higher degree of automation.

How long has this machine been in development and what were the key technical aspects that you focussed on?

Daniel Schörghuber: The first VSL-A double bridge system was delivered to our customer Finstral in Italy in 2021. The clear objective was to optimise the system in the best possible way, while working in close and constant collaboration with the customer. Potential improvements were quickly passed on to the technical development department at LiSEC during production. With the help of a digital twin, we simulated situations and tested improvements in advance – before an update was installed on the system. These updates improved both availability and output. A large number of satisfied customers are now benefitting from our cooperation with Finstral. In addition to continuous optimisation, a further key aspect was the modular concept and the resultant option of undertaking modular expansion for our existing customers.

How is the modular design structured?

Daniel Schörghuber: The modular concept starts with an automatic glass storage system, which is combined with a system for edge deletion or for removing the protruding LSG foils and the first VSL-A glass cutting system with conveyor belts. This enables customers who already own a VSL-A to take advantage of the high level of automation and a production rate of up to 45 glass sheets per hour with minimal wastage. We refer to a "single bridge" with this system, because there is only one VSL-A in the line network.

When upgraded with an additional VSL-A with transport sections, the "single bridge" can be extended to create a "double bridge" including the intelligent dynamic utilisation control (Dynamic Load Balancing – DLB) and an output of up to 75 sheets per hour can be achieved. This line variant can be combined with an additional sheet rotating field and a sorting or unloading robot including laser marking.

The basis for the modular concept can be established by replacing an existing LiSEC laminated glass bridge with a new VSL-A "single bridge".

Short and sweet: What are the three key advantages of this machine variant?

Daniel Schörghuber: Aside from those already mentioned: this is the fastest laminated glass cutting system for typical ISO producers on the market, it is a highly automated and modular through to fully automated system.

• The system delivers perfect edge quality with very low wastage
• There is a reduction in the likelihood of breakage during production or in the installed insulating glass unit
• It is ergonomic and safe to operate

What future trends will the machine be able to meet?

Daniel Schörghuber: The proportion of LSG has witnessed a dramatic increase in recent years and, in my opinion, will continue to rise. Automation and fewer operator interventions on the system are not only necessary due to the shortage of skilled labour, but also in terms of quality and safety in the workplace.

Machine operators become supervisors who control the systems and no longer have to turn, position, separate or remove the glass. The system takes over the process and automatically performs tasks such as removing the glass remnants, for example. In comparison, in the past the operator had to remove every remnant of glass manually and constantly optimise the system depending on the glass thickness. Now the machine does this automatically and produces a consistent cutting quality.

In order to demonstrate the complexity of the cutting process, we will be offering a workshop directly on the system during the trade fair. This will focus on the influencing factors in glass cutting, with the aim that the knowledge gained can also be applied to any existing system.

Sustainability was also taken into account during development. To save energy, our SIR heating rods are segmented and constructed in 900 mm heating modules; for example, only one module is switched on for an 800 mm long cut. The system activates further SIR modules according to the glass length.

Fact box:

• Up to approx. 45 cut sheets of glass per hour with a VSL-A "single bridge" (X-Y-Z cuts)
• Up to approx. 75 cut sheets of glass per hour with a VSL-A "double bridge" (X-Y-Z cuts)
• Design with "Dynamic Load Balancing" (DLB) – dynamic utilisation control of the "double bridge" for maximum output
• Design for cutting lengths of 3.7 m, 4.7 m or 6.1 m
• Glass cutting of laminated glass from 22.1 (4.38 mm) to 10.10.12 (24.56 mm) glass thickness, with precision of +/- 0.4 mm and up to 140 m/min cutting speed
• Up to at least 20 mm trim cut length fully automatic cutting, breaking and separating of laminated glass
• Automatic sub-plate rotation to the maximum dimensions and maximum glass thickness before glass cutting
• Electronic cutting pressure control and cutting wheel consumption analysis
• Very low maintenance and high system availability
• Simple operation thanks to a graphic touchscreen interface