GS-MR PRO : Load Automates LiSEC Flexible Spacer Insulated Glass Lines
STORAGE , HANDLING & DISTRIBUTION
GS-MR PRO : LOAD
GS-MR ROBOTICS
GS-MR PRO : Load Automates LiSEC Flexible Spacer Insulated Glass Lines
GS-MR Robotics explore how their patented PRO : Load robotic glass loading system is automating the industry leading IGU manufacturing lines which continue to come with manual loading as standard .
Most of us have IGU double glazing at home but are we aware of the manufacturing techniques employed to make our windows ? We can leave the manufacturing details to the experts because glass is a dangerous commodity , right ?
Is it a revelation to discover with the level of technology available throughout the manufacturing world , the glass processing machinery manufacturers latest automated high specification IGU production lines still utilise manual loading and unloading as standard ? Operators set to load glass panes of all sizes and weights , including patio door sized , throughout their shift for ‘ Living Wage ’?
Challenges spawn innovation bringing progress where none was considered possible .
And it ’ s the same at the end of the ‘ automated ’ processing line , although unfortunately the IGU is now 2 or 3 times heavier than at the loading end .
A fully automated manufacturing IGU line dependent upon manual labour in two key production areas is indicative of where the glass processing industry is placed regarding meaningful automation .
It should be no surprise then the glass industry has labour issues – loading tonnes of glass every day for the living wage and not much more .
Only long standing IGU machinery manufacturers can explain why they have failed to produce a proactive automated IG loading system within reach of SMEs budgets . The continuing reliance on a manual handling process which contributes to producing significant amounts of waste is questionable , although having been adopted in excess of 50 years ago , you will struggle to find a video demonstrating the process to any degree .
Manufacturers maintaining their insistence that modern IG processing lines continue to rely on manual loading enables the industry acceptance of that creation of waste , with social media posts proudly showing tonnages of cullet returned for recycling as though cullet glass isn ’ t waste .
Whilst other industries have accepted automation the glass industry has remained hesitant to acknowledge it could be the necessary avenue securing its future commercial competitiveness .
In 2018 GS-MR Robotics were busy designing automated systems with glass industry issues in mind ,
86 PECM Issue 73