In recent years, many glass processors have had to adapt their production machinery to be more flexible. The primary reason for this shift is the decline in high-volume orders, especially in the architectural sector. While this varies by market, the global trend leans toward more adaptable solutions: tool configurations that integrate cup wheels and peripheral wheels, quick changeovers, broad capabilities, and minimal manual intervention.
The market demands customized solutions with rapid changeovers, wide-ranging capabilities, and minimal manual intervention. This trend significantly impacts double-edging line selection. If you align with this market direction, read on to ensure your processing equipment meets evolving market needs.
Enhance Your Capability
When evaluating the capability of a double-edging line, consider the line's size, the number of spindles, and the types of edging it can perform. The goal is to handle various edging types with the same machine. Here are some factors to consider:
Maximum Grinding Size: Can the line handle small pieces, half jumbo, jumbo, giga-lites, or something in between?
Edging Types: Does it support flat edges with arris, chamfers, pencil edges, seaming, and polishing?
Capacity: How fast does the line need to run for your primary thicknesses, such as 12-15 m/min for pencil edges?
Features: Do you need corner cutting, Low-E removal, engraving on the glass surface or edge?
Layout Suitability: Can the line be configured in L, U, Z shapes, or a reverse layout?
After determining your size and capacity needs, the next crucial decision is whether you need to perform seaming, pencil edge, and flat-edge grinding with the same machine. If so, you’ll need a machine equipped with both cup wheel and peripheral tooling.
Consider Secondary Requirements
If you need to run both large and thick glass, ensure your double-edging line has motorized belts controlled by a PLC for precision. A stiff structure for high-quality grinding is essential for both high and low-volume production.
For processing Low-E glass, your double-edging line should have anti-scratch belts, which are cleaned continuously by a brush and fresh water to prevent damage to the sensitive glass surface.
If corner cutting is a requirement, ensure your line can perform this task efficiently. For instance, if your line can run at 15 m/min but your corner cutting operates at only 4 m/min, you’ll encounter bottlenecks. A fast and flexible corner cutting system, such as an electromechanical spindle adjustable from the user interface, can elevate your process to the required speed.
Fast Changeovers and Integration
When processing various glass types, changeovers must be quick. Aim for electronically changeable settings and easy access setups, including automatic setup cycles, motorized speed increases for diamond and polishing wheels, glass removal settings directly from the control panel, and automatic glass supporting bars.
Integration is a clear trend in modern glass processing. Double edgers can integrate with pre-processing systems like loading or cutting systems or with post-processing systems such as a flat tempering line. When planning to integrate a double edger with a tempering line, understand both systems' limitations to ensure optimal flow. Open and transparent communication between your tempering line and double edger providers is crucial.
Key Points for Integration
Match the Capacities: Ensure the capacities of the integrated systems align.
Loading Optimization: Implement loading optimization when integrating with a tempering line.
Seamless Information Exchange: Ensure seamless data flow between the systems.
Aesthetic Consistency: Ensure the integrated line has a cohesive appearance.
By considering these factors, you can select a double-edging line that meets current market demands for flexibility and efficiency.
Comments