This year, Glasstec (2018) once again surpassed its reputation as the leading trade fair for glass - this is the verdict of Bernhard Hötger, Managing Director of HEGLA, who was in the midst of the action on behalf of the company for no less than the eighteenth time. The MD is certain that visitors hoping to gain inspiration from the latest trends and visions for the future found plenty to interest them, as did those who wished to learn about the latest machines, equipment and concepts.
Up to thirty percent more output when cutting laminated safety glass
Visitors to HEGLA’s own stand immediately demonstrated significant interest in the topics of automation, process optimisation and processes for cutting laminated safety glass. It therefore came as no surprise to HEGLA that the new high-output cutting system for laminated safety glass, known as StreamLam, attracted the most attention within the exhibition space spanning over 1800 m². “With its triple positioning system and a double-decker principle, the machine can cut up to three sheets simultaneously,” said Bernhard Hötger. “Designed for new installations or as a replacement for existing line solutions comprising two cutting machines, the StreamLam can achieve up to 30 percent more output on almost the same footprint.” Further cost benefits can be realised by integrating one or two dynamic ReMaster residual sheet storage units, for which the high-output system is already pre-equipped.
Automated Guided Vehicles (AVGs) as an aspect of shop floor logistics
The great importance afforded to the topics of automation and occupational health and safety recently was illustrated by the large number of visitors showing interest in AGVs; self-driving transport vehicles for mobile storage racks, A and L frames, which were being exhibited for the first time. With a current load capacity of up to 2.5 tons and integration in a manufacturing control system or a guidance system, the use of AGVs allows the delivery of sheets to be organised in a flexible and automated manner that is synchronised with production cycles. Tailored to customers’ unique requirements, it is possible to transport sheets safely between different stations for processing, for example, or to slot them into and remove them from a sorting solution. As expected with state-of-the-art shop floor logistics, production processes can also be flexibly customised for different requirements.
For the first time, the HEGLA exhibition space also included exhibits by the software provider HEGLA-HANIC and the laser application specialist HEGLA boraident. “Being able to showcase our joint potential at glasstec was a positive experience for our teams,” emphasised Bernhard Hötger on behalf of the entire HEGLA Group. “Our customers were able to learn about machines, laser and software applications not only from a single source but also in terms of HEGLA’s cooperation with other companies.”
Reuniting with existing and potential customers, and friends
The Beverungen-based company HEGLA and its partner companies were highly satisfied with the record number of visitors to the stand and the great interest demonstrated in their machines and solutions. “We were very pleased to be reunited with so many existing and potential customers, and friends,” added Bernhard Hötger. “Aside from all the technology, innovation and the growing rapid changes in the industry, it’s really nice that personal contacts can still be cultivated at glasstec and that this aspect has not been neglected.”
