The aim of developing the systron LOOP was to create a vertical glass processing line that produces glass with precise dimensions and angles – even with linear special shapes – and with cup wheel polishing. ‘This combination of precise grinding and complex CNC processing in a single system offers the glass industry numerous possibilities,’ explains systron Managing Director Franz Schachner.
The LOOP system not only enables the processing of rectangular glass panes, but also the production of complex CNC glass with various internal workings. In conjunction with the systron proHD processing centre, different requirements can be met in a consistent, efficient process.
Optimised glass edge at top speed
Systron
A key feature of the systron LOOP is its ability to process glass plates up to 3.5 x 3.5 metres fully automatically. The glass passes through four rounds of the TLR edge grinding machine and is automatically turned 90° after each round. This eliminates set-up times for different glass sizes, ensuring high productivity even with frequent changes.
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The simple transport system and flexible turning unit make the system ideal for large and heavy glass plates. Eleven spindles are used for grinding and brilliant polishing. ‘The system's efficiency is evident from the short processing time: depending on the space available, the production of a standard shower door (two by one metres) can be reduced by one-fifth,’ says Alfred Thiele, Managing Director of Thiele Glas.
The systron LOOP can process glass plates with maximum dimensions of 3500 x 3500 mm and minimum dimensions of 300 x 300 mm, enabling a wide range of applications.
User-friendliness and modular design
Systron
The modular design of the LOOP system ensures easy adaptation to space constraints and specific production requirements. The intuitive machine software is clearly displayed on a multi-touch panel and enables fast, precise axis positioning. A digital twin on the operator terminal provides an accurate image of the machine's actual state, making it easier to operate and monitor.
The system is fully virtualised so that the glass panes can be synchronised at defined checkpoints using sensors. This enables automatic adjustment of the dynamics (speed, acceleration, deceleration) depending on the dimensions of the glass. For example, a square glass pane undergoes greater acceleration than one with a length-to-height ratio of 1:8, which increases production reliability. The operator can always see the entire process on the operator panel and can communicate with the system via the virtualised view.
Integrated washing machine for the lower glass edges
Systron
To avoid scratches and contamination during the machining process, an integrated washing machine is available for the edge grinding machine that cleans the glass during processing. This function is also suitable for low-e glass and ensures that the edges remain clean and free of residue.
Combination with the proHD processing centre: For dimensionally stable and accurately angled products that require complex interior processing, the systron LOOP can be combined with the proHD processing centre. This combination offers:
Dimensionally stable pre-grinding and precise interior processing for demanding applications. Very short cycle times, especially for small batch sizes. A bypass function for processing different glass types and shapes.
Flexible transport system
In developing the LOOP system, the engineers at systron placed particular emphasis on flexibility and reliability. The transport system has a modular design and can be optimally adapted to the customer's circumstances. In addition, the integrated single-sided machine is flexible: ‘We have already had good experiences with the TLR11 edge grinding machine from Lattuada, but we could also integrate other manufacturers,’ explains LOOP developer Markus Widhalm.
Systron
