PREMIERES AT THE GLASSTEC: SplitFin - The new Lisec processing concept with water Jet Technology

In the processing area, LiSEC focuses on a line concept comprised of a vertical edge grinding machine, a drilling and milling centre and a washing machine. Horst Schraml, head of the business unit Processing at LiSEC: "We are confident in this line concept: Compared to combination machines, the line is significantly faster and more effective, as all components are in continuous use. Unlike single machines, the line concept offers an uninterrupted material flow."

Grinding and polishing edges
The edge grinding machine is a fully automatic system for grinding and/or polishing the glass sheets (grinding to size, fine-grinding). It is available with one or two grinding heads. The design with two grinding heads allows parallel processing of the top and bottom edge of the glass sheet. On request, the tool change can be automated. The edge grinding machine, which processes rectangles as a standard but can also work with shapes and radiuses, scores with short cycles times, achieved through the optimised manufacturing process for ground or polished edges. Another feature of this system, which has been redesigned from the ground up, is the optimised accessibility for service and maintenance tasks. Those tasks can now be completed significantly faster. The well thought out tool management will impress operators: For example, the system automatically corrects polishing wheel wear, and reprofiles & measures tools in production-free periods if possible.

Drilling and milling centre with water jet
The heart of the system is the optimised MRX-B WJ processing centre (the WJ stands for water jet). This processing centre is fast, versatile and easy to operate. The MRX-B WJ achieves exceedingly fast cycle times. For a shower door with two Mickey Mouse cut-outs and a handle hole the system needs less than 90 seconds. Processing the same door with ground cut-outs takes less than two and a half minutes. These rapid processing times are enabled by technical refinements. For example, positioning the water jet cutting head directly below the processing spindle on the same axle allows faster changes between tools and waterjet processing. Furthermore, mounting the tool changer directly on the processing spindle speeds up the tool changes, right at the processing location where the tool is required. This minimizes unproductive idle times.

The MRX-B WJ makes it easy for the operators: Standard processes can be created quickly, without any CAD knowledge or software. Operators can also save favourites. The system takes care of the assignment and optimisation of tool types/diameters – all the operator has to enter is the desired quality. The system also automatically regulates the speed according to the vacuum conditions.

Versatility is an important asset of the MRX-B WJ: It can be used for drilling, milling, countersinking and grinding. It is possible to use combination tools or the patented water jet technology. It still retains the advantages of a standalone machine, as the MRX-B WJ can be loaded separately even in the line.

To avoid bottlenecks on the line caused by sheets which are not processed further after grinding, the VLO (vertical lift over) system transports these sheets past the MRX-B WJ. This option eliminates the need for sorting during the sheet set up: The operator can put the complete batch on the line with no regard for the processing.

Washing and drying
The last machine in the line is a fully automatic washing and drying system with four brushes. This machine, which can wash glass sheets up to 20 mm thick without any further adjustment, is equipped with fresh water rinsing after each brush zone (cascade system) and a hot water system with thermostat for the first brush zone. A pre-washing zone and brushes for washing low-E glass sheets are available as options.

Technical data

• Max. length: 4,000 mm

• Min. length: 500 mm

• Max. height: 2,700 mm

• Min. height: 160 mm

• Thickness: 4 - 20 mm