2018 Italian Technology Awards: winners discover the excellence of Italian glass machinery

The delegation of US and Canadian students, winners of the 2018 Italian Technology Awards (organized by ITA – Italian Trade Agency as part of the Machines Italia project), accompanied by two of their professors, were hosted in Italy 4-11 November.

After an initial study day in Como, at Villa Del Grumello, and a visit to ComoNExT, Digital Innovation Hub and startup incubator, the Glassworking Group, made up of students Zachary Ackerman and Jessie Kaczmarek from Robert Morris University, Moon, Pennsylvania, accompanied by Professor Arif Sirinterlikci; and Gabriel Alejandro Peña Tijerina, from Concordia University, Montreal, accompanied by Professor Carmela Cucuzzella, began their tour of several GIMAV member companies.

The first visit took place at Neptun srl in Rovello Porro (Como), the morning of 7 November, led by Matteo Rolla, Managing Director, who remarks: “We were thrilled to participate in this program because, if we want to maintain the vitality of our industry, handfuls of seeds must be sown for one to take root. Given the background of the delegation, we provided a general description of the ‘pre-processing’ area where the Neptun lines are located. Then we used slides and videos to delve deeper into the concepts and various applications of edging and arrising, drilling and milling and, finally, washing, as a crucial prerequisite to other processes, like lamination, IG units, screen printing, tempering, painting, solar, and ultra-thin glass with technological coatings. In the Q&A session that followed, Neptun’s approach to automation, control of flaws and integration of the various production processes were of particular interest, especially to the faculty participants. The most impressive part of the visit was the machine shop, where we explained how our machines are produced, from construction to the software tests. Lastly, the delegation observed straight-line processing and washing machines in action.

For us, the greatest satisfaction was their amazement over the production, in a single pass, of a polished bevel with 2mm edge on 25 mm glass, starting from a raw edge. From the surprise on their faces, I am pleased to conclude that there is a bit of magic in our industry.”