Float Glass1

Float Glass Automation Capabilities

Hot-End Drive Controls

Discrete devices

Local MMI entry

Process control link

Communication link to drives for start/stop control,
setpoint control and full diagnostics
Human Machine Interface (HMI) integration into Furnace, Batch and Lehr HMI systems.
Data transfer to a Management Execution System (MES)
Top Roll position control
Typical drive sections controlled include:

Batch Chargers

Stirrers

Fans (Stack, Combustion Air, Dilution Air, Bath Bottom, and Cooling Tower)

Tweels

Top Rolls

Lehr

Defect Marking Control Systems

PLC controller and HMI
Servo and fixed spray gun bridges
Direct interface to defect inspection systems (IAL [SIRA], ISRA)
Gun selection optimization to insure equal usage and minimal
gun movement during heavy defects
Cutting system interface to classify defects and receive cap
layout data for lite marking

YCUT Control Systems

Independent PLC controller per bridge
Common Windows based HMI for multiple bridges
Automatic multi-head servo positioning bridge controls
Individual head pressure controls
Interface with cutting system to receive automatic head position setpoint
and report head status
Ability to disable multiple heads for maintenance while in remaining heads
are in production
Head position calibration using either measurements from actual score
positions or lite widths

Mainline Conveyor Control Systems

Redundant and non-redundant PLC controllers and HMI’s
Closed and open loop discrete glass tracking
Multiple destination (unload) glass routing control
Interface with plant business system for accessing production
schedule and logging production performance
Interface with Reliance PDP-11 cutting systems
Production reports for yield/item and equipment usage
Acceleration conveyor drive/clutch control
Redundant mainline conveyor drive control
Berthing conveyor control
Trim deck automatic positioning and trim tool actuation
YCUT separation device selection algorithms
Score separation tool automatic positioning and actuation
Camera system communication interface
Cullet drop automatic control (conveyor, split, and multi-finger designs)
Cullet return system interlocks
Loss reporting to initiate automatic re-cut
Power machine automatic control including variable application coverage
Spurline transfer device coordination/control (flow gate, crane, walking beam, pop-up transfer, etc.)
Jumbo conveyor positioning and alignment control
Jumbo Stacker interface
Robot interface
Manual pack/deceleration conveyor control
Mainline large display units

Spurline Control Systems

Stacker Control Systems

Robot type (4-axis) stacker with capabilities of stacking LES, Jumbo and
split ribbon size glass.
Automatic cup selection based on glass pickup position and dimensions
Over/Under stacker control for picking up glass from top or bottom
using the same stacker

Coater Conveyor Control Systems

Multi-lite load align and build control for load end
Washer system interface including automatic thickness changes
Stacker conveyor positioning and alignment control
Stacker interface
Robot system interface
Camera inspection system interface
Color inspection system interface
Auto reject ability for color alarmed loads
Powder machine automatic control including variable application coverage
CNC interface including defect cutting optimization
Snap and trim control for CNC cut loads
Dynamic item and destination reroute control for unload end
Flipper control automatically flipped for first lite of new rack
Accumulator control with auto accumulate for unload line backup situations
Corner table covey generation for manual pack loads
Plant business system interface for download of schedules and reporting to accounting system

Installations of the above applications can currently be found on lines for AFG Industries, Cardinal FG, Guardian Industries and Visteon.