Profile processing technology
Schirmer Maschinen GmbH, Germany
Highly flexible steel frame processing line
Ottemeier Werkzeug- und Maschinentechnik GmbH, Germany
Representative office Egypt
Schirmer Maschinen GmbH, Germany
Ottemeier Werkzeug- und Maschinentechnik GmbH, Germany
40 years ago, Beckhoff started in the window production industry by automating simple double mitre saws. Through the decades the demand for automation integration towards fully automated production plants became essential in the market, and PC-based control from Beckhoff enabled manufacturers to follow the growing demands on machine contruction. Even though a window appears to be a fairly simple end product, its production requires a highly complex manufacturing process with a multitude of machining operations. One of the special features of this industry sector is that there is virtually no series production. In other words, a lot size of 1 has been a standard requirement since the beginning of window production in general. In addition, window production machines must be able to process a wide range of profiles and different base materials (wood, plastic, aluminum or a mix of different materials), each of which requires special processing operations and tools. Flexible automation technology is the key.
Beckhoff has been developing and supplying innovative control solutions for window production machines since the early 1980s. Due to the special requirements of the industry, the microprocessor controllers used initially were consistently replaced in the early 1990s by PC-based control technology developed by Beckhoff. Thanks to its many years of experience in this industry, Beckhoff now benefits from comprehensive control expertise for all the machines involved in the window production process: PC-based control technology facilitates control and monitoring of individual machines and complete window production lines. This includes profile cutting and optimization of the cutting process, bar processing (drilling, milling and inserting reinforcements, adding locking parts), welding, trimming, pressing and connecting frame corners, inserting seals, adding fittings, installing window elements and bonding glass panes. PC-based control technology from Beckhoff offers an integrated hardware and software platform for all process steps.
Automation in the manufacture of windows, doors and facades is subject to the highest requirements with regard to both the processing of different materials to make complex end products and the individualization of the manufacturing processes. Industrie 4.0 concepts promise potential for optimization: flexibility, efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness are improved by networked, intelligent production on the basis of integrated horizontal and vertical communication. The PC-based controller from Beckhoff, with open hardware and software interfaces as well as continuous communication from the sensor into the cloud, offers everything that is required for the networked "Smart Factory".