SMARTFEEDER

SMARTFEEDER

Create and maintain your desired gob automatically

The SMARTFEEDER is an integrated gob forming package designed to automatically create, monitor and maintain the desired gob characteristics throughout production. By combining advanced measurement technology, intelligent process control and servo-driven gob forming equipment, SMARTFEEDER delivers superior gob consistency, improved process stability and simplified operation across a wide range of production conditions.

The SMARTFEEDER package includes:

  • GobRadar measurement system for continuous gob monitoring.
  • Gob Control Closed Loop for automatic cavity-by-cavity process optimization.
  • 570 Multi-Drive Feeder for independent feeder needle control and gob weight adjustment.
  • 555 Tube Mechanism for precise tube height and rotation control.
  • 575 Dual Drive Servo Shear for optimized gob cutting and delivery.

SMARTFEEDER enables operators to define the desired gob parameters while the integrated control system continuously compensates for process variations. The result is improved gob quality, faster job change recovery, enhanced multi-article production capability and a more stable, repeatable forming process.

Improving efficiency and speed

Reduced job change time. Improved start-up after a job change. Gob parameters from the previous jobs can be stored and are achieved automatically even under different conditions

Overcoming the knowledge gap

Less reliance on experienced operators to adjust the gob forming process. Automatic adjustments are independent of operator experience and result in a more consistent forming process.

Greater control from the start 

Gob weight and length are automatically adjusted for each section individually. Easy gob forming for single and multi-article production.

Greater consistency across jobs

Gobs are perfectly replicated even under varying conditions. There is no need to change the calibration between jobs unless specific conditions within the feeder have fundamentally been changed.

Features
  • Automatically adjusts and maintains gob weight and length for each section individually
  • Full Gob Control for all Processes
  • Fully integrated in the FlexIS timing
  • Potential for future enhancements
Benefits
  • Less variation in the production process (single and multi article).
  • Easy setup of multi weight patterns for sampling, blockwise or ABAB production shortened job change time.
  • Faster start up after job change – weight and length from the previous run are achieved by automatic adjustment, even with different surrounding conditions.
  • Reduces overpull
  • Follows the FlexIS philosophy.
  • Relevant data is stored in the job.
  • Stay on top with upcoming software developments
Field Upgrade proposal

Complexity

  • Easy on Bucher Emhart Glass Feeder assembly (audit needed for competitor feeders)
  • Expected machine down time for installation: 4 days glass to glass

Availability

  • Machine Types: All
  • Center Distances: DG 4-3/8 - TG 3" - TG 4-3/8" - QC 3"
  • Weight Control: Available
  • Length Control: Available
  • Tilt Control: Available
  • Shape Control: Under Development

Prerequisites

  • FlexIS existing
  • Stand Alone FX3 MC controller
  • Good Glass conditioning
Implementation of upgrade

Engineering effort

  • Prepare customized layout: 8 hours

Project management effort

  • Specification: 8 hours
  • Audit on site: 1 day
  • Follow up: 16 hours

Service requirement

  • 1 Mechanical SE: 5 days on site
  • 1 Automation Specialist: 10 days on site
  • 1 Production Specialist: 5 days on site
Field Upgrades Package A Package B Package C
570 Multi Drive Feeder x x x
555 Revolving Tube     x
575 Dual Drive Shear x x x
Gob Radar x x x
Front Plate     x
Spout casing     x
Tube Hoist     x
Gob Control Closed Loops x x x
Stand Alone FX3 Machine Controler   x x
UC 2   x x
Additional Drives and Cables for 575 Dual Drive Shear x    
Additional Drives and Cables for 570 Multi Drive Feeder x    

x = available