BIS is the most recent addition to BEG’s range of IS forming machines and completes its range of fully servo-driven machines. The first servo machine, NIS, was originally launched in 1999, since when over 100 units have been installed around the globe. BEG is the only supplier of 100% servo forming machines in the world.

NIS is accurate, efficient and predictable, so it works well for high-volume, large-scale production. In contrast, BIS can handle shorter runs, more frequent job changes and smaller ware sizes, and works well with smaller furnaces, making it well suited for plants who serve multiple customers with flexible, rapidly changing requirements.

Forward-looking glass-container plants are switching from pneumatic to servo controls, and BIS allows them to use the technology for all types of containers. With the ability to handle 4¼”, 5” and 5½” wares, it can replace three different pneumatic machines types. With 99% uptime, improved energy consumption, better quality and far easier maintenance, BEG estimates that the lifetime total cost of ownership for a BIS machine is 10% lower than a pneumatic equivalent. BIS is quieter too, improving the working environment for operators.

Servo technology also plays a key role in BEG’s End to End vision of automation and integrated control, and is in tune with its Stronger Together philosophy of integration, collaboration and relationship-building.

Over the last three years, BIS machines have been installed at Nampak Glass (South Africa), Noelle von Campe (Germany) and Allied Glass (UK). Since then, team members from both BEG and these plants have worked together to monitor the machine performance, quality and robustness to optimize designs to make BIS even more stable and efficient.

There are big differences between historical pneumatic machines and new servo controlled machines. One of them being to have the ability to monitor and measure mechanism performance and herewith to identify wrong set-up of motions or mechanical misalignments during operation. By using this information and making corrective actions, it will extend lifetime of the machine significantly.

In close collaboration with the BIS customers new working procedures were established, troubleshooting became much easier as well as preventive maintenance.

Collaboration is set to continue, unlocking even more improvements. A user group meeting at Allied in May 2017, attended by staff from BEG, Allied and Noelle von Campe, focused on key topics including mechanics, process cooling, user interface, servo technology, job changes and maintenance.

“Throughout its history, Bucher Emhart Glass has been all about customer collaboration,” says Jarmo Kammonen, BIS Product Manager at BEG. “Since BIS hit the market, we’ve listened very carefully to what our customers told us, and we’ve acted on it. With this launch, we’re ready to bring the benefits of BIS to many more glass plants who need an efficient, high-quality yet flexible forming machine.”

“It’s clear that servo is the future of glass container manufacturing,” adds Martin Jetter, President of BEG. “It’s faster, cheaper, more efficient and more accurate – and BIS puts those benefits within the reach of every glassmaker. Combine it with NIS and you can make any type of ware with servo technology. If you’re still wondering when you should ‘go servo,’ the time is now.”