Page 57 - Glass-Technology International no. 4/2018

sees this as the ensuing con- ously optimise maintenance reducing advantages can be
tinuation of the company’s efforts with new technical NETWORK identified and exploited.
existing strategy. “Histori- measures. UTILISATION Thanks to the improved
cally, both competition and Despite all his enthusi- AND DIGITAL opportunities of commu-
costs have put big pressure asm over the capabilities ADVANCEMENTS nicating directly between
on the glass industry and and benefits of Industry Some aspects regard- humans and machinery,
increased the demand, 4.0, the long-standing MD ing Industry 4.0’s vision there is more available data
with a need to constantly promotes a balanced and for glass manufacturers to support decision-making
find new solutions that sustainable approach built have already been accom- or even use solutions gen-
exceed the optimised ca- on in-depth expertise and plished. Many companies, erated by the systems au-
pacity of single facilities consideration. Not every for example, are already tonomously. One simple
or production processes,” customer will be able to capable of producing cus- and topical example Bern-
Hötger explains. “Our in- capitalise on the advantages tomised, individual cut- hard Hötger cites are the
novation project will offer of fully networked solutions ting programs under the now long-established net-
our customers additional and, by giving special at- same conditions and costs worked loading systems,
advantages over competi- tention to the cost-benefit as large-scale projects, which no longer provide
tors, reduce the costs on ratio, it might appear rea- Hötger emphasises. With glass on demand and only
their production lines, en- sonable not to digitalise all the proposed higher level do so in line with the opera-
able more flexibility and processes, link all machines of network utilisation and tor’s requirements. Instead,
further improve the cycle to the network or devolve digital advancements, as the required type of glass is
times.” An additional aim completely to artificial in- well as the increased use of requested by the joint pro-
is to reduce and continu- telligence. available data, further cost- duction control system, and

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