Arbonia & LiSEC are making glass logistics more efficient – the new slot rack in focus

A long-term partnership connects Arbonia and LiSEC, which is based on trust, innovative spirit and joint goals. The new slot rack is at the centre of the current cooperation, which is the heart of the automation strategy at Arbonia and setting new standards in efficiency and flexibility.

Arbonia – glass competence with tradition

Arbonia is a company steeped in tradition with around 135 employees at their location. The core business comprises producing interior products made of LSG, TSG, HSG and float glass for the B2B sector, particularly in southern Germany. The company focusses on industrial production, efficiency and continuous development. Custom-made products are offered on an individual basis but the focus remains on series production of similar articles with a batch size of “one” and process reliability.

The partnership with LiSEC

The cooperation with LiSEC has been ongoing for several years and is characterised by mutual trust and reliability. The fast reactions of LiSEC are particularly valued – if there are technical challenges, the team is on-site quickly, which is obviously made easier by their proximity.

LiSEC has always been a reliable partner, has never left us hanging and we have a good and trusting relationship., highlights Matthias Baumgartner, Technical Operations Manager at Arbonia.

An additional advantage: LiSEC knows the existing systems and processes at Arbonia very well. This makes it easier to integrate new solutions and ensures smooth processes when it comes to expansions and modernisation.

Efficiency and flexibility with LiSEC systems

In addition to a LiSEC pre-lamination furnace, Arbonia also operates several LiSEC cutting lines, including systems for LSG and float glass. Integrating the new LiSEC technology enables all glass types to be cut on a modern system and to go back to older lines as required. This ensures flexibility and efficiency. Right from the first project, part of the glass cutting warehouse was replaced with an automatic mobile rack. The next step is now being taken with the expansion of a LiSEC slot rack. The newly-installed LBR slot rack from LiSEC is the heart of the current automation strategy at Arbonia and a real game-changer for production:

• Maximum surface area utilisation: The slot rack enables significantly more glass types and quantities to be stored in a small space. The storage capacity has been almost doubled.
• Robustness and reliability: The system runs constantly and without faults in three-shift operation. “The system is simply robust and reliable.”, says Matthias Baumgartner
• Fast installation: The new warehouse was ready for operation within a week – from dismantling the old systems to starting production. “Installing the slot rack was uncomplicated: On Sunday, the stationary A-racks were removed and the system was already up and running by Friday.”, explains the Technical Operations Manager at Arbonia.
• Added value for employees: Automation via the slot rack relieves the staff noticeably. Heavy manual restacking is no longer required and the employees can focus on qualified tasks.

The combination with the LiSEC gantry loading system enables the highest degree of flexibility to be achieved in the glass warehouse. Rapid access to all glass types in stock remains guaranteed. At the same time, automation of the stacking or restacking processes for raw glass sheets ensures optimised utilisation of the cutting lines.

Arbonia & LiSEC: Cooperation with added value

Thanks to close co-operation with LiSEC, Arbonia has been able to make the production processes significantly more efficient and flexible. “Every step towards automation must be well communicated internally but ultimately, the employees see the advantages and are happy because many work steps become easier”, according to Mr Baumgartner. Automation relieves employees, increases production reliability and enables us to remain competitive. LiSEC's innovative strength is highlighted particularly: Complex automation projects are planned together, interfaces and process chains are visualised and optimised. LiSEC does not just offer standard solutions but also develops individual concepts for special requirements.

Conclusion

The partnership between Arbonia and LiSEC is impressive proof of how mutual trust, innovative spirit and a clear joint vision lead to sustainable success. Thanks to close cooperation, processes were not just able to be made more efficient and flexible but employees were also able to be relieved noticeably. The new slot rack combines the most modern technology with practical implementation and therefore provides the basis for future-proof production.