Way Down Yonder in New Orleans

It was GPAD 2014 – the two day conference for glass processing company Owners, CEO’s, Presidents VP’s, Senior Managers and Directors dedicated to the latest technology for glass processing automation.Held in New Orleans, the invitation-only event attracted over 100 attendees, all there for up to the minute information on the best automation solutions money can buy.

The event was perfectly organized by FeneTech and sponsored this year by Ashton Industrial, IGE, Diamond Fusion, Mappi, Forel North America, Dip-Tech North America, TSS, Turomas Tecnocat, Top Drill, Land Glass, Forvet and Soft Solutions. Each sponsor presented information and film footage focused on different areas of new technology in glass processing, and the substantial benefits they bring.

Ashton Industrial’s contribution titled ‘Total Automation’, showed how their SEAMMAXX-PRO high performance seaming line with automatic furnace load batching, allows glass to be processed from breakout thru seaming, laser marking, edge deletion, washing and batch feeding thru to fully tempered product with ZERO manual labour. Payback can be a short as 1 year in a 3-shift operation.

Also covered was SHAPESEAM-PRO robotic scanning and seaming of totally random shapes and sizes in any sequence, with no pre-programming or data transfer requirement.

The busy full seminar program was beautifully offset with quality time to socialise and network with fellow attendees. A welcome meeting got everyone together right from the off, and a traditional jazz band parade and riverboat cruise into the evening gave everyone the opportunity to exchange views and industry gossip (who says men don’t gossip?) while enjoying the New Orleans party atmosphere!!

Feedback from both companies attending and from sponsors is very positive, everyone seems to agree the event was a great success and the majority intend to sign up again next time round.

Richard Green – Business Development Manager – Ashton Industrial

If you missed the event and would like more information on the topics covered by the various sponsors please contact Samantha.Hudeck@fenetech.com or for more detail specifically on the Ashton Industrial range please contact Richard Green – rgreen@ashton-industrial.com