Automated Glass Lathes
Sadems Industrie, a Belgium-based maker of glass products and developer of computer-controlled glass processes, has introduced a thermographic and dimensionally controlled automated Minibloc lathe that uses a Windows-based training system for fabrication of glass or quartz parts. Sadems has been a subsidiary of Moores Glassworks since 2004 allowing us to use these machines in our own production. Auto lathes can be programmed to perform the work of highly skilled craftsmen. This is especially advantageous when manufacturing with high yields as it allows for consistency and repeatability of quality.
Sadems said its thermographically controlled lathes are fully automated to produce a wide variety of glass and quartz products by hot-forming operations. From tubes or rods, these machines can shape using any combination of forming, pushing, pulling, blowing, sealing, collapsing or centrifugal operations, providing high-dimensional accuracy. Programming the equipment is quick, simple and user-friendly, and the systems are flexible, Sadems said. "Since no mechanical setup is required, it takes just a few minutes to switch from one production to another, making the equipment cost-efficient even for small production batches."
Sadems has developed a unique programming tool: the remote control. Using joysticks, potentiometers and other controls, a glassblower can produce a reference piece on an automatic machine. During this operation, called acquisition, the machine records all actions made by the glassblower, as well as thermographic and dimensional maps.