Energy-efficient automation for the glass industry

Using integrated automation, instrumentation, drive and power distribution solutions, Siemens links all sequences of glass production. Services and solutions developed together with process partners supplement the Siemens offering for the glass industry. The focal point of this year's trade fair presentation covers concepts and solutions on the topic of energy efficiency.

For example, the Siemens range includes energy audits which are conducted together with its customers, enabling them to analyze the energy consumption and to discover savings potentials. Energy management tools integrated in the Simatic PCS 7 process control system also provide support for optimization of energy consumption, such as using process heat to gain possible savings in electrical energy.

Low-energy, frequency-controlled motors and drives are also presented which can save up to 50 percent of the normally required electrical energy, depending on the application. Furthermore, the surplus energy from the drives can be fed back into the grid, for instance with the Smart Line and Active Line modules from the Sinamics S range. Examples show that the connected load of machines for processing hollow glass can then be reduced by almost 80 percent, and the energy consumption of the machines by about 50 percent at the same time.

Resources can also be saved due to an increased yield of glass. Siemens is developing solutions to this end together with technological partners. Such solutions extend from efficient process control with PCS 7 in the vat, floating bath and roller cooling furnace processes up to further processing of the glass. Motion control solutions with exact guidance for cutting and exact edge processing significantly reduce waste.

Another topic that will be presented covers plant productivity and safety. For example, some drives from the Sinamics range are equipped with Safety Integrated functionality which has been certified by the trade association and TÜV. This feature not only saves cabling in the control cabinet but also increases plant productivity: safety zones need no longer be switched off free of energy, and the plant can be used further at reduced speed.

Further information can be found on the Internet at: www.siemens.com/automation