Product category:
Handling and automation equipment
News Release from: Wittmann UK | Subject: Integrated materials handling systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 31 March 2006
Materials handling intended for 'lights
out' work
A range of integrated plastics materials handling systems will help plastics processors achieve high production and low-maintenance 'lights out' production and remote controlled factory operations.
Wittmann UK supplies a range of fully integrated materials handling systems, including dryers, blenders, vacuum loading systems, silos, central filters, vacuum receivers, tilt tables and surge hoppersdryers, and temperature controllers A key goal of the company is to help plastics processors achieve high production and low-maintenance goals of 'lights out' production and remote controlled factory operations
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 3 Sep 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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"Our award-winning materials handling equipment is better by design, functionality and performance," said Barry Hill, managing director of Wittmann UK, leading supplier of ancillary equipment to the plastics processing sector.
"This equipment is one of the best investments any plastics processor could make.
Most of all - and thanks to recent corporate investment - our materials handling solutions are now also extremely affordable.
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Now is the time to buy." Hill typically faces some frustrations in getting the Wittmann materials message through.
"In perceptual terms, and because of our history, we often tend to be badged as a robotics and automation supplier.
True, our automation reputation and expertise is well deserved but our materials handling know-how and delivery now needs to step out of the shadows." Hill continued: "Wittmann materials handling equipment has been created by the plastics sector for the plastics sector and does the job like no other.
In the larger US market, this superior performance has been recognised with a steady stream of industry awards.
Just like our robots.
The equipment delivers in spades, and - thanks to our low-cost production centres around the world - we can now make it available to the industry at the most competitive prices." On occassions in the UK, Barry has to tackle the misperception that Wittmann equipment is expensive: "Nothing in fact is further from the truth," he said, "And smart moulders are taking advantage of it." And with Wittmann production from China and Eastern Europe now about to come online at full stream, the company is: "Without a doubt one of the most cost-effective suppliers throughout the world." Hill stressed the importance of finding an equipment supplier that is globally recognised - wherever the plastics production happens to be.
"Effective plastics manufacturing is global and needs the confidence and reliability of a global supplier.
Like it or not, the days of the local and bespoke equipment supplier are extremely limited.
Moulders and processors need to rely on reliability, cost effectiveness and right first time wherever they are in the world - the UK, Eastern Europe, South America.
And suppliers for their part need to be able to deliver production solutions to the customer - wherever the customer is." Wittmann UK supplies a range of fully integrated materials handling systems, including dryers, blenders, vacuum loading systems, silos, central filters, vacuum receivers, tilt tables and surge hoppersdryers, and temperature controllers.
A key goal of the company is to help plastics processors achieve high production and low-maintenance goals of 'lights out' production and remote controlled factory operations.
Wittmann's control equipment for materials handling is key here - and when combined with the Internet make.
The company has introduced a number of new features to its M7-Touch materials handling network control system, which was shown at Plast 2006 in February and will also feature at NPE Chicago in June 2006.
These control systems make the running of plastics processing plants even more hands-off and possible from remote locations.
The M7-Touch network control is basically designed to simplify and manage the flexible arrangement of plastics materials conveying and drying functions in plastics processing plants.
The software typically links up with Wittmann's extensive range of material handling hardware including Drymax and Feedmax equipment.
Up to 240 network nodes and different material handling components can be arbitrarily connected to the M7-Touch network control system.
At one level the system thereby represents a central data collection and entry point for all the connected hardware.
"Our M7 equipment means that the need to operate from a fixed station within the plant is completely eliminated," said Hill.
"The operator, or manager, can thus move freely around the plant and at any time view the status and operate the desired material handling components.
This wireless innovation for materials handling thus gives even more freedom to plant managers and operators.
It allows operations to be programmed, controlled and adjusted from any point in the plant; including desk tops and remote locations.
This feature - in addition to the competitively priced hardware - will make Wittmann materials handling systems extremely attractive to the plastics processing industries.".
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