Automating Sawing Equipment with the I/O system in IP67

The manufacturing processes can be consistently automated using the systems and machines from Burkhardt-Löffler: from delivery of raw plates through cataloging up to cutting and finishing. “Few, if any other manufacturers in the world can offer this format,” states Dieter Löffler, an expert in sales.

The systems are always developed and implemented in close collaboration with the customer. This includes integrated software solutions and interfaces to ERP systems. “By using automation, we can substantially lower costs for our customers, as hardly any manual interventions are necessary,” he explains. Customers also profit from the quality of the finished products due to the consistent automation. And, not least, their process safety also increases, according to Löffler.

Automating the processes requires comprehensive networking and digitization of the machinery. In their newest development, a multi blade bridge saw with a rotary head that is the size of a garage, Burkhardt-Löffler ensures high connectivity by using an I/O solution from WAGO: the WAGO I/O System Field establishes the prerequisites for secure interaction of individual components. “When searching for an I/O product, we have the same requirements as our customers: we want a solution that guarantees the highest levels of quality and safety – that simultaneously provides us with maximum flexibility. WAGO and its Field product perfectly satisfied these specifications,” says Patrick Gempel, who is responsible for electrical designs at Burkhardt-Löffler.

Gempel especially values the flexibility created by the individually and variably parameterizable inputs and outputs of the WAGO solution. “In products from other manufacturers, the interfaces are inherently either inputs or outputs. In contrast, the WAGO I/O System Field provides us with the ability to freely determine which are inputs and which are outputs – and the potential to alter these decisions,” he explains. This also benefits the customers. “If they later need another output, then they can simply convert an input to an output.”

While this is theoretically also possible with other I/O solutions or other terminal boxes, it requires substantial expense, according to Gempel, because the wiring has to be redone and reprogramming is also needed. Most customers would not have that expertise in house, which means they would have to turn to external experts, which costs both time and money. “With WAGO, however, we can access the I/O product via remote maintenance and reparameterize it with a few clicks of a mouse. That is much more efficient,” he explains.

The ability to process large, massive stone blocks and plates demands a lot from systems and machines. They work in a rough environment – the water used for cooling turns the stone dust, emitted by the saws, into so-called stone sludge. “That can become as hard as cement when it dries,” states Gempel. He continues that many component manufacturers like to tout how well their product deal with these harsh conditions. This often looks different in practical applications. “In contrast, the environment causes no difficulties for the WAGO I/O solution, because it satisfies the requirements for the IP67 protection class,” he explains.