Once a company moves from manual spraying to automation, many workpieces will require the operator to program the spraying software carefully, so that coating is performed correctly, consistently, and without leaving uncoated surfaces or using excessive quantities of paint.

The more complex the geometry, the more complicated the programming phase will be, requiring hours or even days of trial and error stages and fine-tuning of the movements that will ensure a quality finish. If you have ever faced this issue, be aware that a spraying robot that programs itself allows you to save all the programming time and effort, delivering the results you want and improving your production capacity.

The reason for a robot and the decisions you need to make.

A spraying robot has a huge advantage over a human operator: it never gets tired or sick and always sprays the same way, from the start to the end of a shift. However, you need an expert to instruct the robot and program it for each new production run.
Most people will accept this as a fact, but it is not entirely true. With our spraying robots, it’s your decision: teach the robot or make it learn on its own.

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Self-programming capabilities save everyone’s time and your money.

An expert will spend hours determining the single movements that a robot needs to accomplish in a precise sequence. When developing our equipment and software, we knew how important it was to create a solution in which the robot was able to learn and teach itself. This involved 3D reading barriers, optimisation of trajectories, speeds, quantities, opening and closing of spray nozzles etc. To summarise what our robots do: they process data and translate it into immediate action, and may conserve this knowledge forever.

Flexibility is not a challenge for these robots.

Cartesian spraying robots and anthropomorphic spraying robots fitted with 2D and 3D reading barriers and the appropriate software will allow for flexible production, increasing your efficiency, the quality of the product and time to market; especially where small volumes and huge variety are requested.

Moreover, this degree of intelligent automation enhances your company’s sustainability.

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Industrial automation systems have transformed modern production lines by leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as robotics and AI and by using the Internet of Things to incorporate sensor networks and data analysis platforms.

How many times have you wondered how you can reduce production costs and boost your company’s productivity? The automation revolution offers just the answers you’ve been looking for: lower labour costs, less human error, streamlined operations and improved precision.

Industrial automation systems are designed to work continuously. They can also be reprogrammed to meet changing production requirements and so ensure optimal use of resources at all times. Companies that implement them properly experience higher productivity and efficiency and obtain higher output volumes per unit of time, without compromising quality. This doesn’t just reduce overall operating costs: it also sharpens the company’s competitiveness on an increasingly challenging global market.

How do industrial automation systems work?

Modern industrial automation is a union of mechanical manufacturing and IT systems. Known as Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), this industrial model unites - within a unified infrastructure - all the production processes with the automation equipment and with the IT management systems. This is where data sharing - on which each function depends - occurs, using a pyramid-like, hierarchical communication logic.

At the base of this ‘pyramid’ is the so-called ‘field’, that is, the processes to be controlled, where all the execution data measuring sensors are located. The next level is ‘control’. This is the realm of the regulators and actuators that, via the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and DCS (Distributed Control System), process the field-generated data and assimilate it with production goal parameters. Moving up, we come to the ‘supervision’ layer. Using computers and remote SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) monitoring systems, this level coordinates the underlying operations. At the tip of the pyramid we have the ‘enterprise’ level where we find management teams and other decision-making corporate bodies.

While each level requires that industrial automation systems perform data acquisition, processing and transfer functions, the CIM pyramid model has a vertical framework: commands are transmitted from top to bottom, information is transmitted from bottom to top.

And it’s on the basis of this integrated, interdependent logic that Cefla Finishing has created automation solutions for advanced coating and finishing lines.

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Types of industrial automation systems

In the coating sector, automation processes can be divided into two main families:

• Automation of the technological process (sanding, cleaning, application, drying)
• Automation of the line or the handling of the items to be coated (loading/unloading, overturning, conveying and transfer systems, etc.)

A further classification can be added to these two categories. Industrial automation can, in fact, be rigid or flexible. The former usually deals with process, assembly and verification tasks, while the second concerns control of materials and products (i.e. logistics and machines that are free to move). Then there’s the third way: programmable automation.

At present, Cefla Finishing is able to help manufacturing companies set up automated lines by providing internally developed machines and patented technologies to meet all their finishing requirements; while this does not directly include loading/unloading systems, the development of customised end-to-end solutions is ensured by close collaboration with highly qualified partners.

Before going into a detailed analysis of the advantages of industrial automation systems, let's focus for a moment on the opportunities offered by the market and the product ranges Cefla Finishing has developed for each one of them.

Rigid automation

Rigid automation systems are ideal for large-scale production with fixed operating sequences. These solutions are mainly used in the Packaging sector, especially the ‘pick and place’ sector.

Flexible automation

Flexible automation, instead, concerns highly configurable systems that are well suited to managing the diversified production scenarios that finishing and coating companies habitually manage.

In this area, Cefla provides comprehensive line automation solutions (cTracker, Smart thick, cViewer) that allow end customers to reconfigure the entire line easily and effectively to match the required type of processing.

Programmable automation

Last but not least, programmable automation involves the implementation of batch production systems, which require frequent reconfigurations.

This is a Cefla Finishing speciality: the machines designed to automate the finishing and coating processes control local set-up recipes that allow easy reconfiguration according to the type of product the customer wishes to finish.

For example, if the sprayers operate according to specific coating recipes, so too will the ovens during the different drying phases.
In essence, manufacturers can - based on the type of product to be finished - set and save all the machine set-up parameters to guarantee optimal final results, with the advantage of being able to recall each setting to speed up line reconfiguration as production lots gradually change.

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Advantages of industrial automation

Automation provides the finishing sector with a host of benefits. First of all, it makes production safer. Where work involves dangerous materials or is physically taxing, the toughest tasks can be performed by robots, exposing workers to less risk.

However, as everyone knows, the main reason why manufacturers invest in automation is that these technologies reduce operating costs significantly. A well-designed system that automates coating and finishing processes reduces downtime, speeds up deliveries and minimises unexpected breakdowns/stops in production and logistics processes.

Nothing clarifies the concept better than a practical example: Cefla Finishing sprayers are, for instance, equipped with vision and air intake systems that reduce the amount of wasted lacquer. Customers can also take advantage of further mechanisms that retrieve the portion of product not actually applied on the piece during spraying and, where possible, reuse it to perfect the work. These solutions, then, increase coating uniformity and consistency, improving final results and generating significant savings by reducing product consumption and waste disposal costs. Furthermore, automating such tasks leads to clearly better plant safety by preventing workers from coming into contact with potentially harmful substances.

Workers’ quality of life also benefits from greater personal satisfaction: introducing industrial automation systems lets companies free their personnel from monotonous, repetitive tasks and employ them in more strategic or higher-added-value activities.

Key technologies in industrial automation

To deliver the above-illustrated advantages, it’s essential to properly orchestrate all the technological components onto which industrial automation systems are grafted. As mentioned, in the field it will be necessary to leverage IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) solutions that allow real-time collection and distribution of data from the production lines: data essential for enabling monitoring and control via human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and more complex solutions such as SCADAs.

Cefla Finishing has developed a machine pool that’s controlled by PLC and HMI. This lets customers interconnect an entire line or individual machines with IoT systems. Where required, it’s also possible to export data directly to the cloud.

Practical applications in industry

More specifically, the aforementioned cTracker offers the best solution on the market for automatic control of both the technological process and line automation. The solution lets you programme batch processing cycles - such as colours, number of passes and line speed - directly from the office. Thanks to an internally developed algorithm, cTracker collects information on batches, simplifying machine settings to match production needs. This happens without having to empty or stop the line at each batch changeover and without having to use physical on-piece tracking systems.

A concrete example is provided by our client Finver: thanks to the finishing line we implemented, it is possible to anticipate colour changes, resulting in an annual savings of 25,000€ on paint costs while also reducing disposal costs.

To conclude, with today’s state-of-the art technologies, the opportunities that industrial automation systems offer the finishing sector are virtually endless. The best way to fully understand how your company can benefit from the industrial automation systems developed by Cefla Finishing? Simply visit us and see the potential of our technology for yourself. Just contact us and ask one of our experts for advice!

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Finishing has always been an essential part of the automotive component production cycle. The application of lacquers and protective layers ensure that sheet metal, plastic inserts and gaskets perform to their full potential, giving the vehicle outstanding visual appeal and ensuring parts are durable and high-performance regardless of the material used to make them.

Needless to say, a wide range of applications and technologies are used to manufacture automotive components. They vary according to the purpose for which the various parts are designed, but they all share the same need: they must be made and coated quickly and efficiently, without ever compromising quality, especially as regards surface finishes. This article explores the tools and processes that can be used to maximise results and also takes a look at the most ground-breaking methods.

Which finishing processes are used to produce automotive components?

Whatever the type of treated part - bodywork sheeting, gaskets, plastic inserts or mechanical components - an automotive component production line involves finishing processes of varying complexity. For example, finishing vehicle interior parts is usually a 3-stage process that might need to be repeated to achieve the desired final result.

Pre-treatment

The first step is pre-treatment. This involves cleaning and preparing the surface of the component. Popular techniques include deionization and micro-cleaning with plasma flaming.

Deionization involves blowing in ionized air and extraction to eliminate the static electricity: this is essential as it stops dust settling on the piece before coating. In addition to these technologies, Cefla Finishing has designed and developed the Mito CO2 cleaning station - which has a carbon dioxide snow cleaning surface preparation function - to help automotive component manufacturers perform this task to perfection. This solution is especially recommended for vehicle interior parts: approximately 90% of such products have, in fact, a shiny ‘piano black’ finish of the highest quality.

Plasma applications are particularly useful for reducing surface tension. This facilitates lacquer adhesion and flow.

Moreover, flaming also improves adhesion on certain tricky materials and allows better wetting of liquids on smooth parts, minimising surface tension (which reduces piece wettability, making it difficult to coat).

Coating

The second step is coating. This involves applying primer, lacquers and any other coats of specific materials needed to perfect the finish. In this specific area, Cefla Finishing offers a vast range of solutions.

These span from the Prima oscillating spray coater, a machine for the continuous spraying of raised panels of any type, to Mito, the P and B versions of which also provide dry filtration, paper/belt conveying and overspray elimination.

The iBotic machines are advanced robots with a sophisticated set of axes that ensure unrivalled productivity and absolute precision.

Another jewel in the Cefla crown is the six-axis articulated iGiotto robot: this innovative integrated system for the automatic spraying of small-to-medium lots features the best vision and spraying technologies, applying them to large Cartesian dimensions.

Drying or flash-off

The final phase is drying. This aims to harden the applied coatings by evaporating the thinners and subsequently curing the resin contained in the lacquer. Drying usually takes place in ovens (often arranged sequentially along the finishing line in different configurations), cooling tunnels and hot air storage modules. The term ‘flash-off’ refers to a drying process that does not result in complete hardening of the lacquer so that the next layer can adhere better.

With the Ecogel line, Cefla Finishing provides laminar-air ovens with a slat or belt conveyor. In their combined (air/UV lamp) configuration, these machines are perfect for evaporating solvents from lacquers quickly, before they’re dried with UV rays.

Moving on to drum ovens, the Aquadry line is designed for companies that want fast flash-off and drying processes. What’s more, the technology associated with this type of solution constitutes the most efficient drying system for water-based dyes and lacquers. The Aquadry RLA range, instead, consists of drum cooling tunnels with high-speed air blades, with a belt or slat conveyor. The architecture is highly effective thanks to the high levels of heat exchange that stem from the high air speed.

Then there’s PIEFFE, the flexible multi-level hot air storage module designed for flash-off and/or drying cycles with laminar-flow hot air. Hold times vary according to the speed of the finishing line and the number of trays.

Completing the range are the Omnidry Rack and Belt vertical ovens - configured to minimise the required floor space and ensure excellent capacity - and tunnel ovens with UV irradiation for raised panels.

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How to select the right type of finish

Choosing the right finish for the various types of automotive component means taking into consideration a wide range of factors: the material used to make the part, the setting it’s likely to be used in, plus the technical and aesthetic requirements of the vehicle on which it’s fitted.

Hence the need for a partner who does not have an excessively vertical approach to the functional-technological aspects of finishing processes but, rather, one who also knows how to assess the aims of the process and come up with properly tailored solutions.

Finishing technologies for automotive components

Of course, the technologies themselves are fundamental. However, to obtain an excellent result it’s equally essential to know how best to combine them according to the type of material to be treated and, above all, the component to be produced. That’s why Cefla Finishing goes beyond the design and development of efficient, precision machines to focus on consultancy.

For example, we provided a German customer - who needed to set up a new coating line as part of their car dashboard/console production process - with a solution tailored to their stated needs: the components produced by the new line would have to be completely defect-free as, once ready, they would be shipped directly to the vehicle assembly lines.

To deliver the required performance, then, the line was configured as follows:

1. Line loading with manual cleaning and air-jet/deionization
2. Cleaning with CO2 and air-jet/deionization
3. Spray coating with Cartesian robot
4. Lacquer flow, flash-off
5. IR and UV oven for first drying
6. Vertical oven for final drying
7. Line unloading and quality control

Automotive component production: the materials used in finishing

High-precision machines need to be matched with top-quality materials. Hence Cefla Finishing’s entry into strategic partnerships with the major lacquer and coating suppliers.

Thanks to an in-depth understanding of consumables and their characteristics, solutions provided to customers can be configured to optimise both the consumption and yield of the materials. In automotive component production, that means:

• Lacquers (water-based and solvent-based): resin and pigment-based, available in different finishes and colours
• Primers: used to improve adhesion of the lacquer to the surface of the component
• Anti-rust coatings: to protect components from corrosion
• Lubricant coatings: to reduce friction and wear

Future trends in automotive component finishing

This is the present. But what about the future of automotive component finishing? Well, one of the key trends in the sector is the use of low-bake lacquers, which can be dried at lower temperatures than their traditional counterparts. To be specific, about 80/90 °C as opposed to 140/160 °C.

Specialised producers of automotive components are also increasingly focused on systems that automate the coating process, such as systems with robotic stations that use dry-type lacquer filtration mechanisms.

Market developments aside, one thing is certain: companies operating in this extremely competitive sector must always ensure their customers - car makers - can count on productivity, quality and efficiency.

And that’s where flatbed systems - a Cefla-developed solution for the ultra-efficient finishing of automotive components - come into play.

Advantages of flatbed systems

But how do flatbed systems differ from traditional lines? The latter tend to be the right choice when you need to coat large 3D parts: bumpers are a good example of an item best treated using these lines.

However, when items are smaller (up to 30 cm high), flat lines, or flatbeds, are decidedly more flexible and efficient. The technology is therefore particularly suitable for vehicle interiors, which have numerous components that require a high-quality process.

The flatbed lines implemented by Cefla Finishing include a robotic system with a scanner to detect pieces that involve minimal programming. Each booth can host up to two different robots. This boosts the processing speed or the coating circuit, with users able to select between intelligent or continuous spraying, depending on the shape of the objects.

Flatbed lines can handle different, even mixed, parts on simplified masks: such masks only need to be rectangular with a flat frame and, of course, they need to hold the parts in position. This approach also makes manual cleaning faster and simpler during loading and quality control.

Note also that this is a modular system (also available with cTracker and cLink line supervision software): it can easily be expanded by adding other standard machines without having to make any substantial modifications. Yet another reason, then, why flatbed lines maximise conveyance flexibility: there's no need for step movements as on traditional lines because each machine can act independently.

Adopting a flatbed solution provides tangible, measurable advantages:

• Compact operation, resulting in less consumption and reduced exhaust air flow
• An easier-to-manage process, with consequent labour and energy savings
• Lower cost per coated part

Why choose Cefla Finishing to optimise automotive component production?

The automotive component manufacturing sector is constantly evolving: technology is progressing at a blistering pace, with digitalization paving the way for new, innovative finishing solutions.

Nevertheless, we’re still talking about a complex, delicate process that is crucial to vehicle quality and performance: so nothing can be left to chance. This is why it’s vital to team up with a technological partner with skills that go beyond the technology itself: a partner able to deliver high-performance products, continuous innovation, expert assistance and a commitment to joint research and development. That partner is Cefla Finishing.

If you’d like to see what we can do for your business, and experience the effectiveness of our solutions for yourself, contact us: we’ll put you in touch with one of our experts.

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Resistant, versatile and a cost-effective solution, concrete can be used as a long-lasting alternative to any other flooring, whether indoor or outdoor. But if you are thinking of dull grey slabs that look suited to a factory floor or polished concrete flooring that may be ideal for large interior environments, then take a close look at the photograph in this article.

Personalised decorative designs can be achieved for small or large volumes, resulting in impactful flooring for spaces that deserve greater aesthetic value without losing the resistant qualities of concrete.

Diverse techniques for decorating concrete

Concrete has many qualities: durability, versatility, its cost is limited and it offers satisfactory thermal isolation. There are several ways to finish concrete, implementing a polished non-slip surface, making it watertight with epoxy resins, using acid or water-based stains, and industrial digital printing. While monochrome finishes can be achieved on standard finishing machines, a custom design or pattern is easy to obtain using a digital printer. This finishing process is perfect if you need to decorate small surfaces: a patio, a hotel foyer, a school.

Benefits of industrial digital printing

Beyond its ability to generate personalised patterns, imitating marble or natural stones as well as wood is possible. You can also reproduce a digital image such as a photograph or be fully creative and design your own decoration. The coating applied to protect the pattern generated by an inkjet printer will also provide an abrasion-resistant surface and will withstand UV ageing to keep your colours vivid for many years.

Not just flooring

Of course, there is no reason why a concrete panel cannot be used to cover a vertical surface. This means that even interior walls or exterior facades can be decorated and customised using an industrial digital printer.

For more ideas and information on our solutions, contact us and speak to a finishing expert.

Coating PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) is an extremely delicate operation: manufacturers of items made of this material must ensure that the finished product is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also – regardless of its intended use – resistant over time. This is especially true for thin sheets of PMMA - among the most versatile, most in demand items in the marketplace.

What are, then, the best techniques to manage the finishing process of this material, and what technological solutions are available today to help the most demanding manufacturers?

What are the possible finishing options for thin PMMA sheets?

Before going through the range of possible solutions, it is helpful to analyse the main finishes that can be obtained by coating PMMA. Since PMMA sheets are generally used to cover panels, a glossy (or mirror) finish is often required. For specific applications, however, these sheets can also be used with different finishes: from satin to deep matt going through embossed and metallic.

High-gloss and mirror effects are more aesthetically appealing, but over time they are more prone to scratches and chipping. Conversely, satin and matt finishes in particular are better at “hiding” any signs of ageing.

Regardless of the type of finishing chosen, however, the surface of PMMA sheets leaving the factory must be of high quality, resistant and totally free from defects.

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What are the available coating techniques for PMMA?

Although PMMA is generally associated with paint coating, finishing techniques for this material also include printing and lamination. 
Mainly used in the furniture industry, lamination turns sheets of polymethylmethacrylate into thin plates that create a surface effect reminding of bright glazed surfaces.

As for the digital printing process, it allows the back of PMMA sheets to be printed with any desired image which, thanks to the transparency of the material, appears perfectly visible with a charming reflective effect. This technique is often used to give the same visual impression as shiny marble or inlaid wooden floors.

What factors should be considered when choosing a finish?

In order to choose one approach or the other, therefore, a number of factors should be taken into account: aesthetics, durability and budget are primary considerations. Choosing the finishing technique for thin PMMA sheets that best suits your needs means finding each time the right mix of these factors and aiming for solutions that guarantee the right degree of flexibility to always obtain the best possible result in different use conditions.

PMMA coating: How does the application process work?

Created to provide a lasting finish and an appealing surface effect, thin extruded PMMA sheets are, as we mentioned above, semi-processed items particularly delicate when it comes to coating them. This prompted Cefla Finishing to develop a specifically tailored process, which is based on a roller coating machine operating in a controlled and dust-free environment.

Prior to PMMA coating, thorough surface cleaning operations are performed to ensure spotless finishes.

Once this phase has been completed, the sheets are fed into the machine. More specifically, the application unit consists of two rollers (a top roller for coating application, and another roller below the sheets to provide physical support) which firmly act on the PMMA sheets leaving no space for sheet warping. A scraper blade which removes excess lacquer from the lower application roller also contributes to optimising the coating process of such thin sheets.

When a deep matt finish is required, excimer matting technologies not only ensure the best possible result, but are also a “green” option, as they use less nitrogen than standard solutions.

Line integration for a complete solution

In addition to the specially developed roller coating equipment, the line can be completed with pressurised booths including air filtration and conditioning systems to avoid dust pollution and guarantee a controlled processing environment.

After the coating stages, the PMMA sheets can be dried in different ovens. Our UV-I inert curing solution maximises physical resistance and also dramatically reduces the need for photoinitiators, making the process more sustainable and reducing the related costs.

Exydry is a good example: it is an oven designed to process flat surfaces and will ensure a fingerprint -proof, soft-touch, deep matt finish, even on slightly raised panels.

H2 – Tailor-made solutions: which machines are used for PMMA coating?

Cefla Finishing - which has the widest available range of finishing technologies and machines designed to carry out specific processes such as PMMA coating - is now able to offer its customers the first roller coating solution specifically designed to process thin sheets. This is a dedicated line integrating a combined upper application roller and a lower support roller that work in synergy, as well as a cleaning system and a working environment designed to prevent dust pollution.

More specifically, the machinery that can be integrated into an advanced line for PMMA coating includes:

• Roller coating solutions
• UV-I inert curing oven
• Exydry excimer matting oven
• Pieffe compact vertical oven

Each machine has specific features for completing the PMMA coating process and can be configured to meet actual requests from customers. However, in the event of even more challenging specific requirements, with tailor-made details to be expected or processing steps that imply customer-specific variables in terms of types of lacquer, production volumes or available space, feel free to visit our Cefla Finishing LAB in Imola or one of our satellite laboratories in China and the United States to identify possible solutions with our Cefla experts.

Contact us to arrange an appointment with Cefla Finishing specialists or run a live test.

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When it comes to finishing processes, glass coating machinery meets a wide range of needs. These needs may be purely aesthetic or functional. And it's on the basis of this distinction that the right choices need to be made, allowing you to build a line that’s consistent with your market goals and the field of use. Glass finishing processes are used in numerous sectors, such as furniture, construction and solar panels.

Glass processing and finishing machinery

At Cefla Finishing, we understand that each case requires solutions with specific characteristics: that’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive glass coating machinery range. By drawing on extensive experience with leading players in several key industries, we’ve created a series of solutions that can easily be integrated with other machines on existing chains. These include all the tools and functions needed to customise the machines and fine-tune procedures that respond to the needs of the specific industry.

Let's look at some of the machines in today’s Cefla range:

Prima Glass: flexible and easy to use

Let’s start with Prima Glass, an automatic spraying machine. An outstanding glass processing solution on account of its extreme flexibility, this machine can apply low or high quantities of materials. Providing the advantages of fast colour changeovers and low coating consumption, it’s also extremely user-friendly, even for inexperienced operators.

Multicoater & Glasscoater: high productivity and high precision

The Multicoater & Glasscoater combination provides an integrated roller coating solution that can also give glass a frosted or acid-etched effect; it can also be used to apply coloured coatings to produce spandrel glass. The machine delivers clean post-coating edges and combines uniformity of application with high productivity.

Framecoater: ideal for processing frameless panes

Framecoater, instead, is a roller coating machine for processing edges by applying perimeter bands on the pane; again, the machine lets manufacturers obtain perfectly clean post-treatment edges. Used on frameless panes to mask silicone and sealants, it provides the best uniformity of application in its category.

Solarcoater: for those who want an uncompromising finish on anti-reflective glass

For operators in the anti-reflective glass finishing sector who are unwilling to compromise on quality, Cefla Finishing has now created Solarcoater, a specialized nanometric roller coating machine. In addition to providing an anti-reflective effect, the machine can also give the glass an anti-fingerprint and anti-drip effect.

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Benefits of using glass finishing machinery

One of the most interesting benefits of Cefla glass processing machinery is the significant improvement in product quality. More specifically, automated systems provide excellent precision and consistency, minimising the human errors that are often responsible for imperfections in the final product and minimising production of industrial waste.

Processes such as polishing, coating and finishing are performed under ideal conditions and according to optimal parameters, ensuring each product meets the strictest quality standards. This not only boosts customer satisfaction: it also reduces the likelihood of product recalls due to defects.

Improved aesthetics

Thanks to even application of the finish, the glass takes on a more elegant, refined appearance, making it easier to match with other materials: a crucial aspect in a multitude of sectors that range from construction to automotive and design.

Greater durability

Applying a specific finishing layer to glass makes it more resistant to scratching, impact and weather while ensuring it maintains (and, in many cases, emphasising) the aesthetic appeal of the original material.

Greater versatility

Glass panes that have undergone meticulous processing can subsequently be used in a broad range of fields, with applications capable of satisfying even the most demanding clients, such as those in the aerospace or photovoltaic sectors.

Lower costs

Automating the glass finishing process ultimately leads to significantly lower costs, especially in the long term. Note also that automated systems minimise manual labour requirements and allow workers to be reallocated to high-added-value tasks.

What’s more, automated machinery works fast and efficiently, raising output rates without sacrificing quality. The outcome is lower energy costs per unit produced and, in many cases, lower raw material requirements. This is because the machinery is able to optimise resource use at each stage of the process.

Innovations in glass processing machinery

Lastly, it should be remembered that choosing the right glass processing machinery can make innovation the focus of company strategy. Cefla Finishing, for example, continues to develop solutions that meet the needs of companies looking to unleash the full potential of digital printing and 4.0 technology which, thanks to data analysis, allow real-time monitoring and adjustment of the finishing process.

By leveraging advanced solutions such as predictive analytics and material control systems, manufacturers can better predict demand and fine-tune production to reduce excess inventory and waste. This is just one of many advantages on offer.

Choosing Cefla Finishing as a technological partner doesn’t just mean activating a supply contract with an international finishing machine leader: above all, it means implementing an upgrowth strategy that puts innovation, efficiency and sustainability at the forefront of process development.

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