IN RAW MATERIALS - Glassvar.glassonline.com/uploads/publications/section...IN RAW MATERIALS Lahti Precision 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TECHNOLOGIES ahti Precision is the only weighing,

Lahti Precision

100 YEARS OF

EXPERIENCE

IN RAW MATERIALS

TECHNOLOGIES

Lahti Precision supplies batch

plants, cullet recycling systems,

waste fiber glass recycling

systems, engineering studies,

and plant modernizations to

companies all over the world.

With over 200 references, more

than 50,000 tons of raw materials

are processed every day with

Lahti Precision’s technology to

be melted to the highest quality

standards required for bottles,

strong reinforcement fib

ers,

warm insulation wool, bright

tableware, float glass, fl

at TVs,

LCD panels, and various other

glass products.

glass machinery plants & accessories 3/2015 31

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Lahti Precision is the only industrial scale supplier focusing on the glass indus-

try. The Finnish company uses its own technology and products for weighing, dosing and mixing, such as load cells, hopper-scales, weighing con-trollers and Lahti mixers. This ensures excellent possibilities to develop the best solutions for customers in the glass indus-try – working closely together with the same customers. Lahti Precision’s strong points in batch plants are excellent dosing accuracy qual-ity of the mixed batch and high operational reli-ability of plants.

Over the past 100 years, Lahti Precision has developed into a leading expert in the processing of powder-type materials. With a strong domestic market and local expertise, the company has grown to become a modern and global export firm. Lahti Precision scales

SOLUTIONS FOR THE GLASS INDUSTRY

32 glass machinery plants & accessories 3/2015

and components have developed through all stages of mechanics, electronics and automation.

RAW MATERIALS SOLUTIONS FOR THE GLASS INDUSTRY

The production of high quality glass begins in the batch plant, where the raw materials are pre-cisely dosed and mixed to form homogeneous batches.

Lahti Precision’s compact and reliable batch plants incorporate field proven machinery and the latest technology and automation solutions, thus allowing for ease of maintenance, and overall low operating costs.

Lahti Precision’s world-class product range includes:

complete deliveries of batch plants and cullet systems;dosing and weighing sys-tems and components;control systems and com-ponents;cullet processing and cullet return systems;waste fiber glass recycling systems;batch plant moderniza-tions and control system upgrades;energy efficiency improve-ments;wide range of services.

PROCESS EXPERTISE – PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES

Material intake systems avail-able to meet customer require-ments, for example:

train wagon discharge down wards to drive on hopper;bulk truck discharge with effective dust receiving units;big bag unloading unit connected to daily hop-per or pneumatic transport unit;dust free breaking and dis-charging of small bags in protective cabinet;effective vibratory feeders


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COMPANY HISTORY

Lahti Precision’s roots stretch back to 1906, when P. Kuivalainen

established an engineering workshop in Lahti, Finland, to repair

machinery and manufacture iron beds. Operations expanded

rapidly and the company was incorporated two years later

under the name Lahden Rauta- ja Metalliteollisuustehdas Oy

(later Raute Oyj). When demand for iron beds began to decline

in favour of wooden beds, the company switched to manufac-

turing scales in 1914 and the factory began to develop expertise in weighing

technology used mainly by households and shops. From the 1930s onwards

the company began to develop new types of scales for industrial and warehou-

sing applications and in the 1960s the company saw major investments in R&D,

developing the photoelectric code sensor.

The switch from mechanical to electronic scales led to a growing need for auto-

mation, and in 1975 the company established its own electronics plant.

The company began to grow internationally in the 1980s in response to inter-

national demand for expertise in weighing and dosing, handling bulk materials

and the related automation. Its expertise was further enhanced with the esta-

blishment of the Mass and Scale Laboratory and Materials Laboratory.

The company also began turnkey deliveries to the raw material plants of glass

factories, the plaster and mortar industry, and the metallurgical industry.

In 2004 the company was acquired by its management together with the

investment company Eqvitec Partners. The company’s name was changed to

Lahti Precision in 2007. Three business units were established within the com-

pany: Glass Industry, Mortar Industry and Technology.

The company also launched its Lahti Mixer product family. Today the principle

owner of Lahti Precision is investment company Verdane Capital.

3/2015

The company also launched its Lahti

owner of Lahti Precision is inv nt company Verdane Capital.ts Lvestmen


or screw feeders for receiv-ing hopper discharge;robust bucket elevators for lifting raw materials to the silo top;specially lined chutes and diverter gates as well as rotating distributors for transfer on silo top to silos;controlled security opera-tions to guarantee correct material discharge to each silo.

Raw material storage – Optimized silo dimensioning based on customer requirements:

silo volumes to meet daily storage needs, taking into account powder flow properties;steel or concrete con-struction;in-line or tower type con-struction;application of the most

suitable silo discharging techniques to enable mass flow in the silo.

Dosing and weighing by means of the application of the most suitable dosing equipment and scales for different materials to obtain the best dosing accuracy for each raw material include:

bin activator or fluidization elements to enable even and steady discharge;screw feeders, vibrating feeders, belt feeders, dou-ble dosing flaps and flu-idization hoses for dosing depending on raw material properties;application of hopper scales with or without auto test silos equipped with load cells;application of cup scales for minor ingredient weighing;

application of belt scales for cullet dosing.

Homogeneous mixing result secured with dedicated glass batch mixers – Lahti MBV – series mixer:

specifically designed for glass batch mixing;excellent batch homoge-neity;easy maintenance due to simple construction;low wear rate of mixing tools and liners;low energy consumption;water and steam injection gears for wetting and heat-ing batch.

Ability to integrate other mixer brands according to client’s pref-erence. Lahti Pneumatic Blender/transporter for fiber and special glass production. Batch and cul-let transport systems for secure



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ry batch and cullet transport to the furnace by means of:

mechanical conveying sys-tems comprising of belt conveyors and/or bucket elevators;magnets, metal detection and rejection of contami-nation to protect the fur-nace;chutes and diverters with liners designed for low wear and even flow;pneumatic batch transfer alternative for dry batch to furnace hopper;cullet dosing applications integrated to the transfer line that enable all time cullet feed.

Consistent and reliable furnace charging and furnace hopper sys-tems to ensure:

level controlled shuttle conveyor for float furnace hopper filling with;daily hoppers mounted on load cell for accurate level control;engineered hopper dis-charge prevents blockages;Merkle-Lahti furnace chargers;special furnace chargers applying loss-in-weight technology;emergency charging sys-tems.

Factory cullet return and exter-


nal cullet handling with robust cullet handling systems for the most reliable operations:

internal cullet return;in-line breakers and receiv-ing hoppers;secondary breakers to ena-ble correct cullet size;oil, heat, wear resistant belt conveyor depending on application;water cooling scraper con-veyors for the hot end;bottle and cullet crushers for internal and external cullet depending on appli-cation;all cullet contacting sur-faces wear protected with nickel free liners.

Dust suppression – complete system expertise to yield the cleanest environment with:

individual dust filters or centralized dust evacuation depending on application;correctly sized and bal-anced dust suction duct-work and filtering area;Burnley baffles, conveyor skirt boards, dust hoods, winnowing towers, dust seals and precisely designed details comprising a com-plete package to reach dust free environment.Control systems with reli-able, safe and easy to use plant automation:

field instrumentation to secure safe operation and adequate signalization;hardware based on world-wide brands to follow cus-tomers’ preference;software developed to sat-isfy the most demanding reporting needs; Batch Information Management System (BIMS);connectivity to enterprise resource planning (ERP), such as SAP;unbeatable dosing control-ler WA-951 with advanced connectivity, speed and accuracy;operator interface with comprehensive graphics and user intervention in several operation modes;advanced security features and interlocks to prevent human error;remote and wireless access thru VPN connectivity.

PLANT MODERNIZATIONLahti Precision has extensive

experience in the modernization of batch plants of all types. Its systematic approach to auditing production facilities and under-standing client needs enable it to modernize batch plants supplied by Lahti Precision as well as other third parties.

Typical client needs include

capacity increases, changes in raw material logistics, product changes, new colorants and raw materials, dust control, control system changes, reporting, com-munication between IT systems, certification, and many others.

HOLLOW GLASS PRODUCTIONContainer

The production of lightweight bottles has led to demanding batch quality requirements simi-lar to those of float glass produc-ers. Lahti Precision batch houses allow for reliable, clean, and safe operation. Handling systems for additives are easy and safe to operate. Cullet handling systems are robustly built to meet the demands of modern container plants. Company capabilities include all phases of engineering and construction for green field, brown field, and modernization projects. Lahti Precision’s cus-tomers include Owens-Illinois, Sisecam, Mulia Glass, JSC Russtek, Parkcam, Pol-Am-Pack and many others.

FiberLahti Precision has developed

unique, completely pneumatic batch plant technologies for rein-forced fiber glass production. The know-how is based on its patented fluidization technology

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ations:et return;kers and receiv-s;breakers to ena-

t cullet size;wear resistant belt

depending on on;oling scraper con-

or the hot end;and cullet crushers

rnal l and external

capacity increases, changes in l logistics, product


originally used in plaster and mortar dry mix batch plants.

Traditional screw feeders are replaced with air slides and double dosing valves. The only moving part is the dosing valve. Mixing takes place in a unique pulsating pneumatic blender, after which the batch is trans-ported pneumatically to the fur-nace silo. This unique technology allows for simpler layouts, easier maintenance, and reduced oper-ating costs.

Through cooperation with a key client, Lahti Precision origi-nally pioneered an innovative system to recycle fiber forming waste. The unique process does not require energy-intensive grinding and incorporates simple transport systems – thus yielding low operating costs, high yield and availability, and very quick payback times. Lahti Precision’s capabilities include all phases of engineering and construction for greenfield, brownfield, and mod-ernization projects. Scope can vary flexibly to meet specific cli-ent needs – from the supply of key components and control systems, to the entire scope of the batch plant and related fiber recycling systems.

Lahti Precision’s customers included Owens Corning, PPG, St. Gobain, China Southern Glass, Taiwan Glass, and many others.

TablewareSeveral additives for bright

colours and ultraclear glass are commonly needed in tableware production.

Precise minor ingredient dos-ing can be secured by using Lahti Precision’s solutions, which can form an automatic or semi-auto-matic premix system or direct addition of the additives to the batch mixer. Through care-ful design, contamination due to wear or material leakages is minimized.

Lahti Precision’s customers

include Mulia Glass, Noritazeh Glass, Kaveh, Krosno and many others.

WoolThe use of glass collected

from households and industry, which is then purified and used as a raw material in glass wool production, is a growing trend. together with its customers, Lahti Precision has developed batch plant technology that is flexible in the percentage usage of cul-let. These plants utilize Lahti Precision’s own dosing belt scale technology, which allows for a large range capacity – thus main-taining good cullet dosing accu-racy. Lahti Precision’s customers include St. Gobain Isover, Knauf Insulation, Guardian, and many others.

Borosilicate, technical and art glass

Lahti Precision’s expertise in batch plants also covers technical glass production such as sodium silicate glass, borosilicate glass, foam glass and funnel glass. For art and decoration glass Lahti Precision has also references. So practically all kinds of glass pro-duction and their special require-ments are familiar to the company.

FLAT GLASS PRODUCTIONFloat

Float lines have originally established the glass industry’s most demanding requirements for dosing and weighing accu-racy, and mixing homogeneity. In addition, robust, reliable cullet return systems are indispensable.

Lahti Precision has repeat-edly satisfied such needs with all the major global float glass pro-ducers, as well as regional and local producers. Our capabilities include all phases of engineering and construction for green field, brown field, and modernization projects. The scope can flexibly vary to meet specific client needs

– from the supply of key compo-nents and control systems, to the entire scope of the batch plant and cullet return system. Our customers include Pilkington/Nippon Sheet Glass, Asahi Glass Corporation, Guardian, Saint-Gobain, Euroglas, Fuyao, Sisecam and many others.

Low iron glassIn solar applications, very high

transparency is one of the most critical requirements. Special attention for iron contamination in raw materials, which reduces transparency, should be taken care of in a batch plant dedi-cated to low iron glass produc-tion. Lahti has a special design for material flow, special materi-als for contacting surfaces and raw material purification fulfilling such requirements.

Also modification of an exist-ing batch plant is possible for low iron production. Please contact us for additional information.

Ultra thin glassGlass production for smart-

phones, tablets, flat TV sets and other electronic devices requires special technology, which, in fact, starts from the batch plant, which has special features compared to a standard plant. Valuable raw materials and ingredients are exclusively protected against con-tamination. Batch segregation is avoided by automatic batch con-tainer transfer replacing conven-tional batch transport.

THE WEIGHT OF EXPERIENCELahti Precision started manu-

facturing scales in 1914. Today, the company is an expert in dos-ing, weighing and mixing appli-cations supplying batch plants for the glass industry, drymix plants and services globally. Lahti Precision’s vast experience in core technology guarantees excellent dosing accuracy and consistent mixing quality.


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Wide range of services for the glass industry

Engineering:plant layout design;static calculation and load data;basic and detailed design of silos and building;assembly and installation drawings and part lists;electrification and control system;process control software.

Supervision and coordination:project and site operations;mechanical erection of the plant and machinery;control system and electri-fication.

Start-up:process machinery;testing and calibration;setting up and testing of the control system and instrumen tation.

Training:maintenance and service personnel as well as opera-tors.

Spare parts:spare part recommenda-tions, supplies and sup-port.

Upgrading and modernisation:upgrading of control sys-tems in flight;major upgrading during cold repair of the furnace;extension and capacity increase of the batch plant.

Pre-inspection service:regular inspection of all batch plant machinery to improve production per-formance and reliability;detailed inspection report with recommendations for instant repairs and spare parts.

Ahjokatu 4 A, P.O.B. 22FI-15801 Lahti, FinlandTel. +358 3 829 21

Fax +358 3 829 [email protected]

www.lahtiprecision.com

LAHTI PRECISION OY

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IN RAW MATERIALS - Glassvar.glassonline.com/uploads/publications/section...IN RAW MATERIALS Lahti Precision 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TECHNOLOGIES ahti Precision is the only weighing,