The touch panel as a graphic user interface has been standard in the operation of W+D-Langhammer machines and units for more than 12 years. Due to the increase in international customers - all of whom have differing setups - the automation specialist decided to develop a totally new concept. "This interface makes for easier operation and our customers can now use the same system to control different units. The time and effort required for staff training are thus significantly reduced," explained Georg Schmitt, Managing Director at W+D-Langhammer.
Increasing market globalization was an important factor in the development of the new concept. The W+D-Langhammer engineers' goal was to create a more efficient, intuitive operating system. All relevant parameters for the adaptation to cultural groups or a specific industry branch can now be integrated without having to make any changes in the basic layout of the graphic interface. The software's international utility has been increased by the dominant use of symbols in the interactive area. These symbols are similar to those commonly used in popular office software. Descriptive text has been reduced to a minimum to simplify language change overs. This is of particular importance in countries that do not use the Latin alphabet.
Further advantages of this innovative concept lie in the easy operation of different palletizing and transport tasks. After all, every W+D-Langhammer unit is unique, consisting of many different standard modules that have been specially tailored to meet specific customer needs. Some customers, for example, palletize bathroom tissue using high-powered palletizers and household towels using portal or articulated robots - all in the same plant. The operating interface they now use is identical. This eliminates any unnecessary training time for machine operators and significantly increases machine availability.
W+D-Langhammer GmbH
W+D-Langhammer is a leading provider of transport and palletizing systems. With sites in Eisenberg (Palatinate) and Freiberg (Saxony) the company employs over 170 employees. W+D-Langhammer's strength lies in the modular construction of its units in the areas of palletizing, pallet transport and unit load conveyor technology – resulting in tailor-made automation solutions for a variety of branches. Primarily this entails the tissue and paper converting industries, but the food, chemical and cosmetic industries are also included.
W+D-Langhammer is a company of Winkler+Dünnebier AG and belongs to Körber PaperLink, an international supplier of system solutions for the paper and tissue converting industries.