Cerâmica Barrobello adopts more Cosmec automation

The investment will concern both lines (hollow bricks and roof tiles) present in the Filial plant, which will undergo major reorganisation.

Following the outstanding results achieved in 2019 with the supply of a double tile setting line complete with robotised kiln car loading, Cerâmica Barrobello has decided to press ahead with the process of automating its plants with Cosmec technology. The investment will concern both lines (hollow bricks and roof tiles) present in the Filial plant, which will undergo major reorganisation.

The roof tile plant is entirely lacking in equipment for loading the product onto kiln cars and will be supplied with three independent lines for preparing, forming and binding packs, together with a connecting line with pack layer programming and robotic loading onto kiln cars, and a set of machines for automating car movements for the two existing kilns. On completion, the production capacity of each pack preparation line will be 2,500 tiles per hour.

This solution will reduce the cost of personnel currently engaged in loading operations by replacing the current twelve operators/shift with just three operators/shift, as well as greatly reducing waste.

Unlike the roof tile line, the hollow brick line is already equipped with some automated systems, but these are not sufficient to guarantee the flexibility required by today’s market. Cosmec will therefore modify and supplement the equipment in the setting and fired product unloading area. The addition of two new robotic units will expand the product range, increase quality, reduce waste and improve packaging.

The equipment is due to be installed this autumn and will ensure full-scale production from early 2022.