Advanced Bending And Tempering Technologies Highlight Glasstech Architectural And Automotive Offerings At Vitrum 2003

Some of Glasstech’s most innovative new offerings include technologies enabling the tempering of Low-E-coated, architectural flat glass with increased efficiency; enhancements to Glasstech’s premier automotive system, the DB4; and new approaches to bending and tempering automotive sidelites. ArchitecturalGlasstech’s FCH2 Forced Convection Heater system, fired by natural gas, is the leading system for the efficient tempering of Low-E flat glass. Glasstech’s FCH2 can heat Low-E glass at a rate twice as fast as typical electric radiation heating systems, which dramatically improves productivity and reduces processing cost. The FCH2 can heat clear glass at a rate of 30-seconds per millimeter of thickness and high-performance, soft-coat Low-E glass at a rate of 33-to-35 seconds per millimeter.In addition, the FCH2’s reduced heating time means glass spends less time on the roller bed, which provides for higher quality with less distortion.

Glasstech’s ERH-C2 Electric Radiant Heater processes Low-E glass approximately 20 percent faster than a traditional electric radiant heater. The ERH-C2 adds upper convection to improve the productivity of Glasstech’s traditional ERH, electric-radiant system. An ERH-C3 version is available with lower convection, capable of even greater throughput for Low-E glass. The ERH-C2 and C3 convection systems are available as retrofits to existing Glasstech electric radiation systems.


Automotive

The new EPB, External Press Bending and Tempering system, from Glasstech offers many novel features and produces cylindrical, compound curvature, symmetrical and asymmetrical bends having very accurate peripheral and body shape. The EPB is available with cycle times ranging from 30 seconds to seven seconds. It utilizes economic tooling and an adjustable quench plus quick-change bender stations. Glasstech also has significantly improved the productivity of its Deep Bend IV system with the addition of Quick-Change and Fast-Cycle options. The company has found that, with shorter part runs and turnaround times, customers are demanding more versatility. They need flexible machines with little down time. Traditionally, the industry incurs a 6-to-8 hour downtime for part changes. With Glasstech’s Quick-Change option, customers can now expect a changeover time of just 90-to-120 minutes good glass to good glass. Also, the Fast-Cycle option typically gives customers 20 percent more output than the standard system.

At Vitrum 2003, the company is located in Hall 16/II, Stand D-43. Glasstech is a leading, world-class innovator and producer of highly productive bending and tempering systems used by glass fabricators supplying the worldwide automotive and architectural safety-glass market. Its architectural and automotive glass processing systems have become world standards for efficient production of high-quality safety-glass products.