Forel innovation revealed to the glass industry at Glasstec 2024

Glasstec, the leading international trade fair for the glass industry, once again confirmed its central role within the sector, welcoming 1,257 exhibitors from 50 countries and over 32,000 professional visitors from 121 nations. Within this context of global excellence, Forel celebrated 48 years of activity by presenting a range of cutting-edge innovations in flat glass processing.

The event, held in Düsseldorf from 22 to 25 October, featured Forel as a major player with a stand that captured the attention of numerous visitors, offering the opportunity to see multiple production lines up close and in action through live demonstrations.

Revolutionary innovations for an evolving industry

At the centre of Forel’s exhibition, a series of innovative technologies demonstrating the company’s commitment to automation, digitalization and sustainability, key themes for Glasstec 2024:

Thermoplastic Precision Alignment

Forel, the only exhibitor to present a complete line producing insulating glass-sealed units with thermoplastic spacer, presented a patented solution that enables the extrusion of thermoplastic profiles with a width greater than 20 mm. This not only expands the possibilities for insulating glass production but also ensures accurate positioning and precise dimension control, opening new frontiers in building energy efficiency.

Automatic Unloading System

Forel’s new automated logistics system optimizes the post-production management of completed IGU panels: at the exit point of the line , the automatic unloading and sorting system enables the recently produced sealed units to be stored in the automatic warehouse. Utilising unique ID classification orders are optimised by organising and recalling individual panels entrusted to logistics system at the appropriate time. All of which reduces processing and handling times and improves overall production line and output efficiency.

Grinding and Arrissing Machines

The Art. EM grinding machine and the Art. EG seaming machine have received significant updates, with more automation and safety thanks to an automatic 8-position tool changeover device and an update for the EG that combines arrissing and rough edge grinding operations in a single process.

These new solutions respond to growing market demand to combine multiple tasks in a more efficient process, and this is where Forel’s R&D team stepped in to redesign the machines and make them multifunctional.

Profile Bender with a Smart Arm

The improvements to the Art. PB profile bender, now equipped with the “Smart Arm“, focuses on increasing processing speed, customizing the user interface, improving measurement precision and introducing the automated spacer reverse function.

Safe Join

Among other innovations presented at the trade show, Safe Join stood out as a product that goes beyond Forel’s traditional scope. It is a technically advanced street mirror that promises to revolutionize safety at city, town and rural road intersections, demonstrating how Forel’s expertise can find innovative applications in unexpected sectors.

A constant commitment to excellence

Visitors to the Forel stand expressed great interest in the innovations on show. The new features attracted the attention of numerous industry professionals, who recognized the potential of each line to improve production flows and build energy efficiency.

The innovations presented by Forel at Glasstec 2024, in addition to being a tribute to the company’s past, are above all a promise for the future: with a clear focus on automation, digitalization and sustainability, Forel confirms that it is not only a global leader in the sector but also as a true pioneer, ready to do its part and drive the glass industry towards new horizons of efficiency and innovation.

Forel’s participation in Glasstec 2024 once again demonstrated how the company can anticipate and respond to the needs of a rapidly evolving market, promising a future in which glass technology will play an increasingly central role in building a more sustainable and efficient world.