Triple success for GED's ATLAS triple-glazed fabrication line

This was the first time that GED had exhibited at Glasstec – and the decision proved to be another resounding success for the company.Best known for its Intercept Warm Edge spacer bar system, GED had only last year launched its Automated Tri-Lite Assembly System (ATLAS), a revolutionary glass fabrication system that automatically produces triple pane IG units in 20-second cycles (triples three units/minute, duals six units/minute), and which went on to win the ‘Best in Show’ Award at GlassBuild, Atlanta, USA.And then it won the US Window & Door magazine’s Crystal Achievement Award for Most Innovative Machine in the category Glass/IG Processing.With triple units being heralded as the future standard of the glazing industry to counter the endlessly rising costs of energy to heat our homes, there was no doubt that the winning technology of the ATLAS IG production system would command the attention of many of the world’s leading sealed unit manufacturers at the show.And so it proved.With many hundreds of visitors to the stand where live demonstrations were being held throughout the event, not only did GED log close to 300 international leads from 72 countries, but the exhibit itself was also sold from the stand!The new customer is UK-based Techniglass, a leading IG manufacturer whose modern factory in Mid-Glamorgan, Wales, supplies window fabricators and installers all over the country.The company is keen to be in a leading position for the rapid supply of triple-glazed units but sees the flexibility of ATLAS in also producing dual units every 10 seconds as an added bonus.

GED President and CEO Bill Weaver commented on their triple success:

“Triple glazing is rapidly becoming more popular with both specifiers and homeowners alike, but the normal production process is slow, cumbersome, and fraught with potential for handling mishaps. This means the process is costly.

“ATLAS is an automated stand-alone solution to the demand for double and triple unit production and is adaptive to a range of combinations, including standard spacer and Warm Edge systems, small and large units, dual and triple-glazed, and in any order or combination of these.

“The process is fully automated and facilitates a modern ‘No-Touch’ approach to IG production that virtually eliminates breakages or remakes due to handling errors or accidental finger marking and scratches.

“ATLAS machine-controlled consistency ensures uniform, high quality sealed units in the fastest time possible.”

About GED

Over a period now approaching 40 years, GED Integrated Solutions has been a leader in fully integrated IG and PVCU window and door fabrication systems. With numerable awards and accolades being received over the years, some notable ‘firsts’ for the company include in 1977 - the first Horizontal Hot Melt IG Fabrication equipment; 1987 - the first Break-Out Monitors; the first WinSystem 1 software platform and, in 1991 - the revolutionary Intercept Warm Edge Spacer System. In fact, ‘Warm Edge’ was a term PPG/GED originated to describe the benefits of the new technology over standard spacer systems that were prevalent at the time.

GED’s i-3 platform works with its LeanNet communications software to integrate every facet of a plant’s operation, increasing IG quality and production volumes and profits while decreasing operating costs and material wastage. GED’s commitment to innovation that addresses its customers’ needs is evidenced by the fact that 18 of the top 20 window and door manufacturers in the USA utilise GED’s equipment and software solutions.