Growing demand for better burglary and noise protection as well as new national standards such as DIN 18008 require the processing of ever larger quantities of laminated glass. To keep pace with these demands, we are introducing an innovative laminated glass cutting system that cuts more glass in less time - with less waste and fewer labour requirements. Are you ready to take your production efficiency to the next level?
Laminated glass consists of layers made up of a special PVB foil between two glass panes. The glass is cut using a fixed cutting device, the cutting bridge, which performs the cuts in the X, Y, Z and optionally in the W direction one after the other according to an optimisation. As these cuts have to be processed sequentially, the output quantity can be optimised using the following approaches:
The biggest lever for cutting laminated glass faster is the heating process of PVB foil. When cutting laminated glass, the glass is first scored and broken, then the subplates are pulled apart to cut cleanly through the foil with a blade. Heating the foil reduces both the force required and the time needed to open the gap.
LiSEC uses the patented SIR (Selective Infrared) heating system for rapid, energy-saving heating of the foil. Infrared is the fastest and most cost-effective way to heat the PVP foil. Another advantage is the avoidance of heat stress.
More cutting bridges = more output? Unfortunately not. Statistically speaking, the cutting patterns always contains more Y and Z cuts than X cuts. Separate cutting bridges for the respective cuts never lead to a balanced utilisation of the individual bridges, and thus to no acceleration of the cutting process.
The LiSEC VSL-A double bridge with tandem function (cutting 2 panes on the same bridge) solves this problem with dynamic load balancing. Based on the order data, it dynamically adjusts which bridge is used for which cuts. This ensures a high, even utilisation of both bridges and therefore a higher output.
The results are impressive: A LiSEC VSL-A tandem system cuts X and Y cuts for series production with an output of up to 140 m² of laminated glass per hour, almost unmanned and with just one supervisor.
Manual processes can limit output and impair quality. Seamless integration into automatic logistics systems, which sort the panes using buffers and stack them on glass racks using robots, completely eliminates manual processes. At the same time, continuous production is ensured, which can be controlled by a single supervisor and offers maximum system availability around the clock, even over a 3-shift operation.
In collaboration with leading flat glass processors, LiSEC has developed a VSL-A double bridge, which has been performing convincingly in multi-shift operation at 15 locations since 2020.
To maximise laminated glass output, the key strategy is to optimise the cutting process through advanced technologies and automation. LiSEC's innovative SIR heating technology and Dynamic Load Balancing enable efficient production, increasing throughput and ensuring quality. With these methods, a high production rate is achieved with consistent quality.