Egger Glas GmbH, a renowned glass processor, faced the challenge of further optimizing efficiency in sorting and buffer systems, as well as in insulating glass production. In addition, the goal was to further increase the quality of insulating glass units.
Precise Solution with BowScanner
Excessive overall deflection of the glass often causes defects in subsequent work steps. The BowScanner addresses exactly this challenge. By precisely measuring the overall deflection of each individual glass pane before further processing, panes with excessive curvature can be identified and sorted out early on. This not only optimizes the processes in downstream processing steps but also improves the quality of the end products, especially in insulating glass units.
Challenges in Glass Production that Need to Be Addressed
- Recognizing glass with insufficient/excessive overall deflection after the tempering process: By recognizing it very promptly and immediately passing on information, the furnace operator can intervene, understand the causes, and react accordingly. Settings/furnace recipes must be adjusted to obtain glass with the best quality gradually.
- Prevent Breakage in Sorting Systems: Glasses fed into sorting systems with too much overall deflection can break during this process. This leads to an undesirable standstill of the line and high cleaning effort in the sorting system.
- Prevent Further Processing of Bent Laminated/Tempered Glass into Insulating Glass Units: Single panes with poor quality due to excessive overall deflection must not be installed in laminated or insulating glass units, as this will lead to technical defects. If a severely bent pane is used for an insulating glass unit, the resulting tension can have fatal effects on the durability and tightness of the unit. In addition, glass breakage in the IG press must be avoided at all costs. Similar to sorting systems, this leads to lengthy and costly downtimes and cleaning times in the processing process. Philipp Schuller, Managing Director, stated: “With Softsolution’s BowScanner, we’ve not only found a precise solution for monitoring the overall deflection of our glass panes, but also a partner who understands our needs and collaborates with us as equals. The reliable technology has enabled us to make our production processes more efficient and to sustainably ensure the quality of our products. This partnership is built on trust and expertise – a real win for Egger Glas.”
Technical Specifications and Benefits
The BowScanner is characterized by its vertical installation and easy integration into existing production lines. It measures the overall deflection on all four edges and both diagonals of the glass panes, enabling comprehensive quality control with the highest precision.
Boost Production
Using the BowScanner further increases production efficiency in glass processing plants, but product quality is also significantly improved. The early detection of quality aspects leads to a better understanding of the causes, a long-term optimization of the tempering process, and adjustments to the furnace parameters based on the documented analyses of the BowScanner.
Conclusion: Pioneering the Glass Industry’s Future
The implementation of the BowScanner at glass processors demonstrates how innovative technologies can master the challenges in the glass industry. By improving quality control and further optimizing production processes, the company is positioning itself as a pioneer in the industry and setting new standards for efficiency and product quality in flat glass processing.
