The production of stepped glass units presents a significant challenge in IG production. Particularly façade units made of larger and heavier glass panes require specialized machinery and techniques to ensure safe transport and precise assembly.
Areas of use for stepped units
When it comes to IG units, there are specific applications in which the offset between the outer and inner pane is crucial. Examples include:
- Cold storage display doors
- Glass façades
In both applications, the steps are on all four sides to completely conceal the underlying construction behind the glass pane.
How to produce stepped units
The production of units with steps on all four sides requires significant adjustments to the machine design in order to provide sufficient support for the glass at the stepped edge. To be able to process different step heights flexibly, the machines must be height-adjustable.
The latest generations of LiSEC machines are capable of producing steps with a height of 0 to 150mm on the bottom edge and up to 200mm on the other sides, with optional steps up to 1000mm also possible. This adaptability is crucial to meeting the diverse requirements of different construction projects while ensuring the high quality of the glass units.
In a LiSEC insulating glass line the larger glass pane of a stepped unit is always aligned towards the rear wall. In the case of triple units, the larger glass pane is also aligned towards the rear wall, while the two smaller, identical glass panes are positioned in front of it.
Continuous support at the bottom edge
In the case of glass units with a step on the bottom edge, depending on the dimensions of the glass and the stability of the spacers, the smaller stepped glass may tip or sink due to its own weight. Therefore, the smaller glass panes must be supported at a higher position than the usual glass transport height.
To effectively address this challenge, LiSEC has developed machines that provide continuous bottom-edge support for all glass sheets, such as the AGP-A press and the VFL-1F / SRP-A sealing station. These machines ensure that all glass sheets are continuously supported from the gas filling press to the end of the production line.
Step support in action
The use of stepped units increases reliability in production and enables excellent product quality. The video shows the production process with rigid and flexible spacers.