Glass Laminating Machine
New Glass Laminating Machine
A new glass laminating machine called Glass Laminating System (GLS) has been developed by Gyrotron Technology Inc. This is a complete set of equipment for producing laminated glass including solar panels. Operation of this machine is based on unique technology that does not require using an autoclave. This machine provides continuous production of any type of laminated product for safety, hurricane, ballistic, fire-rated, acoustic and other laminated glass.
Any standard, commercially-available adhesive films such as PVB, SG, TPU, EVA and others can be used as interlayer for making laminated glass with the machine. It can also be used to encapsulate different kinds of solar modules, including those with plastic back-sheets and other materials. This technology is suitable for clear or coated glass, mirror surfaces, colored glass etc. Glass sheets can be made of annealed or tempered glass. This technology and machine is ideal for laminating products sensitive to pressure and temperature as well as those with decorative and functional inserts. GLS offers substantial financial benefits, including reductions in capital, labor, energy, and floor space costs.
The exiting conventional laminating technology requires autoclave. It involves extended heating under high pressure (4MPa-20MPa) and temperatures around 140°C. The main problem encountered while using autoclave is the air and moisture that gets trapped between the film and glass surfaces. This air and moisture must be diluted in the laminating film in order to prevent the laminate from bubbling and future de-laminating.
The bubbling is an objectionable visible defect that, in most cases, is absolutely unacceptable. Bubbling within the laminate may effectively reduce its strength in that particular area and cause de-lamination. The glass laminating machine developed by Gyrotron Technology is based on new patented technology that has eliminated the problem of bubbling.
The machine provides exclusive heating of an adhesive film in a low-pressure vacuum environment via shortwave infrared radiation. At the initial stage of the process this radiation penetrates through the glass and heats the film to a higher temperature than the surrounding glass sheets. As a result, the air, moisture, and gases are completely pumped out while the film is not sticking to the glass because the glass is relatively cold. Further heating leads to increasing the temperature of the glass sheets and the film sticks to the glass completely. A very high quality lamination is provided because there are no gases or moisture surrounding the film. The sandwich lies freely on the conveyor without being subjected to any pressure except gravity.
The machine can be built for any custom glass sizes and variations of glass thickness. The laminating cycle in a standard GLS design is 3-6 minutes; however, a special design for cycles of less than one minute is also available. Only 0.15 kW-h is needed to laminate one square foot. This is almost 50% less energy than required by common laminating lines with autoclaves.
Both large and small companies can benefit by using the new glass laminating machine. It is fully automated and easy to operate. It requires minimal maintenance and no special knowledge or experience. It is the best option for bringing your laminating business in-house. The average return time on investment is less than one year.
For more information about glass laminating machines and other equipment please visit https://www.gyrotrontech.com
