Glassrobots new series of fully automatic glass bending furnaces for large bus and special vehicle windscreens combines the flexibility of a versatile single chamber furnace and the bending performance of a modern serial bending furnace. The end product meets the requirements of international safety glass standards and those of OEM manufacturers with respect to the optics, shape accuracy and repeatability.

Comprehensive Range of Furnaces for Variable Needs

Glassrobots offers a wide range of different furnaces in compact double level construction covering process capacities for all needs. The modular design allows extensions for further capacity even at later stage. Regardless of the number of the wagons, each one can accommodate a different mold, thus allowing a flexible production mix; single pieces for replacement market or longer series for automotive factories.

High Quality and Repeatability in Bendings of Large Windscreens

A closed, well insulated chamber guarantees a stable, disturbance free ambient for the bending. Extremely smooth wagon transfer has been achieved by controlling the speed by a frequency converter. The heating elements in the bending section are divided into several parts giving precise control of the heat. Automatic, vertically adjustable crease heaters facilitate the bending of glasses with tight radii on the folds.

Fully automatic control based on continuos measurement of glass temperature by optical infrared pyrometer maintains consistent quality, irrespective of changes in the production mix or operator skills. Manual mode is possible for single pieces, maintenance and programming; the automatic mode ensures minimal deviations in shape.

Comfortable to Operate and Maintain

The graphic operator interface provides a user-friendly tool for process supervision and programming. Even a less experienced bender can operate the furnace without affecting the quality of the glass. The system provides also useful software for reporting, maintenance and testing, as well as remote diagnostics through modem.

Depending on construction, access to the furnace for mold change and loading of glass can further be facilitated by openable walls, mold rails and different lifting devices.

Cost-Effective Operation

Low energy consumption has been achieved through a compact and well insulated design, temperature controlled bending and short preheating time. An experienced bending operator is needed only for the first programming run and single pieces; subsequent runs are automatically controlled by the program and even a less experienced operator can be assigned to the furnace.
Once the bending parameters have been optimized and stored in the hard disc, the control repeats the process in the shortest cycle time with lowest energy consumption.

Built of high quality materials, the furnace is reliable, durable and requires minimum of maintenance. As standard components, the replacement parts are easily available and eventual repairs quick and inexpensive.

Technical Support

Not only the furnace contributes to the quality of bent glass. The mold and mold related tooling is of importance in the bending of demanding shapes. The extend and content of training can be agreed together with the bending operator.

Glassrobots provides complete packages for the production of large bus windscreens. Further available are laminating and deairing equipment, autoclaves and handling devices.