A quantum leap in window construction is the fully automatic insertion of the glass pane into the sash, without manual finishing.
Window manufacturer Gregor Lauber, together with adhesive and sealant manufacturer Kömmerling and other partners, has set up a fully automated production line in an unusual project. The bonding process is now integrated into a state-of-the-art robot-supported line.
Window manufacturers themselves can benefit from bonding, especially if the bonding process is efficiently automated. The window manufacturer Lauber in Singen shows how far such automation can go: The family-owned company not only relies on fully automated bonding of its windows and doors, but also implemented a completely automated production line in 2020 when it moved into a new hall.
A lighthouse project - for which the owners brought several partners to the table right from the start in order to achieve the optimum in process reliability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. "We want to guarantee a continuously high quality of our products and remain profitable at the same time," emphasises Yannick Lauber, PVC project planner and part of the third Lauber generation. That direct glazing should also be integrated into the production line was clear from the outset. Yannick Lauber explains why: "We see ourselves as an innovative, customer-oriented premium manufacturer and are convinced of the advantages of bonded elements. With the adhesive technology, we want to develop a unique selling point in our region."
That is why, in addition to the profile system provider profine and the machine supplier and project planner Berchtold Fensterbaumaschinen, the adhesive and sealant manufacturer H.B. Fuller | Kömmerling was also part of the team for the development of the new automation line.
Except for lift-and-slide door systems and profiles that must not be bonded, we bond everything.
Passionate about adhesives and bonding
Especially with a sensitive process like automated bonding, it pays off for window manufacturers to have an experienced partner, because there are a few essential things in the process. These include suitable window profiles, a machine builder who supplies robots for applying the adhesive, but also the tested compatibility of all materials with each other to ensure the longevity of the building elements.
Equally important is the pre-treatment of the profiles with a primer. Only then is a process-safe, high-quality adhesive bond created, which achieves approval according to RAL-GZ 716 Part 2 and thus an essential quality feature of bonded windows.
At Lauber, the insulating glass should also be automatically positioned exactly in the frame without subsequent manual corrections and in this way perfectly designed for the subsequent adhesive application - a real quantum leap in window construction.
Newly developed window profiles for automation
For the positioning of the glass, system supplier profine developed a new plastic profile system with special support and spacer blocks, which serve to transfer the load and position the insulating glass. This ensures a uniform gluing gap all around. The glass pane can thus be inserted into the frame completely independently by a robot and then bonded directly afterwards by an application robot.
For Michael Merkle, Key Account Manager Direct Glazing at H.B. Fuller | Kömmerling, the fully automated production at Lauber is a showcase project: "Through our cooperation with the profile system house profine and the development of new profiles, we have been able to fully automate an essential production step in window bonding."
With its cooperation partner profine, H.B. Fuller | Kömmerling would like to continue to successfully advance direct glazing. Yannick Lauber can only support that: "For us, the automated line with the integrated gluing process is a successful step into the future
What is the benefit of gluing technology for the end customer?
Direct glazing, i.e. bonding the insulating glass into the window sash, offers end customers many advantages: The improvement of the static properties allows for more delicate frames as well as larger glass surfaces and thus more light incidence. The all-round glass connection increases intrusion protection, improves thermal insulation and soundproofing and also reduces service costs.
Article was written by Daniel Mund, Editor-in-Chief of Glaswelt Magazine
