Lifting glass without leaving vacuum cup marks

10/26/2021 | Print view

By using suction plate covers, marks can be avoided even on coated glass. - © euroTech — © euroTech

By using suction plate covers, marks can be avoided even on coated glass.

When glass panes are used in the glass and window industry, vacuum cups are usually used. It is not uncommon for everything to seem fine at first after the glass has been installed, but when the glass pane condenses, suction marks become visible that cannot be easily removed. To avoid this, euroTech has developed a suction plate cover. GW-News wanted to know from Head of Sales, Michael Renger, how this works.

GW-News - What are the causes of suction marks on glass?

Michael Renger - During the production of seals for vacuum cups, chemical components and softeners are added to the material, which can evaporate when they come into contact with glass or trigger chemical reactions with the glass coating. Friction damage, depending on the suction cup sealing lip and the contact surface (grooves, nubs, etc.), can also occur under certain circumstances when handling glass panes with vacuum cups. If these marks are not removed immediately, they will become visible every time the glass panes are finished afterwards.

GW-News - How can this problem be prevented?

The suction plate covers can simply be pulled over the suction plate.

Renger - By using the MTC suction plate covers, which we developed especially for this problem, the suction marks on the sensitive surfaces are prevented. The covers are made of an oil- and silicone-free polyethylene which, as long as it is in good general condition, leaves fewer marks on glass.

GW-News - What makes the covers special and how can they be used?

Renger - The tear-resistant, conformable and breathable MTC suction plate covers are non-fluffing. The use of a sewn-in elastic allows the MTCs to be easily pulled over the seals with an optimal fit. Both wet and dry, the MTCs remain tear-resistant. Due to the unique fibre structure of the material, the tear resistance is not lost even if scratches occur. [...]

GW-News - What else must the fitter pay attention to?

Renger - When using suction plate coatings, a reduction in the coefficient of friction should be taken into account. Depending on the seal geometry, this value can vary. The holding force is reduced by a few per cent in horizontal transport. The loss of holding force in vertical transport is about 50 per cent. [...]

Michael Renger, Head of Sales at euroTech

GW-News - What additional service do you offer your customers?

Renger - If suction plate covers are required by the customer, we can take this into account when planning the project and thus provide the required suction cups for the required load capacity from the outset. There are many different sizes in our range - also for oval suction cups.

The interview was conducted and abbreviated by Matthias Rehberger.