With modern manufacturing technology from Germany and an optimised production process glass producers can save up to 30% of their costs while helping the environment at the same time. The way to cost-efficient production will be demonstrated by the German manufacturers of glass machinery and equipment in Düsseldorf from 28 September to 1 October 2010 at glasstec/solarpeq, the leading international trade fair for glass and solar systems.

Symposia on the mega themes glass technology and energy
Customers of German glass machinery can look forward to discovering innovative concepts at glasstec/solarpeq enabling them to use their existing capacities most effectively, to accelerate production and use less energy. “If the value chain in production is organised in such a way that all steps fit each other perfectly and are dovetailed, production costs can be cut significantly, regardless of whether hollow, flat, solar or other special glass is produced,” says Siegfried Glaser, expert organiser of the VDMA Symposia and member of the Board of the VDMA-Forum Glass Technology. Which technology is currently available and where trends are heading will be presented by technology pioneers from German machine and equipment building not only at their exhibition stands but also at the VDMA Symposia “Energy-Efficient Production” and “Multi-Functional Solar Products”.

High Cost Cutting Potential along the Value Chain
The events focus on energy and cost saving potential in batch preparation and melting, in bending glass as well as the production of new glass applications such as vacuum insulation glass, multi-functional window and façade systems as well as solar glass. There is such a high demand for solar glass these days that for the first time equipment exclusively for producing solar glass has been taken into operation. Europe’s most state-of-the-art plant is located in Osterweddingen in Saxony-Anhalt and is packed with technology “Made in Germany”. The pieces of equipment are characterised by their compliance with the very special requirements made by solar glass producers regarding solar glass. This allows PV-module and collector producers to dispose of special pre-products at affordable prices for the first time. According to experts this will permit them to save up to 30% of their former production costs. 

Batch Pre-Heating – Key to Energy Savings
Visitors to the Symposia can take a practical look at the theory explained at companies’ trade fair stands and deepen their knowledge in in-depth talks with experts. Zippe Industrieanlagen GmbH, for instance, will be presenting its brand-new second generation of energy-saving batch pre-heaters. 

Further information: www.zippe.de

Zippe at glasstec: Hall 13/A31

VIG – Windows Matching the R Values of Exterior Walls
Grenzebach GmbH exhibits the window of the future and how it can be made:  VIG window panes made of float glass and of tempered single-layer safety glass, measuring 1 m x 1 m as well as the new VIG-ISO window pane, which consists of a normal and a coated float glass pane. Since VIG window panes match the R value of well insulated exterior walls they can achieve the thermal insulation values required by the EU from 2012 with the adoption of the Energy Saving Regulation. What’s more – they are lightweight and thin and easy to integrate into façades. It is thought by 2012 the first VIG production lines will be put into operation. Demand from insulation glass producers is already huge today: they want machine builders to make available production capacities of several million VIG panes per year as soon as possible.

Further information: www.grenzebach.com

Grenzebach at glasstec: Hall 15/B42

Defect Detection in Glass Sizing – Less Clippings and Waste
The Hegla-Group from Beverungen showcases systems for automatic defect detection in flat glass cutting. Individual defective sheets are automatically removed from the manufacturing process. This reduces the quantity of clippings and waste, which is a major cost factor especially for solar glass. The wear of tools in downstream treatment and finishing lines is also minimised. Another energy and cost-efficient solution are Hegla’s front and back-end storage systems for PV-module production lines. They can decouple individual production processes without affecting the line production cycle.

Further information: www.hegla.de
Hegla at glasstec: Hall 15/D25 and D26

Ingenuous Connection of Glass and Plastics – Maximum Energy Gains
BBG GmbH & Co KG specialises in joining glass with plastics. The company presents its Solar-PUR-Flush technology for solar module production where insert, connecting and electronic parts are fastened to the plastic frame by means of a foam. As a result the frame is flush with the module – unlike with conventional technology. This ensures that dirt particles cannot deposit, damage and corrosion are prevented and the customer’s energy gain is maximised.  At glasstec BBG will also present the world’s first high-insulation standard window with a PUR frame and profile core as well as corresponding manufacturing technology.

Further information: www.bbg-mbh.com
BBG at glasstec: Hall 11/B 26

A Concept for the Future – The Ecological Value-Added Chain
Bystronic glass has made ecological issues one of its priorities. The company integrates all three stages of the value-added chain into environmentally-friendlich concepts for customers and their own production process. Visitors of glasstec may learn more about this at the company’s stand. In addition, Bystronic glass will present some technical innovations in a TOP-SECREAT area. This closed area will only be accessible to invited or registered guests when accompagnied by the Bystronic glass sales staff.

Further information: www.bystronic-glass.com
Bystronic glass at glasstec: Hall 14/D24

VDMA Technology Symposia at glasstec/solarpeq 2010

• Energy-Efficient Production, Technologies, Products
  Wednesday, 29 September 2010, 10.00 am – 5.15 pm  
• Multi-Functional Solar Products: Technologies – Products – Applications
  Friday, 1 October 2010, 10.00 am – 4.30 pm

The Symposia are held inside the "glass technology live" exhibition area at glasstec/solarpeq in Düsseldorf and address glass producers, architects and designers.

Interested parties can find relevant agendas at  www.vdma.com/glass

VDMA at glasstec: Hall 15/D22

Author(s): anja.schnieder@vdma.org 
Your point of contact: anja.schnieder@vdma.org

• Machine Builders Point the Way to Cost-Efficient Production