TECHNOLOGY. PRECISION.
VARIETY. GLASS.

Think-tank

Microlab – Fully integrated biochemical lab with evaluation electronics

Rapid diagnostic tests for the clear detection of chemical / biological substances. In wine, in food, in serums … – Sustainable with rechargeable battery and integrated rinsing – or inexpensive for single use.

We have the platforms – you have the technology. Together we sprint to the finish line.

We have a few more ideas, for example

  • channels, cavities and reaction chambers individually structured by laser
  • selective light shields as well as pcb tracks, applied by digital or screen printing
  • sensor technology and 32-bit microcontroller on glass – for immediate evaluation
  • with display and HMI – or just green / yellow / red LED
  • WiFi connectivity and inductive charging
  • Rechargeable battery, micro-battery or energy harvester

Application of the month

Our first IMPAtouch series product has been in production for over twelve years

The assembly was everything but a no-brainer – as it is full of complex solutions. First of all, the machine can be used in two fundamentally different operating modes:

  • In self-service areas, for example at motorway service stations, it is all about straightforward, clear and simple operation. Desired hot drink with the push of a button.
  • In a café, when the barista in front of the machine, 16 additional buttons become available, enabling the professional to customize any hot drink.

Regardless of the operating mode the machine is currently running; The elegant, simple design on an opaque black background is visually impressive. What you don’t see right away: Upward and downward compatibility. Each series of the device front panel fits on each basic device.

Vorderseite Operating panel
(front view) All-round edge grinding for high durability. The glass edge is flush with the device and forms part of the housing front. 16 backlit function keys (IMPAled) with vanishing effect that can be labelled individually. Not visible in self-service mode. Ten ground-in fingertips (IMPAfeel) with touch functionality (IMPAtouch) for intuitive direct access in self-service mode. Highly transparent opening for the display. Optionally with a scratch-resistant protective coating for the glass applied by screen printing, which can later be removed like a film. Two "slotted holes" for the implementation of the hot water and steam outlets. Rückseite Operating panel
(rear view) 16 programming buttons with adjustable color. The labelling is done by laser printing on matt white foil and is therefore completely customizable. Without backlighting, the buttons are not visible from the front (vanishing effect) - ideal for self-service mode. Framed tolerance compensation for the display mounted on the basic device. Even at an inclined angle, it is not possible to look "by the display into the interior of the device". 32-bit Cortex-M3 computing power for evaluating the touch sensors, controlling the LEDs etc. – directly on the glass! Plastic mounting frame with stiffeners and studs for mounting the device, glued to the glass full-faced. The entire electronics of the device front (touch evaluation, backlighting, LEDs, interfaces ...) are located on the glass. This means that no separate board, etc. is required; the assembly is connected directly to the main control. In order to protect the electronics reliably against hot water, steam and condensate in the long term, they are fully potted.

Ask the Irlbachers

Flavio G.: „Why does glass break?“

Dr. Alexander Stoppa, Technischer Leiter:

„Glass is a very hard material. When subjected to pressure, it is more than twice as resistant as steel. The problem is tensile loads. At the bottom of micro-cracks, for example caused by mechanical damage to the surface, or structural defects in the glass, strong mechanical stresses arise. These then lead virtually instantaneously to breakage, which – as with other amorphous or brittle materials – hardly announces itself in advance. The technical strength of glass is therefore not an absolute value but is essentially determined by surface defects.

Many types of glass can be protected by thermal toughening. The processes involved make glass significantly less sensitive, which is why one speaks colloquially of “hardened glass”, similar to steel. If thermally toughened glass breaks, it will break into small pieces without sharp edges – in contrast to, for example, uncured wine glasses or bottles.”

Would like to know how this is made? Just click here for more information!