Glass processing

As far as we know, there is no other company in Germany in the area of technical glass processing and glass finishing that can even come close to offering a comparable range of processing options for this material from a single source. Experience, knowledge and sensitivity make the difference at Irlbacher. This includes the machines that we build ourselves for our glass processing, technologies that we develop ourselves as a manufacturer and, of course, the people who work with the machines and are experts in handling the versatile material glass. With our CNC processing systems, we achieve a high level of precision and can process the fascinating material almost as if it were a material made of metal.

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Base glass

The selection of suitable materials is at the beginning of every development project and is decisive with regard to subsequent application and planned use. Our applications range from furniture to HMI for cutting-edge high-tech devices. With over 250 types of glass, we have just about everything in stock that there is a variety of flat glass. This includes soda-lime glass as float or white glass, borosilicate glass for particularly high requirements, but also aluminosilicate glass as thin glass, from a thickness of 0.55 mm. In addition, special glasses, such as glass ceramic B270 or D263, tinted colored glass, color effect filters, patterned glass, glass tubes, or even anti-reflective glass with appropriate coatings.

Cutting

Waterjet cutting

We use environmentally friendly waterjet cutting when processing glass to produce cutouts or to create free-formed and round contours. The advantage of this process is an extremely precise cut edge without thermal influences. The original structure and strength of the materials are retained and the quality of the glass edges is already very good. Complex shapes and fine details can be easily cut into almost any glass.

CNC processing - grinding & polishing

Drilling & sinking

Laser processing

Deform & bend

Hardening - thermal and chemical

During thermal hardening, the glass is heated to 580-680°C and becomes elastic again due to the high temperature. This is followed by sudden cooling, which places the core of a disk under tensile stress and the surface under compressive stress. We use chemical hardening for glasses that are thinner than 3 mm. Here, there is an exchange of ions between the alkaline ions of the surface layers of the glass and the potassium ions of the salt solution in which the glass is immersed.

FAQ

Which glass processing methods are used industrially?

Mechanical, thermal and chemical processes are used in industrial glass processing. These include:

  • Mechanical: cutting (diamond and carbide wheels), grinding and polishing (flat, facet and edge grinding), drilling (hollow diamond drill bit).
  • Thermal: Bending, tempering (ESG), laminating (VSG), fusing.
  • Chemically: Etching, ion exchange for chemical prestressing.
  • Physically: Laser processing (laser cutting - filamentation, laser drilling - ablation), waterjet cutting (partly abrasive).

What special features must be considered when drilling glass?

The following should be considered:

  • use of diamond drills (segment or vacuum soldering).
  • Always process with coolant supply (usually water with coolant additives).
  • Speed and feed must be adjusted to the type and thickness of the glass (too high speed → microcracks).
  • ESG cannot be drilled, VSG only with prior separation of the composite film (unless VSG consists of ESG glasses).

Can tempered safety glass (ESG) be processed retrospectively?

No. After tempering, the glass is subject to surface and internal stress. Every processing process (drilling, cutting, grinding) results in uncontrolled breakage. Edits must before the tensioning process take place. With VSG, only the glass layer can be processed, but not the PVB or EVA film between the panes.

Which technologies are becoming increasingly popular in cutting?

In addition to the classic crevice fracture process (glass cutter with diamond or HM wheel), there is an increase in Laser and waterjet cutting for use.

  • Lasers: creates thermal separation cracks through localized heating and cooling (so-called filamentation). Advantage: high precision, low post-processing.
  • Waterjet: also suitable for thick glasses (>30 mm) and complex geometries. Addition of abrasive increases efficiency, but increases edge roughness. Advantage: high cycle times.

What are the options for decorative or functional glass processing?

  • Decorative: Sandblasting, engraving (mechanical/laser), matting (=sandblasting), color enamel application, screen printing and digital printing on glass.
  • Functional: surface coating (e.g. anti-reflective, antimicrobial, self-cleaning, or Low-E coatings).

Which occupational safety measures are absolutely necessary?

  • Personal protective equipment: Cut-resistant gloves (EN 388), safety glasses or face protection, safety shoes with cut protection.
  • Machine safety: Extractions for grinding and polishing work (fine dust), protective covers on cutting and grinding machines.
  • Handling: Use of vacuum lifters or crane systems to prevent injuries caused by breakages or cut edges.