Henze Glas, a German manufacturer of large insulating glass panes, searched worldwide for a supplier of 3.21 x 9.00 metre float glass sheets.

It seemed as if no float glass manufacturer wanted to carry out this project. Guardian Flachglas in Thalheim was the only one not to turn the job down, as the group had already gained experience with the series manufacture of jumbo panes sized 7.20 x 3.21 m.

The ambitious plans were discussed with Henze Glas and the vacuum lifting device manufacturer Pannkoke Flachglastechnik from Luebeck, with the result that Guardian Flachglas could be relieved of the logistic problems of de-stacking (vacuum lifting device by Pannkoke Flachglastechnik) and transport (which was taken care of by Henze Glas). The technical staff of Guardian Flachglas quickly found a solution for cutting the giant sheets to size at the running float band.

In January 2005, nine large sheets sized 9.00 x 3.21 m came off the conveyor belt in Thalheim.

Under the watchful eyes of the head of the firm and initiator of this project, Dietmar Henze, the huge float glass sheets swung sheet by sheet onto the special-purpose vehicle provided by Henze Glas, suspended from the Pannkoke vacuum lifting device.

Henze Glas is unsure whether this marks a European first or world first, and the sheets are yet to be used on a project; They remain on display Henze Glas’ premises to demonstrate the processor’s capabilities.

Source

Glass Age