Professional glass bonding solutions

The new bonding table from Bohle allows the bonding of glass and metal at an extremely high level of repeat accuracy.
Photos: Bohle AG

Perfect accuracy is absolutely paramount for the bonding of glass components to metallic parts. A new product range from Bohle AG in Haan offers benefits in serial production.

There has been a steady increase in the use of glass products in interior decorating recently. Many applications, such as glass furniture and shower doors, require reliable permanent bonds between the glass components and metal parts – an area where UV bonding has proved its worth. However, this technology requires not only special know-how in the processing of modern UV bonds, but also a high level of precision in conducting the actual bonding work.

This is particularly true for bonding processes in serial production, when bonding has to take place any number of times and with the same level of accuracy. In such cases the rational organisation of routines requires more than the fixing devices and UV lamps which are often used when working manually on single items. To join together components at a consistent level of quality, it is important to have a setup which has been specially developed for these requirements.

Rational bonding solutions

Bohle AG, one of the world’s leading experts in UV bonding technology, has developed a special new product line for the serial production of glass/metal bonding, allowing the automation and rational implementation of such processes. The most important innovations of the product line are a flexible bonding table, a variable light tunnel and a professional portable bonding unit.

With the Verifix bonding table, according to Bohle, metal bonding parts are positioned on flat glass with an unsurpassed repeat accuracy. Even different metal parts – for example two hinges and a lock – may be mounted in a single operation, and any shape and size of glass can be handled. The geometric shape and size of the glass pane is irrelevant. The load capacity of up to 150 kilograms also allows large and thick glass panes to be processed and, if required, the bonding table may be expanded and integrated into existing production lines. Another benefit highlighted by Bohle is the minimal amount of adhesive that is required, thus reducing the time and effort spent on cleaning up bonding points.

As a good, practical complement to the production process, Bohle also recommends its new Verifix light tunnel. Four groups of UVA lamps can be switched on variably in the tunnel, to allow optimal curing, with illumination targeted exactly where needed.

Professional portable bonding unit

The Verifix professional bonding unit, developed by Bohle, is intended for flexible use either in a production hall or in on-site assembly. Wherever compressed air is available, this handy bonding device allows the precise positioning of metal parts, so that they can be bonded to glass with a high level of repeat accuracy. Moreover, its innovative vacuum system allows the consistently accurate application of adhesive while preventing the formation of air bubbles and minimising cleanup.

The benefits of the three innovative products are obvious. Being simple to handle and permitting a high level of bonding accuracy, they help to increase the rationalisation of UV bonding processes and to minimise the incidence of errors. Their use can be helpful in increasing the economic efficiency of production and improving one’s competitive edge.

Complete product range at glasstec 2008

Anyone with an interest in glass bonding – an area which is gaining more and more in significance – will find that glasstec 2008, from October 21 to 25, not only covers the entire bandwidth of the latest products and applications, but that it also offers a visionary outlook of the future of glass bonding technology.