Innovative glass mounting

This application shows BackPlate mountings in combination with conducting glass
Photos: lif GmbH

In BackPlate the market now has a new glass-metal mounting system for interior design at its disposal in which the glass elements are neither drilled nor clamped.

Previously the laminated glass paling and partition wall scene was dominated by clamp and point mountings. With the BackPlate mounting system the developers are taking a completely new approach. The fittings are not applied to or inserted into one or both sides of the glass in the conventional way, but insertion-laminated instead. The integration in the glass laminate produced using an intermediate polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film creates a very stable adhesion, which according to the manufacturers, fulfils all the legal requirements placed on linear-mounted and point-mounted glazing in interior applications. This also applies to accident and break-proof glazing. The glass elements fitted with BackPlate are mounted securely and stably on the insertion-laminated flat metal ends protruding over the glass edges.

Stable adhesion

Prior to the (lamination) process for the laminated glass, the required flat metals are affixed with a light-hardening adhesive - depending on the application - in a perfect fit to one or several of the panes in the laminated package. After it has hardened the material is transparent and thus very suitable for glass-metal lamination. Other advantages offered by the adhesive are its very good rigidity and high temperature resistance.

Pressure-free and easy-clean

Glazing mounted using BackPlate is not exposed to any stress or tension as is normally necessary in the clamp and point-mounting fixing process. Damage caused by excessive pressure is thus prevented. A further advantage is the simple cleaning of the panes compared to the alternative mounting variations. The lamination-insertion of the fittings ensures that both sides of the laminated glass remain even. The tiresome cleaning around fittings is therefore now no longer necessary. The new mounting system can be used both on classic laminated glazing as well as on glass structures fitted with conducting glass.

Multiple award-winner

The patent-applied-for BackPlate has been developed by Schneider + Fichtel GmbH along with Döppner Bauelemente GmbH & Co. KG. The jointly founded company, LIF GmbH, uses BackPlate in order to further advance the technology of conducting glass, for example by using integrated LEDs. The cooperation partner is the Mainz company Schott AG. With BackPlate the young company has apparently succeeded big time, not only technically but also optically.

The attractive look of the new mounting system has already impressed the jurors at renowned design competitions. Last year BackPlate was presented with the iF material award, which is bestowed in recognition of the most innovative solutions in the areas of materials and material connections. The prize is one of the most important design awards worldwide. Also last year: the Materialica Design & Technology Award went to the developers of the innovative mounting system. In 2008 BackPlate has been nominated for the Federal Republic of Germany Design Prize.