Higher Production Capacity with Lower Energy Consumption: Industriglas AB Upgrades to Glaston’s RC Series
Industriglas AB, a family-owned company located in Jönköping, Sweden, has been serving industrial customers in a radius of about 200 km for over three decades with tempered, laminated, and fireproof laminated glass for various industrial applications. For nearly 25 years, the company utilized a second-hand Glaston tempering line to produce high-quality tempered glass. However, after numerous upgrades and rebuilds, the company invested in a new tempering line to improve their production capacity and energy efficiency.
In this article, we will delve into Industriglas AB’s recent investment in Glaston’s RC Series tempering furnace, the installation process, training, and how it has impacted the company’s energy consumption and production capacity.
The Need for a New Tempering Line
Industriglas AB purchased a secondhand Glaston tempering furnace, then known as Tamglass, in 1995. The furnace served the company well for over 25 years, but it was time for an upgrade. Despite the furnace proving to be a workhorse and supporting the company over the years, it required numerous upgrades and rebuilds to keep it operational.
“The tempering furnace supported us well over all these years,” says Mats Pihlqvist, Site Manager at Industriglas AB. “We upgraded it and rebuilt some of the sections at least three times throughout its lifetime.”
Glaston’s RC Series: Meeting Industriglas AB’s Needs
After careful consideration, Industriglas AB decided to purchase Glaston’s RC Series tempering furnace, which fit their needs perfectly. Mats Pihlqvist says, “Now, we’re looking forward to operating it for the next 20+ years.”
The RC Series offers improved energy efficiency, larger batch sizes, and advanced technology that ensures tempered glass is produced correctly. The machine also comes equipped with a scanner that allows operators to see if each sheet of glass has been tempered correctly.
Smooth Delivery Despite the Pandemic
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic backlog, Glaston delivered the RC Series machine in the summer of 2022. Although the project was delayed by approximately two weeks due to parts availability issues, the Glaston team worked hard to make up for lost time. In the end, the startup proceeded as planned, and everything went smoothly.
Turnkey Solution from Glaston
Industriglas AB purchased a turnkey solution from Glaston, which included all dismantling and installation work. During the installation process, the company closed for three weeks in the summer of 2022 to allow for dismantling of the existing furnace, create an empty floor, and install the new tempering furnace.
“The experience was great. We didn’t have to bother about anything. Glaston had the full responsibility to dismantle the existing furnace, create an empty floor, and install the new tempering furnace,” explains Mats Pihlqvist.
Training on the New RC Series Furnace
Due to the tight time schedule, training on the new RC Series furnace took place once production was up and running. The technician trained the operators by starting with one glass thickness and explaining how to temper it. The technician then moved on to the next thickness, and the operators were educated along the way. The production line did not need to stop for training, allowing the company to maintain its production schedule.
15-20% Lower Energy Consumption
With the installation of the new tempering furnace, Industriglas is now seeing the benefits of the latest technology, which has helped the company to perform better while consuming less energy. The RC Series has been producing tempered glass for the past nine months, and Mats reports positive business results.
“Our energy consumption has gone down by approximately 15–20%,” he says. “And the new furnace is larger, so we can temper more in each batch. It is also easier to run the machine. We didn’t have a scanner with the old furnace. Now, we can see from the scanner if each sheet is tempered in the correct way.”
Mats explains that there are days when they don’t even need to use the furnace. Previously, the old furnace was in full production from Monday through Friday. “Now, the machine can take one day off, which is a good thing with the really high electricity prices in Sweden in the wintertime.”
WORKING WITH GLASTON
Over the years, Mats has appreciated the good relationship that Industriglas has built with the Glaston team. “We have never had problems with service. It’s quite important to get support when you need it.” Now, Mats is pleased to deepen the relationship and take advantage of Glaston’s remote support from Finland for the new machine.
Glaston’s RC Series is an advanced tempering furnace that enables customers to achieve higher quality glass and more efficient production. The furnace has a modular design, which makes it easy to adapt to different production needs. Its energy-efficient structure allows for significant energy savings, while its advanced features ensure high-quality end products.
Industriglas’ success story with the RC Series is just one example of how Glaston’s innovative solutions are helping customers achieve their goals. The company has a long history of providing advanced glass tempering solutions and continues to innovate in the field.
If you’re looking for a high-quality tempering furnace that delivers excellent results and is built to last, look no further than Glaston’s RC Series. With its modular design, energy-efficient structure, and advanced features, this furnace is sure to help you take your glass tempering to the next level.
For more information on Glaston’s RC Series, visit glaston.net/machine/rc-series/.
Source: Glaston Corporation with additional information added by GlassBalkan
