UKO Glass is taking another step forward in tightening quality control and speeding up delivery times, following the installation of a new Schiavo Cross Belt arising machine at its toughening plant. Installed at the end of 2025 and supplied by P.A.L Machinery, the upgrade strengthens one of the most critical stages in glass processing: achieving a clean, consistent edge finish before toughening.

Edge quality is not just a cosmetic detail, it directly impacts performance in the furnace. Inconsistent edgework can trigger micro-chips, stress concentrations and handling damage that lead to breakages during toughening. By integrating the Schiavo Cross Belt arising machine into production, UKO Glass aims to deliver more uniform edge processing across all glass products, improving repeatability and reducing avoidable losses in the toughening cycle.

The investment supports UKO Glass’s push toward a 5-day lead time for toughened insulated glass units (IGUs). Faster arising and improved consistency upstream helps stabilise flow through the plant, enabling better scheduling and more dependable turnaround times for customers working on tight project deadlines.

Tony McAspurn, Production Manager at UKO Glass, highlighted that the new installation aligns with the company’s wider focus on continuous improvement and service reliability, reinforcing the priority of delivering higher quality with greater consistency.

For fabricators and installers, upgrades like this matter because they translate directly into better edge durability, fewer breakage-related delays, and smoother production planning, all while maintaining the high finish standards expected from modern toughened and insulated glazing. UKO Glass’s latest investment shows how targeted machinery improvements can strengthen both product performance and customer delivery confidence at the same time.