SAUM – Developing a new grinding process for glass components
| Project director | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Weller |
| Employee | Dipl.-Ing. Paulina Bukieda |
| Funding | BMWI - Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM) |
| Period | 2017-2019 |
Objectives and work programme
Based on comprehensive research, we know that the load-bearing behaviour and the optical quality of the glass pane edge are largely influenced by the grinding process. The edging of the glass pane and the space between the edging and the edge surfaces have been identified as key weak points, as these are the areas where faults that can cause breaks are most likely to occur. Scientific studies have also shown that impurities in the grinding fluid can cause scratches to form on the edge surface that could cause breakages.
The objective of this research is to develop a grinding process that allows the edges of glass panes to be finished in a way that does not create any faults that could lead to breakages, and will also result in a high-gloss finish. The known causes for breakage-inducing defects are to be strategically eliminated. Innovative grinding discs with a polyurethane binding agent are also to be developed, as well as a preparation system for the grinding fluid. This new development and definition of the optimal process parameters, high-quality glass products with an increased load capacity and optically flawless edges are to be produced.
Partners
Glaswerkstätten Frank Ahne GmbH
Artifex Dr. Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG