Glass processing
Precision for perfection
Glass is a fascinating material with unique properties. Proper processing requires expertise and experience. Our employees refine glass without causing cracks or breaks – unless the customer requests it. In the case of crash glass, for example, the pane is intentionally chipped to create a completely new and unique surface.
To bring our glasses exactly into shape, we use modern CNC machines. Our CNC machining is the latest evolution in the field: the machining center with five digital interpolating axes enables fast and flexible work. We meet the growing demands on the market with flexibility and the quality associated with the FLINTERMANN brand at all times.
With the help of CNC machining, Flintermann guarantees precision, productivity and a high qualitative processing standard.
Glass processing can be carried out with absolute precision using CNC technology. This clean work enables later accurate installation.
We are able to cut almost all materials with a thickness of up to 250 mm and an accuracy of 0.1 mm. The advantage of waterjet cutting lies in the temperature-neutral processing: because the waterjet develops virtually no temperature, there is no thermal deformation of the material.
Special drillings can also be easily and precisely realized with the waterjet cutter. With a pressure of 4,000 bar and four times the speed of sound, the waterjet cuts every cutout and hole exactly as specified.
Glass, marble, metals, wood or felts – we can cut almost any material with millimeter precision up to a dimension of 2200 mm x 3100 mm according to your requirements and thus bring your ideas into shape.
Flintermann offers toughened safety glass (ESG) from its own production.
Toughened safety glass (ESG) consists entirely of one pane of glass. It has increased bending, impact and shock resistance and offers improved resistance to temperature changes. In the event of breakage, toughened safety glass breaks into small coherent fragments, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
The increased strength results from the so-called tempering process. In this process, float glass is heated to over 600 °C in a tempering furnace under constant agitation and then quenched with cold air. During cooling, the surfaces cool faster than the core zone, resulting in the formation of zones of varying stress in the glass. These stress zones give the glass its characteristic properties. ESG can hardly be distinguished visually from normal, non-tempered glass and is therefore marked in one corner by a stamp with the imprint “ESG”.
ESG is also used in the manufacture of laminated safety glass. Here, ESG is sometimes combined with float glass or partially tempered glass (TVG).
Flintermann manufactures laminated safety glass (LSG) in various designs. Depending on its structure, laminated safety glass can be
shatter-binding,
shatter-resistant,
break-through-resistant,
bullet-resistant or
blast-resistant.
Laminated safety glass is a special form of laminated glass that meets various minimum legal requirements.
VSG is available in different combinations with float glass, toughened safety glass, partially toughened glass (TVG) and chemically tempered glass, depending on the requirements, combining the advantages of the different types of glass. When safety must be considered in the application, VSG is the first choice. Bulletproof glass, windshields or dome elements are just three of many possible applications.
The advantage of VSG lies particularly in its breakage behavior. In the event of a mechanical overload, the glass breaks, but the fragments adhere to the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film. This property reduces the risk of injury while maintaining a residual load-bearing capacity.
The production of laminated safety glass involves several steps. The panes and film(s) are placed on top of each other. They are then fused together under pressure and high temperature to form an inseparable unit. The incorporated foils are usually transparent after joining, but can positively influence the properties of the glass. In addition, optical effects can be achieved with matte white, colored or printed foils.
Glass of any form has long been a component in furnishing systems, commercial construction and many other areas. A visual and functional variant is sandblasted glass. An obvious advantage is light transmission combined with a high degree of privacy.
In sandblasting, a cover film is first glued to the flat glass. The desired contour is cut into this and the corresponding parts of the film are peeled off. A fine sandblast is used to remove parts of the glass surface – these give the glass a fine frosted appearance.
Satin or frosted glass sets accents and can be used in a variety of ways – in bathrooms, as doors or partitions. Sandblasted glass has also proven itself as elements of dining tables and coffee tables, opening up new possibilities for creativity.
The smooth surface of glass is an important component in interior design, commercial construction, and any area where visually appealing surfaces are used. Painted glass surfaces expand the possibilities for using glass as a defining design element.
Flintermann can apply almost 28,000 color shades to the glass using a mixing system. The high-quality paint finishes are optimally matched to the glass. As an alternative to a paint finish, the glass can also be coated with a digital print.
The coated glass surfaces are mostly used in living areas. As dining and coffee tables of the highest quality or as doors and coverings of high-quality living room furnishings, they give every room a modern, individual touch.