Conference Participants Try Their Hand at Glass Cutting, Washing in FGIA Workshop

Conference Participants Try Their Hand at Glass Cutting, Washing in FGIA Workshop
Photo source
FGIAonline.org

Date: 22 June 2023

Several participants at the FGIA Summer Conference had the unique opportunity to learn proper techniques for both cutting and washing glass in a hands-on workshop in Vancouver, BC.

Presenters Meghan Chamberlin (Lippert), Adina Dobre (Intigral) and Jeff Haberer (Trulite Glass and Aluminum Solutions) led nearly 30 participants in two different sections of this condensed version of the popular FGIA Insulating Glass (IG) Fabricators Workshop. Supplies, including glass, were donated by Vitrum Glass Group.

Safety First

Before any demonstrations took place at the workshop, all participants put on personal protective equipment (PPE), including properly rated gloves, arm sleeves and eye protection.

Conference Participants Try Their Hand at Glass Cutting, Washing in FGIA Workshop

Washing Glass

Chamberlin began the presentation by covering the process of washing and cutting glass, noting that adhesion is an important part of a successful IG unit. “Why is clean glass so important?” Chamberlin asked rhetorically. “Adhesion! If things aren’t sticking together, your IG unit will fail.” She also noted that the water used must not only be clean, but rid of total dissolved solvents (TDS). Haberer and Dobre went on to explain how to test TDS levels, demonstrating how adding things like sugar or salt can change the TDS reading.

Other advice Chamberlin gave was to not use recycled water to clean glass and to never stop glass in a washer while the brush is still spinning. “The brushes can cause low-E burn, and your customer will not be happy,” said Chamberlin. “Also, make sure gloves don’t leave any residue.”

The presenters demonstrated an adhesion test, which showed that distilled water creates better adhesion while common glass cleaner creates the worst. “Most household cleaners leave a shiny finish but that’s a disaster for adhesion in IGUs,” said Chamberlin.

Conference Participants Try Their Hand at Glass Cutting, Washing in FGIA Workshop

Cutting Glass

When it comes to cutting, Chamberlin said, there are four components:

  1. Angle
  2. Speed
  3. Diameter
  4. Force

Participants practiced cutting glass by scoring and then carefully breaking the glass. They first tried this process without cutting fluid and then with – noting it is considerably easier to do with fluid than without.

“Remember, the thicker the glass, the lower the cutting angle,” said Chamberlin.

For more information about FGIA and its activities, visit FGIAonline.org.

600450 Conference Participants Try Their Hand at Glass Cutting, Washing in FGIA Workshop glassonweb.com

Others also read

Şişecam will be participating in the RE+ fair, taking place on September 8–11, 2025, in Las Vegas, where it will present the latest advancements in building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems.
Kuraray will take part in the 193rd edition of Zak World of Façades, taking place on September 17, 2025, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.
Adelio Lattuada is ready to present its latest innovations at Vitrum, the international glass industry event in Milan from September 16–19, 2025. Don’t miss it – Hall 11, Booth J01-M14!
Technologies, innovation and sustainability in the manufacturing of the future
NGA announces that Frameless Hardware Company (FHC) has made a significant donation to the NGA Foundation, marking its sixth year of support for glass and glazing education.
VITRUM25 will feature a variety of high-profile events, covering a range of interesting and relevant topics in glass processing.

Add new comment

From industry

Ctra. Estación Km. 15.8
44415 Rubielos de Mora Teruel
Spain

Lumplgraben 49
4463 Großraming
Austria

Via per Monastier, 4
31056 Vallio di Roncade TV
Italy

NEWS RELATED PRODUCTS

Luoyang North Glass Technology Co., Ltd.,
LISEC Austria GmbH
Adelio Lattuada S.r.l.