AGP, New Zealand

Reference - Asia

AGP invests in two Glaston FC furnaces side by side


”We designed our brand-new plant to deliver high performance results, combining our vision for machinery with our personnel selection to offer a superior product and service to our customers. We chose two Glaston FC tempering lines for repeatable and reliable quality results,” says David Bunting, General Manager of Architectural Glass Products (AGP)

AGP will supply high-performance insulating glass units (IGUs) to Architectural Profiles Limited’s (APL) 72 window manufacturers throughout New Zealand who are enjoying a surge in use for thermally efficient windows, doors and façades in residential and commercial buildings.

As part of APL’s expansion, it has invested in a massive new facility on 30 hectares. For AGP and David Bunting, it offered the opportunity to build a dream glass processing facility from scratch.

David knew Glaston furnaces well from his prior experience in the float glass industry. When designing the plant, he aimed for a true step change in quality.

“I’m a strong believer in good quality tempered glass for the IGUs we produce,” he underlines. “Although we looked at other technology options, I wanted furnaces that would give us the best outcome. I also wanted to make sure that we had a furnace supplier with the proper structure to support us.”

AGP’s decision to invest in two furnaces from the start was about meeting the expected volume and ensuring absolute redundancy at all times. “My choice of the FC furnace, in particular, is because I strongly believe we need repeatable quality results, and the FC really provides that for us. Other furnaces may be able to do it when variables align favorably, but then you rely more on an operator’s skills. I wanted to make sure the furnace could help our operators produce the same quality day in and day out – for many years. Some other furnaces can produce the quality, but it’s hard, and not repeatable,” David explains.

Commissioning began during the early stages of COVID-19. “Our trainer, Heikki, had to leave early in a rush before the 5-week national lockdown. Since then, we have not had any support on site. Still, my team has ramped up production without too many issues, which is a good testament to the stability of the FC furnaces,” David says.

“I’m a strong believer in good quality tempered glass for the IGUs we produce,” he underlines. “Although we looked at other technology options, I wanted furnaces that would give us the best outcome. I also wanted to make sure that we had a furnace supplier with the proper structure to support us.”

www.agpl.co.nz 

Download full reference story as PDF

Similar references


Lippert Components, USA

#automation #automoti #automotive glass #B'CHAMP #Bending #CHF #glass bending #glass tempering #Matrix #reference #safety glass

Tim Widner at Lippert Components in the US is sharing his and his team's experiences working with the Glaston glass processing machinery. "The new equipment has been a great addition to us. We are able to one-piece flow our raw material through our line, hands-free. No humans come in contact with the glass until it is fully tempered and at the end of the process."

Lue lisää

Press Glass Inc., U.S.A.

#automation #Flat laminating #glass processing #Laminating #ProL #reference #safety glass #Upgrades

Since establishing their presence in the US through an acquisition, Poland-based Press Glass has continued its brisk growth based on the same values that make it the #1 glass fabricator in Europe and the UK. The company’s latest US investment is a Glaston ProL convection control upgrade at its Ridgeway, Virginia, plant.

Lue lisää

Emirates Glass, UAE

#architectural #automation #Flat tempering #glass tempering #iLooK #Jumbo Series #reference #safety glass #tempered glass

Emirates Glass LLC, one of the leading organizations in the glass industry and a long-time advocate of Glaston technology, continues its journey of innovation and quality enhancement with the installation of the Glaston Jumbo Series flat glass tempering line featuring Vortex Pro convection technology. This investment marks Emirates Glass’s commitment to delivering top-notch architectural glass solutions to the region and far beyond.

Lue lisää

Articles


What if it was your child?

Safety is the most important characteristic of tempered glass. When broken, tempered glass breaks into small pieces that do not cause severe injuries as larger glass...

Lue lisää

IR Dynamics at Step Change 2023 event

The company’s name is IR Dynamics, and we specialize in making vanadium dioxide thermochromic material that goes onto the glass. Being here at the Step Change...

Lue lisää

eLstar Dynamics at Step Change 2023 event

We are eLstar Dynamics based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. We are developing dynamic glass technology, which has the widest range on the market at the moment. Our...

Lue lisää