Special glass from the laboratory plant
Testing the right manufacturing process in our laboratory plant: Here you will find our references from the glass industry.
The autoclaving process is the key process solution for the safe, uniform, and fully traceable production of laminated safety glass and SPG. During the autoclaving process, the various layers of glass and special films are pressed together. In the process, the air pockets that can be found between the glasses after the pre-lamination are pressed out. The disc is clearly transparent after the autoclaving process.
Maschinenbau Scholz develops project-specific autoclave glass systems and autoclave machines for glass lamination that are engineered for industrial flat glass production and designed to ensure precise temperature control, stable pressure conditions, and reliable process documentation.
Operational Advantages: Why an Autoclave for Glass Ensures Process Stability
In industrial glass production, process stability directly affects product quality, reject rates, and operating efficiency. A glass autoclave must ensure temperature uniformity throughout the usable chamber, generate stable pressure conditions and maintain reproducible ramp profiles. Even minor temperature deviations can lead to delamination, trapped air, optical defects or inconsistent laminate quality.
That is why Scholz designs every glass laminating autoclave with precise airflow management, exact control technology, and coordinated pre-vacuum cycles. The result is a process-stable autoclave for laminated glass that delivers reproducible results for laminated safety glass, special interlayer applications, and SentryGlass® Plus (SGP) laminates.
Precise heat distribution throughout the usable chamber for uniform glass lamination
Stable pressure profiles for reliable laminated glass production
Reproducible temperature and pressure ramps for consistent material properties
Short cycle times through fast-opening closure systems and intelligent control technology
Project-specific adaptation to sheet size, loading concept, and process requirements
Fully traceable process data for quality assurance, documentation, and acceptance
Pressure: The available pressure range is critical for removing residual air between the glass layers during the laminating process. In laminated glass production, pressure is applied in a targeted way so that glass and interlayer are bonded evenly and reproducibly.
Temperature: The controlled temperature range is essential for curing the interlayer films and bonding the glass layers without thermal damage. Stable temperature control helps prevent delamination, supports optical clarity, and ensures consistent laminate quality.
Feeding Diameter: The loading diameter can be defined according to project requirements before manufacturing. This allows the autoclave machine for glass lamination to be matched to industry-specific applications, sheet formats, and loading concepts, from smaller test panes to large-format architectural glass.
Feeding Length: The loading length can also be configured according to the intended production requirements before the autoclave is manufactured. This makes it possible to process both shorter series and long glass elements efficiently without compromising pressure or temperature homogeneity inside the chamber.
Advantages
Advantages of Scholz Glass Autoclaves
Around 50 years of experience in the design and manufacture of hot-air autoclaves for glass applications
Systems specially tailored to the production needs of our customers
Efficient process control for reduced operating costs and emissions
Process control by PC or programmer with visualisation
HEAT SOAK TEST for quality assurance of ESG available on request
Flow-optimized feeding area for uniform heat distribution
Feeding with geometrically different components is possible
Guaranteed temperature accuracy for reproducible production quality
Fast-opening closure system for the shortest possible processes
Proven and maintenance-friendly design for durability and reliability
Fast and reliable installation on site thanks to sophisticated technology
Patented pre-cooling for linear cooling with different temperature gradients
Full-automatic operation is possible
Power-failure-safe design
Glandless, low-maintenance fan drive
Long term spare parts availability
Competent consultation for the complete system
Supply of peripheral components such as air receiver, compressor, vacuum station, and cooling water system
Certified quality for reliable glass lamination processes
Certified quality
Autoclave Glass Process – From Loading to the Finished Laminated Glass Pane
1. Preparation of the glass layers
Two or more glass sheets are stacked with interlayer films such as PVB or SentryGlass® Plus. During pre-lamination, air inclusions are reduced before the panes enter the autoclave.
2. Heating phase
The temperature rises in a controlled way from ambient temperature to the required process temperature. Defined ramp profiles ensure even heating, regardless of pane size or loading arrangement.
3. Pressure build-up
In parallel with heating, pressure is increased gradually. This compresses the glass layers uniformly and removes remaining air pockets from the laminate structure.
4. Holding phase
At operating pressure and target temperature, the glass layers are held for a defined time. The interlayer bonds completely with the glass surfaces, resulting in a homogeneous laminated glass structure.
5. Cooling phase
Pressure and temperature are reduced in a controlled manner so that the glass cools gently. This helps prevent delamination, optical defects and unnecessary material stress.
6. Flexibility for special applications
Scholz systems can be configured for project-specific process requirements, including coordinated pre-vacuum cycles, precise pressure control, and the processing of different glass and interlayer systems for industrial glass production.
Further Autoclave Types for Related Industrial Processes
Maschinenbau Scholz also develops autoclave systems for other thermal and pressure-based industrial applications. Depending on the product, process medium, and production objective, different autoclave types are used alongside glass lamination systems. In addition to glass autoclaves, Maschinenbau Scholz supplies:
• Hot air autoclaves for composite for curing fiber-reinforced composite components under defined temperature, pressure, and vacuum conditions
• Sterilisation autoclaves for reproducible thermal sterilisation processes with precise process control
• Vulcanisation systems / tyre recapping autoclaves for rubber processing and tyre retreading applications
Engineering and System Design
For Glass Autoclaves and Glass Lamination
Maschinenbau Scholz contributes decades of experience in the development and manufacture of autoclaves for laminated glass production. Each system is engineered to project requirements to ensure consistent process safety, efficient production sequences, and precise control of temperature, pressure, and pre-vacuum.
As a manufacturer of customized autoclaves for glass solutions, Scholz combines engineering, manufacturing, commissioning, and service in one complete system concept. This includes not only the pressure vessel itself but also control systems, peripherals, documentation, and long-term technical support.
Realized projects and examples of hot air autoclaves for glass
Many producers rely on the quality of our hot air autoclaves for glass. Here, you can find some examples of our realized projects for industrial glass processing.
Hot air laboratory autoclave for the production of laminated glass
- Pressure: 0 - 15 bar*
- Temperature: 0 - +160°C*
- Dimensions glasses max.: H x L = 450 x 600mm
- Material pressure device: steel
- Material internal installations: steel
- Operation of the door: Manuell
- Heating: electric
* Further dimensions and performance data are available upon request
Hot Air Autoclave for Laminated Safety Glass Production
- Pressure: 0 bis 13 bar*
- Temperature: 0 bis +150°C*
- Dimensions glasses max.: H x L = 3300 x 6000 mm
- Material pressure device: steel
- Material internal installations: steel
- Operation of the door: Elektrisch
- Heating: electric
* Further dimensions and performance data are available upon request
Industrial Autoclave for Laminated Safety Glass
- Pressure: 0 bis 13 bar*
- Temperature: 0 bis +150°C*
- Dimensions glasses max.: H x L = 3210 x 6000mm
- Material pressure device: steel
- Material internal installations: steel
- Operation of the door: Elektrisch
- Heating: electric
* Further dimensions and performance data are available upon request
Typical Applications for Glass Autoclave Systems
- Production of laminated safety glass for windows, façades, and architectural glazing
- Glass lamination for doors, partitions, and transparent structural elements
- Processing of SentryGlass® Plus laminates for highly loaded building applications
- Production of vehicle glazing and safety laminated glass components offering high transparency and stability
- Manufacturing of large-format glass panels for special applications
- Prototype production, laboratory trials, and test series for new interlayers or glass materials
Frequently Asked Questions about Autoclave Glass Systems
Which glass types can be processed?
Yes. A Scholz SentryGlass® Plus autoclave, or SGP autoclave can be configured for processes using SGP interlayers, with the pressure, temperature, and cycle control adapted to the specific laminate structure and production task.
Can the systems be adapted to specific glass dimensions?
Yes. Scholz systems are modular and project-specific in design. This allows both small test panes and large-format glass sheets to be processed in one autoclave without compromising process quality.
What is the heat soak test, and why is it relevant?
The heat soak test is a thermal safety test for toughened safety glass (TSG). It is used to reduce the risk of spontaneous breakage caused by internal inclusions. Integration of this test can be provided on request as part of the overall system concept.
Can the system be configured as an SGP autoclave?
Yes. A Scholz SentryGlass® Plus autoclave, or SGP autoclave can be configured for processes using SGP interlayers, with the pressure, temperature, and cycle control adapted to the specific laminate structure and production task.
Is modernization of existing glass autoclave equipment possible?
Yes. Existing systems can be technically assessed and upgraded, for example, in control technology, peripheral equipment, energy efficiency, or operating concept.
When Is Laminated Safety Glass (LSG) Required?
Laminated safety glass is used whenever glass must provide particularly high breakage resistance and impact resistance. Typical applications include façade and window glazing in buildings, doors, partitions, vehicle glazing, and large-format glass elements where the safety of people and property must be ensured. Scholz autoclaves ensure uniform lamination of the glass layers with PVB or Sentry interlayers to achieve the required mechanical safety.
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