This page is designed to give a broad overview of the various techniques and technologies we used in our glass production. You will find information regarding maximum sizing, tolerances and links to detailed technical information about products we use and the benefits to you, the customer. We hope this page can become something of a resource for our clients and interested parties; however it is designed as an introduction to our technologies and processes. Please get in touch with us directly if you have a specific project or application in mind.
See Visual Quality Standard here
Sandblasting or Etching
The approved design is made into computer cut stencils (in house) and applied to the glass on one or both sides. The design is “weeded” from the stencil and then sandblasted or etched into the glass in a purpose made cabinet.
Maximum glass size 1460 x 4000mm
Maximum thickness of glass 19mm.
Sandblasting may be used on annealed, laminated, toughened, silvered (mirror) or laminated fire resistant glass.
Sandblasting in its raw state is very vulnerable to finger marking. The permanent solution is to protect the surface of the etched glass with “Clearshield” www.ritec.co.uk this polymer treatment chemically bonds to and seals the surface of the glass creating a very low maintenance product. It also changes the tone of sandblasting to a more attractive satin finish.
Unless specifically instructed to the contrary, Daedalian Glass will always protect its sandblasted products with “Clearshield”
Safety Glass
Safety Glass can be either laminated or toughened.
Safety glass does NOT mean that glass is unbreakable.
In the event that safety glass does break, it will break SAFELY.
Laminated Safety Glass
This is two or more layers of glass laminated together. There are several methods of manufacturing laminated glass – see below. Daedalian Glass will advise on the most suitable method.
If laminated glass breaks it will crack (relatively easily) but hold itself together maintaining its integrity in areas such as balustrades or low level glazing.
The make- up of laminated glass is dependent on its intended use and location. Daedalian Glass will advise on the correct glass thickness and amount of layers required.
Toughened Safety Glass
A single sheet of glass in thicknesses from 4mm up to 25mm. Toughened glass is much more robust than laminated glass, more suitable in areas where impact is likely. However, if toughened glass breaks it shatters into many small pieces of glass where the edges are not sharp.
The disadvantage with this type of safety glass is that unlike laminated glass, if it breaks there is no longer any barrier – in a frameless balustrade for instance.
Daedalian do not produce toughened glass in house, our preferred supplier is:
Impact Safety Glass www.impactsafetyglass.co.uk
Impact safety Glass manufactures a quality product and equally importantly provides a quality service. Tested to EN 12150-2
Toughened and Laminated Safety Glass
This offers the ultimate in safety glazing. It has the advantage of robustness but in the unlikely event of breakage will hold itself together maintaining a barrier.
Laminated Glass manufactured by Daedalian
EVA lamination:
EVA is the material which bonds the two (or multiple) layers of glass together using heat and pressure. The laminating process is carried out in house.
The raw material (EVA) is manufactured by Bridgestone under the trade name of “EVAsafe” www.mgwglassservices.com
“EVAsafe” is the premium quality EVA available, offering greater clarity, UV resistance and adhesion than any of its competitors. It is also hydrophobic which means it will not absorb water. This is most important in shower or external glazing situations. Furthermore it is designed and has been tested to successfully accept inserts, such as fabrics, metals, timber and stone veneers and coloured or digitally printed PET films. The inserts are totally sealed and protected against the elements; this cannot be claimed by most other EVA or PVB laminating materials.
Cold Pour Lamination
This method is used where EVA lamination is not suitable such as very heavily textured or fused glass; it is a polyester resin which bonds the two panels of glass together. Tested to BS6206
Fused Glass
Glass fusing is both an artistic and technical form of glass making. The process involves creating a design using clear or coloured glass sheet, glass frit (crushed glass) glass rods and glass confetti. It is then “fused” together in a glass kiln at temperatures up to 800degrees Centigrade over many hours.
The finished panel to a maximum size of 1500 x 2800mm can be multiple coloured, any shape, texture, density and with or without air-bubble inclusions. A truly artistic medium.
Glass for fusing must be compatible which means that every colour or texture has the same coefficient of linear expansion; otherwise stresses will be built into the finished panel which could result in breakage in the future.
The raw materials used in fusing are manufactured by Bullseye Glass, Portland USA. www.bullseyeglass.com
They are the worlds leading manufacturer of quality fusing glass, have the largest colour range and guaranteed to be compatible.
Kiln Formed Glass
A kiln technique, creating surface texture into glass.
Float or low iron glass may be used, in thicknesses from 6mm to 19mm.
Maximum size 1500 x 2800
Kiln formed glass may also be toughened or laminated.
Float Glass or Low Iron Glass
Float glass has a natural green body tint, the strength of the tint increases with the glass thickness.
Low iron glass does not have this green tint.
This is an important consideration where colours or light fabrics (in laminating) are being specified. In this scenario we would recommend the use of low iron glass to maintain the colour integrity. Low Iron Glass goes under the trade names of "Optiwhite" or "Diamante".
Please contact us directly if you have any questions regarding these, or any other elements of glass production.
enquiries@daedalian-glass.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1253 702531
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