Glass laminating autoclave

The glass laminating autoclave bonds glass panes permanently with interlayer films such as PVB or EVA under heat and pressure. It serves producers of laminated and acoustic laminated glass, automotive glass, bullet-resistant glass, facade and architectural glass, and special lens and eyeglass glass, wherever strength, safety and optical clarity count. TSB Energy builds these autoclaves for 1–70 bar, with diameters of up to 5500 mm and lengths of up to 61 m, heated electrically or by thermal oil and closed by a clamping door as wide as the vessel.

Baffles drive turbulent air from front to back, so the laminate heats quickly and evenly and the temperature is held to ±1 °C. Heat is carried from an inner to an outer oil exchanger; as the 3-way proportional valves work to 0.1 %, the cooling curve is followed exactly. Vacuum in each bag is monitored separately, leak tests run automatically before and during the cycle and are reported, and a 6-step integrity check is carried out before start-up.

Design and fabrication comply with PED 2014/68/EU, ASME VIII Div. 1, EAC (GOST), EN 13445 and AD 2000-Merkblatt; the autoclave can be horizontal or vertical, with one or two doors. Shell and heads are P355GH/P460NL plate, and the whole structure is insulated with 25 mm of ceramic wool. It is fitted with overpressure and overtemperature protection, vacuum protection, sensor-monitored and mechanical door locks, a Pilz safety relay and emergency shutdown; the door opens only once internal pressure is atmospheric and the temperature is safe. The unit ships on a single skid and needs only power and cooling water; large-diameter units are built on site.