Most Innovative Machine

2012 Crystal Achievement Award Winners

Glass/IG Processing

	GED's latest introduction is designed for high-volume, cost effective production of triple-lite IG units.

Automated Tri-Lite Assembly System (ATLAS) 

GED Integrated Solutions

Twinsburg, Ohio

Adaptive to unique IG unit combinations (both duals and triples), the Atlas line assembles triple IG units in 20 second cycle times with machine-controlled consistency to deliver uniform high quality along with higher production rates. The machine allows highly-flexible, schedule-driven production and seamless integration, the supplier notes. Available in straight-through or X-Y configurations, the line can fit into any plant layout.

Non-contact vacuum mechanisms lift and suspend the center lite in mid-air to provide contamination-free placement, alignment and assembly of triple IG units.

The complexity of manufacturing both dual- and triple-pane IG in any sequence is made possible through GED’s WIN IG-5 software and the “no-touch” Vortex vacuum lift technology. The software provides complete production control with a visual interface that provides grid, spacer and glass alignment. Operators process each unique IG in a one-piece flow manger. The Atlas Queue Management Module allows for remakes, deletions and additions of IG units to the schedule; enabling seamless recovery from production or emergency stops.

The line’s Topping Station provides non-contact center lite handling for triple IG units. Vacuum mechanisms lift and suspend the lite in mid-air, ensuring contamination-free placement, alignment and assembly of triple IG units. The Atlas Positive Pressure Clean Room is specifically designed to eliminate all dust. The touchless assembly also minimizes chance of glass breakage and damage. By eliminating operator handling of glass, the line also helps protect workers from injuries and fatigue.

	The vertical design reduces floor space requirements

Frame, Sash or Panel Fabrication

Sandy Door Machine

Eugénie Technologies

Terrebone, Quebec, Canada
 

The Sandy vertical machining center for custom door fabrication cuts hinge holes, standard and multipoint locking hardware holes and cut-outs for door lites–all without manually moving the door. Designed for metal, vinyl and fiberglass doors, the machine can cut up to 150 doors per eight-hour shift, while requiring only a 60-square-foot area.

The automated machine is equipped to cut-out doorlite openings, as well as a variety of hardware prep operations.

The three-axis CNC machine with eight virtual axes features a user-friendly interface and offers such capabilities as fully automated door height adjustment varying between 24 inches to 96 inches and partial depth cuts in doors to allow the use of decorative plates. The machine is also designed to cut painted doors.

The supplier offers a version designed specifically for high production, and versions designed for fixed-height doors or automatic height adjustment. Additionally, it offers a version designed specifically for wood doors.

With a cabinet enclosure designed for reduced noise emission, the machine can also provided with a loader and unloader for up to 25 doors, a dust vacuum system and numerous other options.  The unit can be linked with a company's main computer system and also can with a bar code door identification system.

Other 2012 Crystal Achivement Award Winners:

TECHNOLOGY

Most Innovative Window

Most Innovative Door

Most Innovative Component

Unique Innovation

MANUFACTURING

Most Innovative Plant

MARKETING

Most Innovative Marketing Progam

Best Product Literature

Best Industry Website

Back to the 2012 Crystal Achievement Awards main page.