EN Float Processing Guidelines
EN Float Processing Guidelines
EN Float Processing Guidelines
EN 572 by:
Euroglas GmbH
Dammühlenweg 60
39340 Haldensleben
Germany
Euroglas AG
Euroglas Strasse 101
39171 Osterweddingen
Germany
Eurofloat
Eurowhite
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 1 of 23
Table of contents
Contents
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 3 of 23
Product description
Soda-lime silicate glass is also referred to as float glass, and is produced by means of a float
process or float-glass process. This is a continuous procedure wherein molten glass is
constantly fed from one side into a bath of molten tin.
The packaging and delivery of float glass described here relates to deliveries within Europe
under typical climatic conditions. For deliveries outside of Europe, especially for overseas
shipping, special instructions apply.
Shipping
For other sizes and potential tonnages, contact our sales force.
Packaging
Packets of sheet glass are normally shipped without additional packaging. It is possible,
however, to wrap packets in film and/or package them in wooden frames (like picture frames)
for shipment. Specifically for overseas shipment, packets are wrapped in film to keep the
increased levels of moisture associated with such shipments away from the glass and to avoid
glass corrosion.
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 4 of 23
Separating packets
To enable packets to be removed from the frame using an appropriate forklift, the packets,
which typically weigh 2.5 t or 5 t, are separated with spacers. These spacers are made from
recyclable material and can be returned to Euroglas.
Delivery
The customer must ensure that the floor area where the L-frame or A-frame is to be set down
is flat and cleared of other objects. For safety reasons, the unloaded frame must not rock or be
tilted to the point where the packets are over 87° from horizontal.
Before unloading the individual packets, the customer must visually inspect the delivered glass
and check for any defects or obvious damage that may have occurred during shipment. Such
damage includes breakage, moisture between panes and incorrect quantities or product types.
Defects detected upon delivery must be noted on the waybill (CMR) included with the shipping
documents, in the presence of the driver. The driver must always countersign. If defects are
discovered, the signed waybill (CMR) must be sent to Euroglas within 5 working days.
Unloading packets
Storing packets
The packets must be stored in a leaning position at an angle no greater than 87°. For safety
reasons, they should never be stored in a vertical or horizontal position. There must be at least
two supports in place holding the glass. These must be made of a material that will not
damage its edges. The spacers provided can be used to separate the packets for storage. The
spacers must be placed as they were when the glass was delivered.
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 5 of 23
The storage location must be dry and the relative humidity must not exceed 60%. The ambient
temperature in the area around the packets should not vary to the extent that it may fall below
the dew point.
Make sure that no chemicals are used in the same building, in particular:
- Caustic soda
- Hydrofluoric acid
Float glass must not be stored outdoors at any time other than during the delivery process.
Shelf life:
If all of the above procedures have been carried out as per to our specifications, the shelf life of
products at the customer location, starting from the date of delivery by our shipper, is as
follows for shipments:
To all other countries within the European Union not listed here:
General handling
To avoid suction marks, suitable, clean suction covers must be used. Suction cups typically
contain softeners that can leave marks on a glass surface. If suitable covers are used, these
can be avoided or substantially reduced.
When working with glass, it is necessary to follow appropriate worker protection measures that
comply with the generally applicable regulations.
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 6 of 23
Manual removal of glass panes from a packet
The suction bar used must be applied so that it is centred on the packet. The height of the
suction bar must be adjusted so that the angle at which the glass is stored changes to around
90° for transport.
The suction bar should first be pulled gently away from the packet. Be careful to make sure
that the entire packet is not carried with it. The sheet can then be shifted slightly at the edges
so that air comes between the panes and the sheet can be individually removed and lifted out
of the packet.
Avoid dragging the edge of the glass along the packet before it is released from it. This can
cause scratches on the surface of the glass.
Automatic unstacking
For automatic unstacking, the time sequence should be reviewed, especially for the initial
delivery. Even though the panes are generally separated with a powder, the procedure of
releasing individual sheets can vary from supplier to supplier.
For automatic unstacking, as with manual unstacking, first release the sheet from the next one
and then take it off. Avoid dragging the packet across the glass surface or vice versa. This will
cause scratches on the surface of the glass.
Glass pre-cuts
General
Float glass without finished edges must not be touched with bare hands. When working with
our glass, always wear special gloves that are clean and dry. When working with glass, it is
necessary to follow appropriate worker protection measures that comply with the generally
applicable regulations.
The cutting table must be free of glass splinters.
Pre-cuts (recommendation)
As little cutting oil as possible should be used. However, the amount must be sufficient to keep
the cut edge from becoming so dry that it eventually breaks. The cutting oil provides
lubrication, binding of splinters and improved break results.
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 7 of 23
Any glass splinters that land on the glass when the lifting beams are broken open must be
removed. Do not use a brush or wiper to remove them, as this will scratch the surface of the
glass.
These cutting parameters are suggestions and must be adapted for each cutting system.
Shard bin
Euroglas operates a shard return programme. We can provide shard bins that can be returned
to the Euroglas plant when a load is delivered. Note that the glass must be sorted by type and
there must be no contaminants in the bins.
If the glass is not automatically transported to the insulated glass line for further processing,
never bundle small panes from an optimized cut together and then transport them as a stack.
Rack carts
When setting down in rack carts, take care that the individual rack slot separators, typically
clad steel cables, do not have any sharp areas. The cladding must be checked regularly for
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 8 of 23
damage and replaced as needed. To prevent scratches, take care that the glass surface
makes as little contact as possible with the cladding during the loading and unloading
processes.
When setting panes down on an A-frame or L-frame, make sure to set the pane down first,
then slide it towards the other panes. The panes must not be slid again afterwards. If it is
necessary to slide them, first pull the panes apart and then move them individually. The glass
panes must be securely supported on the frame and must not be balanced precariously. Use
appropriate means to secure them against falling over, and use as little pressure as necessary.
Intermediate storage
The storage location must be dry with a relative humidity that does not exceed 60%. The
ambient temperature in the area around the cut glass must not vary to the extent that it falls
below the dew point.
Make sure that no chemicals are used in the same building, in particular:
- Caustic soda
- Hydrofluoric acid
Cut-glass panes can be edged using a glass grinder while dry, without using water. Make sure
that the grinding dust is adequately extracted. Grinding dust can cause scratches during
internal transport. The washing bristles can also pick up this dust later and cause scratches.
When edging the cut-glass panes with a glass grinder and a water feed, make sure that the
entire pane is wetted with water. Also make sure that the entire surface of the pane is wetted
with water until the washing process is carried out. The grinding water must never dry out, as
this will cause irreversible spots that the washing process cannot remove. If this method is
used, then the washing machine should be directly connected to the glass grinder.
After edge finishing, the glass must be washed immediately. Ideally, this should be done in a
directly connected washing process. Any residue from the edge finishing must not be allowed
to dry on the surface of the glass prior to washing.
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 9 of 23
The washing machine, and especially all of its brushes, must be clean.
We recommend following a fixed maintenance plan, and the washing machine should also be
cleaned on a regular basis.
It is also important to check the length of the bristles. If glass with raw edges is washed in the
same washing machine, the bristle length can vary greatly from right to left across the entire
brush. If this occurs, the bristles should be reduced to a uniform length.
For washing, use only demineralized water.
Water used in the primary washing zone should meet the following specifications:
Caution! Glass should be in continuous motion during the washing process, as otherwise the
brushes could cause damage to the glass surface (this occurs when coated glass is washed in
the same washing machine as non-coated glass).
Soft brushes approved for use with float glass by the manufacturer of the washing machine
must be used in the pre-wash and primary washing zones.
(Recommendation: If coated glass is also washed in the washing machine, then brushes
should be used that are also suitable for coated glass.)
When working with float glass that has raw edges, always wear special gloves that are clean
and dry. When working with glass, always follow appropriate worker protection measures that
comply with the generally applicable regulations.
As described for the pre-cut process, small panes must not be stacked and then set down
together. Panes of greater weight, or larger size, should always be removed by two people. If
the panes need to be moved using a suction bar, then also in this case use only suitable, clean
suction cup covers in order to prevent suction-cup marks.
Intermediate inspection
General
When working with glass, always observe appropriate worker protection measures that comply
with the generally applicable national regulations.
Rack carts
When unloading from an A-frame or L-frame, make sure to tilt the pane away from the stack
first, and only then remove it from the frame. Avoid lifting a pane that is in direct contact with
the next pane. Also, make sure that no panes are simply pulled out of the stack, as this causes
damage to the glass surface.
Washing
The washing machine, and especially all of the brushes, must be clean. Softened water must
be used for washing.
In the pre-wash and primary washing zones, only soft brushes approved for use with float
glass by the manufacturer of the washing machine should be used.
If the brushes have not been approved, then the brushes must be lifted off (e.g., using
magnetic sensors). In such cases, washing results may not be as good.
Caution! Glass should be in continuous motion during the washing process, as otherwise the
brushes could cause damage to the glass surface this occurs when coated glass is washed in
the same washing machine as non-coated glass).
Soft brushes approved for use with float glass by the manufacturer of the washing machine
must be used in the pre-wash and primary washing zones.
(Recommendation: If coated glass is also washed in the washing machine, then brushes
should be used that are also suitable for coated glass.)
We assume that the washing machine used automatically adjusts for the glass thickness.
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 11 of 23
We recommend following a fixed maintenance plan, and the washing machine should also be
cleaned on a regular basis. It is also important to check the length of the bristles. If large panes
of glass are produced rarely, the length of the bristles can vary greatly across the entire brush
from the top to the bottom.
If this occurs, the bristles should be reduced to a uniform length.
Recommendation
For customers who are working with float glass for the first time, we recommend inspecting the
glass after every process step. This allows defects to be detected and prevented early.
Employees should be made aware of this and trained accordingly.
Euroglas delivers its float-glass products across Europe and around the world. For this reason,
our production processes strictly adhere to DIN EN 572-2. The testing described in this
standard provides for the following:
Quality check
Float glass may be inspected in storage sizes or in sizes cut down for installation. The pane of
glass being inspected is viewed from a distance of at least 2 m.
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 12 of 23
Table 5 – Permissible punctiform defects for standard sizes
Defect category Average per pane Maximum for each pane
A unlimited unlimited
B 3 5
C 0.6 1
D 0.05 1, but defects causing
fracture are not permissible
NOTE The term “average” refers to the cumulative mean for a shipment of at least 20 t of
glass.
The evaluation criteria may vary by country. It is the responsibility of the processor to meet the
quality requirements in terms of statutory regulations and guidelines.
Example:
For glass intended for the German market, it is necessary to follow the guidelines issued by the
German Federal Flat Glass Association for evaluating the visual quality of glass for
construction purposes. Always use the most up-to-date version of these guidelines.
Interference phenomena
Double-pane effect
Multiple reflection
Condensation on outer surfaces
Spontaneous fracture
Interference phenomena
Interference phenomena can occur with multiple-pane insulating glass. This aspect is due to
mutual influencing of light rays and precise planar parallelism of float-glass panes, which is a
prerequisite for distortion-free transparency. Interference consists of more or less severe rings,
stripes or spots that appear in spectral colours. They move when a finger is pressed on the
surface of the pane.
Interference phenomena do not degrade the transparency or function of insulating glass in any
way. They are a physical condition and therefore are not subject to complaint. By rotating or
slightly changing the angle of inclination of the insulating glass, interference can sometimes be
made to disappear.
Double-pane effect
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 14 of 23
For all insulating glass, air is hermetically trapped between the panes. This means that the
pressure in the interior of the insulating glass is determined by the fabrication location, the
atmospheric pressure and the air temperature at the time of fabrication. If the conditions at the
installation location are different to these, then a difference arises between the external air
pressure and the air pressure in the space between the panes of the insulating glass.
This can cause the individual laminated glass and safety panes to bulge out or contract
inwards from time to time. Reflections on the outer surface can be more or less distorted in
appearance. The quality of the insulating glass, its thermal and sound insulating properties, its
light transmission and its clear transparency are not affected in any way. To improve the
optical quality of reflective sun-protection glass, the outer pane may be selected to be
somewhat thicker. The pressure differential is then handled by the thinner pane, while the
thicker pane remains stable. With small-format insulating glass, or those with unfavourable
side ratios, however, caution is advised. The permissible bending tensile stress can be more
quickly exceeded than for large-format glass, and breakage can occur. The double-pane effect
is based on laws of physics and is therefore not subject to complaint.
Multiple reflection
Multiple reflections of varying intensity can occur on various surfaces of the insulating glass.
For reflective or coated panes, this effect may be more pronounced. Because this is a natural
property of the glass, multiple reflections are not subject to complaint.
Interior side
The dew point on the interior glass surface is determined by the heat transmission coefficient
(U value), humidity, room temperature and air circulation. Windows of more modern design are
more leak-proof than older frame systems, which prevents heat losses but also moisture
exchange. This raises the humidity in the room and, if a certain level of humidity is reached,
can lead to condensation on the interior surface of the glass. Frequent, brief periods of
ventilation can prevent the humidity from rising.
Exterior side
The great thermal insulation properties of modern insulating glass cause the outer pane to heat
up only slightly, as little energy is transferred from the interior to the exterior. When night-time
temperatures are low, the exterior pane cools down further, which can lead to condensation if
the humidity is high.
Spontaneous fracture
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 15 of 23
During glass production using the “float method,” tiny crystals of nickel and sulphur, known as
nickel-sulphide inclusions, can be produced. They are caused by the practically
unavoidable contamination of the molten glass during the production process. They
are typically smaller than 0.2 mm and they are therefore very difficult to see. Under
temperature loads, these NiS inclusions can change state and thereby increase greatly in size
if they are located in the tensile stress zone of the single-pane safety glass. This can cause a
significant increase in stress in the glass and, in extreme cases, cause it to fracture without any
external cause. This glass breakage is called “spontaneous fracture” and can only occur with
single-pane safety glass. This happens very rarely, and can sometimes take place up to 10
years after manufacture.
Problem-solving
Legal
The information in these guidelines is not necessarily complete. At the time it was created,
Euroglas compiled the most important specifications and recommendations and did so based
on the best of its knowledge. Euroglas is not liable for any information missing from these
guidelines regarding products from the float-glass product family.
Euroglas reserves the right to change or supplement the revision level of the contents of these
guidelines at any time without notice.
These handling and processing guidelines for float glass do not regulate orders or the handling
of cut sizes.
Recommendations
We recommend using labels with an acrylic adhesive. These can typically be removed several
times and leave only impression very minimal trace on the glass.
Float glass
Washing process
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 16 of 23
Depending on the ambient conditions, biological contamination may sometimes occur. One
sign of this is discoloration of rollers. Another indication is a slimy residue on the walls. A
biocide can be used to counteract this. Rinsing out the washing machine with suitable
chemicals can also improve conditions. Contact the machine supplier (of the washing machine
as well as the water treatment system) before use to see if this will be possible in your case.
Euroglas assumes no responsibility for any damage that occurs in this context.
To avoid any confusion of float glass products with each other, we recommend leaving the
label provided on the last pane in place.
Designation
EU
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 17 of 23
Firmenname Company name
Artikelbezeichnung Product name
Dicke in mm Thickness in mm
Abmessungen Höhe x Länge in mm Dimensions height x length in mm
C11 = Artikeltyp C11 = product type
BS = Positionierung der Scheiben BS = positioning of panes
CLA = Farbe CLA = colour
J = Trennmittel J = release agent
50 Blatt = Blattanzahl 50 sheets = number of sheets
Paketnummer Packet number
Data Matrix Code Data matrix code
LE-DoP-Nummer LE-DoP number
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 18 of 23
Declaration of performance
Float-glass spectrum
Two different colour variants are available. The first product, ‘EUROFLOAT’, has a greenish
tone and is the standard product for construction glazing. The second product, ‘EUROWHITE
NG’, has an increased transmission level, is significantly clearer than Eurofloat, and has a
slightly blueish tone. This product is suitable for interior and more optically sophisticated
glazing.
Float glasses typically vary in their chromaticity coordinates over time. The production of
EUROFLOAT and EUROWHITE is also subject to such variations. Please keep this in mind,
particularly if you are applying screen printing or paint to the glass, as doing so makes the
slight differences in colour more prominent. This is due to the nature of production technology
and is not grounds for complaint. Please provide a reference for your purchase order if
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 19 of 23
Magnesiumoxid
MgO 4.000–4.500% 4.000–4.500%
Magnesium oxide
Natriumoxid
Na2O 13.50–14.50% 13.50–14.50%
Sodium oxide
Sulfattrioxid
SO3 0.180–0.400% 0.180–0.400%
Sulphur trioxide
Siliciumdioxid
SiO2 71.00–73.00% 71.00–73.00%
Silicon dioxide
Titandioxid
TiO2 0.005–0.030% 0.005–0.030%
Titanium dioxide
EF - Eurofloat
EW NG - Eurowhite
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
280 780 1280 1780 2280
Wellenlänge nm
wavelength nm
The cutting pressure should be checked, directly at the cutting wheel, at regular intervals. An
appropriate pressure sensor should be used.
Glass thickness can be identified after it has been installed by using a Merlin laser such as that
produced by Bohle.
Certificates
Certificates, factory certifications and manufacturer’s declarations can be obtained from our
office or sales team.
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 21 of 23
Standards for glass in construction applications
For complete text excerpts and additional standards for glass for use in building construction,
see www.beuth.de.
Euroglas GmbH Dammühlenweg 60 Phone 0 39 04 / 6 38-0 District Court of Stendal HRB 113562
Eurofloat D-39340 Haldensleben Fax 0 39 04 / 6 38-1100 VAT ID No. DE 813 586 085
[email protected] Managing Directors:
www.euroglas.com Christian Winter, Fritz Zahnd
Page 23 of 23