New laminate cutting capability
Cornwall Glass Manufacturing has committed to a six-figure investment in a new Bottero cutting table, as it gears up for increased demand for laminates in 2021.
Installed in St Austell in November, the new Bottero 520 LAM(e)/37 significantly increases the glass processor’s laminate capability in line with exponential growth in demand.
This includes a special adaptation of the cutting bridge to accommodate glass thicknesses of up to 20.8mm, which is believed to be unique in the UK.
Steve Bunney, general manager of Cornwall Glass Manufacturing, said: “We wanted the flexibility to cut laminates of up to 20.8mm thickness, which Bottero delivered through a special adaptation and structural reinforcement of the cutting bridge, its mechanical workings, plus a software upgrade.
“It’s a small incremental increase in glass thickness but when you’re cutting a thicker sheet it’s a significant increase in weight, cutting pressure and adjustment to heating time.
“We believe this configuration from Bottero is unique in the UK.”
Capable of cutting sheets of up to 3.7m x 4.6m, with a heat up time of less than 90 seconds, plus automatic edge deletion, Steve said Cornwall Glass was able to offer new flexibility to its customers.
“There’s been a major uplift in demand for laminates,” he said. “It was a trend pre-Covid, and only accelerated by it, so having a high-precision, high-volume cutting capability is key.
“The new Bottero gives us a fifth laminate cutting table within the group and increased capability as a whole. Automatic edge deletion on the new St Austell table also supports us in speeding up process and allows us to offer a better and more flexible service to our customers.”
Demand for laminates has increased significantly in IGU supply in part driven by Secured by Design specifications as well as increased demand for acoustic products.
“The new capability that the Bottero gives us allows us to meet supply demand in a key growth area for the glass industry far more effectively,” Steve said. “We can be faster, more precise, delivering a better-quality product to the customer.”
