|
Construction of SAGE's new dynamic glass manufacturing plant took a big leap forward today as the company announced contracts with several equipment vendors to provide the key technologies that will drive the plant's high-tech manufacturing processes.
When complete, the facility will be the world's largest and most advanced dynamic glass manufacturing plant, able to produce dynamic glass in high volumes and in large commercial architectural sizes at an affordable cost for the first time. SAGE's green-built facility, which is seeking LEED Silver accreditation, is being constructed in Faribault, Minn., 40 miles south of Minneapolis.
Germany-based Leybold Optics will install the world's largest thin-filming coating system for glass production. The record-breaking coating line will be almost 500 feet long, and feature a new kind of twin-sputter deposition system, among its other technological breakthroughs.
In an innovative manufacturing twist, the plant will also employ technology from Manz Automation typically used in the production of thin-film solar photovoltaic modules. Manz will install a range of products including laser structuring, laser cutting and an LCD-grade chemical cleaning system that gives SAGE very high precision glass substrates and coatings.
Lisec America, a part of the LISEC group of companies, will provide a variety of glass fabrication technologies that will automate and accelerate production of SageGlass in high volumes. These include glass loaders, cutters, grinders, sealers and frame benders, as well as factory control software to manage the production line. "We are proud to partner with SAGE by providing automated solutions for the production of their next generation SageGlass," said Bob Quast, Lisec America's CEO.
“We invested in the world's best available manufacturing technologies to produce a dynamic glass product of uncompromising quality and reliability,” said Glenn Gengel, SAGE's vice president of manufacturing operations. “Our challenge is three-fold: to deliver our next generation SageGlass in high volumes with incredible consistency and in large sizes needed by the commercial architectural market. The new plant will represent the state-of-the-art in dynamic glass production.”
SAGE's new facility is expected to begin operations late 2012 and bring more than 160 “green collar” jobs and 200 construction jobs to the state.
|
