Your CNC cutting table is fast. Your tempering furnace is efficient. But what happens in between?
Stop relying on makeshift A-frames that cause edge damage and make sorting Insulated Glass (IG) units a logistical nightmare. The Inter-process Glass Cart is the missing link in your production line—designed to eliminate the "wobble" of 6mm lites and streamline the pairing process before sealing.
In the glass fabrication industry, the most dangerous journey a sheet of glass takes isn't on the truck to the job site—it's the 50 feet between your edging machine and the washer. High-value coated glass (Low-E) and soft-coat sheets are incredibly vulnerable during this Work-In-Progress (WIP) phase.
Operators often struggle with traditional A-frame carts when trying to access specific lites for "pairing" (matching the inner and outer panes for an IGU). To get to the third sheet, they have to move the first two, increasing the risk of fingerprints, scratches on the coating, or corner shelling.
Fig 1. High-density storage allows for immediate visual identification and sorting of glass units.
The Harp Glass Rack (or H-Rack) gets its name from the tensioned strings, but its value lies in separation. Unlike L-bucks where glass leans on glass, the Harp design isolates every single lite.
One of the biggest complaints we hear from plant managers is the handling of thin glass (3mm - 6mm) or tall, narrow "transom" pieces. On standard rollers, these pieces tend to twist or slide sideways if the rollers aren't dense enough.
Our solution utilizes a high-density bed of nylon rollers paired with a precise footer mechanism. This ensures that even narrow strips of glass maintain three points of contact, preventing the dreaded "tip-over" inside the rack.
Fig 2. Numbered slots and high-density nylon rollers ensure precise sorting and smooth loading.
We understand that floor space is premium real estate near the furnace entrance. This cart is built to be compact yet capable of handling heavy dynamic loads typical of laminated glass production.
| Feature | Specification | Operational Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Base Material | Q235A Carbon Steel | Withstands forklift impacts and heavy static loads without warping. |
| Glass Contact Surface | PVC-Coated Steel Rods & Nylon Rollers | Non-marking materials protect Low-E coatings and prevent edge chipping. |
| Mobility | Heavy-duty Polyurethane Casters (2 Swivel w/ Brake, 2 Fixed) | Smooth rolling over expansion joints; locks firmly in place at the workstation. |
| Locking Mechanism | Foot-Actuated Lifting Mechanism | Raises the glass off the rollers during transport to prevent sliding. |
The "strings" of the harp are actually solid steel rods encased in a heavy-duty PVC casing. This provides the rigidity needed to keep heavy laminated sheets upright while offering a soft touch surface. We don't use hollow tubes that bend under stress.
Furthermore, shipping fully assembled racks is costly and risks damage in transit. Our Harp Glass Rack features a Knock-Down (KD) bolted assembly. This allows us to flat-pack the units, maximizing container density and reducing your freight costs per unit. Your maintenance team can assemble them on-site using standard tools.
Fig 3. The bolt-together design ensures structural integrity while reducing shipping volume.
By placing these carts at the exit of your CNC cutting table, you allow the breakout team to sort immediately. The cart then travels to the seaming or washing station. For tempering lines, the cart serves as a perfect buffer, holding glass safely until the furnace bed is ready for that specific thickness or type.
1. Can this rack handle hot glass directly out of the tempering furnace?
While the steel frame is heat resistant, the PVC coatings and nylon rollers are designed for cold or warm glass (pre-furnace or post-cooling section). Placing glass above 80°C (176°F) directly on the PVC/Nylon components is not recommended as it may soften the protective layers.
2. We process 12mm and 19mm heavy architectural glass. Can the slot width be customized?
Yes. The standard spacing is optimized for IG units (pairings) or standard sheets. However, as a manufacturer, we can adjust the spacing of the PVC dividers to accommodate thick laminated glass or multi-layer ballistic glass to ensure easy loading without friction.
3. How does the foot-lock mechanism prevent glass breakage?
Standard casters only lock the wheels. Our specialized foot-actuated lifting mechanism engages a floor lock or slightly lifts the internal carriage (depending on model), ensuring the glass lites are pressed firmly against the backstop and disengaged from the rolling movement, eliminating "chatter" and vibration cracks during transport.
4. Is the base compatible with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in our smart factory?
The standard model is designed for manual pushing or forklift transport (via forklift pockets). However, we can modify the base frame with specific tow-hitches or lifting points to integrate with your specific AGV or tugger train system.
5. Do you offer "Hybrid" bases for non-standard shapes?
Yes. For shops cutting irregular shapes (triangles for gables, etc.) where rollers might not provide enough coverage, we offer a Full Base option with slotted HDPE or PVB liners. This provides continuous bottom support for odd-shaped glass that might fall through standard roller gaps.
