A spacer with an integrated ribbon cable for insulating glazings includes a main body including two pane contact surfaces, a glazing interior surface, an outer surface, a hollow chamber, and at least one ribbon cable on the outer surface, wherein the ribbon cable is materially bonded to the outer surface.

The invention relates to a method of providing vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units each comprising at least a first and a second glass pane and a plurality of support pillars distributed between opposing surfaces of said glass panes to provide a gap (8) between the glass panes. A plurality of pane elements are provided, and individual topographic representations (TOPREP_2a-TOPREP_2n) of each of said plurality of pane elements (2a-2n) are obtained based on input (4) from a measuring arrangement (3), and the topographic representations are stored in a data storage (DS). The stored topographic representations are processed and resulting surface distance characteristic between pairs of panes are estimated. Vacuum insulating glass (VIG) assemblies are thus provided based on estimated resulting surface distance characteristics. The invention additionally relates to a system for providing manufacturing layouts and a manufacturing facility.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances. The polymer may be surface modified, e.g., to promote diffuse reflection, total internal reflection, etc.

An insulating glazing includes at least one first pane element, at least one spacer, and at least one connector. The spacer and the connector are arranged next to each other such that they extend along a common longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer and the connector accommodate and position the first pane element. The connector has at least one first electrically conductive conductor element such that an electrical connection can be established between an external power source and the first pane element via the first conductor element.

Improvements in or relating to transparent units (such as glazing units, which may also be referred to as insulating glass units) and their methods of manufacture are disclosed. Each transparent unit comprises first and second panes of transparent material each having an outwardly facing side and an inwardly facing side. Each inwardly facing side is at least partially coated with a reactive interlayer made by the application of a reactive interlayer coating composition. The inwardly facing side of the first and second panes of transparent material are spaced apart partially or totally by a transparent spacer made of a pre-cured condensation curable material or a substantially pre-cured condensation curable material adhered to the inwardly facing side of the first and second panes of transparent material by way of the reactive interlayers. In various embodiments, the pre-cured condensation curable material is a silicone based material.

The glass panel unit includes a first glass panel, a second glass panel, a seal, an evacuated space, and a spacer. The second glass panel is placed opposite the first glass panel. The seal with a frame shape hermetically bonds the first glass panel and the second glass panel to each other. The evacuated space is enclosed by the first glass panel, the second glass panel, and the seal. The spacer is placed between the first glass panel and the second glass panel. The spacer includes a stack of two or more films including at least one resin film.

A glass panel unit manufacturing method includes a punching step and a pillar mounting step. In the punching step, a punch punches at least one of a plurality of portions from a base material of a sheet to form at least one pillar. Each of the plurality of portions is surrounded by a corresponding one of a plurality of loop-shaped grooves in the base material. In the pillar mounting step, the at least one pillar is mounted on a surface of a first substrate including a glass pane.

A compressible pillar for the preparation of a vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) unit, having a longitudinal extent in the pre-compressed state and including a deformable part having an open structure, which open structure will at least partially collapse when the pillar is subject to a compression force acting in the longitudinal direction of the pillar, the compression force being of at least one value selected within the range of 60 N to 320 N, the pillar will exhibit a partly irreversible deformation causing a reduction in the longitudinal extent of the pillar when the pillar is subjected to the compression force, so that when the compression force is fully released the pillar will exhibit an expansion in the longitudinal direction of the pillar which is less that the reduction in the longitudinal extent of the pillar. Further is shown a process for manufacturing of a compressible pillar, a method of producing a VIG unit as well as a VIG unit.

A compressible pillar for the preparation of a vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) unit, having a longitudinal extent in the pre-compressed state and including a deformable part having an open structure, which open structure will at least partially collapse when the pillar is subject to a compression force acting in the longitudinal direction of the pillar, the compression force being of at least one value selected within the range of 60 N to 320 N, the pillar will exhibit a partly irreversible deformation causing a reduction in the longitudinal extent of the pillar when the pillar is subjected to the compression force, so that when the compression force is fully released the pillar will exhibit an expansion in the longitudinal direction of the pillar which is less that the reduction in the longitudinal extent of the pillar. Further is shown a process for manufacturing of a compressible pillar, a method of producing a VIG unit as well as a VIG unit.

An assembly press for producing an insulating glass element with two panes includes: two press elements arranged opposite each other with a working chamber defined by a spacing therebetween, the spacing being adjustable in a first direction to press together the panes; and a conveying device to transport the panes into and out of the working chamber in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, at least one of the press elements being adjustable in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The conveying device comprises first and second drivable conveying elements respectively including first and second support mechanisms to respectively support lower faces of the two panes during transport in a first and second transport planes. The first and second conveying elements are adjustable independently of each other such that the transport planes are located at different positions in the third direction.