Glossary – our knowledge from A to Z

A special method for producing laminated glass. The product is surrounded by a plastic sheet. While a high pressure prevails in the autoclave, the vacuum bag is also evacuated. This prevents the formation of air bubbles in the region of the interlayer(s) in complex laminated glass products.

seele sedak carries out the lamination process using the so-called vacuum bagging method. This is associated with tight tolerances, high-quality edge finishes and a reduction in the risk of delamination.

These are used for transporting panes of glass manually over short distances or as an aid during glazing erection. A spring- or lever-operated mechanism ensures that a vacuum is generated at the face of the cup. Safe working loads of up to 100 kg are possible.

This is a thermal insulation product (abbreviated to VIP) that which exploits the principle of the insulating effect of a vacuum. A VIP consist of a porous core enclosed by an impervious material that prevents gas or air infiltrating the insulating material.

Panes of glass can be installed with the help of a vacuum lifter. This is done by creating a vacuum between the suction cup(s) and the flat surface of the glass, which fixes the lifter to the glass so that it can be lifted and transported. Depending on their design, vacuum lifters can carry several tonnes and can be rotated or tilted as required.

This is a group of several individual suction cups fitted to a frame and interconnected to form a more powerful lifting device. In most cases the individual suction cups are controlled via a multi-circuit system in order to reduce the risk of individual failures. Safe working loads of up to several tonnes can be achieved in this way so that even large, heavy glass elements can be processed and erected.

A sloping linear intersection between two roof surfaces that slope upwards from this line.

A pitched roof form in which the two roof surfaces meet at an internal valley. The opposite of a gable roof.

This is a chemical element which is added to steel to increase its tensile strength, yield stress and heat resistance, and reduce its temper embrittlement. Vanadium achieves a fine-grained microstructure and makes steel insensitive to overheating.

A vapour barrier is a membrane that is attached to the warm side of a component (usually the inside) to prevent the diffusion of water vapour. It is intended to prevent water vapour saturating the layer of thermal insulation and can act as an airtight (windproof) membrane at the same time.

This regulates the infiltration of vapour (in the air) into building components and therefore prevents their saturation. The humidity of the air is heavily dependent on temperature. In Central European latitudes, the moisture difference is greatest in winter and therefore a vapour barrier is always attached to the warm (interior) side of a construction.

Coatings of silver, tin or indium can be applied to the surface of the glass using this method in order to produce low E or solar-control glasses.

This designates a material’s specific resistance to water vapour (in the air). The lower the value, the easier it is for vapour to infiltrate the material. Multiplying this factor by the thickness of the component results in the equivalent air layer thickness (sd-value).

The Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik e.V. (Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies) is one of the largest technical and scientific bodies in Europe.

The Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (Association of German Engineers) is a body representing the interests of engineers and natural scientists in Germany.

The general term for the types of glass used in vehicles, e.g. laminated safety glass or toughened safety glass.

Usually electrically operated façade elements that regulate the flow of air through a component or façade.

This is a tool for measuring internal and external dimensions. Analogue and digital versions are available. Their main use is in metalworking.

This is glazing that is installed essentially perpendicular to the level of its surroundings. The glazing is still classed as vertical glazing even if its angle deviates from the vertical by up to 15° (the actual angle depends on the particular regulations).

Structures or parts thereof that are sensitive to vibration can be protected against damaging effects by installing vibration dampers. Vibrations can be caused by people, wind or earthquakes. Especially lightweight facade designs may be susceptible to vibrations and in such cases it may be necessary to install vibration dampers.

Named after the British aircraft manufacturer Vickers, this hardness test is used for hard materials with a consistent composition, but also for thin-wall workpieces or those with a hardened surface and perimeter zones. It is very similar to the Brinell hardness.

A frame system in which the top and bottom chords are linked by vertical members only, with rigid connections.

This is a measure of the internal resistance to flow of a substance (usually a fluid).

That part of the electromagnetic spectrum, with wavelengths from 380 to 780 nm, that is visible to the human eye.

This is a model made for demonstration purposes, to obtain an impression of the visual effect only.

We divide a pane of glass into main, edge and rebate zones in order to assess its visual quality. Only minor optical impairments are permitted in the main zone.

The German Vergabe- und Vertragsordnung für Bauleistungen (VOB, Construction Contract Procedures) contains rules for the award of building contracts by public-sector clients and also the content of such contracts. The VOB is divided into three parts: general provisions for the award of contracts (VOB/A), general contractual conditions for the execution of construction contracts (VOB/B) and general technical specifications in construction contracts (VOB/C).

The unit of electric voltage.

German abbreviation for laminated safety glass (Verbundsicherheitsglas). VSG consists of a least two panes of glass and an interlayer, which is usually in the form of a tear-resistant polyvinyl butyral sheet (PVB; sheet thickness ≥ 0.38 mm). If one or both of the panes are broken, the fragments continue to adhere to the PVB.