Glazing robot’s six wheels come to the aid of two-wheelers

The power and versatility of the Hird glazing robot used to install glass in a motorbike showroom had more in common with the two-wheeled machines on display than you might think.

A glass installation specialist used the Winlet 785 glazing robot on hire from Hird to fit the 280kg glass panels in the showroom windows.

By doing so, they completed the task more quickly and safely than if they had used conventional lifting methods that made use of muscle power and manual handling.

Innovative glazing robots

The Winlet 785 glazing robot is just one model in a range of highly innovative and powerful glass lifting machines manufactured by Danish company Winlet.

Hird is the UK and Ireland authorised distributor for the glazing robots which are rapidly establishing themselves as the most capable and productive glass lifters on the market.

So, what is this connection with powerful motorcycles? It is certainly not the number of wheels on the model used to fit the glass in the motorcycle dealership window near Bradford, West Yorkshire.

The Winlet 785 glazing robot had six wheels – two at the back, which turn to give the glass lifter its excellent manoeuvrability, and four at the front.
The glazing robot can be fitted with just two wheels at the front, but this format has the two additional wheels for additional stability, especially useful across rough ground.

Less glass installation risk

The connection is that, by using the Winlet 785 glazing robot, the glass installer could carry out the glass fitting with a team of just two – the same number of people who can ride on a motorbike.

Winlet glazing robots dramatically reduce the amount of manual handing needed during glass installation because the clever vacuum manipulator on the machine does almost all the work.

It can be controlled remotely so the operator can ger the best view of the glass installation process. The manipulator can tilt the load, move it from side to side and up and down.

The particularly clever bit is a gyroscopic control that holds the load in exactly the same plane as it is moved into position, so any panel being held can be placed with millimetre accuracy into an aperture.

winlet glazing robot handheld remote control

There is no final nudging and noodling, requiring manual handling that can damage both the load and the personnel. With an experienced operative at the controls, the panel slips straight into place.

Vacuum lifter flexibility

On top of that, literally, the Winlet glazing robot can be used to lift and install panels to a maximum height of 3.9 metres directly overhead.

While, thanks to its compact design, it can be transported in most lifts. Glass installers have reported that, by using Winlet glazing robots, they can increase productivity over other lifting systems by 100%.

As these images show, that contributes to faster and less disruptive installation, which is appreciated by clients who want to quickly get on with their everyday business.

Winlet 1000 Eco Vacuum Lifters - Product of the month

In addition, the Winlet 785, as with other Winlet glazing robots, its four vacuum cups can be easily adapted to lift and carry a wide range of materials including granite, concrete, plasterboards, steel panels or plates, tiles, wooden panels and doors.

Range of glazing robots

The Winlet glazing robot will not carry you and your pillion passenger at exciting speeds along the road – it just about gets up to walking pace – but it is just as dynamic, impressive, and fast, in its own way.

Talk to Hird about giving a Winlet glazing robot a spin. Other models in the range include the Winlet 1000, which can lift and carry a mighty 1 tonne load. Also, the Winlet 350 TH which can be fitted on the forks of a telehandler to install glass and other sheet materials at greater height.