Winlet glazing robot perfect response to homes glazing trend

The growth in popularity of inside outside living shows no sign of slowing down – and, as a result, demand for floor-to-ceiling glazing is increasing every year.

That is one reason our Winlet glazing robots are such popular hire options for building contractors and glazing installers who need a machine that can support large glass installation in often confined space.

More to the point, they are turning to Winlet glazing robots because they are so easy to move into position through narrow gaps, with the ability to hold glass in a pick and carry role.

Glazing robot for dream home

Inside outside living is also accentuated by two other social and economic trends that affect millions of households across the UK.

Firstly, rising house prices are encouraging a significant proportion of home owners to look to stay where they are and invest in their current properties rather than trading up to obtain their dream home.

Secondly, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of people spending more time at home, resulting in a boom in DIY and house improvement projects, fueled by wall-to-wall reruns of amazing home style TV shows.

With increased home working now very likely to form a bigger part of many people’s everyday lives, creating more practical and enjoyable spaces for leisure and work is likely to be a priority for many in the next five years.

Improve productivity and safety

Hird is the UK and Ireland authorised distributor for Winlet glazing robots and electric materials trolleys and has the machines available for hire and for sale.

Building contractors and glazing installers are turning to glazing robots for a number of reasons:

• Winlet glazing robots support productivity. Large glass panels weighing up to 1000kg can be installed with a team of two operatives rather than the five or more needed with methods that have larger manual components.
• Smaller building contractors working on home extension or improvement project do not want to maintain large installation teams, or may not be able to find operatives with the skills needed to complete such tasks with confidence. Being able, then, to hire Winlet glazing robots when they are needed is a significant benefit.
• Winlet glazing robots also support good health and safety. Responsible contractors realise cutting corners in a way that puts people at risk is a false saving in the long-run. With Winlet glazing robots manual handling is reduced almost to zero throughout the lift, carry and install process.
• Reduced risk of damage to the glass panel and surrounding structures. Glass panels, which often include integrated frames, can be complex and are always expensive. Damaging them at the point of installation is not an option.
• Modern glazing systems are also manufactured to very fine tolerances. They need to be installed with precision and care, fitting apertures with no room for error. This makes the precision control provided by Winlet glazing robots a huge advantage.
• Winlet glazing robots are also designed to operate in very confined spaces. The machines are very compact and their glazing manipulator makes it easy to move glass around obstructions and into position quickly with the least fuss.

Take the Hird Winlet 575, shown installing glass in a private home. The glazing robot has a maximum safe working load of 575kg, yet is just 890mm wide and 1880mm long, creating an operating footprint about the same area as a standard door.

Sustainable glass installation

As a battery electric powered machine, it has zero-emission and low noise operation, which will be appreciated by the home-owning client and their neighbours, and minimises a contractor’s carbon footprint.

The Winlet glazing robot also has intuitive, easy-to-use controls that make the machine enjoyable to use, along with excellent safety features, including failsafe vacuum systems that protect the load and operatives.

Its glazing manipulator can rotate and tilt glass through 180 degrees. Also, with its very clever gyroscopic controls, the load can be held in exactly the same plain as it is lifted and moved from side to side, so can be perfectly aligned to an aperture with very the minimal adjustment.

The glazing robot can also carry up to 275kg loads on its side. This is particularly useful for moving panels from a delivery lorry at the front of a home through a gate into a back garden, commonly where large glass windows are installed.

Winlet glazing robots and training are available across the UK from our regional operational centres.

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