Figure cutting of glass: technology, tools. Cutting mirrors

Figure cutting of glass is a rather complicated process, for which effective technologies are needed. The planes obtained by this method are widely used for glazing windows, making shelves, partitions, decorating the room and much more. Glass of complex relief is elegant details on doors, facades, kitchen and other furniture.

Types and methods of cutting

Depending on the complexity of the work that is performed, the lines can be divided into the following categories.

1. Simple straight lines, where you can get such shapes as a rectangle, a square, a trapeze, a rhombus with certain dimensions along the length and width.
2. Figured - due to them it is possible to obtain curvilinear forms, which can be rounded, wavy and with different internal notches. With such a canvas you can realize the most incredible design ideas in unexpected combinations.

Cutting mirrors and glass can be carried out in the following ways.

1. Manual - is performed by a special circular knife (glass cutter). This technique is considered the cheapest, in comparison with others, but the treated area can only be small. For example, glass furniture inserts, countertops and shelves.
2. Automatic - carried out on special equipment, which allows to guarantee high accuracy and speed of execution. Cutting and processing of glass in this case passes qualitatively, quickly and in a large volume.
3. Sandblasting - is the most common. The work is done by abrasive particles, which are discharged under high pressure onto the unprotected circuits of the product. The technology helps to make shapes of complex shapes with high cut quality and accuracy. In this way it is possible to decorate the glass itself and apply various drawings, images and patterns to it.
4. Hydroabrasive - a proven and old technique, which is to feed, together with abrasive particles of water on the canvas. With the help of a thin trickle, both simple and curved glass cutting with excellent edge quality and high precision is performed. This method allows you to process a lot of material with a minimum amount of reject.
5. Laser - is considered a modern technology, with which you can get a high-quality product with a smooth cut that does not require additional processing. With this method, filigree figures of varying complexity are performed.

Instruments

The devices with which the figured cutting of glass is performed, there are many, and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

1. Diamond glass cutter is a tool used for a long time. He successfully copes with professional tasks and is suitable for domestic purposes. It is arranged as follows: a small natural diamond is fixed in a special holder with a handle. Such a tool is suitable for materials with a thickness of not more than 10 mm.
2. Oil - it is able to cut a cloth up to 20 mm thick. Some of the models sold have movable heads, which are indispensable if you need figured cutting of glass.
3. The device with an artificial crystal - differs from the first only used the cutter. Well approximated to natural, much cheaper, but less effective. The thickest surface that lends itself to it is 5 mm.
4. Roller - also is an effective and common device consisting of a roller made from a very hard alloy. It is attached to the handle, the models can have from 1 to 6 circles, designed for a material no more than 4 mm.
5. Glass cutters-compasses, it is suitable for those cases when it is necessary to prepare round or oval figures.
6. Quick cutter for glass - used for high-speed cutting. It has an oil head, which lubricates the cutting lines with a special mixture. The tool has a special scale on which you can set the width of the cutting, so that the work is done without problems.

Advantages of the hydroabrasive technique

1. There is no thermal treatment of the material (the cutting zone is heated to 60-90 ° C). Due to this in the process, the glass is not deformed, does not burn and does not melt. Heat, which is released in the process, is carried away with water.
2. A wide range of processed materials (granite, marble, stone, steel, plastic, wood, rubber and ceramics).
3. The thickness of the glass, which can cut water, varies from 0.5 mm to 195 mm.
4. The cutting along a circle of any curvature. The method helps to cut material along the necessary path, including corners, holes, slant lines and various radial roundings.
5. Economical material consumption. The width of the cut is not more than 0.5 mm.
6. You can do without further processing the edge. It does not need further grinding and polishing.
7. Ecological cleanliness of the process. Thanks to the water jet there is no dust, crumbs do not pollute the air. This also helps to save on the protective equipment that is required by other techniques.
8. Full automation of the process.

Laser cutting

With such a tool, it is easy to perform operations of any complexity in a short time. The human factor in the process is minimal, since the machine does all the work. Using the position sensor, you can cut with surgical precision. In occasion of errors in general it is not necessary to worry, as they are absent. It is designed for working with window, tempered and tempered cloth, as well as with mirrors. And the parameters and thickness of the glass do not matter at all. The equipment copes with the tasks of any complexity.

Cutting your own hands

If there is a desire to save money, all work can be done at home and independently.

1. The surface must first be prepared. The table should be perfectly even, as the smallest bump can cause a marriage.
2. Next, you need to process the plane itself. It is wiped with a special degreasing compound, after which it is dried well.
3. Then the so-called cutting of glass is carried out. It is worth noting that if you plan everything correctly, you can get several finished products from one glass.
4. After all is done, a special tool for work is obtained. It has a handle, and the cutting element itself is made of a very hard material.
5. How to cut glass at home is already understandable, but it is also important that after the procedure it is necessary to polish all sharp edges. If the material was prepared to be inserted into the frame, this can not be done.
6. To work with thick surfaces, it is required to use special fluids that simplify the tool stroke and, in turn, help to penetrate deeper.

If you follow all the steps correctly, then problems with the work should not arise at all.

Figured cutting of mirrors

Various forms of this material can be prepared as a special device, as well as a homemade "glass pencil" made of charcoal. The prepared powder is mixed together with gum arabic (a transparent viscous liquid released by acacia forms a sticky solution upon contact with water). The resulting dough is rolled into large sticks and thoroughly dried.

Before starting the work, the edge of the glass is cut with a triangular file. Next, the pencil is lit and they are touched to the finished end. The hot end is driven in the required direction. On the cracks that formed, the mirror easily bursts. It is important that all movements must be performed exclusively on the face of the surface.

Further processing

It is made only in the event that the end of the product will be visible to the edge of the glass, since it should look aesthetically pleasing.

Grinding is necessary to improve the surface. This helps to make the plane not only decorative, but also safe for humans. The operation is carried out using abrasive materials. After this procedure, the surface becomes matte and a bit rough with a greenish tinge.

The second stage is polishing. In this procedure, only soft fibers are used. After it, the edges become more transparent and smooth. It is carried out with the help of special equipment for easy processing.

Application

Figure cutting of glass is widely in demand where refinement, non-triviality and decorativeness are required:

• In advertising production - complex products attract more attention;
• When making souvenirs - such figures are very popular and will decorate any room;
• In the furniture industry and in the design work.

Helpful Tips

1. If there is a need to make a hole or carefully cut out the glass, and then give it a round shape, you will need only the profile tools and knowledge of your business.
2. For any work, it is necessary to thoroughly wash and degrease the surface with acetone or gasoline and rinse with plain water. If you can not clean the surface with liquid, you can take a slice of potatoes, rub the product and wipe them thoroughly with a dry cloth.
3. In the place where you want to make a hole, no matter what the thickness of the glass, you need to pour a handful of sea sand, make it a hole in the desired diameter, and then pour molten tin or lead into the hole and allow it to cool. Then you need to remove the solder and remove any remaining sand.
4. Before cutting begins, glass must be degreased where the glass cutter passes. Then the sheet is attached to the suction cup and a metal rod is installed.