Method for producing a VIG unit having an improved temperature profile

A vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) unit manufacture facility comprising an oven with a compartment configured for heating a VIG unit according to a predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1,

• wherein the oven comprises an evacuation head in fluid communication with at least one vacuum pump, and
• wherein the evacuation head comprises
• a temperature sensor for determining a temperature T2 under the evacuation head;
• and
• a heating element configured to heat the evacuation head when the temperature sensor determines that the predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1 is greater than the temperature T2 for a time sufficient for the temperature T2 to become substantially equal to the predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1.

A method of producing a vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) unit, the method comprising:

• providing first and second substantially parallel glass panes, a plurality of pillars, and a peripheral seal between the first and second glass panes;
• providing an evacuation hole in the first glass pane for evacuating a void through the evacuation hole to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure;
• covering the evacuation hole with an evacuation head comprising a ceramic heating element, wherein the evacuation head is configured to have a substantially hermetic contact to a surface of the first glass pane;
• arranging the glass panes, the plurality of pillars, the peripheral seal, and the evacuation head in an oven, wherein the oven is configured for heating according to a predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1;
• heating the oven according to the predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1 and compensating for a difference in temperature between the predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1 and a temperature T2 under the evacuation head by activating the ceramic heating element for a time sufficient to increase the temperature T2 to equal the predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1;
• evacuating the void through the evacuation head after completion of the heating according to the predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1;
• and
• sealing an evacuation tube tip of an evacuation tube disposed in the evacuation hole.

A vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) unit manufacture facility comprising an oven with a compartment configured for heating a VIG unit according to a predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1,

• wherein the oven comprises an evacuation head in fluid communication with at least one vacuum pump, and
• wherein the evacuation head comprises
• a temperature sensor for determining a temperature T2 under the evacuation head;
• and
• a ceramic heating element configured to heat the evacuation head when the temperature sensor determines that the predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1 is greater than the temperature T2 for a time sufficient for the temperature T2 to become substantially equal to the predetermined profile of oven temperatures T1.