The Sika Experience

Yesterday, we visited another Sika branch in Widen and made facade by ourselves. It was like `Reviewing our Sika Experience` because everything what we saw and learned in last week was applied. The raw materials, adhesives, glass and window frame were bonded together and that`s what we experienced throughout this trip. Eventhough everyone was a little bit tired (because of the winter activity weekend), it was the best program for us. Sadly, yesterday was the last day with Matthias. Without his help and support, we couldn`t make it. Sometimes like a father and sometimes like a friend, he bonded us as a team like Alex mentioned. Again, thank you very much, Matthias. I`ll miss you whenever I eat Shrimp.

We are now in Milano, Italy and tomorrow we will visit Sika engineering`s silicones factory. (Only three days are left, OMG!) Please expect our next blog post!

Look Matthias and Alex are smiling. The dinner we had at that time was also great. Of course, all the dishes were absolutely fantasic! I really enjoy the time we are eating and talking together. The more I`m getting close with this great team, the more I feel like learning something from them. All of them are quite motivated and active.

This the Fondue what we ate in Iltios and it was  the best Fondue I`ve ever tasted.

Alex, Rahul, Lenka and I made this great picture.

Plus, mango boy Rahul!

The 5th day of our journey, we visited Austrian company Internorm which is the largest window brand in Europe. The company produces and develops highly insulating window and door systems. Because of my major chemical engineering, I’ve never seen inside of the window frame, therefore, it’s really good experience for me to see how it’s produced and how the SiKA’s glass bonding technologyl is hidden. 

Before SIKA’s glass bonding technology is developed, setting (or fitting) the window glass required professional skills and the usability was also not good. Since thermal insulation and energy saving are important for glass and window, this SIKA’s glass bonding technology could be modified to Internorm window. It was really interesting for me so many scientific important factors are needed to make one window. Also in BMW factory, SIKA technology was applied for glass bonding. Isn’t it amazing to see and learn something new you’ve never thought about before?

After having such a great weekday program, we had happy and fantastic weekend in Wildhaus. Snowboard riding and eating Fondue in Switzerland were really wonderful. Moreover in here with Alex, Lenka and Rahul, I’ve learned not only the SIKA technology, but also the way of understanding different cultures to be a friend. We became a real team and this is more than I expected. What a great experience!

Tomorrow, we will visit another SIKA branch in Widen to have a small practical workshop. The secret of workshop will be disclosed next post. Coming soon!

Have you ever imagined house or building without window glass? Have you ever thought about why glass is so important? To be honest, before starting this journey, I haven’t considered much about these problems seriously and I just more focused on the view through the windows.

Thanks to SIKA company, one of the biggest company in Switzerland, I could be selected this great opportunity to learn and think all of these. With three smart and nice students from different countries, I met people of SIKA who love their company and feel proud of their products, visited the SIKA factory, R&D division, and reference buildings. Also took small sessions regarding bonding technologies in facades, fenestration and insulating glass. All of the programs were impressive because I could realize how much efforts the SIKA is putting now to solve energy problem and environmental problem for example by reducing grey energy.

Visiting architects Kaempfen’s office and taking a look around his architectures were wonderful experiences on the second day. With this time, I’ve found the combinations of technology and ecology have driven this great progress and SIKA is dedicating big parts of this fascinating results.

Before starting this journey, as a student majoring chemical engineering I thought my major doesn’t have much relationships with what the SIKA is doing. However more and more I’m learning about the properties of window influencing a building and how scientific findings are used in related areas, more and more I can find the things I want to do in this field, since measuring and predicting the thermodynamic properties for substances are essential.

After visiting the glass factory Interpane in France, and now we’re in Munich to visit BMW factory tomorrow the most incredible automatic process is really adapted and modified. We would like to see why glass bonding is also important for car industry.

Expecting our next program in Munich, I would like to say goodbye. Please love our blog posts and don’t forget ‘I like’ button!

Hello, everyone!
My name is Jihyun Yoo and I come from South Korea. I’m one of the luckiest students who are selected for Sika Experience Trip: Fascination Glass. First of all, thanks for inviting me to join this great opportunity. I’m really excited to participate in this trip and very happy to write the first posting here.
Assuring my strong interests for this experience, I’m looking forward to seeing all of you in Switzerland soon.

PS. Alexandros, Lenka and Rahul, let’s make unforgettable memories!