IN SITU DEFORMATION OF SUPPORT STRUCTURES FOR VACUUM INSULATING GLASS UNITS

The present disclosure relates to a method of producing a vacuum insulated glass (VIG) unit (1), wherein said method comprises distributing a plurality of support structures (5) at a first tempered glass sheet (3) so that the support structures supports on a first major surface (3a) of the first tempered glass sheet (3), and so that the minimum distance (DIS1) between adjacent support structures is at least 30 mm. A second tempered glass sheet (4) is arranged so that the distributed support structures (5) are placed in a gap (6) between the first major surface (3a) and a second major surfaces (4a) of the second tempered glass sheet (4). An edge seal is provided around the periphery of the glass sheets. The gap (6) is evacuated and sealed. The provided support structures (5) arranged at the first major surface (3a) comprises solid, spherical balls (10). The solid spherical balls (10) are plastically deformed by means of said major surfaces (3a, 4a) so that the initial height (H2) of a plurality of the solid spherical balls (10) is reduced by at least 10% to a reduced support structure height (H1). This flattens and enlarges opposing contact surfaces (5a, 5b) of the support structures (5) in contact with the first and second major surfaces (3a, 4a) respectively.