ME 171 : MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES

CHAPTER 3 :
METHODS, PROCESSES,AND EQUIPMENT INVOLVED
IN
GLASS MANUFACTURING

JADE CARLO M. ANTONIO

• The history of glass manufacturing dates back to ancient times, with evidence

of glass production dating as far back as 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia.

• The process of glass manufacturing has evolved significantly over the years,

with advancements in technology and materials leading to more efficient and

cost-effective production methods.

as silica, soda ash, limestone, and cullet. The process involves melting the

raw materials in a furnace at high temperatures and shaping the molten glass

into various forms using different methods such as floating, blowing, pressing,

or casting.
• Today, glass manufacturing is a large-scale industry with a wide
range of applications, including construction, automotive, electronics,
and packaging.
 OBJECTIVES
Familiarize methods, processes and equipment involved in the glass
manufacturing.
Specifically, students can:
1. Discuss processes and methods in production or manufacturing
processes of glass.
2. Discuss the different equipment involved in glass manufacturing.
3. Enumerate some of the standard production protocols .
4. Discuss some safety measures, processes, management activities of
different industrial plant.
 GLASS MANUFACTURING
PROCESSES AND METHODS
Float Glass Process 
This is the most widely used method for manufacturing
flat glass, such as for windows and mirrors. In this process,
molten glass is poured onto a bath of molten tin, where it
floats and spreads out into a flat sheet. The sheet is then
cooled and cut into the desired size and shape.
Blown Glass Process
This method is used to create objects such as bottles,
vases, and ornaments. In this process, a glob of molten
glass is gathered on the end of a long metal tube called a
blowpipe. The glass is then blown and shaped by a skilled
glassblower using various tools and techniques.
Pressed Glass Process
This method is used to create items such as glassware,
tableware, and decorative objects. In this process, molten
glass is poured into a mold and then pressed or blown into the
desired shape. The resulting product has a smooth, uniform
surface and is often less expensive than hand-blown glass.
Cast Glass Process
This method is used to create intricate and decorative
objects, such as sculptures and art glass. In this process,
molten glass is poured into a mold and then allowed to cool
and solidify. The mold is then removed, leaving behind the
cast glass object.
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Fiber Glass Process
This method is used to create glass fibers for insulation,
reinforcement, and other applications. In this process, molten
glass is drawn into thin fibers using a process called
spinning. The fibers are then woven or bonded into various
forms, such as insulation blankets or reinforced plastics.
STEP BY STEP METHOD
Raw material preparation
The first stage in glass production involves the collection and preparation of
raw materials, such as sand, soda ash, limestone, and other additives. The
raw materials are weighed, mixed, and crushed to a fine powder.

SILICA LIMESTONE
SAND

SODA CULLET
ASH
Melting
The next stage is melting, where the prepared raw materials are fed into a
furnace and heated to a temperature of up to 1700°C. The furnace is typically
made of refractory bricks and is fueled by natural gas, propane, or oil. The
melting process can take several hours, during which the raw materials are
transformed into a molten glass mixture.
Refining
Once melted, the glass undergoes a refining process to remove any
impurities or bubbles in the molten glass. This process typically involves stirring
the molten glass and adding refining agents such as arsenic or antimony oxide.
Forming
Once the glass is refined, it can be formed into different shapes
using various methods. The most common method is called the float
glass process, where the molten glass is poured onto a bed of molten
tin, which allows the glass to float and spread evenly. Other forming
methods include pressing, blowing, drawing, and rolling.
Annealing
After the glass has been formed into the desired shape, it needs to be
annealed or cooled slowly to reduce internal stresses and prevent cracking. The
glass is moved from the forming process to the annealing lehr, a long oven
where the temperature is gradually reduced over several hours.
Finishing
The final stage in glass production is finishing, which involves cutting,
polishing, and coating the glass. The glass is first cut to size using a diamond-
tipped cutter and then polished using various abrasives. The glass can also be
coated with various materials to improve its performance, such as low-
emissivity coatings, which reduce energy loss through the glass.
DIFFERENT EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IN GLASS
MANUFACTURING
Furnaces
Furnaces are the heart of any glass
manufacturing plant. They are used to melt the
raw materials, usually at temperatures between
1,200 to 1,700 degrees Celsius, depending on
the type of glass being produced. Glass
furnaces come in different shapes and sizes,
depending on the requirements of the
manufacturing process. Some common types
of furnaces include tank furnaces, pot
furnaces, and electric furnaces.
Batch Mixers
Batch mixers are used to mix the
raw materials that are fed into the
furnace. They are designed to mix and
blend different types of materials in the
right proportions, according to the
specific requirements of the
manufacturing process. Batch mixers
come in different sizes and can be
manually operated or automated.
Forehearth
The forehearth is a glass melting
furnace that helps to transport the
molten glass from the melting furnace
to the forming machine. It is an
important component in the
manufacturing process that helps to
maintain the temperature of the glass
and ensures consistent quality.
Forming Machines
Forming machines are used to shape the molten glass into different shapes
and sizes. There are several types of forming machines used in glass
manufacturing, including float glass lines, bottle making machines, sheet glass
lines, and glass fiber machines. These machines use different methods,
including blowing, rolling, pressing, and drawing, to form the glass into the
desired shape.
Annealing and Tempering Equipment
After the glass has been formed, it
needs to be cooled down gradually to
prevent it from cracking. Annealing is a
process that slowly cools down the glass to
remove any internal stress. Tempering is a
process that heats the glass and then
rapidly cools it down to make it stronger
and more durable. Annealing and
tempering equipment includes annealing
lehrs, cooling fans, and tempering ovens.
Finishing Equipment
Finishing equipment is used to add final touches to the glass products,
including cutting, edging, drilling, polishing, and coating. These processes are
necessary to ensure that the glass products meet the required specifications and
standards.
 CONCLUSION