Glass International September 2016

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September 2016—Vol.39 No.8

RIEDEL 260TH ANNIVERSARY INTERVIEW GIMAV PRESIDENT INTERVIEW GLASSTEC FOCUS I N T E R N A T I O N A L

A GLOBAL REVIEW OF GLASSMAKING

Glass International September 2016

SOUTH AMERICA 2017 29-30 March 2017, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Contents

September 2016 Vol.39 No.8

WWW.GLASS-INTERNATIONAL.COM

September 2016—Vol.39 No.8

2 Editor’s Comment

RIEDEL 260TH ANNIVERSARY INTERVIEW

3 International news

GIMAV PRESIDENT INTERVIEW GLASSTEC FOCUS I N T E R N A T I O N A L

10 Company profile: Riedel The wine glass company celebrates 260 years

14 Personality profile: GIMAV President Gimav president has glass in his DNA

A GLOBAL REVIEW OF GLASSMAKING

Glass International September 2016

10

SOUTH AMERICA 2017

19 Events world: glasstec

Industry gears up for glasstec 2016

14

Automation 22 Bucher Emhart Glass launches ‘End to End’ 26 Siemens: Net-worked means ready-to-work

29-30 March 2017, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Front cover image www.sorg.de

Furnaces 31 Stara Glass: Heat recovery for furnaces 37 Fives: Bespoke technologies 43 PaneraTech: Measuring refractory thickness 49 Fuchs: Fuchs to rebrand as Vitrolis 52 History 54 Heat treatment Vidromecanica: Toughening glass 56 Quality control ilis: Measuring cord stress in container glass 60 Lightweighting Toyo Glass: Solving water hammering

66 Machinery OCMI: Production of technical glass www.glass-international.com

19

68 Training AGGA: Programme delivers master glaziers 71 Diary

Plus find us on Linked-In and Twitter.

@Glass_Int

www.glass-international.com

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1 Glass International September 2016

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Editor’s comment

Greg Morris

www.glass-international.com Editor: Greg Morris Tel: +44 (0)1737 855132 Email: gregmorris@quartzltd.com Assistant Editor: Sally Love Tel: +44 (0)1737 855154 Email: sallylove@quartzltd.com Designer: Annie Baker Tel: +44 (0)1737 855130 Email: anniebaker@quartzltd.com

Business, bonhomie and blisters: all set for glasstec!

www.glass-international.com

B

usiness cards? Check. Suitable walking shoes? Check. Suit and tie?

A bit creased and in need of an iron, but Check. 500 copies of the magazine, several posters and a peculiar, rectangular pop up banner? Um....Check!

And so start my travel preparations for this year’s glasstec event. No doubt several other of those attending will have similar unusual items in their luggage as thousands of us descend upon Düsseldorf for our bi-annual pilgrimage.

The previous glasstec in 2014 led to an increase in orders for many suppliers to the industry and hopefully a similar outcome will be reported after this year’s event. The industry has generally been on an upward spiral since 2014 with buinsess particularly noticeable in developing regions, such as Mexico and South America. There’s no doubt trade shows work.

Where else can so many suppliers meet so many manufacturers under one roof in a short space of time? Exhibitions are a great place to network with established customers and meet new ones. As one exhibitor rather poetically has told me in the past, exhibitions help sow the seeds from where the flowers will come.

As such, for many of us, a great deal of military-type planning goes into exhibitions, particularly glasstec.

While most people in the world were

away on holiday this summer, a select few in the glass industry were busy preparing their company’s stands for the glasstec event. With each event, company booths seem to increase in size, each with a little bit more razzmatazz than previously, to differentiate the stand from their rivals.

Industry trade shows are also a great way to form friendships too.

After hours, when business is done, there are plenty of opportunities to go out for a meal and a beer to chew the fat at the famous Altstadt with its numerous bars and restaurants.

Several Glass International staff will be there, including myself and Assistant Editor Sally Love. We plan to visit as many company booths as possible during the four day show and we look forward to renewing acquaintances.

We will be distributing copies of the magazine to booths but visitors can also pick up a complimentary copy of this issue and the July/August edition from our stand, Hall 13 C74. Please remember, the Messe Düsseldorf halls are very large and Sally and I have a lot of walking to do, so any free soft drinks when we visit your booth will be gratefully received!

Greg Morris, Editor gregmorris@quartzltd.com

Sales Director: Ken Clark Tel: +44 (0)1737 855117 Email: kenclark@quartzltd.com Production Executive: Martin Lawrence Managing Director: Steve Diprose Chief Executive Officer: Paul Michael Subscriptions: Elizabeth Barford Tel: +44 (0)1737 855028 Fax: +44 (0)1737 855034 Email: subscriptions@quartzltd.com Published by Quartz Business Media Ltd, Quartz House, 20 Clarendon Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1QX, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1737 855000. Fax: +44 (0)1737 855034.

Email: glass@quartzltd.com Website: www.glass-international.com

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Quartz Glass Portfolio SOUTH AMERICA 2017

Glass International (ISSN 0143-7838) (USPS No: 020-753) is published 10 times per year by Quartz Business Media Ltd, and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Glass International c/o PO Box 437, Emigsville, PA 173180437.

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Glassman specialist exhibitions rotate between America, Asia and Europe © Quartz Business Media Ltd, 2016 ISSN 0143-7838

2 Glass International September 2016

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International News

Stuart Hakes wins Furnace Solutions award for best paper

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ardagh fined

Ardagh Glass’s plant in Madera, California, USA has agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle violations of the state’s hazardous waste laws.

The settlement is for violations including illegally disposing hazardous waste, failing to have a legally mandated contingency plan in the event of a spill or unplanned release and inadequately training staff to handle hazardous waste at the facility.

The violations were discovered during inspections in 2010 and 2011 when the company was owned by SaintGobain Container.

Praxair/Linde to merge? mentally new ideas.

“China was a technology leader for 3000 years then it slept for a 100 years. Now, it has woken back up.

“If I go there with a crazy idea, the Chinese listen.”

Mr Hakes, who has worked in the glass industry for 51 years, said a step change in thinking was required.

One of his suggestions was to shorten the lifetime of a furnace from its current 15 to 18 years. Shorter furnace campaigns means a company can benefit from technology change.

A total of 93 people attended the event held in Lucideon, Stoke-on-Trent, UK, which in-

cluded a training day before the conference.

Delegates (pictured above) were from a variety of furnace suppliers and glass manufacturers and included companies such as Horn Glass, Nikolaus Sorg, Parkinson Spencer Refractories, Drujba Glassworks and Ardagh Glass.

Michael Garvey was a former Guardian Glass engineer who tragically died in a climbing accident.

Neil Simpson of organiser Society of Glass Technology and conference chairman, said the quality of this year’s papers was particularly strong and that Mr Hakes had won the award by just ‘half a point’.

BA Vidro confirms acquisition of HNG’s Gardelegen plant Portuguese container manufacturer BA Vidro has acquired German packaging group, HNG Global.

BA Vidro said the acquisition of the Gardelegen site near Berlin allows it to expand its market into Central Europe.

“It will add it to our current portfolio of sales in the largest European market,” it said.

“This new plant allows us to

create synergies between operations and improves the service to our international customer base, while increasing our understanding of the market.”

HNG Global was the German arm of Indian group Hindusthan National Glass and Industries (HNG) and owned by the Somany family.

It sold HNG Global last July for $26 million or €23 million.

US-based gas company Praxair is in discussions with Linde regarding a merger.

Praxair said the discussions were ongoing and there is no assurance that they will result in a transaction, or on what terms any transaction may occur.

Similarly, Germany’s Linde group said the discussions had not resulted in any agreements yet.

AGC Automotive Europe joint venture in Morocco

AGC Automotive Europe and Morocco’s Induver Holding will form a joint venture to manufacture automotive glass.

It will be AGC Group’s first operations in Africa. The site will produce toughened glass for backlites and sidelites, and laminated glass for windshields for European and North African markets.

Air Products success

HNG Global was founded in 2008 as Agenda Glas and makes container glass mainly for the German market. It caters to the beverages and food industry. The BA Vidro group now comprises of eight factories and has a daily production of more than 14 million units – bottles and jars – for customers operating in the food and beverage industries.

Air Products has been awarded a long-term contract

by South Korean glassmaker KCC Corporation.

Air will supply oxygen to a glass wool production line at the Gimcheon facility, due to come on stream in 2017.

It will install its PRISM vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) oxygen generator to supply on-site gaseous oxygen to the furnace for full oxy-fuel combustion.

www.glass-international.com

FIC UK’s Stuart Hakes won the Michael Garvey Award for best paper at this year’s Furnace Solutions conference.

Mr Hakes was presented with the award for his paper ‘Solutions to Practical Problems – affecting melting and the life of glass furnaces’.

During his presentation he warned that the glass furnaces sector was ‘sleepwalking into oblivion’ unless it embraced new thinking.

He said fuel efficiency had plateaued for 25 years and that evolution was too slow – the industry needed a revolution.

Compared to the west, China was the only country prepared to try and test funda-

3 Glass International September 2016

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International News

Sheppee staff raise £1700 for charity in Moors walk Four Sheppee staff raised £1700 for charity after completing a 40-mile walk across the North Yorkshire Moors in the UK in less than 24 hours.

The members of the UK hot ware handling supplier raised the money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance after completing the Lyke Wake charity Walk.

The route crosses the moors and commemorates the practice – long since abandoned – of carrying the bodies of the dead from various parts of the moor to their final resting places.

The group – who were joined by Simon Holmes of Groupe Rondot GB for the first section of the walk – set off at 4.15am in a drizzly mist that never lifted.

It meant they were unable to experience the expected spectacular views.

 Colin Rice, Karen Ulliott, Keith Johnson, Jane Newby and Simon Holmes.

The route crossed open windy moorland, wet peat bogs and through woodland areas that dripped with rain. The group climbed the equivalent of 537 floors.

After drifting a couple of times in the boggy sections and managed to miss a path causing the group to walk a couple of extra

miles, the tired team made it to the finish point at 11:55pm completing the challenge in 19 hours 40 minutes. The walk has to be completed in less than 24 hours.

The last two hours were done in the dark, walking by torchlight through a ravine on blistered feet and bad knees.

Glassman South America open for registration Glassman South America is heading to Argentina, to take advantage of the host of new glassmaking facilities that have recently opened in this dynamic and fast growing region.

Held in Buenos Aires on the 29-30th March 2017, Glassman South America is a free to attend two-day exhibition for the hollow and container glass manufacturing industry, and will be complimented by the Glassman conference.

Exhibitors at the show will cover the entire hollow glass manufacturing spectrum, from weighing raw materials through to form-

ing equipment, through to decorating or warehousing capabilities.

The Central and South American regions are enjoying a boom in business at the moment, with a growing middle class population and accompanying disposable income, along with easy access to the firmly established North American market.

O-I and Verallia already have factories in Argentina, while domestic manufacturers such as Cattorini and Rigolleau are strongly represented.

In addition, a new glassmaking site has opened

recently in nearby Uruguay while neighbouring Chile has an established hollow glassmaking industry thanks to its famous wine and crystal exports.

Registration for Glassman is now open. To register to visit the event, go to: www.glassmanevents. com/south-america/.

For more information on how to exhibit at the event, contact Ken Clark on kenclark@quartzltd.com For more information on speaking at the conference, contact Greg Morris: gregmor r is@quar tzltd.com, or Sally Love: sallylove@ quartzltd.com.

Glass International September 2016

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International News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Horn acquires ggENOx

Horn Glass Industries has successfully completed its takeover discussions for ggENOx technology. glassglobal Consulting supports ggENOx technology via its network, and will continue to serve as its marketing partner. ggENOx system is applicable on existing and new regenerative end-port furnaces, reduces NOx and saves energy.

Electroglass agent

Electroglass has appointed Interglass, based in Guadalajara, Mexico, as its agent for Mexico, Central and South America.

With its established position and reputation as suppliers to the area’s glass industry, Interglass is sure to bring a valuable extra level of local support to Electroglass’s customers in the region.

Electroglass is a UK based company that specialises in the development, design and manufacture of electric glass melting systems.

Glaston redundancies

Glaston is in consultations with its staff on job reductions at the company.

The consultations will cover all Glaston staff in Finland. The company will need to make 10 people redundant in less than 90 days. The possible lay-offs would be implemented in autumn 2016 and spring 2017.

The measures may result in changes to employment terms, working tasks and organisational structure.

www.glass-international.com

AGR Italy expansion

Agr International has opened an expanded sales, training and service facility in Montecchio, Italy.

The 1100m2 facility includes service and support operations for Agr equipment, sales offices, conference area and training centre.

The site will support Agr in southern Europe, the Middle East and Central and North Africa.

Stölzle bottles nominated for packaging awards Stölzle has had two of its spirits bottles nominated for industry awards this year, both of which were manufactured at its Knottingley, UK site.

The Isle of Harris gin bottle has been nominated at the UK Packaging Awards 2016 for ‘Best Packaging of a New Product’, and at the Luxury Packaging Awards in the ‘Primary Pack Bottle’ category.

Stölzle’s bottle for Royal Brackla whisky has been nominated for ‘Glass Pack of the Year – Premium’ at the UK Packaging Awards.

The bottle Stölzle created for Isle of Harris gin was designed to highlight the nature of its namesake Scottish island.

As for the Royal Brackla

bottle, to promote the Royal Brackla brand in an appropriate way and to highlight the characteristics of the whisky, Bacardi once again enlisted

Stölzle Glass Group. The slim, slightly conical body made of white flint glass stands out with an extensive push-up base.

Verallia’s €22 million Oiry furnace Verallia has invested €22 million in a new furnace at its Oiry, France site.

Work has started to disman-

tle the current 515 tonnes per day furnace. Production of the first bottle from the kiln expected to begin in early Oc-

tober. The current 100m2 furnace has been in place for 12 years operating at 1200°C for 24 hours a day.

BJC $58 million Thai investment Berli Jucker (BJC) is investing 2 billion baht (approx. US$58m) in the construction of a new furnace with a production capacity of 300 tonnes of glass a day, in order to cater to rising demand for glass containers.

The new plant is scheduled to commence operations by the end of 2017.

The new plant will be located on a 95-rai plot covering three sites managed by BJC’s subsidiary, Thai Malaya Glass

Thailand in Saraburi province.

The new furnace will add daily glass-production capacity of 3,800 tonnes, to meet demand from both domestic customers and those in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Iris reports Ultimate success The ‘Evolution Ultimate’ non-contact inspection machine from Iris has been adopted by many of the world’s perfumery, cosmetics and premium drinks packaging producers.

It is intended for the detection of low contrast defects in high value glass containers.

Installations of the Iris Inspection Machines equipment have been successfully completed at France’s Pochet du Courval and Heinz Glas in Germany, among others.

Despite the advances made in non-contact glass container inspection technology in recent years, existing machines

have until now been unable to provide the quality of low contrast defect inspection required by the industry’s highend producers.

The Evolution Ultimate solution was conceived to meet this demand, incorporating a refined light source and specific software.

6 Glass International September 2016

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International News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Top 10 stories in the news

BDF in South Africa

BDF Industries has officially appointed Redfoot Enterprises as its representative company for the South African market.

BDF Industries said it would cooperate with Redfoot, to confirm and continue its strong development into the African market.

Our most popular news items, as determined by our website traffic

Strada appointment

All full stories can be found on our website, www.glass-international.com/news r 1 Riedel to invest €40 million in German sites r 2 Beatson bottles for Boyne Brewhouse r 3 Limited edition Jägermeister bottle proves a direct hit for Ardagh r 4 Verallia in €22 million Oiry furnace investment r 5 Air Products secures long term South Korean contract r 6 Irish First Minister and Chinese Consul General visit Encirc Academy r 7 European glass container demand boosts Zignago Vetro group r 8 BA Vidro confirms acquisition of HNG Global r 9 Glassman South America open for registration r 10 Horn Glass acquires ggENOx

Mould maker Strada Moulds has appointed Chicco Ferrari as Sales Director.

Mr Ferrari previously worked as Sales Manager at the company, before moving to Guala Closures Group in 2012. At GCG he gained knowledge in sectors such as Beverages, Oil and Vinegars, Wine & Spirits and both ROPP and anti counterfeiting/non refillable devices.

Vetrotex expands

Czech Republic glass fibre producer Vetrotex has extended the capacity in one of its three furnaces.

The furnace was repaired after it reached the end of its lifetime. It is the second furnace extension in the Czech Republic in two years.

It has invested €37 million in furnace repairs and capacity extensions in two years.

Arc Int’l and Vicrila distribution agreement

www.glass-international.com

French tableware group Arc International has formed a distribution agreement with its Spanish counterpart, Vicrila. Arc will market Vicrila’s products through its global distribution network, while Vicrila will produce Arc glasses for the Iberian markets.

Mavsa Egyptian order

Argentinian supplier MAVSA has dispatched two fire polishers to Egypt’s New City Glass.

The machines are part of three Press Lines it is supplying to the tableware manufacturer which will be installed for start-up early next year.

The lines will produce Mugs and Tumblers in Double Gob with MDP 24-34 Presses from the Feeder to the Cross Conveyor and Stacker.

Riedel to invest €40 million Riedel is to invest €40 million into capacity expansions at its two Bavarian production sites in Weiden and Amberg.

CEO Maximilian Riedel, said the financing has been funded completely in-house,

with no loans necessary.

Two pices of equipment will be installed to expand the Weiden plant’s capacity, as well as a new high rack storage area and a packaging line.

The capacity expansion at

the Amberg site will ensure that the plant primarily produces Spiegelau brand glasses.

Riedel’s annual production capacity is 55 million glasses, and it has an annual sales volume of €240 million.

Sisecam orders Tiama control system Turkey’s Sisecam Glass, Europe’s fourth largest glass packaging producer, has ordered 42 ATLAS glass packaging control systems from Tiama.

The Atlas (pictured) is a non-contact check detection system that uses cameras to detect imperfections in the finish, heel, shoulder and bottom of bottles and jars.

Sisecam Glass has a production capacity of 2.3 million tonnes a year.

Its partnership with Tiama has lasted for more than 10 years and Tiama is now one of its main suppliers.

All carousel machines in Sisecam’s three Turkish factories will be equipped with the Atlas system by the end of 2016.

Sisecam will therefore become the world’s largest user of Atlas with 92 machines installed.

The ATLAS system’s advantages are its adjustability, reduced job-change time, reduced human factor on the quality of settings and quick payback.

Sisecam has used from Tiama’s international after-sales network, with two domestic engineers available to ensure proximity and support, as well as the remote connection that gives Tiama’s engineers direct access to the Turkish fleet of machines.

8 Glass International September 2016

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Company profile: Riedel

The wine glass company 2016 marks the 260th anniversary of Riedel, still owned and run by the Riedel family. Best known for its expertise in crafting grape varietal specific wine glasses, Sally Love rather fittingly met with Steve McGraw, Managing Director of Riedel’s RSN UK, at the London Wine Fair to mark the occasion.

Can you take us through standout moments from Riedel’s history that define it as a company?

z The Kufstein factory in Austria still produces mouthblown pieces. Below: the glass pyramid at Kufstein.

Do you produce other forms of glass?

We manufacture crystal and within the company there are four parts of the business. The group, collectively, is often referred to as ‘Riedel Glassworks’, because it’s more than just the Riedel brand, which is the wine glass product.

www.glass-international.com

I think there are two things that really define the company, and one is the fact that the business is still family owned. The Riedel family started it 260 years ago and today we are owned and operated by the 10th and 11th generations. I think that’s fairly unique in the world of business.

The other standout moment in the history of the company is how and why the business has changed and evolved to become what it is today.

For 200 of our 260 years we were a glassmaker like many others, based in Bohemia, in what is now the Czech Republic, and during that time Riedel went through several different phases, such as being the major manufacturer in Europe of glass beads and buttons.

Riedel’s business completely changed, however, when the company invented grape varietal specific glasses, after which it became a business with global scale and became a world renowned brand.

Grape varietal specific glasses were first introduced by Claus Riedel who, in the 1950s had started to experiment and research glass shapes and sizes after becoming aware that wine smelled and tasted differently in different shaped glasses. Following on from that were many years

of experimentation and testing, working together with glassmakers and wine experts, until in 1973, Riedel introduced what we now see as being a modern functional wine glass.

Interestingly, the 1970s and especially through the 1980s is also when wine consumption really started to take off globally, and more new world wines were appearing alongside more traditional wines from the old world.

During this time, by experiencing the difference a glass makes for themselves, several famous winemakers started using Riedel’s grape varietal glasses, and these winemakers helped spread the understanding and helped to introduce Riedel glasses to sommeliers, to restaurateurs and to consumers.

Nowadays we think of Riedel as being ‘the wine glass company’, it’s even in our name, and it’s easy to forget that’s only been true since 1973, and the company has seen its major growth and brand development during that time.

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Company profile: Riedel

x Georg J. Riedel (left) and Maximilian J. Riedel, the 10th and 11th generation of the family to run the company.

Stats: Riedel’s plant capacities Kufstein Factory (Austria, pictured above) Production: fine crystal, mouth-blown Employees: 140 Melting Capacity: 1.8 t per day Production Capacity: 250,000 pieces per year Weiden Factory (Germany) Production: fine crystal, machine made fully automated production Employees: 300 Melting Capacity: 60 t per day Production Capacity: 31 million pieces per year Amberg Factory (Germany) Production: fine crystal, machine made fully automated production Employees: 150 Melting Capacity: 28 t per day Production Capacity: 20 million pieces per year Schneegattern Factory (Austria) Employees: 55

x Below: Riedel’s Veritas collection of varietal-specific shaped glasses, which retail at £55 for two, This collection is machine made and at a lower price point to the hand-made Superleggero

Continued>>

www.glass-international.com

collection pictured above. One Superleggero glass retails at £135.

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Company profile: Riedel

While Riedel accounts for around half of our branded sales, we then have three other important parts of the business. One is a brand called Nachtmann, which while being functional is also a decorative style of product, which is seeing a strong sales increase at present due to the popularity again of heavy based, decorated tumblers for drinking spirits and cocktails.

We also have our Spiegelau brand, which includes specialist glasses for craft beer and cocktail glasses and is also based around wine glasses. The difference here is that Riedel is grape varietal specific, so there’s a glass for Sauvignon Blanc, for Chardonnay, and many other popular wines, whereas Spiegelau is ‘wine-friendly’ - for example, in a range, there might be just two shapes of red wine glass, one or two shapes of white wine and one champagne glass.

The Riedel customer often has a very strong interest in wine, whereas Spiegelau has broad appeal, including a more informal, every-day wine drinker.

The fourth part of the business, is a division called Riedel Development, which produces private label products for retailers, drinks producers and for other crystal brands; either because they don’t have glassware production themselves, or sometimes because we have specific glass production options that they don’t have.

Are you investing in new equipment at any of your plants at the moment?

www.glass-international.com

Our largest manufacturing plant, which is in Weiden, Germany, is currently undergoing a multi-million euro investment in installing new machinery, which will enable us to produce glasses more quickly. This will increase our production capacity and help with costs.

This includes some production techniques and equipment that we’ve designed ourselves, and, in some cases, I believe we’re in the process of patenting.

There are two main areas that speed up the process: one is having the blowing machine and turntable that can produce more glasses at one time, and the other area is the introduction of more quality inspections that include automatic electronic processes. It’s quite interesting to see just how efficient those systems can be.

Roughly how much of Riedel’s production is handmade versus machine?

In terms of value, it’s approximately 85% machine made, but, if we are to talk in terms of number of pieces, then it’s in excess of 90% that is machine made. We are, however, committed to retaining a handmade production, not only because it is important commercially and with the positioning of the brand, but we also want to preserve those skills which are dying out elsewhere. We’re one of the few glassmakers, especially in western Europe, that is producing by hand. Certainly,

though, machine made is the most important commercially to the business.

What are your most important export markets?

We have our own subsidiaries in our largest markets, such as North America, Australia, Japan, China, the UK, and Europe. In terms of export markets outside of Austria, the USA is the single biggest market. Within Europe, the UK is very important, as is Italy. Australia is also worth mentioning as, whilst it is not one of our biggest per se, if you measure it by business per capita then Australia is certainly one of our largest markets in those terms. Wine consumption there is very strong, the understanding of specific wine glassware is good, and we established our business in Australia ahead of our competitors as well.

Japan is important to us and very well established. China is a relatively new market to us.

We’ve had a subsidiary there for over five years, and it’s growing.

It was important for us to be in China with our own subsidiary before the market becomes big ,and we think that one day it will become as large, if not larger, than the USA.

The company is celebrating 260 years in business – what do you most attribute Riedel’s success to?

It’s the relationship between the wine and the functionality of the glass that has been key in that success.

Another thing, which no other glassmaker does to the same extent, is the relationship we have with wine businesses and winemakers.

Further, although it all originally started with wine, these days across our three brands it’s also moved on to brewers, to distillers, to tea blenders and coffee blenders, because the same principle applies; our perception of a beverage that has any

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Company profile: Riedel

cially released this year to mark the company’s 260th anniversary.

level of flavour to it, any acidity or bitterness or texture or aroma, will be influenced by the size and shape of the vessel.

Given that we’ve been doing this since 1973, we constantly revisit the winemakers to taste and to test with them to make sure glass we produce now is still relevant.

Pinot Noir is an example of a grape and a glass, which, through continual testing, we identified as needing some work. Our original Pinot Noir glass was developed for French Red Burgundy and we found that newer, fruit driven Pinot Noirs from North America demanded a different style of glass to show the wine at its best.

So, now we have both an Old World and a New World Pinot Noir glass. We are always tasting and always checking, but we only bring out a new glass if we are convinced it is needed.

It’s also the 30th anniversary of Vinum this year. How important is this range to Riedel?

Vinum was launched in 1986 and is very important to us.

Between 1973 and 1986 all of our grape specific glasses were handmade and that product was therefore at a higher price point, meaning it was out of reach in terms of being able to develop a volume business.

So we developed technology that was able to produce grape varietal specific glasses on a machine.

The price came down, and that made them more accessible, not only to consumers but also, importantly, to restaurants and hotels.

Vinum has been with us for 30 years and is still the world’s most successful, grape specific, glassware range. Other brands in the market might be based on fashion and, therefore, have a life cycle, but when we have a range like Sommeliers that’s been here since 1973 and Vinum that’s been in our portfolio since 1986, what has primarily changed is that more glasses have been added to the initial range.

What does the Ayam decanter, created for the 260th anniversary, signify?

The interesting thing is when it comes to stemware, because we adopt the ‘form follows function’ approach, if a glass worked well when it was designed in 1986 it will still work well now.

When it comes to decanters, however, this is where our master glassmakers can really show their creative skills, and do things that are unusual, unique, and ‘of the moment’, which, without handmade production, our competitors often cannot do.

Ayam is the latest addition and is the Indonesian name for a hen. A unique function of this decanter is that it can hang from a bar or even sometimes from the edge of the table.

It’s comfortable to hold and double aerates the wine as you pour it. It’s a unique piece of functional glass art, the likes of which, unless you work at Riedel, you don’t see every day.

Like many of our newest decanters it was designed by Maximilian Riedel, and is inspired by nature, such as the Mamba or the Swan. In our business, decanters are the closest we get to fashion and statement pieces.

And what plans does Riedel have for the future?

The interesting thing about new ranges is that when it comes to the Riedel brand, because form follows function, a glass for Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, will work with the wine this year and almost certainly just as well in ten years time, so it doesn’t make sense with the Riedel brand to bring out lots of new ranges in any one year, as that could potentially confuse the market.

When it comes to other brands, however, it can be slightly different. For example, a range we’ve just brought out with Spiegelau is for the fastgrowing cocktail market.

This is a hot sector and our new range reflects how modern cocktails have changed, as they move away from the ‘pink umbrella and slice of pineapple garnish’, to being shorter and stronger cocktails, with less adornment and with ingredients added only if they contribute to the flavor experience.

When the craft beer phenomenon first emerged four or five years ago, with Spiegelau we were the first glass producer to take the same principle of ‘form follows function’ and to work with brewers such as Brew Dog in the UK , Sierra Nevada in the USA, and others to design glasses based on delivering the best experience to the drinker.

We are now the market leader in craft beer glasses – for example, if you go into a BrewDog bar, you will see our glasses being used for their Jack Hammer IPA. r

Riedel Crystal, Kufstein, Austria www.riedel.com

www.glass-international.com

x The Ayam decanter, spe-

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Personality profile: GIMAV President

Gimav President has glass in his DNA After a youth spent listening to his family talk about glass, it was inevitable that Gimav President Aldo Faccenda would work in the industry.

Here, the new Gimav President talks about his plans for the role and the strengths of the Italian glass sector.

By Greg Morris.  Mr Aldo Faccenda, the new President of GIMAV.

What will your role as GIMAV President entail?

As GIMAV president I represent the glass industry nationally and internationally. It is a prestigious sector – as the statistics and the quality of our members confirm – and a stimulating one too.

My role as its president is to pursue all the goals set by our board, whose members come from a range of fields in the industry and have always been united and proactive.

One of the goals I have also set myself is to increase the visibility of the association in Italy and abroad. My main intent is to guide GIMAV’s steady and constructive growth in this global marketplace by means of a dynamic, effective and persuasive management.

“I grew up in a family where I always heard people talking glass, ever since I was a boy. It’s the environment where I grew up, as well as where I spent most of my working life. To put it

”

metaphorically, one could say that glass is in my DNA.

 GIMAV’s headquarters are in Milan, Italy.

www.glass-international.com

What particular skills do you bring to the role and are you able to tell us of any specific plans you have?

I am proud to bring to GIMAV all my years of experience from Bottero, a company that works both in the hollow and flat glass sectors, directly representing two of the three segments of the sector.

As a result of my knowledge of the glass industry, as well as of the world markets I have been working in for years, my programme as the president is based on strengthening GIMAV’s role as an exporter of the finest Made in Italy offerings, by ensuring that the Association plays a primary role when promoting, representing and regulating the industry. Italian companies stand out for their technological innovation, their ability to satisfy customer needs before and after a sale, and the cost benefits during a product’s lifespan.

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Personality profile: GIMAV President

We should be proud of this and ensure that the value of Italian products is fully perceived.

always the go-to choice for overseas companies.

There were positive findings from both the EU and non-EU countries.

The best results were obtained in the United States, Turkey, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Oman, while China, a major export market, maintained the same position as previous years.

We consider these successful results to be just the starting point, encouraging us to continue to drive the growth of the Italian glass industry globally.

How many glass companies does GIMAV represent?

The association continues to grow and just recently we accepted a membership request from two new companies. GIMAV currently has 70 member companies: 48 are companies from the flat glass sector, 13 hollow glass and nine accessories.

They represent the best of Made in Italy production in this area and are strongly exportoriented, with overseas sales accounting for 80% of their total turnover.

Our association mainly comprises family-run companies, which have grown over the years and have specialised, becoming large industrial groups in many cases and national and international benchmarks in their market segments.

These companies have been in business for decades and, in some cases, for more than 100 years and have been able to innovate when the new generations entered the companies, always representing the best in the production of glass processing machinery and accessories.

The long experience and continuous presence on the scene of a majority of our members demonstrates their ability to cater to the needs of a market – or of markets, by being export-oriented – sometimes pre-empting these needs with innovative technologies and that always feature the ‘beauty and fine production’ that is typically Italian.

What are the Italian glass industry’s strengths?

Along the way, one of our must-haves has always been our unwavering commitment to innovation.

This focus on the product has made us the absolute leader in specific market segments. We believe that constantly upgrading technology is essential to maintain our market position.

However, we should not forget that our solid industrial tradition was built and successfully upheld over the years thanks to an effective set of values based on customising machinery for maximum customer satisfaction, on referrals, know-how and trust.

We want to safeguard this heritage, by strengthening our good reputation and the respect our customers have for us, which stems from the special customer service our companies offer, and that goes beyond the sale, but continues and builds on the relationship that is established.

We are happy to say that the Italian industry of machinery, products and accessories for flat and hollow glass is doing very well at the moment.

This was announced during our recent general meeting when the industry report was presented.

Our Studies Office carried out a survey based on National Institute for Statistics (ISTAT) figures, adding findings from a survey among glass companies. Increases in sales were posted, both on the domestic front – which is finally showing signs of picking up after some years of stagnation – as well as exports, which confirms that our companies are recognised and are sought after overseas, and are

 GIMAV reported a successful Mir Stekla show in Russia

Challenges are daily bread for anyone wanting to enter the global and dynamic marketplace where we work.

The fact that we are here, now, demonstrates our willingness to continue to take on new challenges.

As I mentioned, we are satisfied with our export results but the targets we reach are never enough for us, there are always new markets to win over, albeit knowing that we must necessarily consolidate those where we are most present and where our leading role is recognised, so as not be too ‘vulnerable’ to any market instabilities.

Regarding this, we are proud of the results of our last group participation at the China Glass exhibition in Shanghai. In addition to the success posted by GIMAV, which occupied more than 1100m2 with 29 companies, I would like to also point out that we did extraordinarily well in Brazil, where we attended Glass South America with a 600m2 stand and 15 companies, despite the socioeconomic situation.

Likewise, in Russia, despite the difficult situation, we were satisfied with how things went at the Mir Stekla exhibition.

earlier ths year.

Continued>>

www.glass-international.com

Are there any particular challenges that GIMAV and the Italian glass industry face?

How would you describe the current Italian glass industry?

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Personality profile: GIMAV President

Are Italian glass companies stronger for being a member of GIMAV? Being a member of GIMAV means belonging to a system recognised worldwide for promoting the Italian glass industry.

I therefore feel that any company that wants to stand out should join the association, which has never before been so focused on making us more visible internationally.

I would also like to point out that membership in a trade association always stimulates new ideas and interactions, and makes us more incisive and stronger, because only by being part of a network can you overcome the hurdles of increasingly tougher competition.

In addition to our usual activity of helping companies attend exhibitions overseas, we have strengthened the association activities that GIMAV offers to its members to meet their needs – whether expressed or not expressed – in terms of providing support with their day-to-day operations.

Member companies can contact GIMAV for a variety of information, be it technical matters, trade union issues, customs issues, visa requests, access to loans, as well as economic incentives offered to members as a result of special agreements with suppliers of goods and services.

We are also working a great deal on corporate culture, by offering seminars on topics of interest to our companies. A meeting was staged recently with Confindustria and the Ministry for Economic Development on Free Trade Areas around the world and the opportunities they may offer to our companies.

We are working on a seminar dealing with company networks, which are an extraordinary tool for exporting companies. These activities are not just important because of their content, but also because they are an opportunity for the members to network and exchange ideas. GIMAV is, to all effects, a business community whose mission is to make its members grow.

How does GIMAV encourage young people to join the glass industry?

GIMAV has always promoted synergies between the business world, young people, schools and universities.

For example, I’d like to point out a collaboration with the TeDH (Technology and Design for Healthcare) department at the Polytechnic University of Milan and the HumanTech Institute at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) in Freiburg.

“Glass is fundamentally important in terms of the environment and

”

performance.

In 2015 we organised a workshop where students, by using glass in association with new electronic and IT technologies, developed and made prototypes of products that would improve quality of life.

Their showcase, in addition to the traditional communications media, was the Vitrum International trade fair for machinery, equipment and systems for the processing of flat and hollow glass; glass and finished products for the industry, which takes place every two years in Milan. Some projects caught the attention of companies that intended to produce the most promising among these. What pleased us most was the young students were able to enter into direct contact with the industrial world, and approach this extraordinary material which is glass.

GIMAV, as a member of Confindustria, also takes part in PMI Day – Industriamoci, an event where small- and medium-sized member companies can open their doors to students, organise visits and provide information to show what they do and share their values with the community as well as engaging young people who are our future and can find employment opportunities in the sector.

In your view does glass have a strong future? Or will competitor materials overtake glass?

Glass will always have a solid future. This material is fundamentally important, both in terms of its environmental impact and of performance, because of the infinite benefits it offers in its applications and various uses, particularly compared to alternative materials.

Consider hollow glass: in the food industry, the best containers are glass and no other material has managed to replace it, nothing else has similar features. In architecture not only does glass offer economic benefits, its aesthetics and energy efficiency are unparalleled.

Other characteristics that set it apart from alternative materials are that it is durable and totally waterproof, confirming that glass in architecture undoubtedly guarantees benefits on various fronts.

How long have you worked in the glass industry and what do you like about it?

I have worked for 25 years in a company that has made a good contribution to developing technology that has made the history of glass.

This time frame, however, does not give a complete picture of my background: consider the fact that I grew up in a family where I always heard people talking glass, ever since I was a boy.

It’s the environment where I grew up, as well as where I spent most of my working life.

To put it metaphorically, one could say that glass is in my DNA. r

Gimav, Milan, Italy, www.gimav.it

www.glass-international.com

The domestic market is also incredibly important. Although it accounts for 20% of sales by our companies, our success at home is nonetheless important for us because it shows that our country’s economy is gaining momentum, which we will always support with our work and commitment.

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Glass is our Passion

Events world: glasstec

 Düsseldorf by day.

Photos courtesy of Messe Düsseldorf/Tillmann.

Industry gears up for glasstec 2016

The world’s largest trade fair for glass manufacturing and processing returns once more to Messe Düsseldorf, with thousands of metres of exhibition space and a busy programme of events to keep the glass industry entertained.

z Tottenham Court Road’s redesigned tube station.

z The plan for the apartment blocks, Embassy Gardens, in Battersea, London.

Dusseldorf and with the full support of Germany’s glass associations (the VDMA, Flachglas, the DGG, Stuttgart University, and the HVG), the show is a testament not only to the continuing strength of the glass industry itself, but to one of the most industrious countries in the world.

Showcasing the full spectrum of glass manufacturing and processing, this year’s glasstec will provide an all-encompassing view of the industry, covering mechanical engineering; manufacturing, processing and finishing; crafts; architecture and construction; solar; and windows and facades.

As ever, Glass International will be in attendance. This year we are in Hall 13, Booth C74, and we look forward to meeting with the industry. Drop by our stand to say hello and to pick up your free copy of Glass International.

Special shows Whilst walking around the fair, visitors will be able to attend a variety of shows, conferences and congresses that will be held over the course of the four day event.

These include the ‘glass technology live’ show, which is this year called ‘Future Glass Performance’ and will focus on the topics of Melting and Forming, Glass Industry 4.0, and Innovative Flat Glass Products, among others.

Featuring 40 presentations, the show will be held in Hall 11. The show will present a range of promising functional glasses, structural glass engineering as well as instances of design and aesthetics, using glass.

Attended by architects, ‘glass technology live’ has become an Continued>>

www.glass-international.com

E

very two years, anticipation mounts in the glass industry as the countdown to glasstec begins: suppliers schedule product launches around the show; manufacturers clear their diaries to ensure they can attend; and hotels in Dusseldorf are inundated, as the global glass industry descends on the German city.

At the last show in 2014, glasstec welcomed 1,217 exhibitors from 51 countries, and 43,000 people from 87 countries visited the show.

This year, although figures are not yet final, the organisers expect around the same quantity of exhibitors but with an increase in exhibition space sold – so far, the amount of space sold has risen to 63,000m2, compared to 2014’s 60,601m2.

This year’s glasstec will be held from the 20th – 23rd September. Hosted by Messe

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Events world: glasstec

www.glass-international.com

z (main picture) glasstec 2014 welcomed more than 43,000 people to Messe Düsseldorf. z Above: scenes from glasstec 2014, including Bucher Emhart’s booth and digitally printed flat glass on display. important forum for glass and façade applications, showcasing the latest product developments and research.

As well as this, there is the International Architecture Congress, the Engineered Transparency Conference, and the Function Meets Glass Forum.

London is famous for its prestigious functional buildings where glass plays a major role as a material. As part of the series of talks glasstec will welcome engineers who have worked on some of these projects, such as Josef Ludwig, who works at planning office p4e. He will discuss the feasibility and the planning of structural engineering in an urban setting, using the recent redesign of Tottenham Court Road tube station as an example (pictured previous page).

As well as this, James O’Callaghan from engineering office Eckersley O’Callaghan (EO’C), also based in London, will be discussing the engineering involved in the two-part residential complex Embassy Gardens in Battersea (pictured previous page), due to be completed in 2018. The two apartment blocks will be linked by a swimming pool at a height of 35 metres.

The pool will be 25 metres long and three metres deep, and is bound to be spectacular.

The Function Meets Glass Forum will take place on September 19th-20th, and promises to be another interesting meeting place for those interested in new applications of technical glass.

Speakers include delegates from Schott, Lisec, Benteler and Grenzebach Maschinenbau, among others. Tickets to the two day event need to be purchased separately, ahead of time, but includes entrance to the glasstec fair itself.

Product launches Among the hundreds of companies that will be exhibiting new products at glasstec this year, DipTech will be presenting its New Era Solutions, or ‘NEra’, digital ceramic in-glass printing.

The company will also be displaying life size interior glass spaces, which is always an impressive sight.

Another company, ilis exhibit its glass measuring and monitoring equipment in Hall 14, Booth F04. Technology on display will include its StrainScope S3/180 real time polarimeter to measure residual stress in container glass and the compact StrainScope S3/50 handheld, which can be used to measure edge stresses in automotive glazing.

It will also be highlighting, among

ohers, its new StrainScope S4/20 cord tester real time polarimeter that automates the measurement of cord stresses in ring sections of container glass.

Meanwhile, decoration company Marabu will unveil two new products at the show. The Ultra Glass UVGL range of inks creates a silvery sheen on drinking glasses, bottles and flat glass. The second new development is a thick-film or tactile coating, which can be applied to drinking glasses to give them a tactile effect.

Flat glass processing company Hegla has taken a 1600m2 stand, and will be demonstrating machinery live throughout the show.

Based in Hall 14 Booth 56, the company will be exhibiting opposite Bystronic Glass, with whom Hegla maintains a long-term cooperative partnership.

“Customers who wish to obtain comprehensive information on cutting and insulating glass solutions benefit from the combined expertise of both companies,” noted Hegla’s Managing Director Manfred Vollbracht. r

Glass International will be in Hall 13, Booth C74. glasstec, Düsseldorf, Germany http://www.glasstec-online.com/

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Automation

Bucher Emhart Glass launches ‘End to End’ Bucher Emhart Glass is rolling out a suite of automation technologies for all stages of the container glass production line under the umbrella brand ‘End to End’. z The FleXinspect machine from Bucher Emhart Glass.

www.glass-international.com

B

ucher Emhart Glass (BEG) can look back over more than 100 years of innovation and commercial success. In its original incarnation, the firm developed the core technologies for forming molten glass into containers that are still used throughout the industry today. Since then, the company has grown consistently and delivered many more innovations.

BEG has a global presence, with manufacturing facilities in Sweden, the USA, Malaysia and China, a headquarters in Switzerland, and sales and support offices on all five continents, plus a research centre in the US. A team in excess of 1800 people works together to design, develop, manufacture, install and support BEG technologies.

Total annual sales are around €335 million and an incredible 115bn bottles are produced each year with the company’s machines—almost 40% of total world output.

Listening to customers One of BEG’s core principles is to listen carefully to its customers. Throughout 2015, the company sat down with customers around the world to get a better understanding of today’s biggest

challenges and to discuss what solutions were expected from BEG as its equipment and service partner.

Three themes were consistently mentioned: Customers expect BEG to continue delivering on its brand promise; supply best-in-class quality; and develop cutting-edge innovation.

They seek a long-term partnership with their supplier and want to be involved in the development process.

Finally, customers believe that the biggest innovations will come in the area of closed loop technology and process automation, maximising production efficiencies while reducing dependency on skilled operators. Having Hot End and Cold End under one roof, customers believe that BEG is best positioned to take total process control to a next level.

The objective of every glass plant is to achieve high capital utilisation, run at consistently high pack rates with low defect levels, minimise downtime and deal with changing market demands. The equipment and technology used plays an important role, as different machine types differ in potential, reliability and cost of ownership.

However, beside the technology used, a critical success factor today is the

operational know-how in a glass plant and the skills of the machine operators.

Many glass plants suffer from knowhow gaps and face increased difficulties in attracting talent to a seemingly unattractive industry.

It is no surprise that knowledge drain is seen as the single biggest challenge in forthcoming years by many glass plants.

Introducing End to End BEG’s response to these challenges is a comprehensive product and service called ‘End to End’, which comprises a unique set of solutions and automation technologies. BEG states that ‘End to End’ will make glass production easier, efficient and safer, and will support glass plants in supporting know-how gaps.

End to End will take a holistic view of the production process, unifying BEG’s Hot End and Cold End. BEG has responded to its customers’ request to be involved in the development process and is offering a deep insight into the development roadmap of the coming years. Many solutions are available already today and more will be launched in the next years.

Continued>>

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Automation

 A BEG IS forming machine, installed at Fevisa in Mexico.

Information systems Some key developments are targeted toward extracting relevant information from an increasing stream of data.

The Plant Information System will aggregate production data from throughout the plant, providing an overview of key parameters such as efficiency rates, machine speeds and furnace pulls.

The Control Centre will be the central hub for the entire forming and inspection process. It will consolidate data from today’s numerous sensors and process monitoring systems, providing operators with a much simpler overview of the relevant production information.

Both the Plant Information System and Control Centre are based on FlexIS technology, resulting in an integral FlexIS End-to-End control system An integrated Defect Expert System will also display actual defects at the Hot End and propose possible corrective actions to the operator.

With the inclusion of measurement data, such as blank temperatures or press durations, defect causes can be significantly narrowed down.

www.glass-international.com

Process control and automation solutions A high focus will remain on closed loop developments. After the successful launch of BEG Plunger Up Control and Blank Temperature Control, future closed loop systems will use multi-variable controls, combining data from different areas of the forming process. Ultimately, defect data from the cold end will be included, automatically adjusting the forming process to prevent defects.

Sending data upstream, Automatic Sensitivity Adjustment will provide

safeguards when the forming process deviates from its control limit.

For example, temperature sensor data from the Hot End can be used to automatically alert inspection to potential hot-plunger defects.

Robots will play an important role in automating certain tasks, such as swabbing. Swabbing robots are available today and can be implemented on BEG machines. Further applications, using robots for tasks such as automatically adjusting deflectors based on loading data, will follow.

Simplified man machine interfaces BEG’s new safety controls drastically simplify setup procedures while increasing operator safety.

The new system electrically isolates the Blank and Blow side and monitors invert and takeout mechanism through an independent safety module.

This allows operators to work on Blank and Blow side simultaneously, maintaining the capability to move mechanisms whenever required.

Application Oriented Programming will change the way machines are programmed. Rather than specifying timing drum start-and stop angles for mechanism motion and forming events, the users will focus on forming and process durations. The control system will automatically manage the collision-free motion of mechanisms, moving as fast as necessary and as slow as possible.

Condition Monitoring and Preventative Maintenance tools will help plants schedule repairs proactively to minimise unplanned downtime. Cycleand runtime counters, air consumption monitors as well as self-monitoring servo

drives will provide key information on on wear-time and replacement timings.

Inspection Technology – Scout SCOUT, the first element of End to End to be released, is the intelligent software behind BEG’s inspection technologies.

It increases accuracy and control and supports fully modular expansion and upgrades in the future.

In the glass plant of the future, the production process will be known and managed with a thoroughness that would amaze the glassmakers of the past. Integrated equipment will read, analyse and react to data completely automatically. That will allow plants to achieve better performance, efficiency, safety, traceability and reliability, ultimately leading to higher profits.

The other side of the End to End coin is support. BEG’s team is there to help and advise its customers at every stage, from choosing and specifying the right equipment through to ongoing parts and maintenance. That support continues once the equipment is installed, as BEG’s production experts work with customers to optimise production throughout the line.

Ideal partner The End to End offering makes perfect sense for a company that has traditionally been an industry leader in Hot End, but has also made huge strides in terms of its inspection offering over the last decade, as well as all-round improvements to its electronic controls.

“Our new offer to customers is very simple: one plant, one partner,” says Martin Jetter, BEG’s President. “We fully understand why, in the past, glass plants may have wanted to cherry-pick technologies from different suppliers.

But with the skills gap and economic reality we all face, things have changed.

To get the best return on assets, it makes sense to work with a single supplier who understands every area of the plant.

“Once, our job was to sell a machine, then maintain it,” he adds.

“Now, we see our job as helping a glass plant run as efficiently and profitably as possible. That’s why End to End is our future, and we hope it’s a future our customers will share.” r

Hall 13 Booth D33 Bucher Emhart Glass, Cham, Switzerland www.emhartglass.com

24 Glass International September 2016

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03.05.16 12:09

Automation

Oliver Krapp* outlines how the industry is facing its next major change in business direction. If glassmakers are to thrive in the world market it is going to be more important to generate, analyse and utilise digital data from a range of sources, which could fundamentally affect the way suppliers design and manufacture their equipment.

Net-worked means

www.glass-international.com

R

egardless of the level of automation, every glass plant and equipment supplier generates and collects digital data. But much of this information has been wasted. To optimise a plant, it is essential to assess all available data, combine it intelligently, and expand it using additional sensor equipment.

Ideally, to achieve a ‘digital plant’, a virtual representation of the plant section or the entire glass production plant – known as a digital twin – is built starting with the first planning step. The digital twin makes it possible to steadily increase productivity and efficiency throughout the plant’s lifecycle. There are many different scenarios that can be applied.

One thing is certain: Digitalisation is the essential next step in glass manufacturing. Every company can profit from it, whether as an investor, glassmaker, equipment supplier or systems integrator. The focus should always stay on the people, and the core organisers who will decide how the new technologies will be applied and used.

A vision A production plant’s lifecycle can be subdivided into the following phases: product design, process and plant design, production system engineering and construction, operation, and services.

At a digital company, these phases are no longer treated as a chronologically arranged chain of processes, but instead as

a value-added process that delivers many forms of feedback to all phases. Data is gathered, transmitted and analysed at every phase – and that includes the relationships between the different phases.

At a digital company, all production steps and units are planned, tested and modified with computer assistance.

Long before the first glass melt, project designers develop a virtual reproduction of the plant. This digital twin enables them to determine in virtual tests whether the production system will meet the necessary requirements. The goal is to relieve the plant operator from going through the run-in phase for new equipment or product changes, so the plant can begin producing saleable glass

right from the start.

This digital approach extends throughout the entire lifecycle. First, the system – or even parts of it – can be ‘commissioned’ in a simulated environment. That makes it possible to remedy defects in the virtual system that would have involved unnecessary costs to correct in the physical system. After start-up, it protects the plant operator from unpleasant surprises and essentially rules out the risk of delayed commercial operation.

In addition to commissioning, the operations can be simulated digitally, and Asset Performance Management can help glassmakers derive real-time transparency about production processes. That can extend the service life of the system

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Automation

ready-to-work a plant’s successful transformation into a Digital Enterprise are industrial communications networks, industrial security solutions and data-based services.

Implementation

How does it look in practice?

Today many software solutions are not yet mutually compatible. It is not uncommon for data sheets to be printed out and input manually into a different system – a complicated process that is prone to error. Glass plants also have different systems from plant section manufacturers with their own individual solutions for automation, drives, instrumentation, switching equipment and more. Digital production can’t work with these ‘island’ solutions. One of the biggest challenges is digitally combining the product design,

the associated production systems and processes, plant design and the actual glass production process itself.

Siemens offers a portfolio of components. Its foundation is an integrated range of hardware, software and services that make it possible to gather the vast quantities of data that the manufacturing process generates and put it to intelligent use – which makes it possible to digitalise the entire plant with an Integrated Engineering approach.

All data is available centrally and in real time. It means users can use the identical virtual image of a system that was generated in the engineering process to simulate commissioning, operation and maintenance, and to optimise them in real time. Other elements that support

Step by step As sensible and useful as digitalisation is, it is difficult to fully implement it in an existing system overnight. It is more effective to take small steps that promise success in the short term.

It is conceivable that operators might choose one part of a system first, like the melting furnace. As a first step, they could use the digital data that the furnace Continued>>

www.glass-international.com

components in a plant (assets), enhance the safety and availability of the plant as a whole and help plan for necessary maintenance.

All equipment suppliers work with computer assistance and they develop valuable data in the course of product and systems design. This data has been retained by the machine and plant manufacturer. The plant operator usually begins with no previous data generated prior to production start, but a digital data transfer – taking all relevant security issues into account – is conceivable. When plant operators buy the plant section, they can also buy the data and use it for the production phase. This flying start could shorten time to market.

Planning tools generate large volumes of data that image the plant while the entire plant is still in the planning phase.

The plant is simulated and tested virtually, for example, using Simit software. These findings can again be fully incorporated into the actual commissioning, enabling plant operators to constantly expand their digital knowledge.

The Comos planning tool provides the data foundation throughout the equipment’s lifecycle and feeds data to the digital twin. Analysing the operating data in conjunction with data from commissioning and the design phase of the plant sections makes it possible to organise glass production more efficiently.

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Bright ideas. Better glass.

XPR1009_Adv_corp_A4_fc.indd 1

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Automation

Enhanced operator benefits

Mass of data A “flying start” thanks to a knowledge lead Digital description of individual plant sections

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zDigital data can be used to simulate commissioning which makes it possible for the production system to get off to a flying start.

New business models In specific terms, digitalisation can mean that when plant operators buy from their equipment suppliers, they are not just buying the equipment but they are acquiring the associated planning and design data. Customers may not buy individual process operations, but rather production performance.

They run the machines or process units, but they don’t own them. The use of leasing models is prevalent in many industries. What’s new is the potential for digitalisation, which opens up new business models in the glass industry.

In the future the story wouldn’t end with simply developing, making and selling a furnace or cutter. Instead, the product would only be the beginning of the business model, because the equipment supplier would equip the product with sensors that would continuously record data and transmit it back to the manufacturer. Working in collaboration with the operator, manufacturers would gain deep insight into how plants operate.

They can identify weak points and advise their customers accordingly.

 Software Plant Simulation from the Tecnomatix portfolio enables the simulation of the production process in the entire glass line.

Scenarios like these could be conceivable: billing for batch output instead of the batch-making equipment.

Smelting power instead of smelters.

In this last instance, the smelter manufacturer would guarantee that the plant operator gets the required smelting power at the agreed quality. It can promise this because it can be certain from digital data and virtual tests that the furnace can be operated at optimal efficiency.

It is also conceivable that the furnace supplier might offer customers efficiencyenhancing upgrades. It can develop them because remote monitoring enables it to analyse data from the furnaces in operation, and see where there is potential for optimisation. An additional service might be to offer end customers remote control of the smelting process.

Using data strategically Most of the IT solutions needed for this vision are already available. Yet a lot of interfaces still need to be defined and standardised. Siemens provides support from its portfolio in every area, so that plant operators and providers can master the transition to Industry 4.0.

Digitalisation enables companies to make decisions quickly and knowledgeably, with alevel of quality based on facts. This taps new opportunities to optimise the cost of operations throughout a plant’s lifecycle.

However, there’s an important message that needs to be heard in all discussions of digitalisation and Industry 4.0: Digital data will be used only as far as people want it to be used. r

Hall 15 Booth D04 *Head of the Glass Business, Process Automation, Siemens, Karlsruhe, Germany www siemens.com/glass

www.glass-international.com

sensors are already generating. As a second step, they could record and analyse an additional temperature or a pressure and as a third step, they could connect this additional process information to a controller. Even if the additional temperature or pressure data is not crucial for the plant’s operation initially, it may help save energy or improve glass quality by maintaining constant temperature and pressure in the furnace.

A small intervention or investment can yield tangible success and that is how the plant can be gradually digitalised.

These scenarios make it clear that the intelligent factory of the future will not only enable greater flexibility and productivity, but also provide more efficient use of energy and resource.

Operations in a virtually tested plant run smoothly, preventive maintenance averts downtime and rejection rates drop. The possibilities are significant.

Analysing digital data can also help plant operators adapt quickly to market requirements and make the right strategic business decisions. Product changes can be initiated at the right time and be implemented quickly.

For instance, a glassmaker can use Plant Simulation to simulate how different products can be produced most efficiently, or determine if there is value in manufacturing a new product in the existing plant. Producers can respond appropriately depending on market demand.

Thanks to digital production systems and production data, it is possible to implement customer change requests on short notice, under control, in a reproducible manner, with documentation of systems technology at the right place and time in the process.

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Advanced heat recovery for furnaces Centauro, Stara Glass’s latest furnace technology, has been installed in four container plants in Europe and applauded by manufacturers for the energy savings it offers. Alessandro Mola, Giorgio Minestrini, Ernesto Cattaneo, Francesco Prosperi and Giampaolo Bruno* highlight the benefits of this heat recovery system for glass furnaces.

Heat transfer A glass furnace is a device that absorbs energy through fuel combustion and/or electric power to melt glass.

For this reason, the way to increase furnace efficiency to its peak is to take advantage of all the heat provided, with the benefits of reduced plant managing

costs, emissions and pollution.

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to analyse where and how the incoming heat goes. As a first analysis, the main output results of a glass furnace heat balance (80-95% of total output heat) are: r Heat provided to the glass for endothermic reactions, water evaporation and glass temperature increase; r Heat loss through the structures; r Heat lost with the waste gas flow.

The first point depends on the type and quality of the glass, the cullet percentage used in the batch, crown and bottom temperatures and batch humidity, all of which cannot be easily reduced.

As for the second point, the heat losses have to be limited with a proper structural insulation, but the insulation costs and the expected furnace life have to be considered as well. What certainly can be done to improve the furnace performance relates to the final point, which is to take advantage of the highest quota of heat stored in waste gas, first of all, to preheat combustion air.

It is not possible to take advantage of all the heat contained in waste gas to preheat combustion air, as there is more

heat than combustion air can store. In fact, introducing the concepts of heat and temperature efficiencies as: ηh = Heat pre-heated air / Heat waste gas = Ta ∙ Ca ∙ Ma / Twg ∙ Cwg ∙ Mwg ηt = ηtemperature = T combustion air / T waste gas while ηt may ideally tend to 1, so Ta = Twg, ηh cannot, because it results in Ca < Cwg and Ma < Mwg. The common limit values of ηh are 0.70 ÷ 0.72. This means that 28–30% of waste gas heat cannot physically be transferred to combustion air and it is therefore important to find another way to take advantage of it.

If the energetic performance of regenerative and recuperative solutions respectively are compared, by considering, for the sake of convenience, a furnace heated by fossil energy solely (neglecting the ordinary structural differences), it shows that in the same product, i.e. pull rate and quality, the consumption of a Unit Melter is higher than those of regenerative by more than 30%.

1600

Temperature [°C]

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581 Mcal/h 13000 Sm3/h 150°C

522 Mcal/h 3400 Sm3/h 500°C

Operating Centauro systems

1400

Continued>>

4514 Mcal/h Heat loss 1695 Mcal/h 11037 Sm3/h 180 11037 Sm3/h 1260°C Mcal/h 500°C

1000

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entauro is a hybrid heat recovery system for glass furnaces.

It has been patented by Stara Glass which said it allows manufacturers to obtain the thermal performance of a regenerative furnace even in plants that do not allow the setup of properly dimensioned regeneration chambers.

Centauro consists of a double stage heat recovery system, regenerative for the higher temperature part and recuperative for the lower temperature part, with a continuous metallic recovery system downstream to a ceramic one.

Centauro can also recover all the useful heat stored in waste gas with the production of hot clean air, expelling waste gas at the most convenient temperature. The furnace may also be sized to allow the installation of a Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) system.

202 Mcal/h 27437 Sm3/h 25°C

Heat loss 599 Mcal/h 14437 Sm3/h 300 150°C Mcal/h

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6791 Mcal/h Infiltration 3790 Mcal/h 13130 Sm3/h 500 Sm3/h 13630 Sm3/h 1458°C 840°C

Infiltration 500 Sm3/h

3790 Mcal/h 14130 Sm3/h 812°C

2185 Mcal/h 14130 Sm3/h 481°C

893 Mcal/h 14130 Sm3/h 205°C

z Fig. 2: Example of Centauro thermal, energy and mass profile.

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Furnaces

r Double-pass regenerative furnaces can work without the secondary chambers by substituting them with a metallic recuperator, avoiding the related problems of low efficiency and plugging.

Centauro also offers an opportunity to improve the efficiency of the glass production plant.

By oversizing the air flow through the metallic heat recovery system and taking out the excess air prior to the refractory section of the system, it is possible to extract an important additional part of the thermal energy stored in waste gas.

This reduces its temperature to the lowest required level (usually about 200°C, to avoid acid condensation, instead of the 450-600°C typical of a regenerative furnace, or temperatures of 900°C and more for recuperative furnaces).

This means the additional energy will be available as a hot, clean air flow, easily extractable at the end of each stage of the metallic part of the recovery system, which can be useful both in process and in services (Fig. 2).

It is convenient to add a convective heat exchanger (Fig. 3) to optimise the thermal exchange in the lowest temperature area.

This type of component guarantees a high efficiency at low thermal levels and noticeable design flexibility. The required maintenance operations (performed for

Waste gas reversal valve

Convective heat exchanger

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ceramic part to work in the same conditions as the upper part of usual regenerators, avoiding plugging problems and guaranteeing the best heat exchange performances. This moves the sulphate compounds condensation to the metallic part, where it is more simple to intervene; r Correct window temperature, in a proper zone, that allows for the installation of an SNCR system.

Aspects that recommend Centauro are: r A recuperative furnace can be upgraded to regenerative performance with reduced impact; r A regenerative furnace with undersized chambers can have its performance optimised with the setup of a bottom metallic recuperator;

100

1500

Waste gas exit CO (NH2)2

Typical SNCR temperature window

50

0 600

Advantages and benefits The five advantages of Centauro are: r Lower overall vertical dimensions of regenerators; r Additional clean hot air stream available (extra free thermal power); r Extreme flexibility in layout design, both on the height of where to ‘cut’ the chambers and where to place the recuperator; r The hybrid solution allows the

Continued>>

% NOx removal

z Fig 3. Constructive elements of Centauro.

The most obvious aspect is the preheated air temperature for an end port reaches between 1100 and 1300°C, and for a unit melter is about 500°C lower.

As a result, in a recuperative furnace the performance is strongly penalised by the high temperature of the waste gas at the recuperator outlet, on average 400°C higher than that in a regenerative.

Therefore, with the intent to push heat recovery technology as far as possible, we have to start from a regenerative solution and improve it.

Centauro is a hybrid regenerativerecuperative heat recovery system that allows the performance of a regenerative system without the need for huge civil works, and also the highest possible quota of heat stored in waste gas.

The idea originates from the following consideration: analysing the trend of the air and waste gas temperature in a regenerator, it is evident that the chambers work for a large part of the height (about 60%) at a preheated air temperature lower than 800°C, which is compatible with a metallic exchanger (Fig. 1). It is subsequently possible to assume that an important part of the refractory heat exchange system could be substituted with a simple, cheaper and more flexible metallic exchanger.

Air reversal valve

mg/m3 8x02

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0

Measured abatements at different levels of urea injection

z Fig 4. SNCR for Centauro furnace.

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a few days each year with the unit by-passed) do not affect a plant’s energy efficiency.

Another important feature of the Centauro system is the possibility to install a non-catalytic system for NOx abatement.

The problem of nitrogen oxide production in high temperature combustions, such as happens in regenerative furnaces, is important and the laws surrounding NOx emissions are more restrictive.

The catalytic abatement of NOx by SCR technologies is possible, but it implies high managing and investment costs for the plant, related to the installation of a catalyst reactor.

Non-catalytic abatement (SNCR), on the other hand, is not applicable to regenerative furnaces, because the reaction has acceptable efficiency only in a certain temperature range of waste gases (Fig. 4), available only inside the checkers, where it is not possible to inject the reactant.

Centauro’s thermal profile can be designed to have a temperature between 750-900°C in the waste gas duct that connects regenerators and recuperators. That allows the noncatalytic abatement (SNCR) of nitrogen oxide by a simple injection of aqueous solution of ammonia or, more conveniently, urea, without large plant investments and operating costs. The NOx emission level can be reduced to below 300mg/Nmc by managing a proper quantity of reactant. Five Centauro furnaces were installed between 2008 and 2016.

Case study 1: double pass end port conversion The Bormioli Luigi furnace in Abbiategrasso, Milan, Italy in 2008 was the first Centauro installation.

The furnace, which produces extra-white perfumery ware, comes from the rebuilding of a double-chambered end port, in which the second chamber was substituted by the typical metallic part.

Case studies 2 and 3: unit melter conversion O-I’s furnace No.4 in San Polo, Italy, 2011.

The former unit melter furnace, which produced coloured glass for containers, had to be completely rebuilt. Due to the land situation, a deep excavation for a transformation to a standard end port furnace was not applicable. Thanks to the advantages offered by Centauro, the bottom floor of the regenerators is only 1.5m below the machine floor. During 2014, a second unit melter furnace in the same plant was converted to a Centauro, achieving the same results.

Case study 4: unit melter conversion The Seves Vitrablok furnace in the Czech Republic in 2014 produces flint glass for glass brick production and was transformed from an existing recuperative furnace.

Case study 5: greenfield Centauro The Vetreria Etrusca furnace in Savona, Italy earlier this year is the fifth example of the advantages that the Centauro furnace offers and is the first Centauro built on greenfield land.

The furnace started–up in January 2016 and produces flint glass for special and high quality bottles.

The company chose this solution for its energy and environmental advantages (the SNCR system in particular), despite not having any layout constraints in terms of land space. r

Hall 13 Booth A30 *Stara Glass, Genoa, Italy www.staraglass.com Glass International September 2016

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Furnaces

Bespoke melting and conditioning technologies Andrew Reynolds* discusses how tailored solutions can provide an ideal option for manufacturers looking to increase performance and reduce Total Cost of Ownership.

c Fig 1. Working-end for container glass (BHF 400/4000 Technology) available with Prium PlanerTec system

I

n the field of glass manufacturing, every producer has his own idea of what is special or unique, what makes their product different from the competition, and what particular issues they face in manufacturing and selling their product.

In the context of this article, we refer to special and non-special glasses. By ‘special’ we generally refer to glass types manufactured in lower-volume, often resulting in a higher-value/kg product.

That is not to say that considerations and technologies applied to special glasses are not also relevant for ‘nonspecial’ glasses such as container and

architectural float, especially in a world of increased focus on energy efficiency, life and quality.

High-volume production (container glass) Fives is recognised for its ability to supply complete float production lines through its main glass engineering subsidiary, Fives Stein in France.

Fives Stein Limited in the UK leads the non-flat glass sectors, principally container, fibre, insulation products, tableware, cosmetics and pharmaceutical.

Within the container industry, Fives

Stein UK’s main business activity involves supply of conditioning technology (working ends and forehearths) through the company’s BH-F ancestry.

Conditioning in this sense means removing heat from the melt while establishing and retaining thermal homogeneity.

This business is still central to Fives and recent developments have been targeted at updating the BHF 400/4000 Series technology.

Continued>>

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for increased thermal homogeneity and improved fuel efficiency.

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Furnaces

z Fig 2. CFD Modelling of the PlanarTek Burner System.

The introduction of new nozzlemix and slotted flame burners (Prium PlanarTek burner system, (Figs. 1 & 2)) and the ability to offer heat recovery on forehearth combustion has given a boost to achievable performances.

The first of these updated systems have now been in operation long enough to prove the benefits in terms of glass homogeneity and fuel consumption.

A key factor in these successes is that systems are not ‘out-of-the-box’, but rather tailored to a client’s particular needs. We prefer to engage with end-users about Total Cost of Ownership (TCO); improving performance may have an initial cost, but this is frequently paid back in multiples by improved performance.

A strong client-supplier relationship is required to promote understanding and ensure the best final result is achieved.

Melting technology Although willing and able to offer melting (furnace) technology for container glasses, this is not the focal business of Fives Stein UK; instead we chose to specialise in technologies for ‘special glass’ sectors, often providing a greater opportunity to apply our core melting expertise.

Just as the conditioning technology in Fives comes from our BHF legacy, melting technology is derived from the company’s other historical connection, Penelectro, a supplier of electric melting and boosting technology, which merged with BH-F Engineering to create Fives Stein Limited in 2008. Since then, and with a close coupling of resources within Fives Stein SA and other parts of the Fives Group, the company has developed its melting expertise to include air-gas, oxy-gas and

oxy-oil technologies.

Fives has invested in research and development, aided by strategic alliances with customers and other engineering and technology providers.

Working with partners such as Celsian Glass & Solar has grown our understanding of melting processes though laboratory melting trials and CFD modelling programmes (Fig. 3).

Partnerships with end-users has allowed us to hone technical plant insitu to best suit a client’s needs. These work programmes have resulted in the development and launch of new designs of furnace and ancillary systems (including complete hot-end solutions encompassing both melting and conditioning technologies).

Continued>>

z Fig 3. CFD modelling is used now in most projects to tailor and verify design details.

 Fig 5. Secondary refiner used for

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delivery to float tin bath (cover glass).

z Fig 4. Section though furnace for melting basalt for fibre production; design specialised combustion system with heat recovery and supplemental electric heating immersed electrodes.

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Why can‘t everything be this easy?

Or what we like to call: the “Zippe-feeling” Every project presents new challenges – no two technical solutions are alike. And the more complex the task at hand, the greater our ambition to find a tailored and cost-effective solution that will satisfy your individual needs. This, combined with the reliability that our customers have come to trust, induces that special feeling.

Contact us for all your requirements in terms of batch plants, cullet systems, preheating, chargers, automation and control systems, as well as engineering.

ZIPPE – BECAUSE WE DO IT.

ZIPPE INDUSTRIEANLAGEN GMBH · Alfred-ZIPPE-Straße · 97877 Wertheim · +49 9342 - 8040 · zippe@zippe.de · www.zippe.de

Furnaces

optimum design parameters.

and

operational

Case study 3: Heat recovery on oxy-fuel

z Fig 6. The HRA can achieve 10% saving in fuel consumptions without any substantial detriment to cost.

www.glass-international.com

Case study 1: Low transmission glasses The production of foam glass (for insulation or related construction fields) involves a two stage process: (1) production of cullet with high-sulphate and iron content; (2) mixing of the cullet with carbon and reheating to initiate a foaming reaction.

Production of the cullet in the first stage requires a particular approach. The molten glass has extremely poor heat transmission characteristics, making the use of indirect gas-heated systems impossible. The use of electric heating through electrodes is also problematic, as the highly oxidised glass is corrosive to molybdenum (the most practical electrode material) and high-gassing levels makes a stable batch layer difficult to establish.

Fives Stein UK was contacted by Pittsburgh Corning Europe (PCE) in 2015 to design and build a foam glass melting facility in the Czech Republic. Supply scope included batch plant and melting furnace. PCE also wished to apply a new process to produce the cullet at the first stage. The solution proposed by Fives Stein was a combination of electric-boosting, air-gas combustion and specialised waste gas treatment. A new type of forehearth arrangement was designed to suit the cullet forming machinery and particular thermal characteristics of the glass melt at low temperatures, and combined heating technologies were again adopted.

After a year of successful operation, the technical solution has been proven to the client’s complete satisfaction.

The production of reinforcement fibre from basalt (rock) presented an even greater challenge, as the melt heat

transfer characteristics are worse than foam glass. Here again, a combination of electric and gas-fired technologies resulted in success. Standard combustion and electro-boosting methods were not applicable and so Fives Stein designed a new type of nozzle mix high intensity combustion system (Fig. 4).

Case study 2: Use of multiple chambers Most modern furnace designs utilise a single chamber to achieve melting, fining (de-gassing of melt) and re-fining (reabsorption of small bubbles). In these furnaces however, mixing (recirculation) between processes occurs, the extent of which is dependent on the design (for example the effectiveness of the ‘thermal barrier’). This factor ultimately limits achievable glass quality and is the reason why furnaces have relatively large Geometry Residence Times (GRT) compared to the shorter theoretical times required to complete fining and refining.

Idealised conditions where glass can be refined in much shorter times can only be achieved by physical separation of melt/ fining and refining processes.

Faced with multiple requests to design systems to offer high-alumina or borosilicate cover glass, Fives Stein has developed secondary refiner technology (Fig. 5), where refining processes are performed outside the main melting chamber. These systems are designed to accommodate precise inlet and outlet conditions and must be properly matched to the downstream processes.

Again, these projects have been implemented in collaboration with endusers, even as far as managing joint CFD modelling programmes to determine

Combining electric boosting at a relatively high level into a furnace using oxy-gas is no longer a new approach.

The use of boost dramatically increases the overall energy efficiency of the system, reduces emissions and improves product quality and output flexibility.

Improving the ability to control where electric heat is applied can allow optimisation of the furnace conditions (and combustion efficiency), but there comes a point where further gains can only be realised by applying some form of heat recovery to the combustion system.

Driven by specific clients’ needs, expressed in the drive to reduce fuel and oxygen usage, Fives developed and applied the patented Heat Recovery Area (HRA, Fig. 6) which, after extensive model analysis, is now operating on the first installation melting high quality neutral borosilicate.

Conclusion The key message of this article is that, whereas standard (off-the-shelf) solutions often provide the lowest project capital cost, a more precisely tailored solution to meet a project’s ambitions can often reduce the TCO. Projects involving ‘special’ glass types often have particular criteria that lend themselves to the application of solutions utilising electric, gas and oxy-oxygen technologies.

If applied sensibly, with proper contingencies to manage technical risk, the integration of new technologies offers interesting and credible commercial as well as technical solutions. With this approach, Fives aspires to build project specifications and designs that more closely align with clients’ ambitions.

Of course, the ultimate objective of every project is to find the right compromise that reduces TCO whilst maximising performance and product quality. Bespoke solutions, arrived at by the proper collaboration between supplier and end-user, has to be the best way forward. r

Hall 13 Booth E74 *Managing Director, Fives Stein Limited, Didcot, UK. www.fivesgroup.com

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Furnaces

Measuring refractory thickness Yakup Bayram* discusses a partnership between PaneraTech, Owens-Illinois (O-I) and Libbey Glass that has led to a breakthrough solution in the problem of refractory thickness measurement. technologies.

Libbey Glass, O-I and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Industrial Partnership Division in the United States funded the research.

Libbey supplied the development furnaces (Fig. 2), PaneraTech supplied experienced engineers and the teams worked together to develop a method for measuring refractory thickness. The result is a furnace inspection and maintenance solution called SmartMelter.

Radar technology Advanced radar technology is used in many applications to detect anomalies, and PaneraTech’s engineers have experience working with this technology for defence applications and more.

For example, radar can detect the early presence of tumors in the brain by identifying cracks and voids. This same technology is used to find pipes underground. The collaborative research team believed that the science behind these techniques could lead to a similar application for furnace walls.

The PaneraTech engineers applied

their experience with radar imaging and computer tomography to develop sensors that detect areas of erosion inside furnace walls. These sensors launch radar waves into refractory walls to collect erosion data and refractory thickness measurements. Trained personnel can take measurements easily from the outside walls with the touch of a button.

This process is safe and unintrusive, using the same radio waves that your phone uses, but with significantly less power about one million times less (Fig. 3).

The solution, which has been validated in several trials with major industry leaders, includes transmission of the collected data to a software system for evaluation and record keeping.

One-time mapping The SmartMelter solution requires a onetime mapping of the furnace walls for accurate measurement analysis. Sidewall blocks are mapped as numbers, and insulation sections are mapped as letters.

Continued>>

z Fig 1. Libbey, O-I and PaneraTech team members at the early stages of Refractory Thickness Sensor

z Fig 2. The SmartMelter development furnace

Technology demonstration.

was designed, built and operated by Libbey Glass in Toledo, USA

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F

urnace life optimisation has always been an imperfect goal for glass manufacturers. The lack of determining methods to measure refractory thickness has made it risky to push a furnace campaign too far without performing maintenance. The high cost of repair has meant the industry has tried for many years to find a way to maximise furnace campaign without high risk.

Unfortunately, these efforts have produced only ‘improved speculation’.

After decades of research, the industry appears to have conceded that this will always be a flawed process. The balance between leak prevention and asset optimisation has become accepted as an unsolvable problem.

However, PaneraTech, a company that specialises in developing radar-based sensor solutions for asset life and process optimisation, was approached by O-I and Libbey Glass to work on a solution for refractory thickness measurement (Fig. 1). PaneraTech’s engineers had the right background to find a method for ‘seeing through’ furnace walls because of its experience in developing advanced radar

43 Glass International September 2016

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Furnaces

z Fig 3. SmartMelter Sensors in use.

Once this has been completed, furnace inspection is a two-step process: take measurements and analyse the data.

Two different sensors are used to detect glass infiltration and measure wall thickness; the collected data is transmitted to SmartMelter XSight software for a ‘view’ of actual wall conditions.

This enables condition-based maintenance for the first time in the history of glass manufacturing.

Measuring the walls

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The Refractory Thickness Sensor (RTS) records the interface between the glass and the wall to measure residual refractory thickness, such as fused cast AZS. The RTS is placed in direct contact with the AZS wall. The Furnace Tomography Sensor (FTS) interacts with the insulation layers to map early-stage glass penetration and measure residual insulation thickness; it is placed directly on the insulation wall.

Each measurement takes about one second to record. Depending on accessibility to walls and size of the furnace, total furnace inspection can take from half a day to two days to complete.

SmartMelter is shown to work on the following refractories and insulations: Fused Cast AZS, High Zirconia Fused Cast AZS (96%), Bonded AZS, Super Duty Fire Brick, IFB, Fire Board, Clay Flux, Sillimanite – just about any insulation material used in furnaces.

The entire system is self-diagnostic and maintenance-free. The SmartMelter sensors don’t interfere with other instruments and can be used in hot environments. The sensors have touched surfaces as high as 1650°F (900°C) without incurring damage and they are designed to shut down at dangerous levels.

Analysing the data Once the measurements have been collected, the data is transmitted to software and displayed for analysis and visualisation. Each Continued>> page 47

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FURNACE TECHNOLOGY

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Furnaces

mapped refractory block and furnace section is labeled in the software for complete visualisation of the refractory thicknesses and glass penetration areas. The software system also keeps records of all furnace inspections, including thermal images, endoscopy and visual reports.

With this clear view into refractory walls, no speculation is necessary to make decisions about furnace maintenance.

Costly measures such as applying an overcoat or shutting down for repairs can be postponed without risk until the actual condition of the furnace requires it.

The glass industry no longer has to accept the struggle between safety and furnace life optimisation.

Example one: container glass The SmartMelter RTS Sensor was validated on a container glass furnace at Vidrala. PaneraTech was approached by the International Partners in Glass Research (IPGR) to perform a blind trial of the RTS Sensor before the furnace was drained for cold repairs. PaneraTech mapped the furnace walls and collected measurements five days before the drain, with no prior knowledge of actual wall thickness. A total of 11 spots were measured on the furnace from both sidewalls, a doghouse and the area between the throats. Before the furnace was drained, the collected data was submitted to Vidrala.

Vidrala recovered the original blocks and measured the actual residual thickness after the furnace drain. They compared these measurements with the measurements recorded by the SmartMelter RTS Sensor. The overall thickness of the wall at the glass line was within 4mm (0.15 inch) of the measurements taken by the SmartMelter.

Example two: floatline furnace The Refractory Thickness Sensor (RTS) was also validated by a successful demonstration on a float line furnace.

A global float glass manufacturer was preparing to lower the glass line for hot repair and invited PaneraTech to perform a blind trial on one of its furnaces in Europe. Without knowledge of the actual thickness of the fused-cast AZS block, PaneraTech measured eight blocks from both sides of the float line furnace.

A week after the measurements were taken and submitted to the manufacturer, the glass was lowered to a safe level. The blocks were recovered and the manufacturer compared the SmartMelter RTS Sensor data with the actual AZS thickness.

The SmartMelter measurements were within 5mm of the actual thickness of the blocks.

SmartMelter demonstration PaneraTech is currently inviting customers to its SmartMelter demonstration programme. Through this programme, glass manufacturers can experience SmartMelter first hand. The participating company identifies a furnace that is at critical stage. Before operations cease for maintenance or rebuilding, PaneraTech maps the furnace and trains personnel to collect data with the sensors and evaluate the data in XSight software.

PaneraTech inspects the furnace along with company personnel to ensure they are trained to measure walls correctly.

The company receives complete data on the condition of furnace walls and retains access to XSight software for six months. More information is available on PaneraTechâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. r

Hall 15 Booth E31 *CEO, PaneraTech, Chantilly, VA, USA www.smartmelter.com Glass International September 2016

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Lubrication

Fuchs to rebrand as Vitrolis Steve Harris* explains how Fuchs will be announcing that all glass industry lubricants will be re-branded to one family name, Vitrolis, at this year’s glasstec.

Strategic acquisition For the Fuchs Group, acquisitions have been targeted to companies with expertise in specialist lubricant technology which are complimentary to Fuchs own strengths.

The acquisition of Batoyle Freedom Group in 2014, driven by its Glass Division business, fit well within this strategy.

Batoyle Freedom Group was an established s u p p l i e r of specialist lubricants to the

European and Australasian glass container industry with a product portfolio of all four key ‘hot end’ lubricants used in the container forming process, (Synthetic I.S. Machine Oils, Mould Swabbing Compounds, Shear Spray and Delivery lubricants).

Currently, products carry nomenclature from the Fuchs Glasol portfolio as well as the Batoyle branding, but specialists from the Fuchs glass team will be available at the exhibition to meet with glass manufacturers and answer any questions from re-brand to product offering by application.

The Fuchs Glass has an extensive product range, covering the lubrication requirements of the container, float, optical and vial forming industries.

Swabbing, shear, synthetic machine oils, delivery lubricants and coatings form the core product offerings for the container

manufacturing industry, with cutting, grinding and bevelling fluids for the float glass industry and H1 approved lubricants for the vial forming and pharmaceutical industry.

These products are supported by core technologies such as specialist high temperature greases, synthetic gear and compressor lubricants, maintenance lubricants and the Fuchs CASSIDA range of food grade lubricants, for use in glass container industries by food and beverage producers.

Centre of Excellence The Fuchs UK manufacturing plant is located in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent and has a production capacity of 120 million litres per annum, with warehousing capacity of 5,000 pallet locations for drum/IBC stocks and with major volume grades held in bulk storage.

The site has recently benefited from a major investment programme process control facilities to enhance the quality and first time pass rate performance of the site. In addition, 2,110 photovoltaic panels provide up to 15% of the annual power demand from renewable resources and a new eco-friendly head office building is due for commission in November 2016.

It has recently created a ‘Technical Centre of Excellence for Glass Industry Lubricants’ located in the UK. This centre, managed by Dr

Continued>>

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From October 1st 2016 all Fuchs glass industry lubricants will be marketed under the Vitrolis brand, providing consistent product offerings across all industries.

The Fuchs Group was founded in 1931 in Mannheim, Germany and is now a global corporation with a turnover in excess of €2billion and almost 5,000 employees worldwide.

Fuchs is one of the world’s largest independent lubricant manufacturers and the structure of the company incorporates 54 operating companies and 35 production plants across six continents, with more than 400 Research and Development Technicians located in technical centres around the world.

49 Glass International September 2016

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OUR HIGH PERFORMANCE OXY-FUEL FURNACE COMBUSTION SYSTEMS: LOWEST NOX EMISSIONS HIGHER PRODUCT QUALITY ENERGY SAVINGS 2015 installations: 410 270 18 220 24

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Lubrication

ANNEALING LEHRS

HOT-END COATING

Iwona Szkoda-Giannaki is a hub for new product development, technical support service and the development and control of quality assurance, manufacturing systems and procedures associated with all Fuchs glass industry products.

The centre crucially provides specialist technical support services to enhance that of the local Fuchs operations. The centre manages new product development and aids in the transfer of knowledge and technology to local Fuchs companies around the world.

The centre has recently developed technologies that have been well received by industry, including sprayable swabbing compounds designed to increase the safety and repeatability associated with swabbing, therefore reducing container rejection rates. Trials of a new cold end coating to eliminate scratch marks associated with container transfer have also showed benefits to users.

This centre is supported by the group’s research & development programmes, and where potential developments in other fields of lubricant technology could benefit our glass industry customers a forum for knowledge sharing is established.

Dedicated specialists in Europe as well as Asia and the USA support Fuchs UK chemists.

Fuchs will be showcasing all technologies at the forthcoming glasstec 2016 exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany (Hall 14, Stand E04).

*Global Commercial Manager – Glass Division, Fuchs Lubricants UK, Stoke-on-Trent, UK Steve.Harris@Fuchs-oil.com www.fuchslubricants.com Glass International September 2016

COLD-END COATING T US A SEE C 2016 SSTE GLA ALL 14 H F13 ND A T S

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History

Prof. John Parker

A dash of soda Fluxing agents used in the melting of glass date back to ancient glassmakers in Assyria and Egypt.

Prof Parker* investigates their origins.

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W

hile silica (sand) forms the major fraction of most commercial glasses, it cannot easily be melted without a fluxing agent.

For early glassmakers, the alkali ‘sodium carbonate’ usually took this role. It already had applications in the washing and dyeing trades, even in mummification, and it occurred naturally e.g. ancient Egyptians mined deposits of sodium rich salts (natron) found in large quantities in Wadi Natrûn. These so-called evaporites occur when inland lakes experience alternate flooding and concentration of their dissolved minerals by evaporation.

Such deposits are found globally, although with varying chemistries (e.g. trona, natron, nahcolite ores contain various proportions of sodium carbonate, bicarbonate and water of crystallisation).

They remain the principal source of sodium carbonate in the USA today.

A second source was the ashes of plants grown in sodium-rich soils, especially salt marshes. A shrub called barilla from the Mediterranean is particularly sodium rich – ‘soda’ comes from its Latin name. Hence we have soda ash.

Interestingly the word alkali derives from an Arabic word for ash. Extraction involved washing the ashes to remove the soluble components and concentrating the resulting solutions by evaporation (lixiviation). Other ions are also extracted.

Consequently the potassium and magnesium contents of old glasses (>2.5 wt%) offers a fingerprint for identifying artefacts derived from plant ash.

Such chemical evidence confirms that ancient glassmakers in Assyria and Egypt used mineral fluxing agents, and early Roman and Greek glassmakers continued this tradition. Apart from colouring agents, their batch recipe had two components: sand and natron, with no obvious additives containing calcium or other stabilising elements that could reduce water attack on the glass to an

acceptable level. In reality the sands selected were calcareous, rich in shells and other calcium containing minerals.

They contributed enough CaO to the glass, around 5wt%, to ensure adequate chemical durability.

Archaeologists have identified several river deltas in Egypt with sand of appropriate composition, principally that of the river Belus. Batch recipes containing deliberately added calcium did not appear until the late 17th century.

A few of the earliest glasses known and glasses from the end of the Roman Era onwards did typically use plant ashes, however. Just like natron, soda ash from botanical sources was traded around the Mediterranean coast; high quality glassware in Venice in the middle of the last millennium specified imported soda ash in its recipes. Unlike natron, this flux contained sufficient alkaline earths such as calcia and magnesia to stabilise glasses without needing lime enriched sand.

Recent research in China shows that their ancient glassmakers at the other end of the Silk Road also used both plant and mineral sources for fluxing agents.

Of course one other early raw material was glass cullet; many shipwrecks from this era carried cargoes of glass blocks rather than fragile glass vessels. Large furnaces were built, holding tons of glass. Melting took many days, since the highest temperatures achievable using wood as fuel were just 1100°C. The completion of melting marked the end of the campaign and the furnace was simply demolished to recover the melted glass.

The similarity of glass compositions from this period for products from different locations is therefore unremarkable, although glass artists naturally imposed their personalities on their creations.

By 1000AD, European glassmakers needed fresh alkali sources. The trigger was an explosion in demand for glazing in new cathedrals springing up throughout

its expanding cities. Many turned to beech tree ash; oak trees and even ferns were used at various points over the next few centuries. The new timber-based fluxes were often richer in potassium salts and their different characteristics were recognised by giving them the term potash, although artisans could not otherwise distinguish or isolate them; that had to await more systematic studies by chemists in the 18th century.

Nowadays glass compositions are quantifiable and provide a signature of the raw materials used, but back then it would have influenced properties in seemingly mysterious ways; once a winning formula was identified, extreme conservatism was inevitable.

For example, the shallower viscositytemperature curves for soda glasses facilitated complex shaping operations, while potassium-rich glasses gave window designers a different colour palette.

But high potassium levels reduce chemical durability.

Plants could no longer supply sufficient alkali as glass production increased. In 1791 LeBlanc introduced sodium carbonate manufacture from sodium chloride and limestone. However, this process was polluting and was displaced in 1861 by the Solvay method – still the cornerstone of the industry today in spite of high energy costs.

The world currently produces 50 million tons of soda ash annually.

Applications are numerous: in medicine, cooking, photography, even in taxidermy for cleaning bones; but half goes to fill the glassmaker’s cup. r Bibliography: W E S Turner, Journal of the Society of Glass Technology 40 (1956), p. 39, 162, 277

*Curator of the Turner Museum of Glass, Sheffield University, UK. www.turnermuseum.group.shef.ac.uk j.m.parker@sheffield.ac.uk

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www.motim.hu

We build glass furnaces for you

MOTIM H-9201 Mosonmagyarรณvรกr, P.O.Box 29, Hungary, Tel: +36 96 574 100 Fax: +36 96 574 235 e-mail: fusedcast@motim.hu

Heat treatment

V

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idromecanica started manufacturing at its factory in 1984.

Today, a team of engineers with experience in glass equipment manufacturing develops equipment such as annealing and decorating lehrs, toughening lines, chemical toughening, mould pre-heating kilns, stackers and cross-conveyors, and cullet recycling equipment (such as cullet crushers and scraper conveyors).

The company has sold more than 1,000 machines for the glass industry to more than 110 glass plants in 55 countries.

Rim glass toughening produces some of the most durable glassware in the industry. The rim toughening process from Vidromecanica is performed on the upper portion of the glass only, such as tumblers and stemware. This increases its resistance to mechanical and thermal shock. These two factors affect glassware performance in foodservice operation.

Rim toughening can be performed after the articles have been formed on the press machine or blow machine, and after being annealed or after decoration.

For this reason, after the rim process heat treatment the glass article has both qualities of being annealed in the body and toughened in the rim.

Vidromecanica’s rim toughening is a heating process with rapid cooling, which strengthens the glass on the upper third of the glass only. This puts less stress on the glass compared to full toughening.

The edge of the glass – the rim – is more resistant and has a longer life, and the glass articles will have added value for the customers.

Some stemware and blown glass articles are not easy to fully toughen due to their shape, and are not thick enough for full toughening. Rim toughening is an economical way of increasing the resistance and durability of glass, as well as the safety in the upper part where glass articles are more likely to break.

Toughening the upper

Tableware is subjected to daily wear and tear, and as such its toughening processes must ensure it is hardwearing. Vitor Maia* discusses a heat process treatment that specifically focuses on the rim of the glassware, to strengthen the resistance of the glass and increase its durability. stresses in the glass on both surfaces.

Samples can be sent to Vidromecanica to be toughened at the company’s test oven. Together with its partner, Vidromecanica has developed a machine

Equipment The equipment consists of: r The heating zone comprises specially designed burners that heat the rim of the articles along their transport on spindles. The burners have been developed by Vidromecanica to allow heating of the articles under radiation, reducing power consumption to a minimum. The tuning and adjustment of the burners is easy to do. r A toughening rotating head, especially designed for this purpose, allows the displacement within the articles to perform blowing of compressed air on the inner and outer side of the articles. The air blow is directed to the articles in an intelligent way, with variable flow and pressure according to the desired toughening quality. The toughening head

The method The heating process uniformly raises the rim and the upper portion of the tumbler to a temperature close to the softening point (680ºC). It uses a localised application of a flame to heat and then cool the glass quickly and in a controlled manner, near the strain point (450º C) via the application of cooling air jets, to set the desired degree of compression stress.

The duration and intensity of the heating and cooling effects produce

capable of achieving high quality glass, annealed in the body and toughened in the rim. This can be done with a perfect equilibrium of tensions in the transition zone.

z Rim tempered Glass.

Continued>>

54 Glass International September 2016

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portion of the glass

z Annealed versus Rim Tempered Stemware.

developed by Vidromecanica allows the injection of compressed air. r A cooling zone with blowing boxes on the sides allows further cooling of the article after the toughening. The cooling air is supplied by a fan. r The transport of the articles is performed on spindles that rotate continuously on the heating zone as well as on the toughening and cooling zone.

The chain and spindles was developed by Vidromecanica and is based on the chain used in the Spindles Toughening Lines. r The articles can be loaded manually or automatically with loaders and unloaders, with synchronised movements that allow the placing of the articles on the spindles without productivity losses.

other. It is better for glass manufacturers to have both types of equipment according to market requirements.

For thinner and less uniform articles with a difficult geometry, for which it

is difficult to attain a full toughening quality, rim toughening is the most financially viable solution.

For articles with a higher thickness that require a high level of mechanical strength and thermal shock, full toughening is the preferred solution.

Full toughening is more expensive than rim toughening.

When fragmented, a rim-toughened article will break into more glass pieces than when compared with a fulltoughened article.

In this case, the fragmentation will be of small pieces of glass.

All of these advantages and disadvantages must be analysed in order to choose the most suitable solution for the glass manufacturer.

Vidromecanica has experience in the manufacture of both types of heat treatments, with equipment in operation in glass plants throughout the world. The company can help customers choose a solution to adapt, providing samples of both processes to its clients.

Glassmechanics is a company of the group responsible for the export of equipment manufactured by Vidromecanica. The companiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; knowhow is the result of more than 30 years of dedication, research and development that involves testing and experiments of a variety of technical solutions. r

Hall 14 Booth F13 *Project Manager, Vidromecanica, Portugal www.vidromecanica.pt

î ¸Annealed versus Rim Tempered Tumblers.

www.glass-international.com

er

Heat treatment

The machine is designed to perform to production rates of around 40 to 60 articles per minute, with a high performance and high quality toughening at the lower cost.

What type of toughening?

Tableware toughening producers sometimes have difficulty choosing between one type of equipment or the

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Quality control

Accurately measuring cord stresses in container glass Henning Katte* discusses equipment that provides fast, reliable measurement of cord stresses in container glass, using automatic imaging polarimeters.

C

ord stresses can have a strong impact on the strength of container glasses.

High stresses near the glass surface in particular can increase the probability of breakage when the bottle is filled in the bottling factory or handled by the end user. Continuous and objective control of cord stresses is, therefore, an essential precondition to ensure high quality.

In an ideal world, glass is homogenous in composition, i.e. there are no local variations in the chemical structure.

But time and cost constraints in commercial glass production mean this cannot be achieved perfectly. The reasons can be manifold: incomplete molten batch components, insufficient dwell times in the furnace or improper temperature distributions in the forehearth, to name a few.

As a result of fluid dynamics, these compositional differences appear as thin streaks in glass, so-called cords, which have a different thermal expansion coefficient in comparison to the surrounding glass matrix. This causes strong mechanical stresses.

As the tensile strength of glass is ten times lower than the compressive strength, tension cords near the glass

 Fig 2. StrainMatic M4/120 cord tester for fully automatic measurement of cord stresses in ring sections of container glass.

ilis.indd 1

surface have a negative influence on container stability. This can lead to costly complaints if the glass breakage happens after leaving the factory.

Conventional technique Since the cord streaks are rarely visible in a normal polariscope used to check the annealing stress in accordance with ASTM C 148, a different method is used to measure cord stress quantitatively.

In accordance with ASTM C 978, ring sections are cut from the cylindrical part of the container and analysed with a polarising microscope. To avoid time-consuming polishing of the glass surfaces, the ring is immersed in a liquid that has a similar refractive index as the glass, eliminating light scattering (Fig. 1). The polarised light sent through the ring section changes its polarisation state when interacting with stresses in the glass. The resulting optical retardation can be quantified by using a Sénarmont analyser or Berek compensator attached to the microscope.

The method described is labourintensive and time-consuming because the ring section has to be scanned visually through the microscope to search for the maximum stress value. The results also depend a great deal on the skill of the operator and are therefore subjective.

Gage R&R studies have shown that the reproducibility achievable in practice is below the desired level. This is particularly true for dark-coloured glasses, since the contrast is often insufficient to generate a reliable measurement. The manual measurement does not provide automatic documentation of the measurement process and measuring result. In case of a complaint, it is therefore hard to prove that the quality was good with respect to cord stresses and that the measurements

z Fig 1. Ring section of a beverage bottle in a petri dish filled with immersion liquid.

were performed correctly.

As a result of the complicated, timeconsuming and error-prone measuring technique, many glass factories do not perform cord stress measurements on a regular basis or have outsourced the analysis to external laboratories. The sampling frequency is often also too low to detect production problems quickly and react accordingly.

Fully automatic measurement To make cord stress measurement faster and more reliable, ilis has developed two instruments – the StrainMatic M4/120 and the StrainScope S4/20 cord testers. The StrainMatic series of imaging polarimeter systems was originally developed to measure residual stresses in glass objectively and without operator influence. Like an ordinary polarimeter, the StrainMatic utilises the well-known Sénarmont compensation method to determine stresses in glass. However, in contrast to a normal polarimeter, which delivers a result only for a single observed measuring spot, the StrainMatic creates a two-dimensional result for a whole area with high lateral resolution and high accuracy and repeatability.

The StrainMatic M4/120 cord tester (Fig. 2) is a special variant dedicated to measuring the stress distribution in ring sections with a diameter of up to 120mm.

After placing the ring section into a petri dish filled with immersion liquid (e.g. dimethyl phthalate or simple vegetable oil), the operator only has to start the measurement. After less than a minute, the operator sees a colour-coded image showing the stress distribution for the whole ring section. The area Continued>>

31/08/2016 15:53

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Quality control

 Fig 4. StrainScope S4/20 cord tester for real-time measurement of cord stresses in ring sections of container glass.

of maximum tension is identified, highlighted in the image and reported as a numeric value (Fig. 3). The results obtained can be stored in an integrated database and exported to production line monitoring systems.

www.glass-international.com

Semi-automatic measurement As an alternative to the fully automatic measurement with the StrainMatic, ilis offers another solution to measure cord stresses based on its StrainScope series of real-time polarimeters. Many container glass manufacturers already use the StrainScope S3/180 to measure residual stresses in glass bottles and jars according to ASTM C 148 and other standards.

While the operator is still responsible for handling the bottle or jar during the measurement and selecting the region of interest, the measurement and evaluation is automatic and is carried out in real time. The operator gets a result immediately after positioning the bottle into the instrument’s field of view and the colour-coded image makes it easy to assess the quality in a few seconds.

However, this instrument is not suitable for measuring cord stresses in ring sections, since it only has a spatial resolution of 0.25mm. This is not sufficient to detect cord streaks that can be much thinner. For this purpose ilis has developed the StrainScope S4/20 cord tester (Fig. 4), featuring a ten times higher resolution.

In contrast to the StrainMatic cord tester optics, which capture the whole ring section at once, the StrainScope cord tester’s field of view covers only a portion of the ring section. Therefore, the operator has to scan the whole sample by rotating the petri dish containing the ring section. During this process, the software continuously shows the stress

z Fig 3. StrainMatic measurement result of a bottle ring with notable cord stress. Compression is shown in blue and tension in red. Neutral areas appear in green.

 Fig 5. Measurement result of the same bottle ring as seen with the StrainScope cord tester.

The maximum tension value in MPa or psi is reported below the image.

profile over the wall thickness in a line chart and reports the maximum tension value along this line as a result value (Fig. 5). As with the StrainMatic, the results obtained can be stored and exported to other systems.

Comparability of results While the result values obtained with the StrainMatic M4/120 cord tester and the StrainScope S4/20 cord tester are generally comparable, samples with high cord stresses often lead to higher values when analysed with a conventional polarising microscope.

This is due to the lateral resolution of the microscope which is much higher still. Since the desired value refers to a narrow peak with high slope angles, the measurement result very much depends on the lateral resolution.

This effect is similar to measuring the length of a coastline, which seems to get longer the closer one looks. However, the lateral resolution of both the StrainMatic and the StrainScope cord tester is sufficient to capture even thin cord streaks and distinguish easily between good and bad quality.

Summary Cord stresses have to be monitored on a routine quality check basis to ensure a high level of glass homogeneity.

The manual method currently used is labour-intensive, user-dependent and requires adequately trained personnel.

Both the StrainMatic M4/120 cord tester and the StrainScope S4/20 cord tester automate and accelerate the measurement and ensure highly reproducible results which can be documented.

Which instrument is better suited for this task depends – apart from budgetary considerations – on the preferred method of operation.

While the fully automatic measurement of the StrainMatic certainly leads to the highest reproducibility, some users favour the semi-automatic operation principle of the StrainScope because its handling is closer to that with which operators are already familiar. r

Hall 14 Booth F04 *Managing Director, ilis, Germany www.ilis.de

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Lightweighting

Solving the problem of water h

The water hammer phenomenon causes tint cracks on the inside surface of a bottle heel, which decrease glass strength and can lead to breakage.

Ms. Kozue Tohyama* outlines a method to solve the problem

W

hen a consumer opens a juicefilled glass bottle, it can suddenly break. While the glass rarely causes injury, the leaked juice can spill onto a consumer and spoil their clothes.

Some retailers have also experienced a glass bottle packed in a carton case that is cracked, and the case and other products packed together get dirty.

The breakage is assumed to be caused by rough handling during transportation.

However, some cases of such breakage can arise from the water hammer phenomenon, which occurs during handling and transportation of filled glass bottles.

www.glass-international.com

Water hammer phenomenon When a filled bottle at rest suddenly falls down in a carton due to severe impact from above, its liquid content inside the bottle remains in the same position by its inertia force and cavities are generated around the bottle bottom.

When the cavity collapses and engulfs its surrounding water it causes a microjet (shock wave) that develops tiny cracks on the inside surface of the bottle heel and bottom (cavitation). After that, the liquid falls and impacts on the cracked

î ś Photos of cavities generated around bottle bottom.

bottle bottom. This series of phenomena is collectively called Water Hammer Phenomenon. The tiny cracks decrease the bottle strength and may cause a breakage.

Rough handling of the filled bottles during transportation and while on display in a shop shelf can increase the number of tiny cracks on the inside surface of the bottle heel, and make it easier for the bottle to break. An incorrect glass thickness distribution also increases the risk of bottle breakage by the water hammer phenomenon.

Some bottles cracked by the phenomenon are delivered to consumers without breakage. When a liquid content is put into a glass bottle at high temperature (70 to 90o C) and cooled to room temperature, the bottle inside is negative-pressured. If the water hammer

phenomenon occurs inside the bottle under the negative-pressured condition, the bottle can be cracked but keep its shape without breakage. Some labels and shrink films also inhibit the development of cracks. A consumer can then open a bottle and release the negative pressure inside, which may cause the bottle to break.

Single container water hammer tester The water hammer strength of a bottle should be improved to reduce such a breakage. The Single Container Water Hammer Tester, developed by Toyo Glass, is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first tester that can quantify and compare the water hammer strength of bottles. It can measure the Continued>>

60 Glass International September 2016

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Lightweighting

er hammering

 Diagram of Water Hammer phenomenon.

Pressure and volume testing in one machine SPT2™ offers maximum flexibility, versatility, and efficiency. No job changes, adaptive bottle handling, unmatched precision, and fully automated. One system to meet your pressure and volume measurement needs.

water hammer strength of an existing bottle. Then the bottle design needs to be modified – including its shape and weight – to improve the glass thickness distribution. Then, an operator can measure the water hammer strength of the redesigned bottle again to confirm if the strength has been increased by the modification.

Toyo Glass feeds back all the water hammer strength data obtained by the measurement with the tester to bottle design for manufacturing glass bottles with a desired water hammer strength.

As the number of lightweight glass bottles increases, the issue of bottle breakage by the water hammer phenomenon rises.

To achieve appropriate lightweighting of a glass bottle without a breakage, it is essential to grasp its water hammer strength and, if necessary, improve the design and the glass thickness distribution based on measured strength data. In the Japanese market where lightweighting has progressed, this Water Hammer Tester has been recommended by the Japan Glass Bottle Association which has encouraged its installation at glass bottle manufactures and bottlers.

For quality enhancement and lightweighting of glass bottles and jars, Toyo Glass has developed and supplied a variety of devices and equipment including the Single Container Water Hammer Tester, a cullet processing plant, tungsten carbidewelded shear blades and inspection devices. 

Hall 12 Booth C09 *Assistant Manager of Overseas Business Dept, Toyo Glass, Tokyo, Japan overseas_inquiry@toyo-glass.co.jp www.toyo-glass.co.jp

VISIT US AT BOOTH 14C28

www.glass-international.com

 The Toyo Water Hammer tester.

OUR BRAND

PROTECTS YOUR BRAND

VISIT US AT BOOTH 14C28

AGR INT L. COM • +1.724.482.2163

61 Glass International September 2016

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EUROPEAN PRODUCER

OF HIGH QUALITY REFRACTORY MATERIALS FROM SILICA TO BASIC PRODUCTS

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Glass_Quarter_v2_PRINT.indd 1

GLASSMATE The Industry Standard for Advanced Hot End Processing ®

19/04/2016 14:29

Visit us at Glasstec, Stand 13G81

Adding value through material science.

• • • • •

Batch to batch uniformity and consistency enables increased pack rate across long runs or multiple jobs Long wear properties reduce common process variation Thermal conductivity of POCO high performance graphites eliminate checking Chemical structure of graphite enables use at high temperatures Uniform isotropic microstructure provides high strength and allows for increased life regardless of finish

Contact us and learn how POCO can help reduce defects and increase pack rates in your hot end processes. www.poco.com ISO 9001:2008 & AS9100:2009 POCO® and GLASSMATE® are registered trademarks of Poco Graphite, Inc. ©2016 Poco Graphite, Inc., All rights reserved.

GLASSTEC 2016 PROFILES

MOTIM FUSED CAST REFRACTORIES Ltd.

Stand: Hall 13/G81

Stand B13

MOTIM

Quality Management Systems for Glass Containers

Agr International, Inc Tel: +1 724-482-2163 Fax:+1 724-482-2767 sales@agrintl.com www.agrintl.com

www.motim.hu H-9200 Mosonmagyaróvár, Timföldgyári utca 9-13. phone: +36 96 574 100 • fax: +36 96 574 235 fusedcast@motim.hu

Stand: Hall 13/B94 Stand: Hall 15/B39 NIKOLAUS SORG Stoltestrasse 23 97816 Lohr am Main Germany Tel: +49 (0) 9352 507 205 Fax:+49 (0)9352 507 196

schneck@sorg.de www.sorg.de

Stand: Hall 13/A73

Stand: Hall 13/A31 7 Allée Mathieu Murgue - Terrenoire F 42100 Saint Etienne France www.bernardbonnefond.com

ZIPPE Industrieanlagen GmbH

1665 P.O. Box D-97866 Wertheim, Germany zippe@zippe.de www.zippe.de

WALTEC Maschinen GmbH

TIAMA

Kronacher Str. 2a 96352 Wilhelmsthal - Steinberg Germany Tel +49 9260 9901-0 info@waltec.de www.waltec.de

ZA des Plattes, 1 Chemin des plattes, 69390 Vourles, France marketing@tiama.com www.tiama.com

Stand: Hall 12/ A19

Serving the glass industry

glass.fivesgroup.com

Stand: Hall Encart 13/ media planner 2015 Asian glass.indd C74

Fermac

Glass International

Via La Spezia, 162/A, Italy Tel +39.0521989056 sales@fermac.it www.fermac.it

Quartz Business Media Ltd, Quartz House, 20 Clarendon Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1QX, UK www.glass-international.com

29-30 March 2017, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Stand: Hall 15/B39 27/05/2016

Join the Glassman Events Group

Tel: +49 (0) 9352 507 190 Fax:+49 (0) 9352 507 193

wenninger@eme.de www.eme.de

@glassmanevents

WWW.GLASSMANEVENTS.COM/SOUTH-AMERICA

All visitors to the show can attend the conference - to present a paper contact: Greg Morris Tel +44 (0) 1737 855132 gregmorris@quartzltd.com

REACHING THE SOUTH AMERICAN MARKET South and Central America has been one of the most dynamic regions in the hollow glassmaking sector in recent years. There have been a host of Glasstech profile.indd 1 new glassmaking facilities that have opened recently and there has been a renewed interest in the region thanks to its favourable economic and

11:31:37

EME Maschinenfabrik Clasen GmbH Stoltestrasse 23 97816 Lohr am Main Germany

To reserve your stand contact: Ken Clark Tel +44 (0) 1737 855117 kenclark@quartzltd.com

Stay in touch:

SOUTH AMERICA 2017

1

www.glass-international.com

Stand: Hall 14/F34

Stand: Hall 13/ B45

63

WHO WILL VISIT? As an exhibitor at Glassman, you can expect to meet and do

05/09/2016 09:08

Advertorial: Marpak & Talos

Avoid costly trial shipments with the new TX1002 Transport Simulator

The Transport Simulator.

Following an intensive period of testing and research, Talos Packaging Systems have produced the new TX1002, the first of which has been installed to AkzoNobel’s Paint Division in the United Kingdom.

www.glass-international.com

The Transport Simulator has been well received by our customers, which also includes major glass container producers across Europe.

In order for AkzoNobel to fully understand the impact of protective packaging for transporting their paint cans without generating waste and costs, the TX1002 Transport Simulator is built on 4 axis’s to trial their packs in identical conditions to those endured on the roads.

axis’s. The recorded data is then downloaded to the simulator in the warehouse for simulation and analysis.

The TX1002 has helped eliminate expensive trial shipments as well as allowing AkzoNobel to plan their transportation methods and product packaging more comprehensively, which will in turn lead to a reduction in collapsed loads as well as the ability to save money on down-gauging packaging.

It also allows AkzoNobel to trial different packaging methods to find the best solution for them and their customers.

The TX1002 Transport Simulator can replicate a vehicles motion around roundabouts, moving over speed bumps and braking heavily as well as general vehicle movement.

“The Simulator is useful for trialling different product layouts and testing different secondary packaging types side by side,” said John Hewitt, Head of UK Logistics Supply Chain at ICI Paints AkzoNobel.

Real time data is collected from actual journeys made transporting product using a data logger, this records vehicle movement on 4

“It gives a more robust test that helps us feel more confident that our products will get there safely.”

www.marpak.co.uk http://talospackagingsystems.co.uk

64 Glass International September 2016

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MARPAK & TALOS REVOLUTIONISING PROTECTIVE PACKAGING FOR GLASS MANUFACTURERS Our unique infrastructure and partnerships create the complete packaging solution for your products. From bottle line solutions to conveyors, through to packaging machines and polythene protection; coupled with our ability to test the packaging process on our transport simulator, this brings you guaranteed savings in time and money.

Polythene film and sheeting

360 degree end of line packaging service

Pallet protection shrink

Transport simulation for testing load stability

Get in touch email: glasstec@marpak.co.uk

Shrink/Stretch-hood machines

Come visit us at Glasstec in September (Hall 15 Stand F30) to be entered into our free prize draw.

YES, THERE REAL REALLYY IS A

A400.4

UV50

2560 m3/h 4 bar(g) 250 kW

3240 m3/h 450÷0.5 mbar(a) 90 kW

AIR COMPRESSOR

VACUUM PUMP

UV SERIES VACUUM PUMPS

BETTER SOLUTION FOR COMPRESSED AIR AND VACUUM SUPPLY IN HOLLOW GLASS PLANTS

low cost of operation

A SERIES AIR COMPRESSORS

Capacity up to 5120 m3/h at 2.5 to 10 bar(g).

Low maintenance, negligible repairs, high energy savings, and high reliability make this the least costly long-term solution available today. Typical ROI when replacing other systems is 12-18 months.

simple, reliable, durable

first class support

easy to install and run

tested & proven worldwide

Capacity up to 6480

m3/h

at 450 to 0.5 mbar(a).

Direct coupling means few moving parts, low rotation speed, low temperature. This virtually eliminates repairs and ensures superior reliability and longevity.

Ready-to-use turnkey system with optional Variable Speed drive and heat recovery. No foundation or water needed. Compact footprint.

Each unit comes with system engineering and a 5-year performance guarantee.

Service by Pneumofore-certified technicians is available anytime.

Dozens of leading glass plants have chosen Pneumofore rotary vane units over liquid ring or screw pumps. The results are crystal clear: high energy savings, steady, trouble-free performance, and of course, slashed costs of operation - over decades.

In operation at Allied, Ardagh, Canpack, Consol, Gallo, Gerresheimer, HNGI, O-I, Sisecam, Verallia, Vidrala, Wiegand and more.

SINCE

Pneumofore SpA • Via N. Bruno 34, Rivoli, 10098, Italy • +39 011.950.40.30 • www.pneumofore.com

1923

SWISS ENGINEERING ITALIAN DESIGN GLOBAL PRESENCE

ISO 9001 ISO 14001 CERTIFIED

Machinery

Glass insulators complete production line.

Enabling the production of technical glasses

Glass brick production.

Alex Crescentini* discusses how machinery developed by OCMI aids in the production of technical glasses, in particular glass insulators and glass bricks.

www.glass-international.com

O

cmi Group started in the field of machinery for technical glass production in 1997, alongside its partner MT Forni Industriali, an Italian company that specialises in the development and supply of glass melting furnaces, and annealing and decorating lehrs for several types of glass articles.

The synergy between the two companies resulted in them supplying complete turn-key plants for the manufacture of two products: glass insulators for high tension airlines and glass bricks used for architectural purposes.

The turn-key plants have supplied customers in Italy, Algeria, Iran and China. Lines installed for these types of production can go from 30 to 60 tons/day of pulled glass, as only high productions can justify such important investments.

Machinery for glass insulators The production of glass insulators was installed in countries with a high disposal of raw materials and where the government had decided to be the main investor in the electrification process.

This type of production needs maximum attention to detail due to the

delicate function of the articles to be produced. It starts with the quality of the raw materials; the percentage of each component in glass composition; the glass temperature in every point of the processing line; right up to the storage method and time.

The production process does not terminate with the packing of the products, as sophisticated control machines and tests are required before including the item in the final supply.

Manufacturing is not limited to glass processing but also includes the preparation, control and assembling of cement caps and pins required to realise the insulator chain for high tension airlines. For these reasons, Ocmi and MT Forniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scope of supply covers a range of machinery and specifically the following processes: For glass shell production: Melting batch of suitable composition; Forming by a special press; Temperature homogenising; Toughening; and Thermal, mechanical and dimensional tests.

For insulator assembly and controls: Assembly with cement and metal fittings; and Routine thermal, mechanical and dimensional tests; For insulator qualification: Type tests and sample tests in accordance with International Standards.

The production line can be purposely developed according to varying volumes of glass tonnes pulled from the melting furnace.

Ocmiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pressing machine performs the forming of glass shells and can be adapted for the production of different shapes of suspension-type insulators: standard, fogtype and open profile.

The shape is given to the glass gob through a multiple rotating plunger with an integrated cooling system.

The thermal treatment performed through the homogenising tunnel, toughening machine, two annealing lehrs and water bath, gives the requested characteristics of mechanical resistance to the finished insulator.

Continued>>

66 Glass International September 2016

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Machinery

Insulators toughening process.

This is a critical passage in the workflow, as the insulator will be exposed to many environmental conditions, despite which it must keep its intrinsic characteristics.

Temperature changes are purposely applied according to the level of thermo-mechanic resistance requested for the article.

Regarding post-production operations, Ocmi and MT Forni can supply the necessary know-how or equipment for the development of the assembly department and test laboratories.

Glass bricks Glass bricks don’t require such a complex thermal treatment or testing operations, but the complete workflow still requires several steps.

Glass bricks are first produced in two halves in an Ocmi pressing machine of 10 or 12 stations, working with either hydraulic or pneumatic pressing mechanisms. The take-out of the press machine unloads the semi-finished bricks on a conveyor going to the next working phase: the hot welding.

The welding process consists of pre-heating and melting the edges of each half-brick and the consequent joining of the two parts.

Ocmi can upgrade the traditional glass block forming line to double its capacity through two presses feeding the welding machine.

Such a solution makes the new Ocmi ‘high capacity’ glass blocks line more profitable in terms of both investment and operation costs. This double configuration can achieve a daily production of 25,000 finished glass bricks.

After final cooling the finished items are unloaded and transferred to the last annealing process through anthropomorphic robots programmed by Ocmi specialists. A painting machine for the colouring of glass bricks sides can be supplied on request.

Ocmi manufacturing lines for glass insulators and glass bricks are developed with the primary purpose of maximising efficiency.

These arrangements are made possible thanks to Ocmi and MT Forni’s glass experts who have specific knowledge in products with high technical content.

For both production lines, Ocmi offers the maximum effort in technical assistance since, particularly in the first weeks, the support of glass experts and engineers is vital in assuring the smooth running of the machine and final quality of the products produced.

Hall 13 Booth F20 *Spare Parts Manager, OCMI-OTG, Milan, Italy www.ocmigroup.com Glass International September 2016

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Training

Accredited programme delivers master glaziers The Australian Glass and Glazing Association (AGGA) has launched an accredited company programme which provides a way of recognising the credentials and regulatory compliance of companies of all sizes, states Patrick Gavaghan.

 Once the relevant status has been achieved the glazier receives a personalised ID card, uniform cloth badge and award certificate.

C

ompany accreditation is more than a one-off tick of approval – it is an ongoing programme, audited at regular intervals. The programme is built on four pillars:

www.glass-international.com

r r r r

Master Glaziers Technical Compliance Safety

The Master Glazier pillar brings the glass and glazing industry in Australia in line with other professional trades, providing a benchmark for quality and offering a clear pathway from an Apprenticeship through to qualified Glazier, to Certified Glazier and then finally to Master Glazier status.

In the past there have been few ‘industry-led’ incentives to encourage professionals to pursue higher skill levels, based on clear levels of expertise attained.

Master Glazier overturns this deficiency by creating a formal hierarchical structure under the terms Apprentice, Glazier, Certified Glazier and Master Glazier.

Master Glazier includes assessments of the qualifications and an ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) requirement. Ongoing training and development of staff is recognised as a vital part of the accredited company

programme and the health of the glass industry. The Master Glazier programme delivers on this with a strong CPD requirement, offering a range of skills and knowledge activities.

Programme updates The programme is open to all AGGA members and non-members, who are qualified and have been working as a glazier for more than two years to achieve Certified Glazier status, or more than 10 years for Master Glazier status. If the applicant does not have the required trade qualification they can call AGGA to

discuss various Recognition of Prior Learning options available, so they can obtain a formal trade qualification.

Once the relevant status has been achieved the glazier receives a personalised ID card, uniform cloth badge and award certificate As part of the programme, Master and Certified Glaziers will be able to use exclusive logos to promote their personal recognition.

Applications process The application process for both the Certified and Master Glazier has been designed to capture all relevant evidence while still being easy to complete.

The application and review process is managed by AGGA with qualified reviewers assessing each application.

Continued>>

68 Glass International September 2016

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Training

AGGA has the final decision on awarding the status and is also responsible for process review and auditing.

Any glazier in Australia interested in this programme can go to the AGGA website and either download the application forms or complete them online. AGGA is available to help all applicants in having their skills and status recognised by their peers, government and consumers.

More importantly, they will be recognised as a glazier proud of the trade they have and the industry they work in.

Application forms are available from the AGGA website www. agga.org.au, then by clicking the CPD & Training tab.

ELECTROGLASS MAKE THE RIGHT MOVE FOR IMPROVED

GLASS QUALITY

Exemption process The programme includes a trade qualification exemption clause for the Master Glazier certificate, which allows a glazier with more than 25 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience but without a formal qualification to apply for Master Glazier status without the trade qualification. This exemption will require validation

by AGGA state association executives prior to approval. The exemption will only be available to glaziers that are either AGGA members or are employed by an AGGA member. This exemption will only be available until March 31, 2017.

î ś To maintain Certified or Master Glazier status an ongoing commitment to training and development is required.

CPD points To maintain Certified or Master Glazier status, an ongoing commitment to training and development is required. This involves earning a minimum of 10 CPD points per year from approved activities. Programmes or activities have CPD points allocated in line with the benefit the glazier receives from attending. The CPD points system covers a multitude of training, industry involvement and other methods for gaining CPD points. CPD points are allocated at the level of skill or knowledge that the particular programme will add to attendee.

They commence at .5 and increase in .5 increments up to 20 points.

Accredited company Individual staff participating in the Master Glazier programme is an important first step to companies becoming an AGGA Accredited Company.

By also meeting the technical, compliance and safety requirements of the programme, companies will be able to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. Non-member participation in the programme will also aid in lifting the profile and professionalism of the glazing industry in Australia. r

For further information on the Accredited Company programme contact the AGGA on +61 (0) 3 8669 0170, email agga@agga.asn.au.

For information on the Master Glazier programme call AGGA National Training Manager Patrick Gavaghan on +61 (0) 3 8669 0172 +61 (0)401 55656 or email patrick@agga.asn.au

ELECTRIC BOOSTING, BUBBLING & DRAIN TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE QUALITY IN ALL GLASS TYPES

The Specialists in Electric Glass Melting and Conditioning

www.electroglass.co.uk

Glass International September 2016 BENFLEET, ENGLAND

Australian glazing.indd 2

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20. - 2

3.9.20

16

Hall 1 5, Sta nd D11

The glassmaker’s diary

Events world

World Soda Ash Conference 2016 The conference and workshop will once again present the insight and analysis of the market.

September 20th - 22nd 2016 Lisbon, Portugal.

CONTACT:www.ihs.com/events/world-soda-ash-2016/ overview.html.

ATIV Conference This year’s theme is ‘Glass: between technique and creATIV-ity’. The conference will be split into two sessions for hollow and flat glass.

October 20th - 21st 2016 Parma University, Parma, Italy CONTACT: www.ativ-online.it

glasstec 2016 Biennial exhibition and conference devoted to all sectors of the glass industry.

September 20th - 23rd 2016 Messe Düsseldorf, Germany.

CONTACT: www.glasstec.de

Glass Problems 2016 77th Conference on Glass Problems.

November 7th - 10th 2016 Columbus, Ohio, USA. CONTACT: www.glassproblemsconference.org

International Glass Technology course Celsian’s regular five day course on glass technology, held in its hometown of Eindhoven.

Sept 26th - 30th 2016 Eindhoven, The Netherlands CONTACT: www.glasstrend.nl/events-NCNG-September-26-30-2016-Eindhoven-The-Nerherlands.php 40th ASEAN Conference Annual conference held in a different South East Asian country each year.

October 17th - 20th Hua Hin/Cha-am, Thailand.

CONTACT: www.aseanglass.org

Glasstech Asia 2016 14th International Glass Products, Glass Manufacturing, Processing & Materials Exhibition.

November 24th - 26th 2016 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

CONTACT: www.glasstechasia.com.sg Glassman South America 2017 International exhibition and conference for the hollow glass manufacturing industry.

March 29th - 30th 2017 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

CONTACT: www.glassmanevents.com/south-america

Pictured Left to right: Steve Harris Global Sales Manager - Glass Tracy Merrill UK Customer Services Iwona Szkoda Head Chemist - Glass Mo Farah Production Manager - Glass Michal Bochen Sales Manager - Glass

www.glass-international.com

Meet us at Glasstec 2016.

Hall 14, Stand E04. www.fuchs.com/uk

NEW

VITROLIS Lubricants for glass manufacturing.

Behind every drum is a team of experts.

71 Glass International September 2016

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CLASSIFIEDS

ANNEALING LEHRS

COMBUSTION

COMBUSTION EQUIPMENT

SYSTEMS/BURNERS

ANNEALING & DECORATING LEHRS for Containers and Tableware

TEMPERING LINES ON BELT / SPINDLES for Tableware and Stemware

INDUSTRIAL GAS ENGINEERS

I NDUST RIAL G AS E NGINEERS UNIT D2, BRO O KSID E BD2, U S Brookside I N E S S P ABusiness R K , G R EPark, E N G AGreengate, TE,C H AD D ERTO N, M24 1G S, ENG LAND Unit Chadderton, T E L E P H O N E : 0 1 6 1 - 6M24 5 4 71GS, 7 0 0 UKF A X : 0 1 6 1 - 6 5 5 3 8 1 2 Tel +44 (0) 161 654 7700 Fax +44 (0) 161 655 3812 E-MAIL: S A L E S @ M O N T S E L A S . C O . U K WWW.MONTSELAS.CO.UK Email sales@montselas.co.uk www.montselas.co.uk

AIR

Low-Emission Oxy-fuel Solutions GAS

MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF SELAS SQUARE PORT GAS & AIR VALVES contact us

vidromecanica@vidromecanica.com www.vidromecanica.com

Inerting Applications

GLASS LEVEL MEASUREMENT

HOTSheppee ENDClassified WARE advert.pdf HANDLING

HEAT-UP SERVICES

C

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Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

LUBRICATING Classified Ad1.pdfAND 1 03/02/2016 COATING SOLUTIONS

INSPECTION

C

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TIAMA ZA des Plattes, 1 Chemin des Plattes, 69390 Vourles, France

CM

Tel +33 (0) 4 37 20 15 00, Fax +33 (0) 4 78 07 94 50

CY

Email: marketing@tiama.com Website:www.tiama.com

• Oxygen & oxygen flow control equipment • Global oxygen enrichment applications • Cleanfire® oxy-fuel burners • Start-up services

MY

Lubricating and Coating Solutions for the Glass Container Industry Graphoidal Developments Ltd, Broombank Road, Chesterfield, S41 9QJ, England

CMY

K

RAW MATERIALS

Tel: +44 (0) 1246 266000 Fax: +44 (0) 1246 269269 Email: sales@graphoidal.com Website: www.graphoidal.com

REFRACTORY LINING

Ware Handling Made Easy Complete intergrated Ware Handling package 2 & 3 Axis Servo Stacker Advanced Lehr Cross Conveyor Ware Transfer units for ALL types of production Adjustable pocket Pushbars Worldwide service and support team Dedicated to resolving your Ware Handling problems Airfield Business Park, Elvington, York, YO42 4AU, UK Tel: 0044 1904 608999 Email: sales@sheppee.com Web: www.sheppee.com

• Hydrogen, nitrogen & other gases

1 04/02/2016 10:34:15 • Enabling flow control equipment

800-654-4567 (code 344) gigmrktg@airproducts.com airproducts.com/glass

(39101)

Global Combustion Systems Total Support Unit 43, Evans Business Centre, Easter Inch, Bathgate EH48 2EH, Scotland, UK Tel+44 (0) 1506 657310 Fax +44 (0) 8704 799975 Email Sales@globalcombustion.com Web www.globalcombustion.com

13:53:19

SCREEN PRINTING

DECORATING MACHINES KBA-KAMMANN GmbH Bergkirchener Str. 228 D-32549 Bad Oeynhausen (Germany) Fon +49 (0) 5734 5140-0 Fax: +49 (0) 5734 5140-5130 mail@kba-kammann.com www.kba-kammann.com

FLEXIBLE. PRECISE. INNOVATIVE.

Contact Esme Horn T+44 (0) 1737 855136 to book your space

Glassman events visit: www.glassmanevents.com

Rio Tinto Minerals 2 Eastbourne Terrace London W2 6LG, UK Tel +44 (0) 207 781 1450 Fax +44 (0) 207 781 1851 Email: simon.cook@riotinto.com Web: www.riotintominerals.com

CLASSIFIEDS.indd 1

SOUTH AMERICA 2017 29-30 March 2017, Buenos Aires, Argentina

01/09/2016 14:44

Defects no longer know where to hide

Intelligent engraving inspection The Evolution 12 engraving identification and inspection module is a software innovation that allows the machine to identify engravings in a containerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body or base.

Because it is very difficult to predict how an engraving will look, this module dramatically improves inspection in these areas. By calculating the position of the engraving, the machine identifies the pixels related to the engraving, as well as those that relate to a defect.

This algorithm has been improved and tested over recent months on several production lines, including those devoted to beers, carbonated beverages, wine and high value spirits.

VISIT US AT GLASSTEC 2016 DĂźsseldorf, Germany

20 - 23 Sept. 2016 - Hall 14 Booth C22

It‘s really scary not to have the full picture!

Complete control, guaranteed.

That’s a promise only we can make since only Tiama offers monitoring and inspection from the hot to the cold end and beyond. If, like us, you believe that knowledge is power, allow Tiama to take the pressure off your hands – with real-time process and quality control that results in improved efficiency and productivity.

www.growth-group.com

Not just INformation – ALLformation: www.tiama.com

Intelligence

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