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Email: sales@glassworldwide.co.uk
Linde’s US subsidiary, Praxair Inc will begin operating under the Linde name from 1 September 2020. This name change reflects the company’s evolution following the merger of Praxair Inc and Linde AG. Operating under the Linde brand, the company has established a vision to be the best performing global industrial gases and engineering company.
When a leading glass container producer in the Netherlands needed a replacement cullet return system, the company turned to Forglass, the furnace and batch plant technology expert from Poland, whose engineers have designed a latest generation scraping conveyor, equipped with ‘smart’ technology. The design has already been dubbed SmartScraper, due to the machine’s built-in intelligence.
One of the key elements of this intelligence is the overload protection system (OPS).
Sun Chemical has organised a Corporate Sustainability Committee to further strengthen its approach to addressing the sustainability needs of the packaging industry.
AMETEK Land is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its UKAS-accredited infrared temperature calibration laboratory in the UK. In 1970, the laboratory in Sheffield was the first in the country to be accredited by the then British Calibration Service (BCS), now the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), for the issue of calibration certificates for non-contact thermometry.
Vidromecanica, Portugal, has recently completed the expansion of its premises, the company’s third significant expansion in recent years, providing additional space for the design and manufacture of equipment for the glass container and tableware sectors.
Based in the glassmaking hub of Marinha Grande, Vidromecanica employs approximately 60 production staff.
Agr International has announced the appointment of Martin Küstner (shown left) and Davide Bartoli (right) to strategic international positions within the organisation.
These appointments are a continuation of the company’s ongoing plans to strengthen and expand its sales and service organisations, in order to better support the needs of customers throughout the world.
A 20 year veteran at Agr International, Martin Küstner is named International Sales Director, overseeing all worldwide sales-related activities, with the exception of the USA and Canada.
Quantum Engineered Products is now present in more than 50 different countries, having shipped mechanisms to hollow glassmakers in three continents in recent weeks alone.
This includes configurations for 6-section 2 1/8in triple gob, 8-section 3in triple gob, 8-section 3 5/16in triple gob, 8-section 5in double gob and 10-section 6 1/4in double gob.
AMETEK Land now provides in-furnace thermal glass surveys to increase efficiency, productivity and asset life in glass production.
The company’s surveys allow glass producers to gain essential insights to the thermal processes within their glass melt tanks, with accurate real-time temperature measurements.
Combining near-infrared borescope thermal imaging with portable multi-gas analysis, the survey is carried out by an experienced engineer at a specified number of furnace locations.
Available from RHI Magnesita, the INNOREG concept of customised regenerators for glass furnaces optimises energy efficiency and reduces the clogging risk for individual regenerators.
The increase in energy efficiency was realised mainly with the TLW chimney block design. Increased energy efficiency means lower fuel cost and at the same time, lower CO2 emissions.
The reduction of clogging risk was achieved with the LCP shape, allowing a larger channel width in the lower area of the regenerators.
Based on a three axis design, Revimac’s RSS100 servo stacker is capable of operating at speeds of up to 22 cycles/min.
The three brushless servomotors allow users to operate an approaching, pursuit, loading and back cycle, always maintaining full control in each phase.
Via the user-friendly interface, it will be intuitive for personnel to customise curves and movement profiles to fit any type of glass container.
The Bavelloni VE series is the latest evolution of flat glass edging machinery, regarded as a benchmark in the field for its reliability, user-friendliness and for the quality of end product.
VE straight-line edgers are available in various configurations for every need and for any glass fabricator.
VE 350 6D is a vertical edger, equipped with six diamond wheels, suitable for customers who need to grind flat edge with arrises at high speed (up to 8m/min).
The use of laminated glass is growing rapidly thanks to its safety and comfort qualities. The latest laminating oven from Bovone is designed to provide a valid production alternative.
With this technology, the hot air flow system is separated from the IR heating lamps.
The air can be independently heated by electrical heaters, so the two heating systems can be managed in an independent way to manage any type of interlayer.
A spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser and Production Technology (ILT/IPT), nokra has almost 30 years’ experience in designing and integrating state-of-the-art, laser-based geometry measuring systems for 100% inline inspection in fully automated production lines.
The first glass measuring system was installed in 2006 on a Saint-Gobain windscreen production line. Today, more than 30 systems are used worldwide, operated by Saint-Gobain, KAC, AGC and AGP.
ROSS Europa GmbH has developed a proportional pressure control valve with comprehensive real-time monitoring and analysis capabilities for functions like plunger-up, counter-blow, final blow or finish cooling.
The state of a ROSS proportional valve can be monitored in real-time, allowing users to identify potential problems (eg leakages downstream the valve, voltage supply, upstream pressure) before they result in product defects and unnecessary machine downtime, thereby optimising the glass container manufacturing process and avoiding unnecessary costs.
When a UK glass container customer of Standard Industrie International encountered a problem of material spillages during the conveying of in-house cullet, it was decided to modify the existing strip and install 32m of LIFTUBE.
During a short production stoppage, the LIFTUBE was installed on a conveyor running in a tunnel of approximately 1500mm sides.
All original rollers and skirts were removed and taken out of the tunnel in turn.
The LIFTUBE parts were then transported by hand and installed on the original conveyor frame.
A key challenge for Italy’s Vetromeccanica is the performance of its recently created cold end department.
In addition to the company’s long-term experience in conveying solutions for containers, its goal is to consolidate the turnkey cold end and palletising solutions provided.
Capitalising on the success of previous advanced designs, BASF has recently developed enhanced thermocouple designs that utilise 20%-40% less precious metal than their traditional equivalents.
These designs use advanced high strength materials that allow for the use of less precious metal without sacrificing, form, fit or function of the thermocouple.
The designs can be used in forehearth, crown and bottom applications. The biggest benefit is a significant cost saving, without sacrificing longevity, quality and overall performance.
Based on 25 years’ experience in the glass container industry, DinterS has improved the operation of coating hoods to reduce the consumption of chemicals.
Developed in co-operation with leading glass producers, the company’s coating equipment minimises the environmental impact and daily costs of production.
Pictured: Latest DinterS coating hood.
Proell's core business lies in the development of custom-made chemical products for coating/decorating glass, metals, plastics and other materials, as well as innovative ink systems for IMD/FIM technology and screen and pad printing inks.
Among the company’s latest innovations is NoriGlass OR, a glossy, silicone-free, two-component glass screen printing enamel ink.
This outdoor-resistant ink has been developed for the second surface decoration of glass, particularly for backlit displays of vending or ticket machines.
According to Italy’s ADI, the Application of Industrial Diamond, good diamond tools mean reduced scrap, better results, higher productivity and ultimately, lower cost per metre.
The company’s UHS family of tools is used widely on most common vertical CNC machines. This special bond is formulated to give the best performance levels at high speed. It also delivers long tool life, contributing to reduced machine downtime.
Fuchs Lubricants has recently launched the first in a series of manual swabbing compounds for application in the glass container industry.
Part of the company’s comprehensive glass lubricants product range covering the container industry, flat glass and pharmaceutical/medicinal ware, Vitrolis MM premium is targeted at extended swabbing cycles and improving efficiency.
Available in 18kg sample pails, as well as 200kg drums and 1000kg IBC, the product is commercially available from Fuchs facilities throughout the world, together with local technical and commercial support.
In order to deliver ‘fresh’ glass to its customers, an established float glass production plant in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany is using a Grafotec Liquid Applicator - LA C-Protection on its line.
The system applies an anti-corrosion agent to the glass ribbon in liquid form, which can delay the resulting corrosion.
Dow is offering architectural designers and specifiers the opportunity to realise an aesthetically pleasing ‘one colour edge’ for insulating glass, which is a key design element in modern glass facades.
This colour matched edge sealant system comprises a DOWSIL primary and secondary sealant which when combined, offers high performance in gas-filled insulating glass for a homogenous appearance and improved aesthetics at the glass edge.
Mappi has again taken up the innovation challenge with its latest range of tempering furnaces, powered by Siemens.
Both the smallest of the company’s Fox series and those of its flagship ATS 4.0 series have been prepared to be integrated into MindSphere, the Siemens operating system, created specifically for Industry 4.0 and its infinite applications.
Cefla’s MITO Glass automated spray solution for flat glass decoration increases production output while simultaneously ensuring application uniformity, process quality and reduced rejects.
The speed and ease of use of the patented JIT system allows for extreme flexibility in colour change. A wide range of configurations allows for spray system customisation and increased variety in production output possibilities.
The contactless reading bar accurately scans the size of each glass sheet as it passes through the machine, ensuring reduced paint usage.
Following the retirement of Garry Fisher, Ondrej Bunda has been named Project Manager by Tecoglas, a member of the TECO Group of Companies.
He directly manages glass plant installation projects from early development through to project completion and is responsible for project scheduling, technical and budget evaluation, as well as construction co-ordination.
Ondrej Bunda (pictured) originates from the Czech Republic, where he received his Masters’ Degree in Structural and Transportation Engineering from the Czech Technical University in Prague.
Since signing a licensing and co-operation agreement with Verallia in May 2019, manufactIS GmbH has been supplying original spare parts, mechanism and assemblies for all GPS brand IS machines on an exclusive basis.
The development and installation of innovative technologies and safety solutions, as well as modernisations are part of the service and product portfolio provided.
Belgium’s Belref SA specialises in the production of dense and insulating bricks, monolithics and preshaped refractory products for the glass industry, supplying customers in more than 50 countries.
To remain at the highest level of quality and innovation, the company is currently investing in people and equipment, a PhD engineer having been welcomed from the University of Limoges, specialising in refractory materials, while specialist cutting equipment has been acquired for the finishing department.
India’s Shamvik Glasstech is undergoing rapid transformation via the involvement of third generation family members.
The company’s IS machinery expertise optimises cutting edge automation technologies to deliver end-to-end solutions with enhanced safety features. Vikram Munshi, Managing Director has created a global footprint in his 27 years at the helm. “To continue the legacy of the founding father, we will always try to provide up-to-date technology solutions to all customers who wish to establish a glass bottle plant” Mr Munshi confirms.
Metal powder producer Höganäs AB has developed a method to coat glass moulds using laser cladding rather than plasma transferred arc welding. Höganäs is a reliable and long-term partner for surface coating of moulds in the glass industry, with product offerings including nickel spray and fuse alloys and its blends with carbides, as well as extensive technical support from the Höganäs application development centre, ArcX.
Portugal’s Meta Global Lda reports growing sales to such countries as Greece, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy and the UK, in addition to its traditional business in support of glassmaking customers in Portugal and Spain.
Since its creation in 2006, Meta Global has maintained its focus on supplying the glass packaging, tableware and mould industries with quality products and services in close co-operation with customers. Technical, commercial, logistics and after sales support are conducted from locations in Lisbon and Leiria.
UK-based Pennine Industrial Equipment Ltd has been granted a European patent (EP 3348497) for its Swiftlink head protector link.
This follows the company having already been granted a US patent (US 10,358,293 B2).
Swiftlink has been designed to provide a different style of head protector that not only creates an uninterrupted transfer surface during hot glass container handling but also provides the ability to connect a chain rapidly when combined with Pennine’s Pennlock system.
HyGear, a supplier of industrial gases via on-site generation, will host a webinar on 7 July 2020 at 14:00 CET, discussing how companies can recover the mixed hydrogen and nitrogen gas streams that are usually vented, in an economical and environmentally-beneficial way.
Speakers at this webinar are Dr Ellart de Wit, Chief Technology Officer and Niels Lanser, Chief Commercial Officer. They will discuss the technology and its functions and cost savings respectively.
UK-based Global Inkjet Systems (GIS), a developer and supplier of industrial inkjet solutions, has named Steve Jeffels as Chief Financial Officer. He brings a wealth of financial, strategic and commercial experience to the role, enhancing the company’s financial and corporate planning capabilities for the next phase of its growth.
Poland’s leading batch plant and furnace technology supplier is at the forefront of factory operating changes, where machines are able to make decisions by themselves or at least make the decision-making process easier for humans by seamlessly communicating with them.
The Forglass R&D department, in collaboration with The Main Mining Institute in Katowice, AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow and other prestigious technical universities, has developed an array of innovative technological solutions for both batch plants and furnaces.
Frazier-Simplex is to utilise the Covid toolkit from Vigilant Technologies for all future construction project job sites to help eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses before they happen. The toolkit automates symptom screening, contactless temperature checks and contact tracing.
Turkish glass container specialist Gurallar Cam Ambalaj has selected Applied Vision’s
Volcano glass inspection systems for its second furnace project later this year in Kutahya. USA-based Applied Vision has continued its strategic growth into the glass container market due to its advancements in glass inspection technology and global support network.
‘Recycle for the world’ is the slogan adopted by Siam Glass in Thailand. Germany’s ZIPPE is now part of this cycle, as it helps the glassmaker to avoid wasting valuable raw materials.
Glaston President and CEO, Arto Metsänen is to retire on 1 January 2021 and has agreed to step down as CEO next month. The Board of Directors has nominated his current deputy, Sasu Koivumäki as acting CEO, with the recruitment process for a new CEO already underway.
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the MSK Covertech Group is cancelling its participation at glasstec this October 2020 and is planning alternative product launches.
VPInstruments, manufacturer of flow metering equipment for easy insights to energy flows, has provided a major update to its VP Academy online e-learning platform. The update contains the addition of the VPFlowScope DP, VPFlowScope Probe and the VPFlowScope in-line product range.
After 15 years as President at Bucher Emhart Glass, Martin Jetter is handing over to Matthias Kümmerle, who has headed the company’s technology efforts since 2011. The change will take effect on 1 January 2021.
Martin Jetter has been President of Bucher Emhart Glass since January 2006. In parallel, until 2013 he managed the automation company Jetter, which he founded independently. Bucher Industries acquired a stake in Jetter in 2005 and took over the company in 2013.
For a second year in succession, Forglass has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Gazelles of Business ranking of the most dynamically growing businesses in the small-to-medium enterprise sector in Poland.
According to the company, this recognition reflects its positive reputation and credibility which, thanks to its dynamic development, can cope well even with much larger competitors.
Eurotherm by Schneider Electric, a leader in process automation and power control solutions, is staging public online training sessions on 12 and 19 May via the Microsoft Teams medium. Theme of the training sessions is ‘The Energy Source of the Future from an Energy Market Perspective’.
René Meuleman (pictured), Business Leader Global Glass, outlined some of the topics to be covered with the following commentary:
Tobias Wachtmann is to take over as Head of Vertical Glass & Solar at Siemens in Karlsruhe, Germany on 1 June, succeeding Bernhard Saftig, who retires in early July.
Mr Saftig has served glass industry customers at Siemens in positions of responsibility for more than three decades and leaves a strong foundation on which his successor can build.
Hotwork International, together with its subsidiaries worldwide, continues to serve clients with an urgent need for heat solutions amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many float furnaces, oxy-fuel and electric furnaces around the world have needed to install backup systems to temporarily keep furnaces or working ends hot in case of a hot hold or when the oxygen supply or transformer fails.
In some instances, urgent attention has been needed to avoid critical machine problems and in others, a furnace drain was called for.
Glaston’s first quarter 2020 results confirm a stable order book value of €45.6 million, driven by the insulating glass sector, where orders have grown by more than 70% year-on-year. Heat treatment equipment orders were also positive. Net sales grew by 6% to €46.9 million.
Glass melting technology specialist, Horn Glass Industries reports positive progress with a planned expansion of the company’s Ploessberg headquarters in Germany.
When the project is completed by mid-2020, 60 employees will benefit from the new complex’s productive working environment, designed for the creation of small office units, each fitted out for two-three people, instead of open plan offices.
A recent statement from Glaston confirms that production facilities in Finland, Germany, Switzerland and China have successfully maintained operations throughout the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
From the outset, the focus has been on securing the operations, the safety of employees and on continuous support for customers. This means that machines and lines for processing architectural, automotive, solar and appliance glass continue to be delivered to customers throughout the world.
Following a period of temporary closure to ensure the wellbeing and safety of staff, UK-based Glass Technology Services has reopened its laboratories for essential product lines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Combined Coating Measurement System (CCMS) from Agr International provides operators with a one-stop, single operation testing station for measuring and managing the container coating process.
This system utilises Agr’s proven reflective coating measurement technology, features a fully automated measurement approach and incorporates a number of technological advances.
It provides a 33% improvement in testing throughput and a 70% improvement in precision over previous Agr coating measurement systems.
As packaging markets continue to expand throughout Asia, Agr International has recognised significant demand for its quality management and process control equipment for glass and plastic containers.
This is evidenced by an ever-expanding customer base in the region.
The recent establishment of a sales and service office in Japan, headed by Satoshi Okura (pictured), is intended to meet this growing demand, using factory-trained Agr personnel.
Poland’s Forglass has recently completed a batch plant expansion project on behalf of glass wool production specialist, Saint-Gobain Isover.
The Chemillé plant in France was constructed some 10 years ago and recently the company decided to expand its glass wool production by constructing a second furnace. Calculations showed that the capacity of the batch plant was sufficient to supply both furnaces.
What was needed was an additional line for transporting the mixed batch to the new furnace, fully integrated with the client’s existing control system.
Global Inkjet Systems (GIS), a strategic partner for OEMs and system builders, has introduced its latest Atlas Graphical User Interface (GUI) industrial print software, offering significant usability and functionality, with interface options and language packs.
The Atlas Software Suite enables rapid integration of software components from GIS, system builders and third parties to create entire digital print systems covering workflow, RIP, VDP, drive electronics, ink delivery systems, transport control and subsystems.
Czech Republic-based Glass Service is celebrating 30 years’ service in support of the international glassmaking industry.
Together with affiliated companies FlammaTec spol s r o, FlammaTec Germany GmbH, FIC (UK) Ltd, FIC Germany GmbH, Augmented Sensors and Systems d o o (A-SENS), Glass Service provides extensive consulting and engineering services to customers.
HarbisonWalker International (HWI), the largest supplier of refractory products and services in North America, has announced Michael D Van Hill as Vice President, Supply Chain.
Mr Van Hill oversees all supply chain-related functions across the company’s international network, including customer service, demand and supply planning, transportation and logistics operations, as well as HWI’s 30 global sourcing centres and warehouses.
An investment group led by the owner of a worldwide construction company has acquired Henry F Teichmann Inc, the global process engineering and contracting firm dedicated to serving the glass industry.
Stephen F D’Angelo, owner and Chief Executive Officer of Pittsburgh-based dck worldwide, completed the transaction in mid-February, positioning Teichmann as an affiliate and strategic partner of the construction firm that has completed building projects in 125 countries.
Twenty seven Heye International service experts from around the world attended a week-long service workshop in Obernkirchen, Germany recently.
“What characterises the perfect team?” was among the important questions addressed, alongside “Which skill diversities can enrich the quality of a whole service team?” and “What are the benefits for the customer?”
Vibratory batch chargers with two pusher paddles and either servo- or frequency-controlled drives from HORN Glass Industries AG are increasingly specified in the glass market.
The reliability of this equipment has been reconfirmed by Wiegand-Glas in Steinbach, Germany in recent months. In 2018, HORN delivered a melting furnace together with an HRV 700S-2P batch charger, equipped with servo drive.
The servo drive allows the improved adjustment of the movement of the pusher paddles. Thus, the batch layer on the glass surface can be influenced more precisely.
Following the latest birthday honours awarded by the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth 11, Hunprenco Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Edwin Neesom has received an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to exports and to the rural community in North Yorkshire. He received the award from HRH The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, London.
In response to the international glass container industry’s growing acceptance and adoption of ‘smart’ manufacturing practises, IRIS Inspection machines has expanded its NEO range of smart inspection solutions.
Created in close consultation with key customers, the latest NEO technology goes beyond the conventional boundaries associated with specialist inspection machines, delivering a more comprehensive offering to face the challenges presented by the smart factory.
Nottingham, UK-based drying technology specialist for the industrial print market, Natgraph has appointed Andre Goodson as Managing Director and George Atkinson as Sales Manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Mr Goodson (pictured) brings a wealth of commercial leadership experience, bringing fresh ideas to the company, with an initial focus on growth. His core involvement will be with Natgraph’s global sales team and its operations group.
Germany’s NOGRID GmbH, leading supplier of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has relocated its headquarters to Mainz. Larger office space and training rooms (pictured) will help the company to prepare for further growth.
Separately, NOGRID has also announced its latest pointsBlow 3.2.5 software release (software especially for the simulation of the glass container forming process in full 3D) and NOGRID points 6.7.3, a general-purpose simulation software. Both releases provide a series of innovative features, with faster computation time ensuring reliable solutions.
Following its recent acquisition of Spain’s Kyp Accessories, the positioning of OCMI-OTG as a world leader in the supply of complete lines for the production of borosilicate glass containers for medical and cosmetic use is gaining momentum. This is illustrated by growing research and development activity throughout the group.
According to PaneraTech CEO Yakup Bayram (pictured with Fred Aker, Vice President of Sales and Marketing), self-service SmartMelter inspections will be available to new customers for initial inspections effective immediately. This service, previously extended only to repeat customers, will help glass manufacturers ensure safe and reliable furnace operations as they are forced to adjust maintenance and repair schedules.
Ramsey’s experience in the manufacture of two pin silent chains for almost 100 years has helped the company to produce what is described as a superior glass bottle conveying chain. Continuous R&D efforts have resulted in the development of innovations and special production methods for 100% steel Sentry two pin chains.
Following the departure of Miikkael Niemi, Jukka Manner (pictured) has been appointed CEO at Sparklike Oy, Finland’s leading supplier of non-destructive insulating gas analysers. Mr Manner has been Sparklike’s Sales and Marketing Director since early 2019, a position he will continue to perform in parallel.
Working alongside him is Iiro Jantunen, Chief Technology Officer, who has been responsible for product development, production maintenance and quality assurance since joining the business last November.
FlammaTec has introduced a hydrogen carbon-free burner in response to environmental challenges to reduce the glass industry’s CO2 footprint. A combined team of German and Czech FlammaTec engineers has worked with the Glass Service Simulation Department to create this latest generation technology.
The project required extensive computer simulation and engineering work, followed by testing at a high temperature combustion facility. The results have included proven burner parameters, flame flexibility and a highly efficient, stable combustion process.
Glaston Group has been awarded a contract for an FC Series tempering line with Dutch company Steinfort Glas, an expert in glass processing serving the construction, furniture, interior design and automotive industries. The order was received in early February 2020 and the line will be delivered during the last quarter of 2020. In addition, the deal includes a co-operation agreement sharing resources and linking companies core knowhows to a common learning curve.
Since introducing the all-electric furnace 50 years ago and providing boosters for more than 500 fossil-fired furnaces worldwide, SORG has an entire department dedicated to electric melting. The VSM cold top all-electric melter was first patented by the company in 1970. Subsequently, over 100 have been supplied, producing all kinds of glass, especially high quality glassware, while ensuring low energy consumption, low waste gas quantities and a dust-free factory environment.
