The Evolution and Development of Glass House Equipment

Abstract

This paper is an account of the evolution of machinery used in glass-making in which the modern methods are contrasted with the old. Gas producers, gas b z r m m and oil burners are discussed. In burning gas a greater efficiency obtains when the air entirely surrounds the gas stream as i t enters the fire box. In burning oil the high pressure costs more for installation but is more efficient. The tendency is towards automatic machinery for all glass-making operations. Many machines are well nigh perfect but improvements are being made constantly. Mention is made of the need of a better alloy for metal molds. In the gla3s industry labor represents on the average 40 per cent of the cost of the product. In this respect the glass industry ranks thirteenth.While glass-making is one of the oldest of the manufacturing industries, it is also one of the newest from a basis of the development of manufacturing processes. Authorities differ as to the origin of glass, but it is very probable that the Egyptians were the first manufacturers in a commercial way. They made glass by a primitive process between lGO0 and 1500 B. C.Geographically and chronologically in the line of development we might list glass manufacture thus : Egypt, Rome, Venice, Germany, Bohemia, France, England, and the United States.While the anc'ents produced a great variety of glasses, some of which we have not been able to duplicate, the greatest development in the handling and forming from a purely commercial view-point has been during our time. Due credit must be given them for the processes used as many of our most modern methods are but improved application of those processes.Pressing glass by means of metal forms was known to the Egyptians; glass replicas of their coins of the time of Thebes have been found. The exact origin of the blowpipe as used in glass manufacture is unknown. It is sufficient to say that it was first used by the Egyptians the second or third century B. C. The application of these two very old processes form the basic foundation of our present day equipment in the shaping or manufacture of glass articles.Up to the latter part of the last century these processes and their application were but slightly developed. The medal for progress made in the evolution of glass factory equipment for both hemispheres during the past fifty years, belongs without a question of doubt to this wonderful country of ours. The use of gas for fuel has been the greatest factor in this development.This paper proposes to cover in general, and in many instances in a detailed way, equipment adapted for the glass factory, for fuel, raw material, melting, shaping, tempering and finishing-that is, grinding, polishing and decorating.