Views: 5 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-10-16 Origin: Site
In the world of manufacturing, the process of creating glass bottles is nothing short of fascinating. From raw materials to the final product, each step is meticulously controlled to ensure quality and efficiency. High-quality glass production line enhances the production of glass products. In this article, we'll take you through the intricacies of a glass bottle production line.
The primary equipment used in the production of glass bottles comprises the following components: distribution forehearth, feeding forehearth, feeder, and IS machine. The IS machine serves as the pivotal piece of equipment for forming bottles and containers. There are various forming methods employed by IS machines, including the Pressure-Blow(PB) method, Blow-Blow(BB) method, and Narrow Neck Press & Blow (NNPB) method.
The journey begins in the raw material workshop, where the batched materials are meticulously prepared. These materials, essential for glass production, are carefully weighed and then transferred onto a conveying belt.
The conveying belt carries the weighed cullets to the belt with batched materials, by a bucket elevator. This smoothly spreads the cullets, ensuring an mixing of raw materials.
The next step is feeding the batched mixture to the combined workshop of bottle making , where it is melt into the liquid glass. This process is facilitated by conveyor system and material silos.
Under the charge end hopper, a special feeder adds batched materials into the furnace. This process is meticulously controlled based on the glass liquid level test meter. At high temperatures, a series of physical and chemical changes occur, resulting in the melting, refining, and homogenization of the glass liquid.
A glass bottle production line is a marvel of automation. Furnace pressure, glass liquid level, flame control, fuel combustion, and the fuel-to-air ratio in the furnace are all expertly and automatically controlled.
The molten glass proceeds to the distribution forehearth for further homogenization before entering the feeding forehearth. A separate heating system in the distribution forehearth ensures that the molten glass maintains a stable temperature. This temperature stability and uniformity are vital for producing high-quality glass bottles.
The molten glass is then cut into gobs of uniform weight and suitable material shape by a feeder. These gobs go through the preliminary mold of the bottle making machine, where the actual bottle shaping takes place. The forming process can utilize techniques such as BB, PB, or NNPB method.
IS machines employ various forming methods:
Pressure-Blow: In 1882, American inventor Arbogost patented a method for producing large-diameter bottles and jars. It employed preliminary mold pressing, flipping, and forming mold blowing, achieving a 100% glass usage rate.
Blow-Blow: In 1885, British innovator Ashley developed the blow forming process for glass bottles. By flipping the prototype mold and using compressed air to form the bottle mouth before transferring it to the forming mold, this method suited small-mouth bottles and was later adapted for lightweight bottles.
Narrow Neck Press & Blow: The practical limitations of the blow-blow method led to the emergence of the Narrow Neck Press & Blow technique. Widely adopted by global industry leaders and domestic firms, it's the preferred method for crafting high-quality lightweight bottles with mouth sizes typically below 35mm. The process involves forming a preliminary blank through stamping in the preliminary mold and die.
The production line employs a flexible line control system that governs the entire forming line with precision. It includes electronic components like an electronic distributor, hydraulic turning mechanism, servo bottle clamp, electronic bottle dial, and electronic timing forming control. These components work in perfect synchronization, ensuring the utmost precision.
The formed bottles are sent through an annealing furnace, where they are annealed to relieve internal stress. Before entering the furnace, a hot-end evaporator applies a coating to improve the bottles' internal pressure resistance. In order to make glass bottles and jars more stable and evenly heated, this process is very important. This coating, combined with the annealing process, enhances the bottles' surface strength, making them smooth, beautiful, and more resistant to scratches.
Efficient waste management is a vital aspect of glass bottle production. Waste heat generated in the forming section is collected and transported to the cullets storage yard. Similarly, waste bottles from the cold end are processed and sent for recycling or disposal.
At the end of the production line, the bottles undergo strict quality checks. A bottle liner organizes them into a single row before they enter a multi-functional inspection machine. This machine checks for various parameters, including outer and inner diameter, air tightness, height, defects, and ovality. Any subpar bottles are automatically rejected.
For higher-end bottles and containers, a photographic inspection machine is employed to scrutinize the mouth, bottom, and body. This additional layer of inspection ensures that only top-notch products leave the production line.
In conclusion, the process of creating glass bottles is a complex and highly automated one. From the meticulous preparation of raw materials to the precise control of each step, every detail is critical to producing high-quality glass containers. The precise control of temperature, pressure, and timing is essential to ensure that the final bottles are uniform and free from defects. This industry not only showcases technological prowess but also emphasizes sustainability through efficient waste management and recycling practices.