Glass Processing Machine Basics

[Brenda Bailey]

    For glass crafting experts, having a glass processing machine of their own is very helpful in speeding up their production. This enables them to produce more unique pieces of glass art. The most common types of glass processing machines are the following: injection mold, automated wire press, pressure rollers, glass sanding and grinding machines, and press brakes. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

    The most common among these three types is the injection mold. In this process, molten glass is forced into a mold through a very high-pressure stream. This is how it can create the various sizes and shapes of glass art. Because of this, the results are of excellent quality. It also allows glass art creators to be able to design glass art that best suits their needs. Because of this, some of the most popular glass sculptures on the market today were made using this method.

    Another type of this machine is the automated press. With this kind of machine, different sized spheres are put into a hopper-like container. When the press is turned on, it forces the heated air to go through the tubes that are lined with rollers. This causes the air to be pushed along the glass tubes, giving it the ability to create the thickness and designs that the creator wants.

    A less popular form of this machine is the press brake. This kind of glass mold maker works with a piston. Because of this, the molten glass is forced to flow in a downward motion. This is how it creates translucent glass that can be separated into different parts by simple manipulation.

    Sanding and grinding are two other methods that can be used. These both involve the use of the sandpaper. They also use grinding wheels, and grinding stones. The process here is quite similar to that of the injection mold. Only instead of the molten glass is going in a vacuum tube, it is shot into a mandrel. It's only different here because instead of being shot in, the molten glass is forced to go in the mandrel.

    Creating glass items has been a challenge for engineers. There are times when using machines is the only way to get the perfect product. Whether it's a curved shape, tinted glass, or just transparent glass, there are a lot of special considerations involved. Using the right kind of glass processing machinery can help speed up production and make the finished product much more professional and impressive.