THE FLOAT GLASS PROCESS

In the float process, molten glass from the melting furnace is poured onto the surface of an enclosed bath of molten tin in a controlled atmosphere. The glass forms a continuous ribbon which floats along the bath and is held at a high enough temperature for a long enough time for irregularities to be melted out and for the surfaces to become flat and parallel. The ribbon is cooled while still supported on the tin until the surfaces are hard enough for the glass to be taken out of the bath without the take off rollers marking the bottom surface. The natural thickness of the glass ribbon, which forms as it floats on the tin under the combined natural forces of surface tension and gravity, is about 6.8 mm. To make thicker or thinner glass, mechanical forces must be applied to the ribbon while it is forming in the float bath. Thus, for the manufacture of thick glass, the edges of the ribbon are constrained by guides or top rollers which prevent the ribbon spreading sideways. For thin glass, spreading is assisted by stretching the ribbon using top rollers.

JGE designs and manufactures the float tin bath furnace and a complete set of machinery & equipment for the float bath area. Following  propriety equipment is available to all float glass companies and project contractors :

	Tin Bath		Top Roller
	Roof for Tin bath		Linear Motor
	Purifier for Bath Atmosphere		De-dross at Bath Exit
	Digital Imagine Analysis for Tweel Control		Reflective Coating