#1 Raw Materials for Making Glass Bottles

The primary raw materials used in manufacturing glass bottles are sand, soda ash, limestone, and cullet. These materials are combined in precise ratios to produce soda-lime glass. However, different types of glass bottles may require additional ingredients. For example, dyes and chemical compounds can be incorporated into the production process to create colored bottles or heat-resistant borosilicate glass.

#2 Batching Process for Making Glass Bottles

After the raw materials are gathered and prepared, they are placed into a hopper machine for mixing. The mixture is then transferred into batching compartments in precise portions. These portions are then fed into the melting furnace via a conveyor belt.

Batching is a crucial phase in the glass bottle manufacturing process. The accuracy of the mixture portions is essential for ensuring consistent quality. The size of each portion is determined by the bottle design and the quantity to be produced.

#3 Glass Melting During Bottle Production

The melting phase occurs in a furnace where the raw materials are heated to approximately 1600°C. During this process, the water content evaporates, and organic materials are burned off, leaving the remaining mixture to melt into molten glass. The molten glass is then cooled to achieve the appropriate viscosity for the formation stage.

All of our furnaces are fully automated. The temperature settings are managed by our engineers from an integrated control room using specialized software.

#4 Blow glass forming processes

Glass formation involves the molding of molten glass into the desired bottle shapes. First, the viscous mixture is cut into gobs of equal size using a timed blade. The gobs fall into separate slots of an individual section machine. Each slot contains a shaping mold.

The final shape is achieved by either Blow and blow method or Press and blow method.

Press and Blow Process

The Press and Blow method involves the use of both a plunger and air to shape bottles. When the molten gob falls into the individual section, a plunger pushes it to fit the mold. This action defines it into a parison which is then transferred to a blow mold. There, it is reheated and blown with air until it is properly shaped. This method is preferred for wide-mouth glass containers such as glass vases, glass candle jars, or milk bottles.

#5 Annealing and Conditioning Processes in Glass Bottle Manufacturing

After the rigorous process of formation, the glass bottles are allowed to cool before being moved into an Annealing Lehr. It is a long kiln that has controlled temperature settings. In it, the glass bottles are slowly reheated and then gradually cooled again to a temperature below the strain point of glass.

Annealing is important as it minimizes the internal stresses in the glass bottles that can lead to shattering. It also ensures an even settling of the glass material.

We control the annealing process to:

• Ensure the consistency of material
• Minimize stresses
• Prevent spontaneous breakage

#6 Surface Treatment

Surface treatments are performed on the exterior of glass bottles when they are complete. They can be used for decoration, labeling, and even protection against abrasion. We have specialized equipment and know-how in performing various treatments including: