Glass history, the industrial era.
The more important change in glass manufacturing was designed by a man called Pilkington who was working for the Pilkington company in Scotland (Even with the same name he was not a family member of the company owner).
This new manufacturing conception called “float” allowed to drastically decrease the production costs. It was the start for a very fast increasing in glass using for architectural, furniture, cars…
The float:
At the outlet of the glass melting furnace, the glass flows under a tin bed. This way the glass remains transparent on the 2 sides and the following polishing step is no more compulsory.
Adjusting the flow speed the operator can manufacture the glass in the different thickness required by the market.
After the tin bed the glass is no more liquid and can be moved with rolls up to another continuous furnace where the glass is going to slowly cool down to stabilize the glass internal structure and avoid later possible breakage.
It is now automatically cut (jumbo or half jumbo size), and stored before to be loaded in specific trucks for delivery for the glazier or industrial user.
A float plant is able to manufacture on average around 1000 tons a day and is working night and days without stopping the glass production.
