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Forehearth Training

How does an operator or manager know whether or not their forehearths are operating at optimal efficiency? The only quantitative information on performance is that supplied by the thermal efficiency calculation based on the equalizing zone tri-level thermocouples. But this is a very crude and often misleading yardstick against which to assess forehearth performance.

The principal aim of the Forehearth Services training course is to provide the skills and knowledge required to operate forehearths and distributors at optimum performance allowed by the chosen technology within the glass plant. The course also provides an insight into alternative forehearth technologies and recent developments in forehearth technology.

Forehearth operation is a crucial element in the manufacture of glass containers and tableware directly impacting on product quality and plant productivity. The training provided by the majority of forehearth suppliers is normally restricted to demonstrations on how to change parameters such as set points or air/gas ratio adjustments etc. This level of training is far below that required to enable operators to understand the dynamics of the forehearth system and to determine how best to operate the system to achieve optimum performance.

A major issue for the forehearth operator is how to determine the current level of forehearth performance. Presently a performance level is assumed based on feedback from the machine operators. The Forehearth Services training course teaches techniques that can be used to determine the precise level of performance efficiency. Together with analysis and recalibration procedures taught in the course both forehearth performance and productivity can be increased.

Adjustments to a forehearth inevitably lead to short term thermal instability in both the forehearth refractory and glass stream. It is critical therefore that the operator should adjust the forehearth – change set-points for example, only when absolutely necessary. It is equally critical that the operator understands the implications of any adjustment, its impact on the forehearth stability and on the thermal homogeneity of the glass stream entering the spout. The ability to predict the effect of the changes made and the timescale over which the changes will stabilise are also vitally important factors in efficient forehearth operation. The training course provides the operators with the analytical skills required to ensure all of the points above are satisfied

Forehearth Services offer modular forehearth training courses that cover all aspects of forehearth technology and operation. The course normally consists of 3 days classroom training followed by 2 days of practical training on the factory floor where the trainees can apply the skills acquired in the classroom to the analysis of their own forehearth performance and use the techniques learnt to optimise the forehearth operation.