<rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><channel><title>empakglass</title><description>empakglass</description><link>https://www.empakglass.com/our-blog-empakglass-events-news-press</link><item><title>Empak's Concept +</title><description><![CDATA[Meet one of Empak's full process onsite team or Concept + team. Covering from batch, furnaces, glass conditioning, IS production, job change, mouldshop, cold end and quality, we take ownership of a production line.Our goal is to troubleshoot and improve the production results, always backed up with a scientifc and statistical approach.The best thing...our field technicians are also the trainers that you will find in our onsite trainings or even on our Open Seminars in Lisbon! If you would like<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_9973a25be59d4355a869ad7569a145b5%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_301/3d4fdc_9973a25be59d4355a869ad7569a145b5%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Empakglass Management team</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2020/02/06/Empaks-Concept-</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2020/02/06/Empaks-Concept-</guid><pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 2020 17:04:16 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_9973a25be59d4355a869ad7569a145b5~mv2.png"/><div>Meet one of Empak's full process onsite team or Concept + team. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4f676eb694c14352b1a25e512cb536d3~mv2.jpg"/><div>Covering from batch, furnaces, glass conditioning, IS production, job change, mouldshop, cold end and quality, we take ownership of a production line.</div><div>Our goal is to troubleshoot and improve the production results, always backed up with a scientifc and statistical approach.</div><div>The best thing...our field technicians are also the trainers that you will find in our onsite trainings or even on our Open Seminars in Lisbon! </div><div>If you would like to know how we may support your technical teams inside the Glass Plants, and also fillers with troubleshooting scenarios, please contact us at: management@empakglass.com or checking our contacts in our website at www.empakglass.com</div><div>Looking forward for the challenges up ahead!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2020 Open Seminars at Lisbon, Portugal</title><description><![CDATA[Once more available to all professionals of the glass packaging industry, but as well to professionals which want to deepen their know-how on this ancestor but still cutting edge material - GLASS.On the first semester of 2020, our Open Seminars include: Cold End & Quality : April 6th - 9th (4 days) Filling Lines Assessment and Glass container performance:April 14th-16th (3 days) Glass Plant Audits: April 21st-23rd (3 days) Glass Conditioning, IS production & Maintenance : May 4th-8th (5 days)<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/x7IbTwc-gOY/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Empakglass Management team</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2020/02/06/2020-Open-Seminars-at-Lisbon-Portugal</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2020/02/06/2020-Open-Seminars-at-Lisbon-Portugal</guid><pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 2020 16:25:08 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x7IbTwc-gOY"/><div>Once more available to all professionals of the glass packaging industry, but as well to professionals which want to deepen their know-how on this ancestor but still cutting edge material - GLASS.</div><div>On the first semester of 2020, our Open Seminars include:</div><div>Cold End &amp; Quality : April 6th - 9th (4 days)Filling Lines Assessment and Glass container performance:April 14th-16th (3 days)Glass Plant Audits: April 21st-23rd (3 days)Glass Conditioning, IS production &amp; Maintenance : May 4th-8th (5 days)Glass Container Technology: May 11th-15th (5 days)Mold design/product development - May 18th - 21st (4 days)Batch, Furnaces &amp; Glass Conditioning: May 25th-29th (5 days)</div><div>I<div>f you need more detailed information about dates and target audience, you can download here the <a href="https://www.empakglass.com/training-empakglass-glass-experts">training content</a>.</div></div><div>Would you like to know more? Any other questions, you mail email us at: training@empakglass.com</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry and industries that also contact with glass as a packaging material.</div><div>Like in the previous editions, the Open Seminars will be held in Lisbon.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DHadIPkx7Qs"/><div>What better place than Lisbon to provide you with perfect relax after an intensive business day!</div><div>We look forward to welcoming you again in Lisbon!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Empakglass at AGI Glaspac</title><description><![CDATA[Empakglass was invited by AGI Glaspac to visit their Glass Plants, both in Hyderabad andBhongir.We really appreciated all the dedication from all the Departments to our suggestions and the level of interaction, to tackle the coming challenges.Besides the usual practical approach that we like to have, we always want to have the science to back it up.From the shopfloor teams, up to Mr. Shetty (President Operations and Technical) and Mr. Rrajesh Khosla (President & CEO) we found a wonderful<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_c940977fa8ab4ebda8565b75c817d8aa%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_179/3d4fdc_c940977fa8ab4ebda8565b75c817d8aa%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Empakglass Management team</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/12/19/Empakglass-at-AGI-Glaspac</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/12/19/Empakglass-at-AGI-Glaspac</guid><pubDate>Thu, 19 Dec 2019 10:28:59 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Empakglass was invited by AGI Glaspac to visit their Glass Plants, both in Hyderabad and</div><div>Bhongir.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_c940977fa8ab4ebda8565b75c817d8aa~mv2.png"/><div>We really appreciated all the dedication from all the Departments to our suggestions and the level of interaction, to tackle the coming challenges.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/unIWoy6mHQU"/><div>Besides the usual practical approach that we like to have, we always want to have the science to back it up.</div><div>From the shopfloor teams, up to Mr. Shetty (President Operations and Technical) and Mr. Rrajesh Khosla (President &amp; CEO) we found a wonderful reception to our views and ideas.</div><div>On a more personal note, our sincere appreciation for Mr. Ratna Bhushan's invitation and Mr. Satheesan's willingness to test our ideas!</div><div>We were also invited to place our signatures on the Environmental Pledge ...... what an honor for Empak!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a31aa74488f94c7599d75741ef54cb54~mv2.png"/><div>Thank you very much for all the hospitality! Looking forward to see you soon!</div><div>Would you like to know more?</div><div>If you need more detailed information on range of services and technical assistance that we provide as well the fees, dates and target audience for our trainings, contact Empakglass through: management@empakglass.com or training@empakglass.com.</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, that work directly or indirectly on the glass packaging industry.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Empakglass at Embalvidro</title><description><![CDATA[From the 12th to the 22nd of November, Empakglass was at Embalvidro to give training in the Quality Control and Cold End areas.Embalvidro is a new greenfield container glass plant in Angola, based on the outskirts of the capital Luanda.It will produce beer bottles in amber and emerald green colors from a 180 ton/day furnace with 3 lines with 10 section double gob machines.The training program included the following topics: A detailed explanation of different glass container making process<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_476237c6e66841a7a37aab491ac00a4d%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_412/3d4fdc_476237c6e66841a7a37aab491ac00a4d%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos (Cold End &amp;amp; Quality Control) &amp;amp;amp; Quality Control)</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/11/29/Empakglass-at-Embalvidro</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/11/29/Empakglass-at-Embalvidro</guid><pubDate>Fri, 29 Nov 2019 04:48:31 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>From the 12th to the 22nd of November, Empakglass was at Embalvidro to give training in the Quality Control and Cold End areas.</div><div>Embalvidro is a new greenfield container glass plant in Angola, based on the outskirts of the capital Luanda.</div><div>It will produce beer bottles in amber and emerald green colors from a 180 ton/day furnace with 3 lines with 10 section double gob machines.</div><div>The training program included the following topics:</div><div>A detailed explanation of different glass container making process phases;Quality Assurance in a glass plant;Inspection procedures for the Cold End;Automatic inspection good practices;Quality laboratory testing procedures;Cold End job changes;Food safety and good manufacturing practices;</div><div>The attendees of the training were from the Cold End and Quality Control areas and the goal of the training was to prepare them for the challenges lying ahead for the start-up of the plant.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_476237c6e66841a7a37aab491ac00a4d~mv2.jpg"/><div>The training included a theoretical explanation of the concepts and a practical part divided by the Quality Laboratory and production line. A lot of interesting questions came up and the interaction was always vivid.</div><div>The training attendees also had the chance to visit Embalvidro customer, Sodiba, located in Bom Jesus, Luanda area. There they could understand what the customer expectations and concerns are and to visit the lines where Embalvidro bottles will be filled. An excellent opportunity to get first hand customer feedback!</div><div>For Empakglass was really exciting to give our contribution to this greenfield project and to cooperate with Embalvidro Team.</div><div>All the best for the Start-up!</div><div>Would you like to know more?</div><div>If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, contact Empakglass through: training@empakglass.com or management@empakglass.com</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry.</div><div>Also, if you require technical assistance, challenge us!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Empakglass at Vetreria Etrusca</title><description><![CDATA[As we are starting to approach the countdown to the end of 2019, and still we several assignments in hands, we just wanted to mention our latest assignment.Vetreria Etrusca, located in Altare, near Savona, Italy, invited Empakglass, after a Mould Design Training held in July, to deliver an IS Production and Quality Control training.Etrusca has several daily challenges, making in between 4 to 5 job changes per day, on a total of 7 lines, the articles that are produced are much more than trivial<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a2df4f5b384944cea9b0716615cbaf9a%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_392/3d4fdc_a2df4f5b384944cea9b0716615cbaf9a%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Helder Remédios, COO &amp;amp; Partner</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/11/18/Empakglass-at-Vetreria-Etrusca</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/11/18/Empakglass-at-Vetreria-Etrusca</guid><pubDate>Mon, 18 Nov 2019 15:46:16 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>As we are starting to approach the countdown to the end of 2019, and still we several assignments in hands, we just wanted to mention our latest assignment.</div><div>Vetreria Etrusca, located in Altare, near Savona, Italy, invited Empakglass, after a Mould Design Training held in July, to deliver an IS Production and Quality Control training.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a2df4f5b384944cea9b0716615cbaf9a~mv2.jpg"/><div>Etrusca has several daily challenges, making in between 4 to 5 job changes per day, on a total of 7 lines, the articles that are produced are much more than trivial shapes. And produces in some lines 4 articles at the same time, with different weights.</div><div>So, focusing from the glass conditioning, gob shape, delivery, IS settings and timing, in a very interactive and synergic approach, we covered the basic approach and then we were challenged by Etrusca teams to actually perform it on their running productions.</div><div>Well, for everyone who has seen Empak teams in action... our natural habitat is the shopfloor!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_1ea9154506324b00ba7763db821806c6~mv2.jpg"/><div>From Empak, we just wanted to mention that we really loved all the interaction with Etrusca Team, the fact they were really engaged in participating and for the confidence they had in our approach.</div><div>See you soon, Etrusca!</div><div>Would you like to know more?</div><div>If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, contact Empakglass through: training@empakglass.com or management@empakglass.com</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry.</div><div>Also, if you require technical assistance, challenge us!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mould Design BOOT CAMP</title><description><![CDATA[EMBALVIDRO, a Greenfield Container Glass Plant, located in Angola, challenged Empakglass's team to provide to its newly set Mould Design Department, the base know-how to become proeficient and independent while developing glass containers but also the necessary mould equipment.In a Boot Camp logic, the team from Embalvidro was in Empakglass's HQ in Lisbon for three straight weeks, on which the know-how was built from the foundations, the basics in glass process up until subjects as diverse as<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_af3b7658adb0470290780800c011f932%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_275%2Ch_82/3d4fdc_af3b7658adb0470290780800c011f932%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Helder Remédios, COO &amp;amp; Partner</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/08/06/Mould-Design-BOOT-CAMP</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/08/06/Mould-Design-BOOT-CAMP</guid><pubDate>Tue, 06 Aug 2019 11:53:16 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_af3b7658adb0470290780800c011f932~mv2.jpg"/><div>EMBALVIDR<div>O, a Greenfield Container Glass Plant, located in Angola, challenged Empakglass's team to provide to its newly set Mould Design Department, the base know-how to become proeficient and independent while developing glass containers but also the necessary mould equipment.</div></div><div>In a Boot Camp logic, the team from Embalvidro was in Empakglass's HQ in Lisbon for three straight weeks, on which the know-how was built from the foundations, the basics in glass process up until subjects as diverse as &quot;simulating&quot; a conversation with a client proposing a bottle design and from there, using a CAD software, to develop the actual container, check the IS machine limits, most suitable production process, weight vs brimful capacity and finally extending from there up until the mould equipment drawings, the materials and parison development.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b9584a99d2de4ea8afc6ca79c795c023~mv2.jpeg"/><div>As a complement to the actual training, visits to Mould Equipment Facilities were made and also a Glass Production Facility, in order to provide an insightful vision of the actual process. Our deep thanks to NeckMolde, Metavil and Intermolde as well as Vidrexport, for letting us visit their production facilities.</div><div>We've even had the visit of our CEO, Pedro Pontes, which has been since 2018, in San Diego, USA.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_7874ebc8bdf34a1e93bf98f939aca3a1~mv2.jpg"/><div>Any greenfield project sucess's, as we know, depends directly on the set of skills, know-how and positive attittude from all the people involved, We wish Embalvidro all the success and the trust in Empakglass for supporting them on this journey.</div><div>Would you like to know more?</div><div>If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, contact Empakglass through: training@empakglass.com or management@empakglass.com</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_e991de4e486a4ec995d35a4f2cde03ab~mv2.png"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Emhart/Empak Mould Design Training in EG - SAVONA</title><description><![CDATA[Just before going into well deserved vacation, Emhart and Empak held another Product Development & Mould Design Training. This time, with the beautiful City of Savona as background scenery to inspire us all!With an holistic approach, subjects like glass properties, analyzing an IS timing and even the impact of glass conditioning, gob temperature and delivery system, set the building blocks for a successful mould design.As part of our tradition in these trainings, we invite the attendees to bring<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_dae9053360dc4f30b314190e9df126c5%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_451%2Ch_130/3d4fdc_dae9053360dc4f30b314190e9df126c5%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Helder Remédios, COO &amp;amp;amp; Partner</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/07/18/EmhartEmpak-Mould-Design-Training-in-EG---SAVONA</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/07/18/EmhartEmpak-Mould-Design-Training-in-EG---SAVONA</guid><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jul 2019 16:34:09 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_dae9053360dc4f30b314190e9df126c5~mv2.png"/><div>Just before going into well deserved vacation, Emhart and Empak held another Product Development &amp; Mould Design Training. </div><div>This time, with the beautiful City of Savona as background scenery to inspire us all!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_937df62a2099481bbd64396e41e5c27c~mv2_d_6368_2281_s_2.jpg"/><div>With an holistic approach, subjects like glass properties, analyzing an IS timing and even the impact of glass conditioning, gob temperature and delivery system, set the building blocks for a successful mould design.</div><div>As part of our tradition in these trainings, we invite the attendees to bring real case scenarios to challenge Empak's PAKGlass Forming Simulator, and this time was no exception.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_3369707f1d6d4626a79528b3f5446f21~mv2.jpg"/><div>To the participants and Emhart Team, our deep thanks for welcoming us into your Glass Plant, for the challenges presented during the training and the hospitality!</div><div>Would you like to know more?</div><div>If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, contact Empakglass through: training@empakglass.com or management@empakglass.com</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Product Development &amp; Mould Design 
        Training Seminar in Lisbon</title><description><![CDATA[2019 is nearly approaching is halfway through and several trainings have already been accomplished!The latest was our well known "Product Development & Mould Design Training", this time held in Lisbon, conducted last week.Besides the training content, as we've been doing in several of our trainings, we invite the attendees to bring real case scenarios to challenge Empak's PAKGlass Forming Simulator, and this time was no exception.Taking advantage of having Lisbon as background and Glass product<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_fc785fa397474d04a8858f4007468f21%7Emv2_d_2382_1994_s_2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_524/3d4fdc_fc785fa397474d04a8858f4007468f21%7Emv2_d_2382_1994_s_2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Helder Remédios, COO &amp;amp; Partner</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/05/31/Product-Development-Mould-Design-Training-Seminar-in-Lisbon</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/05/31/Product-Development-Mould-Design-Training-Seminar-in-Lisbon</guid><pubDate>Fri, 31 May 2019 15:52:13 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>2019 is nearly approaching is halfway through and several trainings have already been accomplished!</div><div>The latest was our well known &quot;Product Development &amp; Mould Design Training&quot;, this time held in Lisbon, conducted last week.</div><div>Besides the training content, as we've been doing in several of our trainings, we invite the attendees to bring real case scenarios to challenge Empak's PAKGlass Forming Simulator, and this time was no exception.</div><div>Taking advantage of having Lisbon as background and Glass product development as the common goal, we still had the time to enjoy what the city had to offer!!!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_fc785fa397474d04a8858f4007468f21~mv2_d_2382_1994_s_2.png"/><div>Would you like to know more?</div><div>If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, contact Empakglass through: training@empakglass.com or management@empakglass.com</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_e991de4e486a4ec995d35a4f2cde03ab~mv2.png"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2019 Open Seminars at Lisbon, Portugal</title><description><![CDATA[Once more available to all professionals of the glass packaging industry, but as well to professionals which want to deepen their know-how on this ancestor but still cutting edge material - GLASS.On the first semester of 2019, our Open Seminars include: Glass Container Technology : April, 1st - 4th (4 days) Glass Conditioning, IS production & Maintenance : April 8th-12th (5 days) Filling Lines Assessment and Glass container performance:April 15th-17th (3 days) Mold design/product development -<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_1a56094386f94b24b125c2cf5c1ecd3f%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_352/3d4fdc_1a56094386f94b24b125c2cf5c1ecd3f%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Empakglass Management team</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/02/25/2019-Open-Seminars-at-Lisbon-Portugal</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/02/25/2019-Open-Seminars-at-Lisbon-Portugal</guid><pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2019 15:42:43 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_1a56094386f94b24b125c2cf5c1ecd3f~mv2.png"/><div>Once more available to all professionals of the glass packaging industry, but as well to professionals which want to deepen their know-how on this ancestor but still cutting edge material - GLASS.</div><div>On the first semester of 2019, our Open Seminars include:</div><div>Glass Container Technology : April, 1st - 4th (4 days)Glass Conditioning, IS production &amp; Maintenance : April 8th-12th (5 days)Filling Lines Assessment and Glass container performance:April 15th-17th (3 days)Mold design/product development - May 20th - 24th (5 days)</div><div>I<div>f you need more detailed information about dates and target audience, you can download here the <a href="https://www.empakglass.com/training-empakglass-glass-experts">training content</a>.</div></div><div>Would you like to know more? Any other questions, you mail email us at: training@empakglass.com</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry and industries that also contact with glass as a packaging material.</div><div>Like in the previous editions, the Open Seminars will be held in Lisbon.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dEzOuI5yI84"/><div>What better place than Lisbon to provide you with perfect relax after an intensive business day!We look forward to welcoming you again in Lisbon!</div><div>And while you're here, no excuses to find more about our Country!</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EzCfYce-m9k"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Emhart/Empak Mould Design Training in EGRC</title><description><![CDATA[2019 has just started and we are already providing our training programs!The Product Development & Mould Design Training partnership between Emhart and Empak, welcomed this time Ardagh USA team, in the Emhart Glass Research Center, in Windsor, Connecticut.Nothing like talking about glass thicknesses, blank designs and glass temperatures to warm up the freezing cold temperatures running outside!Would you like to know more?If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_dae9053360dc4f30b314190e9df126c5%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_180/3d4fdc_dae9053360dc4f30b314190e9df126c5%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes, Product Development</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/01/25/EmhartEmpak-Mould-Design-Training-in-EGRC</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2019/01/25/EmhartEmpak-Mould-Design-Training-in-EGRC</guid><pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:32:32 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>2019 has just started and we are already providing our training programs!</div><div>The Product Development &amp; Mould Design Training partnership between Emhart and Empak, welcomed this time Ardagh USA team, in the Emhart Glass Research Center, in Windsor, Connecticut.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_dae9053360dc4f30b314190e9df126c5~mv2.png"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4ed4e0fbb057451ebd17a368dbfb0347~mv2.jpeg"/><div>Nothing like talking about glass thicknesses, blank designs and glass temperatures to warm up the freezing cold temperatures running outside!</div><div>Would you like to know more?</div><div>If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, contact Empakglass through: training@empakglass.com or management@empakglass.com</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Another year bites the dust... Let us go now for 2019!</title><description><![CDATA[And what a year this was!!!While our CEO, Pedro Pontes was (finally)... trying to learn to work with glass...We've started new bases in San Diego, USA and Barcelona, Spain, to be one step closer to our clients.New team members have joined the Empak Team...Empakglass has become an Invited Lecturer in the University which is the birth place of the paper transitor (FCT-UNL)... to bridge the gap between Glass Technology and new mechanical and optical developments.Our own Laboratory is allowing us to<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_298db3ec01bf43aaa9a91941629a7617%7Emv2_d_2160_3840_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_188%2Ch_334/3d4fdc_298db3ec01bf43aaa9a91941629a7617%7Emv2_d_2160_3840_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Empakglass Management team</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/12/21/Another-year-bites-the-dust-Let-us-go-now-for-2019</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/12/21/Another-year-bites-the-dust-Let-us-go-now-for-2019</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2018 17:31:54 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_298db3ec01bf43aaa9a91941629a7617~mv2_d_2160_3840_s_2.jpg"/><div>And what a year this was!!!</div><div>While our CEO, Pedro Pontes was (finally)... trying to learn to work with glass...</div><div>We've started new bases in San Diego, USA and Barcelona, Spain, to be one step closer to our clients.</div><div>New team members have joined the Empak Team...</div><div>Empakglass has become an Invited Lecturer in the University which is the birth place of the paper transitor (FCT-UNL)... to bridge the gap between Glass Technology and new mechanical and optical developments.</div><div>Our own Laboratory is allowing us to improve our mathematical glass models... that we use daily on our services.</div><div>Our partnerships with Tempsens Instruments and Parmacontrols have consolidated, showing the importance of having taken this further step in our Company's portfolio.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_8f0c7e06855a43548aa3fbea9e4ae62c~mv2_d_4000_3000_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>So... wait and see for what we will be preparing for 2019!</div><div>To all that have been helping with our Journey, our deep appreciation for the vote of confidence. We couldn't do it without You!</div><div>We want continue to be challenged by your projects and to continue to find solutions to your daily issues.</div><div>Thank you again for a great year!!!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_12a8f035030e47cfa27f11096eb8f95f~mv2_d_4000_3000_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>By the way... to the one that are still waiting for our deliverables.... not today!!!</div><div>And for our colleagues that are at the moment working onsite... we left a piece of cake for you!</div><div>Sincerely,</div><div>Pedro Pontes, Hélder Remédios, Reinhard Boettger</div><div>Management Team, Empakglass </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Empakglass Lectures in NOVA University</title><description><![CDATA[Following the tradition from previous years, Empakglass was engaged once more in the Lectures on Glass Container technology.This year we were invited by Vicarte -Glass and Ceramic for the Arts, a research unit born from the partnership between Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa and the Faculty of Fine Arts . NOVA University is famous for being the birth place of the paper transistor.The research at VICARTE connects the present and the past, by developing new<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_aa245db2aa1a4cffabef3bd50d699e22%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_180/3d4fdc_aa245db2aa1a4cffabef3bd50d699e22%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos (Cold End &amp;amp; Quality Control)</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/10/10/Empakglass-Lectures-in-NOVA-University</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/10/10/Empakglass-Lectures-in-NOVA-University</guid><pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2018 15:13:03 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Following the tradition from previous years, Empakglass was engaged once more in the Lectures on Glass Container technology.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_aa245db2aa1a4cffabef3bd50d699e22~mv2.png"/><div>This year we were invited by Vicarte -Glass and Ceramic for the Arts, a research unit born from the partnership between Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa and the Faculty of Fine Arts . NOVA University is famous for being the birth place of the paper transistor.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_12317da613ea4ecfb580de0232c8a169~mv2.png"/><div>The research at VICARTE connects the present and the past, by developing new materials for glass and ceramics contemporary art, by studying the traditional and historical production practices and the exploration of different aesthetical concepts in art.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a042755cb6884105955d4a592e0e640d~mv2_d_3840_2160_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_97f396bd3e2243268ec0562eea7eda2d~mv2_d_2160_3840_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_298db3ec01bf43aaa9a91941629a7617~mv2_d_2160_3840_s_2.jpg"/><div>The goal was to bring closer the reality of this industrial process and the application of Materials Engineering all across the process and who knows, to plant the seed for the future generation that will lead this Industry.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_25b8d12c77b84b2f8ef892c0b71bbf3e~mv2.jpg"/><div>These lectures were part of an Exhibition on Glass Container History from the 18th century in the vicinity of Lisbon, developed by Students and Professors on the Master Course in Conservation and Restauration of FCT NOVA.</div><div>We are really looking forward for next year's Lectures!</div><div>Would you like to know more about Empakglass? </div><div>Check our website at www.empakglass.com and find all the range of solutions we can provide. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Laboratory equipment for Quality Control control of glass containers</title><description><![CDATA[Empakglass is an engineering company with its focus on glass packaging. We provide to our customers – players from the whole supply chain, from manufacturers to fillers - commercial/strategic and technical support. In 2016, to diversify our range of services, Empakglass established with Parmacontrols a partnership in the area of laboratory equipment for the quality control of glass containers. Founded in 1992, Parmacontrols carries out its activities in the field of control systems for the food<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_81fae891f746472d978239d31f4e67c0%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_96/3d4fdc_81fae891f746472d978239d31f4e67c0%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Empakglass Management team</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/10/03/Laboratory-equipment-for-Quality-Control-control-of-glass-containers</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/10/03/Laboratory-equipment-for-Quality-Control-control-of-glass-containers</guid><pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2018 14:43:21 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Empakglass is an engineering company with its focus on glass packaging. </div><div> We provide to our customers – players from the whole supply chain, from manufacturers to fillers - commercial/strategic and technical support.</div><div> In 2016, to diversify our range of services, Empakglass established with Parmacontrols a partnership in the area of laboratory equipment for the quality control of glass containers.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_81fae891f746472d978239d31f4e67c0~mv2.png"/><div> Founded in 1992, Parmacontrols carries out its activities in the field of control systems for the food packaging, including: metal, glass and plastic packaging materials.</div><div> One of the brands distributed by Parmacontrols is CanNeed. CanNeed for many years has been a supplier in the field of laboratory instruments for quality control. It offers industry standard test equipment at a very competitive price, providing a reliable and attractive alternative.</div><div> The range of CanNeed equipment commercialized by Parmacontrols, which is specific for the glass container industry include: Internal Pressure Tester (BPT-4000), Vertical Load Tester (VLT-100), Tilt Table (SFAT-100), Pendulum Impact Tester (GIT-100) and Glass Thickness Gauges (MBT-200 and MBT-300).</div><div> Parmacontrols carries out not only the installation and after-sales service of each one of the CanNeed units but also, previously to installment, a thorough inspection of the equipment, which includes its CE marking.</div><div> As references of most recent Parmacontrols installations of CanNeed equipment, dedicated to glass packaging testing, we can mention:</div><div>May 2018 / July 2018:</div><div> - Zignago Vetro, Italy; -Decaglass, Belgium; -Vetrobalsamo, Italy;</div><div>-Gallo Vidro, Portugal;</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_389e089e87ca4f7e9639d7eed5069439~mv2_d_5360_4020_s_4_2.jpg"/><div> From the 23rd to the 26th of October, Empakglass and Parmacontrols, will be presenting once again in the Glasstech exhibition, in Dusseldorf, CanNeed range of quality control testing equipment, dedicated to the glass container industry. </div><div> We invite everyone to came to our stand which will be located on Hall 13, booth A8, to meet and talk face to face with our several Specialists seeing what we have been doing and what we intend to introduce to the Industry.</div><div>Would you like to know more about Empakglass? </div><div>Check our website at <a href="http://www.empakglass.com">www.empakglass.com</a> and find all the range of solutions we can provide. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>RSBCN teams up with EmpakGlass</title><description><![CDATA[Research Studios, based in Barcelona, teams up with Empakglass. The goal is to provide the complete packaging solution, from glass concept design, sampling, up until production.Research Studios, was founded in 2008 by Neville Brody and Pablo Rovalo, with a streamlined and direct design process approach which we find quite in sync with Empakglass’s technical approach.With this complete solution, we gain an in-depth working knowledge of the client and their needs, and in turn translate this into<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_1be255a0661144bfbb281289691fe6c1%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_113/3d4fdc_1be255a0661144bfbb281289691fe6c1%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Empakglass Management team</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/09/20/Research-Studios-in-Barcelona-teams-up-with-EmpakGlass</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/09/20/Research-Studios-in-Barcelona-teams-up-with-EmpakGlass</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2018 14:26:10 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Research Studios, based in Barcelona, teams up with Empakglass. The goal is to provide the complete packaging solution, from glass concept design, sampling, up until production.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_1be255a0661144bfbb281289691fe6c1~mv2.png"/><div>Research Studios, was founded in 2008 by Neville Brody and Pablo Rovalo, with a streamlined and direct design process approach which we find quite in sync with Empakglass’s technical approach.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_913cbea4615b4cfb9e89fe4075f0060a~mv2.jpg"/><div>With this complete solution, we gain an in-depth working knowledge of the client and their needs, and in turn translate this into specific, tailored results. </div><div>With this new joint-venture, Empakglass broadens its operational presence to Spain, following Portugal and USA. </div><div> Would you like to know more about Empakglass &amp; Research Studios? </div><div>Check our websites at <a href="http://www.empakglass.com">www.empakglass.com</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.rsbcn.com">www.rsbcn.com</a> and find all the range of solutions we can provide. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2018 Open training workshops - by Empakglass</title><description><![CDATA["In EmpakGlass we believe knowledge only has value, if used and shared"EmpakGlass has conducted this March another of its Product Development & Mould Design Open Training Workshops, kicking off with the 2018 Season.This year, Empak introduced a new approach to the seminars....In a time where Glass People are becoming more and more dependent on technology, we wanted to make a twist. So, all the trainees and Empak team had the challenge of working glass as artisans in a glass studio. Under the<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b2209e3a66b24c7d9d3b65a39df1a1e3%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_372/3d4fdc_b2209e3a66b24c7d9d3b65a39df1a1e3%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Hélder Remédios</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/03/28/2018-Open-training-workshops---by-Empakglass</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2018/03/28/2018-Open-training-workshops---by-Empakglass</guid><pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:25:25 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>&quot;In EmpakGlass we believe knowledge only has value, if used and shared&quot;</div><div>EmpakGlass has conducted this March another of its Product Development &amp; Mould Design Open Training Workshops, kicking off with the 2018 Season.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b2209e3a66b24c7d9d3b65a39df1a1e3~mv2.jpg"/><div>This year, Empak introduced a new approach to the seminars....</div><div>In a time where Glass People are becoming more and more dependent on technology, we wanted to make a twist. So, all the trainees and Empak team had the challenge of working glass as artisans in a glass studio. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_e2f69c6298ab4d279f4e8b5d35b6e609~mv2_d_4752_3168_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Under the very thorough Supervision and Mastership of Robert Wiley, from Vicarte - &quot;Glass and Ceramic for the Arts” Research Unit, in UNINOVA Campus, everyone had the chance to contact in first hand with the effects of glass properties and its impact on workability, reheat, contact time and cooling time..... and still create a glass art piece to take back home.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_c40fc89bfdd54a0db9b0358a8fa9a3f6~mv2_d_4752_3168_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_99ebff2b64974253a4bfb33e968723a8~mv2_d_4752_3168_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_81589132b70f4ba7a88259213d6a90ba~mv2_d_4752_3168_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Would you like to know more? If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, you can contact us through our Chat line.</div><div>If you want to know more about the content of the trainings, follow thelink: </div><div>Open Trainings content</div><div>We also develop customized Workshops according to your needs and requirements.</div><div>Remember... these are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, from the glass packaging industry.</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b0e4d116183747a4b65d12fe969ca4b5~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_f0af0878984a47d5a447966ee6e6559e~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_9872e090794847c5a4e52221898fbb10~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b10ee7da22184a00a38bf9be9e2e332a~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_021f160dd4b84cce86cfc015b54ff0e8~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_8637a8aad5a34eb1add7b2239e2394f6~mv2_d_3869_2321_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_705b934b9103469ab2ce37431a56a98b~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_2e0ad719211f40db85e8e69a66fee2c9~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_20c3ed3a0b394e0497afcd7107ed2cec~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_271419b1e63c4df996b2ee51b63721d7~mv2_d_1536_1482_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_04e0f2eb5e3e466d88bed660fdd0e09b~mv2_d_2048_1536_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_7b8abf004385477a9c239475cd4dcfe1~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_164e5b10c5ee4e82a6cc382fbffff5bd~mv2_d_4160_3120_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_5e63654114c7490f8aa0fb94a5fcf344~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_44129299b6b54839ab55e9d6a5e5fbcb~mv2_d_3120_4160_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_40179cef9c8640f1ad294c07141ac14e~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a64a89cfa14d4139a1477e37537c4e55~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4ec83d544c0c4ec399d771a179825203~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/></div><div>Our experience so far, have taught us how much these event have been appreciated by all our attendees, since it gives the opportunity to exchange experiences within people from different glass container plants within the same (or related) field of work and even from different backgrounds, like glass fillers and glass producers.</div><div>The 2018 Open Training Workshops edition, will be held in Lisbon.</div><div>In the following weeks, we will start posting all the options that we will have available for our Workshops along 2018.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ye3GfmaQwA"/><div>What better place than Lisbon to provide you with perfect relax after an intensive business day!We look forward to welcoming you again in Lisbon!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Empakglass launches Concept +</title><description><![CDATA[Since Empakglass started, its core has been bridging the gap between Marketing and Production in the Glass Container Industry, backed up on its technical know-how. Around this main pillar, we've developed training programs and software packages to support our business.Nevertheless, until now, there was one key aspect which we, at Empakglass, weren't yet addressing to our Clients: the complete package, from bottle concept design up until production.Having perceived this gap in Empakglass's range<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_6bd582f380d74e29be0821f5cbee3fc7%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_270/3d4fdc_6bd582f380d74e29be0821f5cbee3fc7%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Helder Remédios (COO)</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2017/06/20/Empakglass-launches-Concept-</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2017/06/20/Empakglass-launches-Concept-</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Jun 2017 10:32:23 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_6bd582f380d74e29be0821f5cbee3fc7~mv2.jpg"/><div>Since Empakglass started, its core has been bridging the gap between Marketing and Production in the Glass Container Industry, backed up on its technical know-how. </div><div>Around this main pillar, we've developed training programs and software packages to support our business.</div><div>Nevertheless, until now, there was one key aspect which we, at Empakglass, weren't yet addressing to our Clients: the complete package, from bottle concept design up until production.</div><div>Having perceived this gap in Empakglass's range of solutions, we introduce now: Concept +.</div><div>With this complete solution, our Customer base will reduce the normal entropy in the stages from the design development of a glass container up until its production stage, with all the consequent advantages in terms of time contraints, efficiency and cost reduction.</div><div>Our conceptualisation process involves three key stages which enable us to focus on the design objectives and produce innovative new pack designs to make your product stand out in the marketplace.Discovery Stage</div><div>In this stage, we find out as much as possible about the product, the brand identity, the client’s business, and the target market. This information feeds our design decisions so it is very important that we work closely with the client. After we have gathered all the information we need, we generate a creative brief that, in a couple of sentences, summarises the design objectives and what we need to deliver.</div><div>Initial Design Stage</div><div>Here we collate information from the ‘Discovery’ stage and produce a series of loose concept designs for consideration by the client. This is the time for creativity rather than pragmatism and we like to really let the ideas flow as we try to capture the essence of the brief. </div><div>Explaining what has inspired us and how we see the concepts developing forms an important part of the process.</div><div>Finalise Design Stage</div><div>Following discussion with the client we refine the designs while considering essential technical requirements. This process requires a careful balance between practicality and aesthetics. Taking client feedback into account we focus on one ‘winning’ design to progress to the final stage. Throughout the process we may use a combination of concept sketches, technical drawings, photo-real 3D rendered images or physical models and mock-ups to convey our ideas.</div><div>For the rest...well... it will be just picking from the design stage and shaping it into reality, which has been what we've done best.... so far.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_84be5ba9aec84601a82aa6e136cfbca2~mv2.jpg"/><div>Would you like to know more about Empakglass? Check our website at <a href="http://www.empakglass.com">www.empakglass.com</a>and find all the range of solutions we can provide in a Hop On/ Hop Off philosophy. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Back to School</title><description><![CDATA[Following its long term commitment to narrowing the gap between University and the Glass Plants, Empakglass challenged the 3rd year students of Materials Engineering in Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), one of the most prestigious European Universities, to a lecture on "Glass Container Technology".The goal was to bring closer the reality of this industrial process and the application of Materials Engineering all across the process and who knows, to plant the seed for the future generation that<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_80a08696e1d24752a62e51e057976698%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_352/3d4fdc_80a08696e1d24752a62e51e057976698%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos (Cold End &amp;amp;amp; Quality Control)</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2017/05/10/Back-to-School</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2017/05/10/Back-to-School</guid><pubDate>Wed, 10 May 2017 16:07:26 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Following its long term commitment to narrowing the gap between University and the Glass Plants, Empakglass challenged the 3rd year students of Materials Engineering in Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), one of the most prestigious European Universities, to a lecture on &quot;Glass Container Technology&quot;.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_80a08696e1d24752a62e51e057976698~mv2.jpg"/><div>The goal was to bring closer the reality of this industrial process and the application of Materials Engineering all across the process and who knows, to plant the seed for the future generation that will lead this Industry.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_bbc45297daaa4d888d9cf8c6a36da891~mv2_d_3458_2593_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Although the students were from the 3rd year, we were quite amazed and satisfied with the level of interaction and the demanding questions that were posed to the lecture Presenters.</div><div>We are really looking forward for the next Lecture!</div><div>Would you like to know more about Empakglass? Check this year's two Seasons for the workshops:</div><div>The initial period is to be held between June-July and the second period between September-October. </div><div>Like the previous years, all attendees will also have the opportunity to visit Lisbon and enjoy all our City has to offer, during the best months of the year!</div><div>This year's Open Training Workshops will include:</div><div>Batch, furnace and glass conditioning training;Mould design/product development training;IS production &amp; Mouldshop Performance Training;Glass container technology training;Quality control &amp; cold end training.</div><div>You can also checkout our last year edition closure newsletter . These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry. The Glass Container Technology seminar is actually a plus for professionals working on the filling / designing &amp; distribution business. Check out all the training contents information .</div><div>On the upcoming weeks we will inform all our customers on the final dates all the workshops will be held on the months mention above.</div><div>See you soon in Lisbon!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2017 Open training workshops - by Empakglass</title><description><![CDATA["In EmpakGlass we believe knowledge only has value, if used and shared"EmpakGlass is pleased to announce that our Open Training Workshops are once more available to all professionals of the glass packaging industry, but as well to professionals which want to deepen their know-how on this ancestor but still cutting edge material - GLASS.Open training workshops are known to increase the diversity of opinion because everyone has the opportunity to share their insights in a relaxed, but still<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_ba38d565e38141068e1db9d542f23eb5%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_246/3d4fdc_ba38d565e38141068e1db9d542f23eb5%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Hélder Remédios</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2017/02/08/2017-Open-training-workshops---by-Empakglass</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2017/02/08/2017-Open-training-workshops---by-Empakglass</guid><pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2017 17:47:46 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>&quot;In EmpakGlass we believe knowledge only has value, if used and shared&quot;</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_ba38d565e38141068e1db9d542f23eb5~mv2.jpg"/><div>EmpakGlass is pleased to announce that our Open Training Workshops are once more available to all professionals of the glass packaging industry, but as well to professionals which want to deepen their know-how on this ancestor but still cutting edge material - GLASS.</div><div>Open training workshops are known to increase the diversity of opinion because everyone has the opportunity to share their insights in a relaxed, but still professional environment.</div><div>There is also an additional value to be gained with this type of training that many companies also overlook:</div><div>Meet and network with peers from other organisations;Share knowledge with people from other companies;Receive feedback from people of a similar seniority and experience level;Small groups which means better 1-2-1 coaching;Gain valuable insights from different industry sectors;Learn powerful techniques.</div><div>This leads to greater retention of what’s been studied and helps build confidence in the newly acquired knowledge.</div><div>So now you can immediately start to improve your job skills, or your team skills, or your entire company skills, at the click of a mouse.</div><div>The 2017 Open Training Workshops will have 5 courses available.</div><div>Based on the past editions feedback and considering the obvious cross links between these two departments, for this year's edition we have decided to merge the Mold-shop Maintenance and the IS Production Training into one powerful training package.</div><div>Also considering several customer requests, this year we will have two seasons available, to better suit all the candidates availability to attend our seminars:</div><div>Season 1:</div><div>Mold design/product development training - June 12th - 16th;Glass container technology training - June 19th - 23rd;<div>Ba;</div>IS production &amp; Mold Maintenance training - July 3rd-7th;Quality control &amp; cold end training - July 10th-14th;</div><div>Season 2:</div><div>Mold design/product development training - September 11th - 15th;Glass container technology training - September 18th-22nd;<div>Ba;</div>IS production &amp; Mold Maintenance training - October 2nd-6th;Quality control &amp; cold end training - October 9th-13th;</div><div>I<div>f you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, you can download our .</div></div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry.</div><div>The Glass Container Technology seminar is actually a plus for professionals working on the filling / designing &amp; distribution business.</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b0e4d116183747a4b65d12fe969ca4b5~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_f0af0878984a47d5a447966ee6e6559e~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_9872e090794847c5a4e52221898fbb10~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b10ee7da22184a00a38bf9be9e2e332a~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_021f160dd4b84cce86cfc015b54ff0e8~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_8637a8aad5a34eb1add7b2239e2394f6~mv2_d_3869_2321_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_705b934b9103469ab2ce37431a56a98b~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_2e0ad719211f40db85e8e69a66fee2c9~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_20c3ed3a0b394e0497afcd7107ed2cec~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_271419b1e63c4df996b2ee51b63721d7~mv2_d_1536_1482_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_04e0f2eb5e3e466d88bed660fdd0e09b~mv2_d_2048_1536_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_7b8abf004385477a9c239475cd4dcfe1~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_164e5b10c5ee4e82a6cc382fbffff5bd~mv2_d_4160_3120_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_5e63654114c7490f8aa0fb94a5fcf344~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_44129299b6b54839ab55e9d6a5e5fbcb~mv2_d_3120_4160_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_40179cef9c8640f1ad294c07141ac14e~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a64a89cfa14d4139a1477e37537c4e55~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4ec83d544c0c4ec399d771a179825203~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/></div><div>On the last 2 editions, we had the opportunity to welcome into our Workshops, participants from such different places as: USA, Taiwan, Slovenia, Morocco, Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Guatemala, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Italy, Kuwait, Portugal, Iran, Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, South Africa and India.</div><div>Our experience so far, have taught us how much these event have been appreciated by all our attendees, since it gives the opportunity to exchange experiences within people from different glass container plants within the same (or related) field of work and even from different backgrounds, like glass fillers and glass producers.</div><div>Like in the two previous editions, the 2017 Open Training Workshops edition, will be held in Lisbon.</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ye3GfmaQwA"/><div>What better place than Lisbon to provide you with perfect relax after an intensive business day!We look forward to welcoming you again in Lisbon!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Empakglass Open Training Seminars are back in 2017!</title><description><![CDATA[Just a few weeks after the closure of what was a wonderful 2016, Empakglass is quite thrilled to post already the scheduling for the Open Training Workshops to be held in 2017.What are the advantages of 'open' training courses over in-company training? Open training workshops are known to increase the diversity of opinion because everyone gets a say. This multicultural set-up is much appreciated since it gives the opportunity to exchange experiences within people from different glass container<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_7abf26b6c72e46be87f726913fafebcb%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_418/3d4fdc_7abf26b6c72e46be87f726913fafebcb%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Reinhard Boettger</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2017/01/23/Empakglass-Open-Training-Seminars-are-back-in-2017</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2017/01/23/Empakglass-Open-Training-Seminars-are-back-in-2017</guid><pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2017 11:52:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_7abf26b6c72e46be87f726913fafebcb~mv2.jpg"/><div>Just a few weeks after the closure of what was a wonderful 2016, Empakglass is quite thrilled to post already the scheduling for the Open Training Workshops to be held in 2017.</div><div>What are the advantages of 'open' training courses over in-company training? Open training workshops are known to increase the diversity of opinion because everyone gets a say. This multicultural set-up is much appreciated since it gives the opportunity to exchange experiences within people from different glass container plants within the same (or related) field of work and even from different backgrounds, like glass fillers and glass producers. This leads to greater retention of what’s been studied and helps build confidence in the newly acquired knowledge. So now you can immediately start to improve your job skills, or your team skills, or your entire company skills, at the click of a mouse. Based on our trainees feedback, this year we will prepare two Seasons for the workshops: The initial period is to be held between June-July and the second period between September-October. </div><div>Like the previous years, all attendees will also have the opportunity to visit Lisbon and enjoy all our City has to offer, during the best months of the year!</div><div>This year's Open Training Workshops will include:</div><div>Batch, furnace and glass conditioning training;Mould design/product development training;IS production &amp; Mouldshop Performance Training;Glass container technology training;Quality control &amp; cold end training.</div><div>You can also checkout our last year edition closure newsletter <a href="https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/08/15/2016-Mould-Design-Product-Development-Workshop---by-Empakglass">here</a>. These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry. The Glass Container Technology seminar is actually a plus for professionals working on the filling / designing &amp; distribution business. Check out all the training contents information here.</div><div>On the upcoming weeks we will inform all our customers on the final dates all the workshops will be held on the months mention above.</div><div>See you soon in Lisbon!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>With appreciation, we thank you for your business and wish you a happy holiday season.</title><description><![CDATA[As the year comes to a close, we would like again to take the opportunity to thank you, for your continued commitment to experiencing the difference with our powerful products and solutions.Once again, we've learned a lot from your feedback, and from the countless surveys and polls Empakglass has conducted in the last 5 years.It is the moment to make this year's balance on performance and accomplishments. We can indeed say that thanks to you, 2016 was quite successful for Empakglass.We<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b6a424d6c99f44b29a8d5778c8d63109%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Empakglass Management team</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/12/22/With-appreciation-we-thank-you-for-your-business-and-wish-you-a-happy-holiday-season</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/12/22/With-appreciation-we-thank-you-for-your-business-and-wish-you-a-happy-holiday-season</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2016 21:02:45 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>As the year comes to a close, we would like again to take the opportunity to thank you, for your continued commitment to experiencing the difference with our powerful products and solutions.</div><div>Once again, we've learned a lot from your feedback, and from the countless surveys and polls Empakglass has conducted in the last 5 years.</div><div>It is the moment to make this year's balance on performance and accomplishments. We can indeed say that thanks to you, 2016 was quite successful for Empakglass.</div><div>We introduced our new website with a look that we consider more in line with the Company’s image and with several features which include the Live Chat Support, enabling us to be closer and more effective with you.</div><div>This was, as well, the year in which Empakglass consolidated its Open Training Workshops held in Lisbon as a trademark of our interactive training programs, without forgetting Lisbon sightseeing Tours success amongst all our participants!</div><div>We hope that you've taken advantage of our detailed training workshops and our reference manuals, either held in Lisbon or across the Globe in our you facilities.</div><div>During this year GLASSTEC edition, we had the opportunity to present you our latest Software Packages versions namely:</div><div>GlassTor Suite, for Batch, Glass Compositions and Colour Changes;Empaktor Suite, for Forming Simulation.</div><div>At this event we have also introduced the partnership between Empakglass and ParmaControls by presenting several Quality Control &amp; Cold End Equipments:</div><div>CanNeed-BPT-400: Ramp Pressure Tester CanNeed-VLT-100: Vertical Load Tester CanNeed-GIT-100: Glass Bottle Impact Tester CanNeed-SFAT-100: Static Friction Angle Tester (Tilt Table) CanNeed-MBT-200: Thickness Gauge</div><div>Closer to the end of this year, we presented to you a new technical service.</div><div>We have set up a Laboratory with the goal of evaluating glass defects, perform glass analysis, and backup our internal R&amp;D, namely our mathematical glass models.</div><div>Finally, we introduced a new Partnership between Empakglass and Tempsens Instruments.</div><div>So, as you can see, we are looking forward to 2017, to be challenged by your projects and to continue to help you finding solutions to your daily issues.</div><div>Thank you again for a great year.</div><div>Sincerely,</div><div>Pedro Pontes, Hélder Remédios, Reinhard Boettger Management Team, Empakglass – Performance Solutions</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b6a424d6c99f44b29a8d5778c8d63109~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Empakglass and Tempsens Instruments new Partnership</title><description><![CDATA[Empakglass and Tempsens Instruments join up forces with a new partnership for Portugal with the goal of providing to its client’s technical solutions for monitoring and controlling temperatures. Tempsens is one of the world’s largest solution provider for thermal engineering products including Temperature Sensors, Infrared Pyrometers, Heaters, Cables and Calibration Equipments. The headquarters are based in India and have a manufacturing facility in Germany. Tempsens is an ISO 9001:2008, ISO<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_baa60f3980834bcda6898fd70ca678cc%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_363%2Ch_404/3d4fdc_baa60f3980834bcda6898fd70ca678cc%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Hélder Remédios</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/12/16/Empakglass-and-Tempsens-Instruments-new-Partnership</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/12/16/Empakglass-and-Tempsens-Instruments-new-Partnership</guid><pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 10:32:57 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Empakglass and Tempsens Instruments join up forces with a new partnership for Portugal with the goal of providing to its client’s technical solutions for monitoring and controlling temperatures. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_baa60f3980834bcda6898fd70ca678cc~mv2.jpg"/><div>Tempsens is one of the world’s largest solution provider for thermal engineering products including Temperature Sensors, Infrared Pyrometers, Heaters, Cables and Calibration Equipments.  The headquarters are based in India and have a manufacturing facility in Germany. Tempsens is an ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 certified company with NABL Accredited Laboratories.  Tempsens is proud of its technical solutions, quick delivery, high technical standards and outstanding quality which have been appreciated and valued by its customers worldwide. Tempsens exports to more than 70 countries, in all the continents.</div><div>With the created synergies between Tempsens and Empakglass, a broader range of Services and Equipments will be available for our Customer base.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Empakglass now provides glass analysis services</title><description><![CDATA[Empakglass is pleased to announce that has extended its range of services namely in Glass Defect analysis and Glass Composition determination. By adding this new service, which allow a comprehensive knowledge in sample analysis and complemented with glass container process specific know-how from Empakglass, we are able to provide even more custom technical solutions to our clients. In these facilities the following services are provided:SEM (scanning electron microscope) • Secondary electron<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_cfa8a3aa46cf4d589054d03df5528389%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_470%2Ch_312/3d4fdc_cfa8a3aa46cf4d589054d03df5528389%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos (Cold End &amp;amp; Quality Control)</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/11/28/Empakglass-now-provides-glass-analysis-services</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/11/28/Empakglass-now-provides-glass-analysis-services</guid><pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 14:56:35 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Empakglass is pleased to announce that has extended its range of services namely in Glass Defect analysis and Glass Composition determination. </div><div> By adding this new service, which allow a comprehensive knowledge in sample analysis and complemented with glass container process specific know-how from Empakglass, we are able to provide even more custom technical solutions to our clients.</div><div>In these facilities the following services are provided:</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_cfa8a3aa46cf4d589054d03df5528389~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_55e6a50313b642cf9ce8b62b81450792~mv2.jpg"/><div>SEM (scanning electron microscope) • Secondary electron imaging; • Backscattered electron imaging; • Standardless elemental analysis including X-ray mapping; • Electron-backscattered diffraction; • Particle counting and sizing; • Image analysis; • Specialized sample preparation; </div><div> TEM (transmission electron microscope) • Bright-field imaging; • Dark-field imaging; • Phase identification by electron diffraction; • Particle counting and sizing; • Electron tomography; • Elemental analysis; • Specialized sample preparation;</div><div>The equipment in these facilities includes:</div><div> •Analytical TEM with EDS detector and digital image acquisition; •Analytical FEG-SEM with both EDS detector and EBSD; •Analytical SEM with Bruker light elements EDS detector;  •Ion Mill; •Dimpler; •Electroerosion; • Polaron: sputter coater and evaporator (Au/Pd,Cr,C); •Optical microscope;</div><div>Our technical expertise allows for the evaluation of glass defects for severity, composition, and root causes, particularly in the analysis and interpretation of stone and cord. Precise and fast glass analyses are a critical factor in resolving batch upset, meeting compositional requirements, assessing composition changes, or meeting customer requirements.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_92e100a9e30f4d7ea849c84846ecc618~mv2.jpg"/><div> Each report issued by Empakglass will have an analysis with microscopic identification of the solid inclusions in the glass and an estimation of the potential origin of the defects. Our technical staff will discuss your requirements to ensure that all elements of concern are included in the analysis.</div><div> The estimated delivery time for a full analysis report is 1-2 weeks after sample reception.</div><div> If you are interested to know more about this matter, please contact us through our website at: <a href="http://www.empakglass.com">www.empakglass.com</a></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mould Design / Product Development Workshop in Sundsvall - by Bucher Emhart Glass</title><description><![CDATA[From the 14th to the 18th of November the city of Sundsvall (Sweden) was home of another successful Mould design/Product Development Workshop organized by Bucher Emhart Glass in collaboration with Empakglass. Dominique Vassaux from Bucher Emhart Glass and Pedro Pontes from Empakglass, have conducted this 5 day training workshop. The participants learned the current common product / parison / mould design development rules and technologies used within the mould design / production workflow.This<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_8a4720cfa8a64c259cc87ff9b4b68026%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_352/3d4fdc_8a4720cfa8a64c259cc87ff9b4b68026%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/11/21/Mould-Design-Product-Development-Workshop-in-Sundsvall---by-Bucher-Emhart-Glass</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/11/21/Mould-Design-Product-Development-Workshop-in-Sundsvall---by-Bucher-Emhart-Glass</guid><pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2016 11:44:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>From the 14th to the 18th of November the city of Sundsvall (Sweden) was home of another successful Mould design/Product Development Workshop organized by Bucher Emhart Glass in collaboration with Empakglass. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_8a4720cfa8a64c259cc87ff9b4b68026~mv2.jpg"/><div>Dominique Vassaux from Bucher Emhart Glass and Pedro Pontes from Empakglass, have conducted this 5 day training workshop. The participants learned the current common product / parison / mould design development rules and technologies used within the mould design / production workflow.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_c5e14ca8320644a88e58e6beda422142~mv2.jpg"/><div>This seminar was attended with participants from Italy (<a href="http://www.zignagovetro.com/en">Zignago Vetro</a>) and Russia (<a href="http://www.sisecamglasspackaging.com/en">Ruscam</a>).</div><div>This multicultural set-up was much appreciated since it gave the opportunity to exchange experiences within people from different glass container plants within the same - or related - field of work and even from different backgrounds.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_ba6aa90cddfd469b91d2db5a0bb533e4~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mould Design / Product Development Workshop - by Bucher Emhart Glass</title><description><![CDATA[From the 10th to the 14th of October the city of St. Petersburg (Florida, USA) was home of another successful Mould design/Product Development Workshop this time organized by Bucher Emhart Glass. Dominique Vassaux from Bucher Emhart Glass and Pedro Pontes from Empakglass, have conducted this 5 day training workshop. The participants learned the current common product / parison / mould design development rules and technologies used within the mould design / production workflow.This seminar was<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4699421062894cb6ad02e1dab8b2b279%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_352/3d4fdc_4699421062894cb6ad02e1dab8b2b279%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/10/17/Mould-Design-Product-Development-Workshop---by-Bucher-Emhart-Glass</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/10/17/Mould-Design-Product-Development-Workshop---by-Bucher-Emhart-Glass</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 2016 10:55:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>From the 10th to the 14th of October the city of St. Petersburg (Florida, USA) was home of another successful Mould design/Product Development Workshop this time organized by Bucher Emhart Glass.  Dominique Vassaux from Bucher Emhart Glass and Pedro Pontes from Empakglass, have conducted this 5 day training workshop. The participants learned the current common product / parison / mould design development rules and technologies used within the mould design / production workflow.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4699421062894cb6ad02e1dab8b2b279~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_753afa6602894911bebd0fde31f8d036~mv2.jpg"/><div>This seminar was attended with participants from such different places as: Missouri USA (Piramal Glass), New Jersey USA (Piramal Glass), Indiana USA (Ardagh Group), Netherlands (O-I).</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_d2d71bd7688645b79bbcb20aa0316f01~mv2.png"/><div>This multicultural set-up was much appreciated since it gave the opportunity to exchange experiences within people from different glass container plants within the same - or related - field of work and even from different backgrounds.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Glasstec 2016 - Thank you for visiting us!</title><description><![CDATA[We thank all the visitors, customers, dealers and agents for visiting our booth at this year’s Glasstec.We hope you thoroughly enjoyed your visit and our hospitality.The exhibition was a great success for EmpakGlass and we were impressed by the number of visitors and the great interest in our products/support services, especially our new software packages on process forming simulation “Empaktor Suite” and glass composition/color change “Glasstor Suite” which we officially introduced during this<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a606cce917e7421baeb0df0efbf09afa%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/26/EmpakGlass-Glasstec-2016</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/26/EmpakGlass-Glasstec-2016</guid><pubDate>Mon, 26 Sep 2016 15:15:45 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_5826b31e5eb84938a9a9ea1267b7c24e~mv2.png"/><div>We thank all the visitors, customers, dealers and agents for visiting our booth at this year’s Glasstec.</div><div>We hope you thoroughly enjoyed your visit and our hospitality.</div><div>The exhibition was a great success for EmpakGlass and we were impressed by the number of visitors and the great interest in our products/support services, especially our new software packages on process forming simulation “Empaktor Suite” and glass composition/color change “Glasstor Suite” which we officially introduced during this exhibition.</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a606cce917e7421baeb0df0efbf09afa~mv2.png"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_3197d8fd073441fe86a5d94f17b0d166~mv2.png"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_dc7700d5c5274d15af6b101f825122e4~mv2.png"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_5bb76687af7c431a83a9893d59a33a81~mv2.png"/></div><div>Our new partnership with the Italian company <a href="http://www.parmacontrols.it/">Parmacontrols</a> was welcomed by many customers and visitors. Empakglass received several requests on supplying several quality control equipment shown during the fair, especially on:</div><div>CanNeed-BPT-400: Ramp Pressure Tester CanNeed-VLT-100: Vertical Load Tester CanNeed-GIT-100: Glass Bottle Impact Tester CanNeed-SFAT-100: Static Friction Angle Tester (Tilt Table) CanNeed-MBT-200: Thickness Gauge</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_87029e705d8949b39bd6dd0649d76448~mv2.png"/><div>Please, do not hesitate to contact us for any questions or feedback you may have following the exhibition.</div><div>We will be very happy to receive your inquiry and we hope you enjoyed our products and the fair.</div><div>A special thanks is extended to the <a href="http://www.neomesse.com/en/">design company</a> for making the event so successful.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Empakglass presents Quality Control &amp; Cold End Equipment at Glasstec 2016</title><description><![CDATA[Empakglass will be presenting at GLASSTEC exhibition, which will take place at the Dusseldorf Messe in Germany, from the 20th to the 23rd of September 2016, in Hall 13 stand D10, a new partnership with the Italian company: Parmacontrols.Parmacontrols - established since 1992 - has been carrying out its activity in quality control systems for food packaging, canning, bottling, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, being the sole EMEA full distributor for CanNeed Instrument Ltd. Empakglass will<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_e2e34fa962734dc7936a7310c95b1007%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/16/Empakglass-presents-Quality-Control-Cold-End-Equipment-at-Glasstec-2016</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/16/Empakglass-presents-Quality-Control-Cold-End-Equipment-at-Glasstec-2016</guid><pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:48:07 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Empakglass will be presenting at GLASSTEC exhibition, which will take place at the Dusseldorf Messe in Germany, from the 20th to the 23rd of September 2016, in Hall 13 stand D10, a new partnership with the Italian company: Parmacontrols.</div><div>Parmacontrols - established since 1992 - has been carrying out its activity in quality control systems for food packaging, canning, bottling, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, being the sole EMEA full distributor for CanNeed Instrument Ltd. </div><div>Empakglass will show on its stand CanNeed equipment dedicated to the quality control of glass bottles and jars. This equipment is dedicated to the standard tests of the Glass Container industry, performed in the daily operations of a glass plant:</div><div>CanNeed-BPT-400: Ramp Pressure Tester CanNeed-VLT-100: Vertical Load Tester CanNeed-GIT-100: Glass Bottle Impact Tester CanNeed-SFAT-100: Static Friction Angle Tester (Tilt Table) CanNeed-MBT-200: Thickness Gauge</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_e2e34fa962734dc7936a7310c95b1007~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_91c4943f60884a30aff3625b74fdbfdd~mv2.jpg"/><div>Besides the mentioned equipment, that will be in display, we will be offering a complete range of industry standard test equipment at a very competitive price.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_814586e0db6c40ceac60b6f70e6e819d~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_fff85a61a79143c6b0cb34aa40029286~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_c4c65721b1db49f4b6a9a8f591099e3f~mv2.jpg"/><div>With this partnership we will be providing to our customers a reliable and attractive alternative to current options, presenting some new equipment features.</div><div>We invite everyone to pass by our Stand which will be located on Hall 13, D10, to talk face to face with our several Specialists and see what we have been doing and what we intend to introduce to the Industry. Looking forward to meet you in Düsseldorf.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Glass Compositions &amp; Color Changes Software</title><description><![CDATA[Empakglass’s Software Division will present during Glasstec 2016, the Glass Compositions & Color Changes Software.Developed in close junction with the Technical Services from Empakglass and tested in real case situations, its goal is, besides the obvious glass composition thermal and physical properties, to: Determine the target gob temperatures (not just the Log 3.0) according to the weight, cavity rate, type of cooling system; Suggest all the delivery system, from the orifice ring up until the<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_1cc6da1e0f234cbcbcf65bbf83190332%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_339/3d4fdc_1cc6da1e0f234cbcbcf65bbf83190332%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Hélder Remédios</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/13/Glass-Compositions-Color-Changes-Software</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/13/Glass-Compositions-Color-Changes-Software</guid><pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 2016 15:19:35 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Empakglass’s Software Division will present during Glasstec 2016, the Glass Compositions &amp; Color Changes Software.</div><div>Developed in close junction with the Technical Services from Empakglass and tested in real case situations, its goal is, besides the obvious glass composition thermal and physical properties, to:</div><div>Determine the target gob temperatures (not just the Log 3.0) according to the weight, cavity rate, type of cooling system;Suggest all the delivery system, from the orifice ring up until the deflectors;Optimize and predict colour change patterns;Pinpoint where the issues occur;Keep it simple for the user.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_1cc6da1e0f234cbcbcf65bbf83190332~mv2.jpg"/><div>As an example, on this particular colour change, which caused several sulphate blisters, by simulating the actual steps taken, it is possible to verify, where the problems start to arise and the reason for it. On this case, it is a combination between SO3/SO2 solubility in the glass with the specific REDOX of the colour change in the same timeframe.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_424e0b5ea6a544e097dd9407d098430e~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_5b8b6e117c0a43c7b5c1807026e4da29~mv2_d_2178_1292_s_2.jpg"/><div>By adjusting the previous steps, it is possible to predict and even to correct in a faster way such outcome and bring back the glass quality into the Acceptance Limits.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_e04569ef691b474f8cb1ade9367833c0~mv2.jpg"/><div>Other features available in this software is the integration of the actual Glass Composition physical and thermal properties, with the real gob temperature as well to provide the IS Production team, the required data in terms of:</div><div>Intended Cavity Rate, Gob temperature, Orifice ring and delivery system dimensions for the intended article to produce according to the actual glass composition used.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_971cb6712f89478eb356f4ef273d5852~mv2.jpg"/><div>The thermal data simulated on this software, both in terms of conduction and radiation, for each particular glass composition in the IS production process thermal range, can also be used in other commercial Forming softwares available in the market. With this, you may tune up your simulation results in terms glass thickness profiles, prior to any real trial on the IS machine.</div><div>We invite everyone to pass by our Stand which will be located on Hall 13, D10, to talk face to face with our several Specialists and see what we have been doing and what we intend to introduce to the Industry.</div><div>Looking forward to meet you in Düsseldorf.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The future of the B&amp;F department inside a Glass Plant?</title><description><![CDATA[Two years ago, I wrote this little memo in our Linkedin Page and received very interesting feedback.As we are approaching Glasstec 2016 where Empakglass will present several software packages, ranging from Forming Simulation to Glass Properties & Colour Changes, we decided to place it in our new Website’s Blog, to bring back some highlight and focus on a very important contribution for Glass Companies results, often left to oblivion."Although not as visible as the IS Production and Mould Design<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_ca9a292c9237473eae8057973308ac4d%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_276%2Ch_280/3d4fdc_ca9a292c9237473eae8057973308ac4d%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Hélder Remédios</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/07/The-future-of-the-BF-department-inside-a-Glass-Plant</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/07/The-future-of-the-BF-department-inside-a-Glass-Plant</guid><pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:42:47 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Two years ago, I wrote this little memo in our Linkedin Page and received very interesting feedback.</div><div>As we are approaching Glasstec 2016 where Empakglass will present several software packages, ranging from Forming Simulation to Glass Properties &amp; Colour Changes, we decided to place it in our new Website’s Blog, to bring back some highlight and focus on a very important contribution for Glass Companies results, often left to oblivion.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_ca9a292c9237473eae8057973308ac4d~mv2.jpg"/><div>&quot;Although not as visible as the IS Production and Mould Design departments, when we take in consideration the global process to produce glass, the Batch &amp; Furnaces Operation becomes paramount. Taking this into consideration and having worked with several plants all around the world, I found a common trend when it comes to the approach to this specific Department and its importance on the overall process.  On one hand, several plants look at this department in a way based on: “If it isn’t causing problems, let’s not change anything, we have bigger issues…” – leaving little room for continuous improvements; </div><div>And on another hand, I came to realize that the Human Resources philosophy regarding this department (hot, dusty and routine work, so the most vibrant people in the industry don’t want to do it, preferring instead for example, the IS production) the know-how of the staff in some cases as really fallen, making it extremely hard to have a continuous improvement working method.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_f9d3dc6781c7443684482cebcda91edc~mv2.jpg"/><div>Not helping on this situation is the fact that the majority of the companies, for financial reasons, are only hiring people at the last moment to substitute the staff that is retiring, leaving little time and motivation for the built in knowledge over the years to be passed to the new generations.</div><div>So, although, technologically we see that there has been advances across the years, either in the engineering or even control software, on the other hand, the staff that operates and decides these “mega investments”, aren’t technically so well prepared to handle them in order to maximize the furnace lifetime and the specific consumption, and translating financially into lowering the amortization costs and the cost per ton of produced glass across the years.Due to the specificities of this particular step in the glass production process, both in terms of raw materials, energy consumption and installation amortizations, it is the major contribution to the total specific cost of producing a ton of glass, make it decisive when talking about a Glass Plant being competitive or not in the market that it moves and for the full period of a campaign, which is roughly around a decade. </div><div> So, if this is so important, why don’t glass companies have a sensibility for considering the B&amp;F operations critical for the future of the Organization? Won’t it financially pay off afterwards?”</div><div>We invite everyone to come to our <a href="http://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/06/04/2016-Open-training-workshops-by-Empakglass">2016 open training workshops</a>, to meet and talk face to face with our several Specialists.</div><div>Remember, these are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry.</div><div>This year our  will be held between October 17th - 21st, in Lisbon. During this seminar Simulations for Colour Changes, Glass Properties and Operation Optimization (cost reductions) will be made with Empakglass's developed Software.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a9c178df1deb4672a59a4d75749a98e4~mv2.jpg"/><div>If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, you can download our brochure .</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>EmpakGlass @ Glasstec 2016</title><description><![CDATA[Like in the previous two events of Glasstec, Empakglass will be attending once again in 2016. We are deeply excited with this event as it marks a new step on Empakglass's Business Model, which started as a Technical Services & Training Company. This year we will present several of our Glass Container Software Packages fully developed and trialed in “Real Life” working environments. The new leap forward is the integration of the actual Glass Composition physical and thermal properties, with real<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_511be540b2ee41229fc569be4dbd7e92%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_495/3d4fdc_511be540b2ee41229fc569be4dbd7e92%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/02/EmpakGlass-Glasstec-2016</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/09/02/EmpakGlass-Glasstec-2016</guid><pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2016 17:02:11 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Like in the previous two events of Glasstec, Empakglass will be attending once again in 2016. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_511be540b2ee41229fc569be4dbd7e92~mv2.jpg"/><div>We are deeply excited with this event as it marks a new step on Empakglass's Business Model, which started as a Technical Services &amp; Training Company. This year we will present several of our Glass Container Software Packages fully developed and trialed in “Real Life” working environments.  The new leap forward is the integration of the actual Glass Composition physical and thermal properties, with real shaped gob and temperature profiles in our fully developed Forming Software - Empaktor Suite. With this, besides the support for the Mould Design teams, this tool provides the IS Production team, the required data in terms of:</div><div>Intended Cavity Rate;Gob temperature;Orifice ring and delivery system dimensions.</div><div>All this simulations are done for each individual container intended produce according to the actual glass composition used. Going a bit beyond this, we will also present our Glass Colour Changes Software, which was developed with the actual intent of supporting glass plants in consistently understanding the occurrences during all types of colour changes, predict issues and even to optimize them.</div><div>Besides the software, this event will mark a new joint-venture between Empakglass with <a href="http://www.parmacontrols.it">ParmaControls/Can Need</a> providing our Clients with a wider range of Quality Control and Cold End Equipment for the daily operations in the plant.  We will be presenting in our stand the following testing equipment:</div><div>Bursting Pressure Tester (BPT-4000);Vertical Load Tester (VLT-100);Static Friction Angle Tester (SFAT-100);Impact Tester (GIT-100);Magnetic Bottle Thickness Gauge (MBT-200).</div><div> Besides the mentioned equipment we will be offering a complete range of industry standard test equipment at a very competitive price, providing a reliable and attractive alternative to current options.</div><div>We invite everyone to come to our Stand which will be located on Hall 13, D10, to meet and talk face to face with our several Specialists seeing what we have been doing and what we intend to introduce to the Industry!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2016 Mould Design / Product Development Workshop - by Empakglass</title><description><![CDATA[From the 8th to the 12th of August the beautiful city of Lisbon was home of another successful Mould design/Product Development Workshop. Pedro Pontes, has conducted this 5 day training workshop. The participants learned the current common product / parison / mould design development rules and technologies used within the mould design / production workflow.This seminar was attended with participants from such different places as: Czech Republic (Sklárny Moravia as), Iran (Takestan Packaging<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_021f160dd4b84cce86cfc015b54ff0e8%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_415/3d4fdc_021f160dd4b84cce86cfc015b54ff0e8%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/08/15/2016-Mould-Design-Product-Development-Workshop---by-Empakglass</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/08/15/2016-Mould-Design-Product-Development-Workshop---by-Empakglass</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Aug 2016 17:08:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>From the 8th to the 12th of August the beautiful city of Lisbon was home of another successful Mould design/Product Development Workshop.  Pedro Pontes, has conducted this 5 day training workshop. The participants learned the current common product / parison / mould design development rules and technologies used within the mould design / production workflow.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_021f160dd4b84cce86cfc015b54ff0e8~mv2.jpg"/><div>This seminar was attended with participants from such different places as: Czech Republic (Sklárny Moravia as), Iran (Takestan Packaging Glass), Switzerland (Nestlé), South Africa (Consol Glass), United Kingdom (Ardagh Group), Spain (Estal Packaging). This multicultural set-up was much appreciated since it gave the opportunity to exchange experiences within people from different glass container plants within the same - or related - field of work and even from different backgrounds, like Glass container fillers, distributors and producers.</div><div>Like last year edition, during the workshop the participants also had the opportunity to enjoy a tuk-tuk Lisbon city tour followed by a dinner in which they could also experience Portuguese culture and food.</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b10ee7da22184a00a38bf9be9e2e332a~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_705b934b9103469ab2ce37431a56a98b~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_20c3ed3a0b394e0497afcd7107ed2cec~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_2e0ad719211f40db85e8e69a66fee2c9~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_7b8abf004385477a9c239475cd4dcfe1~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_9872e090794847c5a4e52221898fbb10~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_ba38d565e38141068e1db9d542f23eb5~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_b0e4d116183747a4b65d12fe969ca4b5~mv2.jpg"/></div><div>Needless to say that this social event was very popular among all seminar participants. We are sure that they took with them some good memories of Lisbon city.</div><div>The very positive feedback from our customers and our own assessment of the workshops course is a motivation to proceed with such events in a near future. </div><div>See you in Lisbon 2017! </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Introducing our Live Chat Support feature</title><description><![CDATA[Last week we’ve revealed our NEW EMPAKGLASS.COMToday, we’re going to tell you about a new feature we’ve never before offered:LIVE CHATWe know that you don’t want to have to dig through a website to find the information you seek. You’re busy; we get that. So we’re activating a live chat feature on our new website. When you’re working and have a question or issue, we want to be right there with you to get it resolved in that moment.Just type the subject, topic or service on which you require<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_fdbac130dd014741bf0972914b5cacf7%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_463/3d4fdc_fdbac130dd014741bf0972914b5cacf7%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/07/07/Introducing-our-Live-Chat-Support-feature</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/07/07/Introducing-our-Live-Chat-Support-feature</guid><pubDate>Thu, 07 Jul 2016 16:20:02 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Last week we’ve revealed our NEW EMPAKGLASS.COM</div><div>Today, we’re going to tell you about a new feature we’ve never before offered:</div><div>LIVE CHAT</div><div>We know that you don’t want to have to dig through a website to find the information you seek. You’re busy; we get that. </div><div>So we’re activating a live chat feature on our new website. When you’re working and have a question or issue, we want to be right there with you to get it resolved in that moment.</div><div>Just type the subject, topic or service on which you require support, and you will be immediately redirected to the right specialist.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_fdbac130dd014741bf0972914b5cacf7~mv2.png"/><div>You also have the option to email us during the chat offline hours, and ask these questions as well. </div><div>We want to offer as many communication methods as possible for you to get your questions answered the moment you have them. </div><div>We understand how important it is to get an issue resolved in a speedy manner, and we’ll be monitoring the effectiveness of this tool to make sure it’s performing optimally for our clients.</div><div>On a mobile version, you’ll also be able to use this new feature, by clicking the “Chat with us!” button placed on the footer of our new website.</div><div>We can’t wait for you to experience all Empakglass has to offer, starting today.</div><div>We’re positive that our new features and products will help to strengthen our partnership with you.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Introducing the NEW EMPAKGLASS.COM</title><description><![CDATA[In Empakglass, we are constantly looking at innovative ways to enhance, grow and improve our customer’s experience. We are proud to unveil our brand new Empakglass website which went live today, June 30th 2016! This has been an exciting journey since our first launch in 2011. We are excited to also announce the launch of "Our blog" page where our valued customers will now be able to read our latest technical publications, news and upcoming events. We encourage you to visit all our pages on the<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4f3a96434d654c61a39b0cf2997e22fc%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_290/3d4fdc_4f3a96434d654c61a39b0cf2997e22fc%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/07/07/Introducing-the-NEW-EMPAKGLASSCOM</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/07/07/Introducing-the-NEW-EMPAKGLASSCOM</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2016 00:15:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>In Empakglass, we are constantly looking at innovative ways to enhance, grow and improve our customer’s experience. </div><div>We are proud to unveil our brand new Empakglass website which went live today, June 30th 2016! This has been an exciting journey since our first launch in 2011. We are excited to also announce the launch of &quot;Our blog&quot; page where our valued customers will now be able to read our latest technical publications, news and upcoming events. We encourage you to visit all our pages on the new website and let us know what you think. For any questions, suggestions, feedback or comments, please Contact us. Get the best experience on your desktop, tablet or smartphone.</div><div>Introducing the</div><div>NEW EMPAKGLASS.COM</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4f3a96434d654c61a39b0cf2997e22fc~mv2.png"/><div>We hope you love our newly updated web design and we hope you will return frequently to discover the last news, products and services from the Empakglass team. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2016 Open training workshops - by Empakglass</title><description><![CDATA["In EmpakGlass we believe knowledge only has value, if used and shared"EmpakGlass is pleased to announce that our 2016 open training workshops are now available to all glass packaging professionals.Where businesses do not have the number of co-workers to run a group in-company session, an open training workshop will now allow any glass packaging professional (wherever they are based) to access this benefit.Due to several requests, we have converted our existing successful face-to-face in-company<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_493df627a6764bdfbaa21815d12e5ee1%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/06/04/2016-Open-training-workshops-by-Empakglass</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/06/04/2016-Open-training-workshops-by-Empakglass</guid><pubDate>Sat, 04 Jun 2016 16:58:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_493df627a6764bdfbaa21815d12e5ee1~mv2.png"/><div>&quot;In EmpakGlass we believe knowledge only has value, if used and shared&quot;</div><div>EmpakGlass is pleased to announce that our 2016 open training workshops are now available to all glass packaging professionals.</div><div>Where businesses do not have the number of co-workers to run a group in-company session, an open training workshop will now allow any glass packaging professional (wherever they are based) to access this benefit.</div><div>Due to several requests, we have converted our existing successful face-to-face in-company training sessions into open training workshops, to be held again in Lisbon (our hometown).</div><div>What are the advantages of 'open' training courses over in-company training?</div><div>Open training workshops are known to increase the diversity of opinion because everyone gets a say.</div><div>There is also an additional value to be gained with this type of training that many companies also overlook:</div><div>Meet and network with peers from other organisations;Safe environment out of the workplace and away from colleagues;Share knowledge with people from other companies;Receive feedback from people of a similar seniority and experience level;Small groups which means better 1-2-1 coaching;Gain valuable insights from different industry sectors;Learn powerful techniques.</div><div>This leads to greater retention of what’s been studied and helps build confidence in the newly acquired knowledge.</div><div>So now you can immediately start to improve your job skills, or your team skills, or your entire company skills, at the click of a mouse.</div><div>This year we are adding 3 new training workshops, meaning our 2016 open training workshops will now have 6 courses available:</div><div>;;;;;.</div><div>If you need more detailed information on the fees, dates and target audience, you can download our.</div><div>You can also checkout our last year edition closure newsletter<a href="http://eepurl.com/bK3OcT">here</a>.</div><div>These are seminars developed by professionals to professionals, on the glass packaging industry.</div><div>The Glass Container Technology seminar is actually a plus for professionals working on the filling / designing &amp; distribution business.</div><div>Last year were well attended with participants from such different places as: Slovenia, Morocco, Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Guatemala, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Italy, Kuwait and Portugal.</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_40179cef9c8640f1ad294c07141ac14e~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_5e63654114c7490f8aa0fb94a5fcf344~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4ec83d544c0c4ec399d771a179825203~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_79ccb856cf5b46d595a7e3dc4df505e4~mv2_d_2848_4272_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_2f397c23f6c24c2a8c3709aaa87f0394~mv2_d_3120_4160_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_164e5b10c5ee4e82a6cc382fbffff5bd~mv2_d_4160_3120_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_8736c1beea124d8d8f8c6ee6caf8e925~mv2_d_1536_2048_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_04e0f2eb5e3e466d88bed660fdd0e09b~mv2_d_2048_1536_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_a64a89cfa14d4139a1477e37537c4e55~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_0bbfc7942c994b70b89ccb2b17653b35~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/></div><div>This multicultural set-up was much appreciated since it gave the opportunity to exchange experiences within people from different glass container plants within the same (or related) field of work and even from different backgrounds, like glass fillers and glass producers.</div><div>Check out our latest newsletter with these workshops information <a href="http://eepurl.com/b4Qjf1">here</a>.</div><div>See you soon in Lisbon!</div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ye3GfmaQwA"/><div>&quot;What better place than Lisbon to provide you with perfect relax after an intensive business day! We look forward to welcoming you again in Lisbon!&quot;</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mouldshop maintenance / CNC operation seminar @ Parkcam, Turkey</title><description><![CDATA[Empakglass conducted a training seminar on Mouldshop Operations & Maintenance in Parkcam, Turkey.The training seminar was conducted between the 14th and the 18th of March and covered Bench, Convencional Lathe and CNC Lathe Machining.The attendees were from the Mouldshop team and the goal of the seminar was to discuss: Best practices / methods and routines; Quality control measurement and analysis; Troubleshooting of defects related to mould equipment maintenance; Process organization in the<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_7505a5e508e7462293690a67fc8c7aa1%7Emv2_d_3794_1612_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_266/3d4fdc_7505a5e508e7462293690a67fc8c7aa1%7Emv2_d_3794_1612_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Helder Remédios</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/03/18/EMPAKGLASS-PARKCAM-TURKEY</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/03/18/EMPAKGLASS-PARKCAM-TURKEY</guid><pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2016 10:21:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Empakglass conducted a training seminar on Mouldshop Operations &amp; Maintenance in Parkcam, Turkey.</div><div>The training seminar was conducted between the 14th and the 18th of March and covered Bench, Convencional Lathe and CNC Lathe Machining.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_7505a5e508e7462293690a67fc8c7aa1~mv2_d_3794_1612_s_2.jpg"/><div>The attendees were from the Mouldshop team and the goal of the seminar was to discuss:</div><div>Best practices / methods and routines;Quality control measurement and analysis;Troubleshooting of defects related to mould equipment maintenance;Process organization in the mouldshop maintenance;Correlating glass dimensions with actual neckring dimensions and estimating lifetime.</div><div>The attendees indicated that the training was valuable, the discussions important for the Mouldshop Process and are ready to apply what they learned immediately.</div><div>Empakglass team really appreciated Parkam's Staff effort in making the training very dynamic and interesting.</div><div>Empakglass offers the majority of our training at a location of customer choice and can customize a seminar for customer unique needs whether it relates to Mould Design, Batch and Furnace, Glass Conditioning, IS Production &amp; Maintenance, Cold End and Quality Control.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_00c753592f8847d695152756b9a50c6c~mv2_d_2560_1440_s_2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mould design / Product development seminar @ Parkcam, Turkey</title><description><![CDATA[Empakglass conducted a training seminar on Product Development & Mould Design in Parkcam, Turkey.The training seminar was divided into two parts, being the initial one performed between the 31st of August and 4th of September 2015 and the second part between the 2nd and 3rd of March of 2016. The goal of setting the training on this manner was to allow the trainees to absorb and use the information of the training, raise new doubts in the period in between training and use the second visit to<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_83b9d6af158441b492b28ec423d91a2d%7Emv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/03/03/Mould-design-Product-development-seminar-Parkcam-Turkey</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/03/03/Mould-design-Product-development-seminar-Parkcam-Turkey</guid><pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:29:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Empakglass conducted a training seminar on Product Development &amp; Mould Design in Parkcam, Turkey.</div><div>The training seminar was divided into two parts, being the initial one performed between the 31st of August and 4th of September 2015 and the second part between the 2nd and 3rd of March of 2016. </div><div>The goal of setting the training on this manner was to allow the trainees to absorb and use the information of the training, raise new doubts in the period in between training and use the second visit to make new practical examples.</div><div>The attendees of the training included members from the IS Production, Mould Design and Mouldshop.</div><div>The feedback provided was extremely positive, making Empakglass very proud of helping this partner on improving its internal Operational Skills.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_83b9d6af158441b492b28ec423d91a2d~mv2_d_4272_2848_s_4_2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cold End and Quality Control seminar @ Drujba Glassworks, Bulgaria</title><description><![CDATA[Empakglass conducted a training seminar on Cold End and Quality Control in Plovdiv, Bulgaria at Drujba Glassworks S.A. glass plant.The training seminar was conducted between the 8th and the 18th of February to four different training groups in a total of 88 people.The attendees came mainly from the Cold End and Quality areas including the Quality Laboratory of the Plovdiv plant. In each session a group of people from the sister plant of Sofia was also present.These four sessions provided Drujba<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_fabd2342ae98423989e0348482d837c6%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/02/18/Cold-End-and-Quality-Control-seminar-Drujba-Glassworks-Bulgaria</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/02/18/Cold-End-and-Quality-Control-seminar-Drujba-Glassworks-Bulgaria</guid><pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2016 10:35:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Empakglass conducted a training seminar on Cold End and Quality Control in Plovdiv, Bulgaria at Drujba Glassworks S.A. glass plant.</div><div>The training seminar was conducted between the 8th and the 18th of February to four different training groups in a total of 88 people.</div><div>The attendees came mainly from the Cold End and Quality areas including the Quality Laboratory of the Plovdiv plant. In each session a group of people from the sister plant of Sofia was also present.</div><div>These four sessions provided Drujba personnel with broad ranging topics including: a review of glass properties and breakage mechanisms, a manufacturing process overview, surface coatings, quality assurance in a glass plant, inspection procedures for the Cold End, automatic inspection, quality laboratory tests, job changes in the Cold End and food safety.</div><div>The attendees gave feedback that the training was valuable and that were ready to apply what they learned immediately.</div><div>Empakglass offers the majority of the trainings at a location of customer choice and can customize a seminar for customer unique needs whether it relates to Mould Design, Batch and Furnace, Glass Conditioning, IS Production, Cold End and Quality Control.</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_2ea032c948e24199b2b737770ba75712~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_867d7c0afa8f476384fe2f680db9a853~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_fabd2342ae98423989e0348482d837c6~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_f73c9fa04a694e3798c59f96d8bd0658~mv2.jpg"/></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mouldshop maintenance seminar @ L. Lighting Glass Co., Thailand</title><description><![CDATA[The training seminar was conducted between the 23rd January and the 18th of February 2016.The attendees were from the Mouldshop team and the goal of the seminar was to upgrade LLG personnel in the scope of: Theoretical and practical training on neckring repair: Best practices / methods and routines on neckring maintenance; Suggestions for ideal powders and equipment for necking maintenance, according to the material; Neckrings quality control measurement and analysis; Troubleshooting of defects<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_8d4f41626fa2437fb90245a5d16d5d5b%7Emv2_d_2560_1440_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Hélder Remédios</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/02/18/EMPAKGLASS-L-LIGHTING-GLASS-CO-GLASS-THAILAND</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/02/18/EMPAKGLASS-L-LIGHTING-GLASS-CO-GLASS-THAILAND</guid><pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2016 10:17:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>The training seminar was conducted between the 23rd January and the 18th of February 2016.</div><div>The attendees were from the Mouldshop team and the goal of the seminar was to upgrade LLG personnel in the scope of:</div><div>Theoretical and practical training on neckring repair:<div>Best practices / methods and routines on neckring maintenance;Suggestions for ideal powders and equipment for necking maintenance, according to the material;Neckrings quality control measurement and analysis;Troubleshooting of defects related to necking maintenance;Process organization in the mouldshop for neckring maintenance;Correlating glass dimensions with actual neckring dimensions and estimating lifetime;SOP’s in order to perform correctly the neckring maintenance.</div></div><div>The attendees indicated that the training was valuable and are ready to apply what they learned immediately.</div><div>Empakglass offers the majority of our trainings at a location of customer choice and can customize a seminar for customer unique needs whether it relates to Mould Design, Batch and Furnace, Glass Conditioning, IS Production &amp; Maintenance, Cold End and Quality Control.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_8d4f41626fa2437fb90245a5d16d5d5b~mv2_d_2560_1440_s_2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>To squeeze, or not to squeeze, that is an interesting question!</title><description><![CDATA[Squeeze testing, also sometimes known as simulated impact testing is a destructive test that can be performed on glass containers during the manufacturing process.This is a test usually implemented in line and therefore to which all produced containers can be submitted.It is common to see this test equipment installed in many plants of specific glass manufacturers groups but for many others glass manufacturers as well this is an equipment almost unknown or unheard off.So it deserves that we look<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_3ad560eb149c408e807c5c7913078f18%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_359/3d4fdc_3ad560eb149c408e807c5c7913078f18%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/01/06/To-squeeze-or-not-to-squeeze-that-is-an-interesting-question</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/01/06/To-squeeze-or-not-to-squeeze-that-is-an-interesting-question</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2016 17:52:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_3ad560eb149c408e807c5c7913078f18~mv2.jpg"/><div>Squeeze testing, also sometimes known as simulated impact testing is a destructive test that can be performed on glass containers during the manufacturing process.</div><div>This is a test usually implemented in line and therefore to which all produced containers can be submitted.</div><div>It is common to see this test equipment installed in many plants of specific glass manufacturers groups but for many others glass manufacturers as well this is an equipment almost unknown or unheard off.</div><div>So it deserves that we look at its pros and cons.</div><div>Squeeze testing involves placing a glass container under stress to cause weak containers to break. Those “weak containers” have surface flaws or stress concentrators that lead to container breakage when squeezed.</div><div>The stress is caused by placing a load on one side of the container as the container rolls along a shoe or pad.</div><div>This method places a uniform stress all the way around the container during the test. Glass is a brittle material and like most brittle materials, it is strong in compression and weak in (tensile) tension. By loading the container in the described manner, the container walls receive an alternating stress. This stress causes the container to fail or break if the container has any structural flaws in its sidewall. &quot;Good&quot; containers withstand the stress and are undamaged.</div><div>When installed, it is the first equipment on the Cold End just after the annealing lehr. This helps prevent jams and damage to downstream inspection and handling devices.</div><div>The squeeze tester “rejects” - breaks! - all ware that is semi-broken or susceptible to brake in the inspection machines and therefore to damage or unsettle the inspection equipment.</div><div>So this not like the typical inspection machine that we have in the Cold End but rather more like an “in-line-destructive-test”.</div><div>In fact, perhaps – in my view – the biggest shortcoming of this equipment is the fact that it is not possible to collect the relevant data concerning the containers that are being “rejected” – broken! -by the squeeze tester.</div><div>Like I have referred in one of my previous posts: the task for the Quality Control / Cold End areas in a glass plant is not only guaranteeing that no defective containers reach the pallet and are not sent to the customer.</div><div>Also very important is to provide continuous feedback with reliable data for correction. That is, to provide information for correction of the manufacturing process, like: type of defect detected, affected mould numbers, occurrence percentages… and that you cannot get from a squeeze tester! - but you can from an inspection machine.</div><div>In the other hand, like any other inspection machine, we should have a challenge sample to assess the effectiveness of the squeeze tester at regular intervals. That is to verify if the structurally weak ware is being broken by the equipment.</div><div>Usually this procedure involves the simulation of a defective sample by merely damaging its internal surface with a scribe. The sample is then tested in the squeeze tester and checked if it is broken by the equipment.</div><div>Additional key checks shall be made to verify that the unit is set-up properly and that in fact is not a source of product contamination or damage.</div><div>Covers must be installed above the top of the finish of the containers to prevent that tramp (flying) glass – from breakages - does not gets inside them. The wider the finish of the container the greater the risk involved.</div><div>Any embedded glass – resulting from container breakages – should be removed from the pressure wheel so that subsequent containers will not be damage (frictive damage mechanism). Squeeze testers are equipped to prevent this but regular checks and maintenance should be in place to guarantee it.</div><div>Finally, a minimum air pressure set-point for the squeeze tester should be established and monitored regularly to assure that the defective ware is rejected – squeezed and broken! - appropriately.</div><div>Squeeze testers are not a consensual equipment in the container glass industry and there are arguments for and against its use.</div><div>Personally I have never had the opportunity to work on a daily basis with the equipment. So I do not have direct feedback to give.</div><div>But from what I know of the equipment, lead me to be a little bit jealous from my fellow colleagues that had the luck to count with the aid of such equipment in their lines.</div><div>I think that it is especially useful in situations that we are producing non-round containers or for containers where the standard automatic inspection is hampered due to the container geometry or special features.</div><div>In all situations I see it like a life insurance.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Let’s talk about something that it is not controversial!</title><description><![CDATA[And then, there are those things that are not controversial (confused with this beginning? Please check my previous post).Those things that everyone agrees upon. Those topics that generate a broad consensus.In a glass container plant, one of those – rare… - subject’s, concerns Critical Defects.The definition of critical defect does not leave any doubt: “defects that could or are likely to result in hazardous or unsafe conditions for individuals using the glass container or be injurious to their<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_6ded2e44bcd74a49b1c2323e857e540d%7Emv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_485/3d4fdc_6ded2e44bcd74a49b1c2323e857e540d%7Emv2.jpeg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/09/23/Let%E2%80%99s-talk-about-something-that-it-is-not-controversial</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/09/23/Let%E2%80%99s-talk-about-something-that-it-is-not-controversial</guid><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2015 16:48:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>And then, there are those things that are not controversial (confused with this beginning? Please check my previous post).</div><div>Those things that everyone agrees upon. Those topics that generate a broad consensus.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_6ded2e44bcd74a49b1c2323e857e540d~mv2.jpeg"/><div>In a glass container plant, one of those – rare… - subject’s, concerns Critical Defects.</div><div>The definition of critical defect does not leave any doubt: “defects that could or are likely to result in hazardous or unsafe conditions for individuals using the glass container or be injurious to their health, under normal conditions of use as defined between the glass manufacturer and the filler.”</div><div>Or in other words: “A defective condition on the bottle (or jar) which can/may cause physical injury or even death to the consumer or our direct customer during normal use/operating conditions. Based on judgment and experience indicates that it could likely result in a substantial Customer or Consumer complaint.”</div><div>Bottom line: when they are detected every effort must be made to avoid that the defective units reach the pallet and are shipped to the customer- at all costs!</div><div>The examples of defects that are considered to be critical are not even arguable:</div><div>-Bird swing, spike (any plunger pull on the container inside surface), over press/wire edge finish, flanged finish (horizontal glass projection at guide ring and neck ring match area), chipped finish, internal stuck glass; internal loose glass; internal soft blister, sharp external stuck glass, sharp (or could be broken to become sharp) seam, etc...etc.</div><div>Basically we are referring to any defect that could result in a substantial Customer or Consumer complaint.</div><div>Off course there are some less obvious.</div><div>Here I would include for instance defects that can affect the sealing surface of the glass container and therefore cause the loss of vacuum and ultimately spoil the filled product (being that the case).</div><div>Upon detection, or even the suspicion of occurrence, actions must be undertaken immediately both in the Hot End and the Cold End.</div><div>The secret about any defect is to make sure we are in control, not the defect.</div><div>As long as we know when it happened and then can TRACE/TRACK it effectively, we will never have problems.</div><div>The most important is to immediately eliminate risk (reject at Hot End) and make decisions in CUSTOMERS’ favor.</div><div>A detailed report, as per procedure, should be required for each and every CRITICAL DEFECT we identify during production.</div><div>Independently if the defect is detected in the Hot End or in the Cold End the procedures usually establish redundant mechanisms.</div><div>These mechanisms usually imply that some final product is rejected – just to be safe – even though it is reasonably admitted that no critical defected was packed.</div><div>We find small variations in these procedures between glass manufacturers but we can safely say that the final goal in all is to make absolutely sure that no critical defect is packed and unintentionally sent to customers.</div><div>From my experience there are two situations of great concern in what regards the management of critical defects:</div><div>ON and OFF situations (the defect occurs intermittently);The critical defect runs in the production (more of what is in the Lehr at time of detection).</div><div>Now this is a REAL issue when the defect is of difficult visual detection and the inspection machines struggle to reject it…</div><div>Let me give you the following analogy (with the courtesy of a very good friend of mine).</div><div>Let’s imagine that the plant floor is a football pitch (soccer pitch if you are in the US).</div><div>The operator that is the Hot End in the IS machine is the striker and the operator that is the Cold End (the Quality Inspector so to speak) is the goalkeeper.</div><div>The goalkeeper has the objective of stopping all the balls (defects) that the striker shoots at him preventing that they reach the goal (the final pack) - preventing a goal of being scored.</div><div>I have to say that off course the objective of the Hot End operator it is not to produce defects. It does not want to score a goal. This is just an image to illustrate a specific situation.</div><div>If the striker does not shoot too many balls at the goal keeper at the same time the goalkeeper can defend its goal and prevent the score.</div><div>But if the striker starts shooting various balls simultaneously in different goal directions the goalkeeper just it is not able to stop them all. Some will relentlessly go into the goal.</div><div>The best way to break down a system is to overload it!</div><div>Basically this means that while the Hot End works on the critical defect, it must be simultaneously rejected at Hot End.</div><div>And that rejection only must be stopped when we have absolutely sure that the critical defect root cause was found and corrected!</div><div>In the Hot End it is better to not jump to conclusions too early and allow sometime for confirmation.</div><div>Follow-up in the Cold End – after the defect was declared fixed - is critical!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Let’s talk about something controversial!</title><description><![CDATA[You know…There are those subjects that when come up during a conversation between friends are bound to give much discussion.I would say that: politics, religion and sports are perhaps among those subjects that frequently have the effect of stir up the spirits.In a glass container plant there is one particular matter that has a similar effect (OK! Among others…)And that concerns visual or cosmetic defects. Or more precisely the actions or procedures to take when there is the detection of such<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_47472fde009a48649e3543fa4bb7e388%7Emv2_d_2560_1920_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/09/14/Let%E2%80%99s-talk-about-something-controversial</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/09/14/Let%E2%80%99s-talk-about-something-controversial</guid><pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:36:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>You know…</div><div>There are those subjects that when come up during a conversation between friends are bound to give much discussion.</div><div>I would say that: politics, religion and sports are perhaps among those subjects that frequently have the effect of stir up the spirits.</div><div>In a glass container plant there is one particular matter that has a similar effect (OK! Among others…)</div><div>And that concerns visual or cosmetic defects. Or more precisely the actions or procedures to take when there is the detection of such type of defects.</div><div>To put the question in very candid terms usually the discussion turns around: if detected we should reject or not such type of defects. After all, the glass producer is “tolerated” to produce a certain percentage of those of defects, isn’t it????</div><div>Let’s take a step back for a while and see where it all begins.</div><div>Unfortunately, producing glass containers it is not an activity free of producing defective units. There will be defective units in virtually every production batch. And this is true even after the producer has checked each individual product (trough automatic inspection machines)!</div><div>Is there anyone who can guarantee that automatic inspection is 100% reliable?</div><div>When the defect does not result in life or death outcomes, the supplier it is not expected to deliver defect-free goods. I am not saying the glass filler will not always demand that from the glass supplier. And I know that there is not a single glass supplier that will approach its customers saying: “most probably in this batch of bottles that I am sending to you, you will have defective units”.</div><div>I am just saying that there is the need in the supplier/customer relationship to set the limit between acceptability and refusal in a way that can be agreed upon and measured.</div><div>That limit is called the “AQL” – Acceptance Quality Limit.</div><div>Defects are classified in three main groups: Critical Defects, Major Defects (sometimes subdivided in Major A and Major B) and Minor Defects. Each glass defect is then framed accordingly with this classification.</div><div>For each one of the former defect categories are established AQL levels (quality level that is the worst tolerable process average when a continuing series of lots is submitted for acceptance sampling). These AQL levels (given in percentage) will ultimately translate in acceptance and rejection numbers for determined sample sizes and type of defect.</div><div>Usually there are standard AQL levels that the producer uses for its standard catalogue products and sometimes for exclusive products – sold exclusively to a single customer – are agreed specific AQL levels.</div><div>So, in a way, AQL’s seem to respond to the question concerning the percentage of visual/cosmetic defects to reject or accept.</div><div>But then there are some curious variations…</div><div>Like different sampling plans with different AQL levels for glass containers destined to the local market and the export market…</div><div>It makes one wonder if the customers are more or less demanding depending of their geographical location… (Just being ironic!)</div><div>AQL levels are a tool for regulating – commercially – the relation between producer and supplier. But operationally – on the glass plant shop floor – it poses a couple of challenges. Most notably in terms of communication of Quality Standards.</div><div>Quality Inspectors like any other “inspection equipment” need to be “calibrated”. Their criteria must be in line with the criteria defined by the Quality Manager. So every caution must be taken when communicating the concept of AQL and its implications to the quality inspections.</div><div>It cannot transpire the idea that it is allowed to produce a certain quantity of defects. AQL is not a Desired Quality Limit.</div><div>Also we cannot allow that it is perceived that some glass containers must have better quality than others depending if they are destined to customer A or B or market Y or Z.</div><div>The actions undertaken by the Quality Inspectors must have the ultimate goal of preventing that defective units are packed. Independently of the defects severity or AQL classification.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_47472fde009a48649e3543fa4bb7e388~mv2_d_2560_1920_s_2.jpg"/><div>So this brings us to a hot topic.</div><div>Glass manufacturers are very much focused on efficiency. In fact – efficiency – is perhaps the most important KPI (Key Performance Indicator) in a glass plant. Even more important than Quality related KPI’s like a Quality Complaints index.</div><div>Now that is a controversial statement! </div><div>So everything that hurts efficiency in a glass plant is took very seriously and object of great discussion. So it is not rare to find moments of tension and eyebrows raised when:</div><div>A visual/cosmetic defect is detected in an inspection at the end of the lehr and rejected with the Mould Number Reader;A visual/cosmetic defect is detected in a light screen inspection and it is not possible to adjust the appropriate inspection machine (the rejection it is not consistent) to reject the defect. Finally the defect is rejected in the Mould Number Reader.</div><div>The argument is: why reject with 100% efficiency a defect that is “allowed” in a certain percentage? We are losing more-or-less-good bottles (or jars)!!!!</div><div>Things have – are – changing.</div><div>Most of the times because of customers or market demand and pressure.</div><div>In fact, ourselves, the final consumers, we are the driving force behind the ever increasing demand in terms of Quality.</div><div>Having clear instructions known and understand by all players at the plant floor level it is a great help.</div><div>The procedures usually take in consideration the occurrence frequency – if it is continuous or intermittent – and severity of the visual defect, establishing the correspondent action:</div><div>Immediate rejection by MNR and information for correction to the Hot End;Information to the Hot End, allow one lehr time for correction and if not corrected rejection by MNR.</div><div>If the procedures are clear and people know what they are doing that usually works.</div><div>I believe there is also a word for that: training.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mould Number Reader (MNR) = Basic Tool for Quality Control</title><description><![CDATA[Personally I am not a fan of DIY jobs.In fact I try to avoid them at all costs. I prefer to pay to professionals who – for sure – can do the task much better than I will ever be able to. It is a question of personal taste and also much clumsiness.But from time to time there comes the occasional emergency where I have to get my hands dirty.In those rare occasions one thing that I have found at my own cost is that there is always the right tool for the task at hand.If you try to use the not-so-OK-<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_54e2509efcc84f6db6f5f617caf5614e%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_433/3d4fdc_54e2509efcc84f6db6f5f617caf5614e%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/09/08/Mould-Number-Reader-MNR-Basic-Tool-for-Quality-Control</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/09/08/Mould-Number-Reader-MNR-Basic-Tool-for-Quality-Control</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:29:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Personally I am not a fan of DIY jobs.</div><div>In fact I try to avoid them at all costs. I prefer to pay to professionals who – for sure – can do the task much better than I will ever be able to. It is a question of personal taste and also much clumsiness.</div><div>But from time to time there comes the occasional emergency where I have to get my hands dirty.</div><div>In those rare occasions one thing that I have found at my own cost is that there is always the right tool for the task at hand.</div><div>If you try to use the not-so-OK- but- I- think-it-will-work-tool usually things won’t work.</div><div>Or perhaps they do, but it will cost you double of the effort and the final result will not be perfect.</div><div>Unless you are Portuguese…We proud ourselves to be very good at improvising.</div><div>In my opinion just an excuse for bad planning…but that it’s a different story…</div><div>Coming back to our analogy.</div><div>For the Quality Inspector in a glass container plant, the tool that cannot be missing is the Mould Number Reader (MNR).</div><div>It would be like that if your job was to hammer nails. </div><div>But...without having a hammer. </div><div>You can do it…but it will take you more effort (and time) and the final result will probably be a crooked nail.</div><div>The MNR is an equipment installed in the line inspection machines which reads a code engraved in the glass containers. This allows the recognition by the inspection machine of the mould number that is being inspected.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_54e2509efcc84f6db6f5f617caf5614e~mv2.jpg"/><div>The code is usually engraved in the body of the container – dot code, placed in the heel area – or in the bottom – as an alphanumeric code. What determines if a dot code or alphanumeric code is used is the type of MNR reader that is installed on the inspection machines. The type of reader used will determine the engraving area and type of code.</div><div>The fact that the inspection machine “knows” what is the container mould number that is being inspected at all times has two important advantages.</div><div>First, it allows that the machine can be programed to reject systematically specific mould numbers.</div><div>When a defect is detected at the Cold Inspections or informed by the Hot End – from its inspections as well - it is the Quality Inspector responsibility to guarantee that the defective containers do not contaminate the packed product.</div><div>If in the “old days” it was admissible to have the Quality Inspector rejecting by hand at the annealing lehr exit the defective containers, nowadays with bigger and faster IS production machines that task is simply impossible and in fact not reliable. Simply put, there is no time to do it!</div><div>In our days, the Quality Inspector programs the MNR to reject specific mould numbers accordingly with the outcome of the inspections performed in the Cold End or Hot End.</div><div>This rejection is automatic and systematic regardless if the container actually has a defect or not. Remember that the occurrence rate of a defect in a specific mould is not always 100% (on the contrary!).</div><div>A second outcome is that it allows the collection of valuable information that associates defects to the mould number of the inspected containers. </div><div>Most of common process defects are mould/cavity related.</div><div>When an inspection machine inspects a container and detects a defect and rejects it, “knows” the container mould number. That number is collected, treated statistically and displayed on screen. This is key information for process correction.</div><div>But it is not all rosy!</div><div>The MNR must always be effective!</div><div>We have to have absolute sure that upon programing a mould number for rejection ALL containers with that very same mould number – from that point on - are rejected and are not packed in the palletizer.</div><div>That is when the reading efficiency comes into play.</div><div>Reading efficiency is the percentage of good readings: the ones which the machine identifies correctly the mould number of the container.</div><div>We are aiming for a 99% of reading efficiency. The standard that we see in many glass plants is 97% and above.</div><div>The reading efficiency of the MNR is a parameter that must be regularly monitored and actioned if the efficiency is not satisfying.</div><div>It is always possible to make absolutely sure that defects are not packed even though the reading efficiency is not at 99%.</div><div>We can program the inspection machine to reject the remaining percentage of mould numbers in which the machine cannot identify the mould number, regardless if they have defects or not.</div><div>Although guaranteeing the rejection we are prejudicing plant efficiency since some of the rejected containers are free from defects.</div><div>The reading efficiency is strongly hampered if the code engraving it is not clear and prominent. If the code starts to fade the Quality Inspector must report and ask for the necessary correction to its Hot End counterpart.</div><div>This is one of those occasions where we can test if there is real team workbetween Hot End and Cold End. They must work together for the greater good of always having a high mould number reading percentage.</div><div>For example, upon detection of a critical defect – always an unexpected situation - all procedures to undertake must guarantee without any reasonable doubt that the critical defect was rejected and did not reach the pallet.</div><div>It is easily understandable that in this situation it is of special importance rejecting the critical defect using the highest mould number reading efficiency.</div><div>In parallel – before using the MNR - the best practice advises to always test for repeatability: program mould number, test rejection X times, check total number of rejections; thus confirming that the MNR can be trustingly used.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The will and the way</title><description><![CDATA[“Where there is a will there is a way”In one – or more … - of my previous posts I have mentioned that I think that what really makes the difference in a glass container plant – or in any organization for that matter - it is not so much technology but people.I know…I almost can see the smile in your face…That’s what everybody else says!From the biggest multinational group to the smallest of the family owned producer everyone seems to have embraced this motto.In fact, written – explicitly or<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_649fc18bdaad496b84fcf4c8fef83d29%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/08/25/The-will-and-the-way</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/08/25/The-will-and-the-way</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2015 16:03:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>“Where there is a will there is a way”</div><div>In one – or more … - of my previous posts I have mentioned that I think that what really makes the difference in a glass container plant – or in any organization for that matter - it is not so much technology but people.</div><div>I know…I almost can see the smile in your face…That’s what everybody else says!</div><div>From the biggest multinational group to the smallest of the family owned producer everyone seems to have embraced this motto.</div><div>In fact, written – explicitly or implicitly - in the company mission and/or in its vision statements and displayed in the shop floor in BIG letters, we see it everywhere: “People are our most valuable resource”.</div><div>But do they really mean it?</div><div>That is, does the organization understands and recognizes that its employees are really the ones that are “making the way”?</div><div>And what about their “will”?</div><div>How can the organizations foster a working environment where people go that “extra mile”?</div><div>Don’t take me wrong.</div><div>I come from a technical background and worked all my life in manufacturing plants (automotive, electronic, glass container) so I understand perfectly the role of technology in the success of industrial processes.</div><div>Although to tell you the truth I have always found technology to be a little bit boring and people much more interesting to deal with…</div><div>My point is that even with the best available technology installed in a glass plant, that it is not a guarantee of success.</div><div>I have witnessed several cases where technology fails shockingly despite – and sometimes because – of people.</div><div>By the other hand, having people with the right attitude can really make the difference and set the company in the path of success in an arguably “less intensive” technological environment.</div><div>This being said by someone who is been working for the last 12 years in an industry that is notoriously known for being conservative and cautious in implementing technical innovations (theme to be addressed for sure in a future post!).</div><div>Again, do not miss interpret me. I do not say that technology and people are mutually exclusive.</div><div>No.</div><div>Ideally they should go hand in hand and the optimum results are achieved when we have the best people with the most modern technology.</div><div>I am just trying to make the point that if I had to choose the critical factor for success – based in my experience – I would say it is people. It’s their will that makes the way.</div><div>Let’s take the example of a glass container plant and more specifically of the Cold End / Quality Control areas (area which I have more first-hand experience).</div><div>Glass container plants are a harsh working environment.</div><div>Notoriously high temperatures and high noise levels make it a place where naturally you do not want to be. Let alone work for an 8 hours shift.</div><div>If that work involves some degree of physical effort, concentration, reasoning; you will have to be motivated – a reason for being there, the will – in order to make a good job, the way.</div><div>Motivated persons are curious and inquisitive regarding all things concerning and around their job.</div><div>They usually take ownership of their line and treat all things related with it as if they were their own.</div><div>It is of the most importance that the persons that are in the shop floor making the Quality Inspections – for example – really understand how important their job is to the success of the organization.</div><div>Their function has a meaning. It is not just a set of procedures – tasks – performed accordingly with a schedule during the shift.</div><div>And then they just go home.</div><div>I have found it too often – and experienced it! – that key information does not flow down to the floor shop. It stays in the meeting rooms where “sit down and report” happens.</div><div>People in the line are left often to their own devices, clueless of the bigger picture.</div><div>What is the customer of the bottle (jar) that is being produced? What is the product that is being filled in it? What are the main quality concerns of the customer? What are the usual defects? Do you know we are being audited?</div><div>For those who are familiar with behavioral theories know that not the same motivational techniques work for different persons. One should adapt to the “psychological profile” of the intended person.</div><div>Selection of people with the right profile for the job is key (unfortunately we see too many casting errors in glass plants!).</div><div>And then it is all about training, training and more training!</div><div>So if the “recipe” is known why we do not see it applied more often?</div><div>Let’s talk about the way.</div><div>We see in glass plants a lot of firefighting going on. Not enough time is invested in establishing and committing to a strategy that if not immediately for sure at middle term will give its results.</div><div>The focus is too much on the oncoming issue. The short term, the day’s efficiency.</div><div>In glass plants – and all the others – there is always a balance of powers between Production and Quality. In glass plants the scale typically tilts towards Production.</div><div>This is a capital intensive industry where in relatively short time cycles there is the need of big investments (furnace reconstructions, line refurbishments). Between cycles, money has to be made. Thus, the focus on efficiency, profitability.</div><div>The usual pitfall is to consider efficiency and quality as mutually exclusive.</div><div>In fact nothing could be more wrong.</div><div>Greater efficiency is achieved with higher quality level and not at the cost of the quality level.</div><div>They go hand-in-hand.</div><div>We use to say that in the long run we all be dead. But the fact is that only sustained quality throughout the time is what will keep customers keep coming back to buy more of our glass.</div><div>That should be the way.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_649fc18bdaad496b84fcf4c8fef83d29~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The art of follow up in glass container Quality Control.</title><description><![CDATA[Human manual inspections are an important part of the Quality Control plan in a glass container plant.In the Hot End that type of inspection is performed with some limitations since at that process stage the glass container is not completely formed. By the other hand, the advantage in performing it at that moment is that the operator who inspects can immediately act on the process and undertake the appropriate corrections.On the contrary, at the Cold End the inspection can be complete and<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_be7def8400a743c69123a3bd00db127a%7Emv2_d_3120_2791_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_560/3d4fdc_be7def8400a743c69123a3bd00db127a%7Emv2_d_3120_2791_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/08/20/The-art-of-follow-up-in-glass-container-Quality-Control</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/08/20/The-art-of-follow-up-in-glass-container-Quality-Control</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:59:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Human manual inspections are an important part of the Quality Control plan in a glass container plant.</div><div>In the Hot End that type of inspection is performed with some limitations since at that process stage the glass container is not completely formed. By the other hand, the advantage in performing it at that moment is that the operator who inspects can immediately act on the process and undertake the appropriate corrections.</div><div>On the contrary, at the Cold End the inspection can be complete and thorough. The glass container is finished and can be handled securely. But once detected, the operator is not able to correct the defect. Its task is to give feedback to the ones who can do it.</div><div>In fact, put it in very simple terms we can say that in the Cold End everything is all about Quality Control. The value added by the Cold End to the product is “adding” Quality.</div><div>The action of the Cold End operators does not limit itself simply to: “rejecting defective units”. Like every other control performed at this stage, there are two important objectives to meet.</div><div>For sure, by one side, prevent - using all the available tools - that defective units reach the pallet and consequently are sent to the glass fillers (The Final Customer!).</div><div>And, by the other side, give accurate and timely information to the Hot End operator (the line counterpart), regarding the quality of the inspected product. As said previously – with the exception perhaps of the Cold End Coating – the Cold End operator does not perform process adjustments/corrections. But its action is pivotal in providing inputs for process correction upstream.</div><div>Human manual inspections performed at the end of the annealing lehr are an important step in the different Quality Controls made at the Cold End area. The two goals to meet – reject defective units and provide feedback – have here their specific procedures as well.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_be7def8400a743c69123a3bd00db127a~mv2_d_3120_2791_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>In this post I will focus the discussion on the some of the actions necessary for providing valuable feedback and following up defects in the inspection done at the end of the annealing lehr in the Cold End area of a container glass plant.</div><div>One of the most important advantages of Lehr inspection is that the results will show exactly what the quality level is before automatic inspection.</div><div>As the bottles come out of the Lehr and they are still stacked in a specific pattern, it is easy to select a specific mould from this pattern for inspection. Moulds will be stacked according to a set pattern, according to the I.S. Machine Timing.</div><div>While bottles are on the Lehr in a set pattern we can do effective and proper follow up. When the containers leave the Lehr exit they become a mixed population. When mould numbers are mixed, it is not possible to select each individual mould when taking a sample.</div><div>This is very useful when inspecting and doing follow up on cavity related defects. It is important to know that most of common process defects are mould / cavity related.</div><div>Recognised to be an important tool for defect follow-up, it is responsibility of all involved – and now I am specifically thinking in the Hot End personnel – to assure that the best regular container pattern (the possible that makes the job easier for the Cold End operator) – is achieved in the lehr.</div><div>Once the bottles come out of the Lehr and there are at least 10 or more rows without a break, the Quality Inspector must take and note on the stacking pattern board, or in some other kind of visual aid, of the full set of cavities by number. By picking up any mould from the Lehr, the problem mould can be traced immediately by utilizing the board.</div><div>Good practices:</div><div>Making sure the board is kept up to date at ALL times.Regularly checking correctness of board.Check after any gap appears in the stacking pattern: IS machine cavity/section stopped. There should be a visual and dimensional verification to the concerned cavities before and after the interval. The cavities that are in the vicinity of the intervals should be visually inspected, looking especially for the detection of glass stuck inside the containers. Verification and follow-up should be maintained.</div><div>If a fault is informed by the Hot End the necessary follow-up must be done on the Lehr.</div><div>Immediately checking the cavities signalled with the defect and initiating the rejection if the defect is confirmed at the end of the annealing lehr. Reporting fault assessment to the Hot End with percentage of occurrence, begin, end of systematic rejection.</div><div>By the time the Lehr length is almost over, Hot End Operator should have checked another set and should have fixed the fault or changed the mould or blow it off at the Hot End.</div><div>If the defect it is not confirmed at the lehr, the inspection to the signalled cavities should be kept by a typical minimum period of time of the lehr time plus 30 minutes. Usually rechecked at five minute intervals. At least five bottles of each offending mould must be taken and inspected.</div><div>Identifying trends is a key aspect of the inspections:</div><div>If the same mould runs with the same defect for three or more checks (Defect trend);If the same mould runs with various defects for three or more checks (Sectional trend).If a mould is found defective with the same defect for three or more checks throughout the shift. (It is a trend primarily because the problem was not successfully rectified in the first place.)</div><div>All of this constitutes valuable feedback for Hot End Correction.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The guy on the screen</title><description><![CDATA[When I use to work in a glass container plant, we use to have a sort of private joke among ourselves whenever we were facing a problem in the line. In those – frequent … - occasions we would use to say that the problem fault was from the guy that was on the screen …Commonly referred as the “screen”, this is a human visual inspection performed in the Cold End as the containers pass in front of an on line light box (light screen).Usually this is done by an operator sitting in some sort of a chair<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_3dc0c08f25284576a8333fe65df8adfb%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_359/3d4fdc_3dc0c08f25284576a8333fe65df8adfb%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/07/28/The-guy-on-the-screen</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/07/28/The-guy-on-the-screen</guid><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:53:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>When I use to work in a glass container plant, we use to have a sort of private joke among ourselves whenever we were facing a problem in the line. In those – frequent … - occasions we would use to say that the problem fault was from the guy that was on the screen …</div><div>Commonly referred as the “screen”, this is a human visual inspection performed in the Cold End as the containers pass in front of an on line light box (light screen).</div><div>Usually this is done by an operator sitting in some sort of a chair on the Cold End, immediately after the last of the automatic inspection machines (although few production lines have light box screens additionally installed before the first inspection machine).</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_3dc0c08f25284576a8333fe65df8adfb~mv2.jpg"/><div>It seems pretty straightforward, right?</div><div>Well, the fact is that this is probably one of the inspection points in glass container plants that is most often misused and object of great misunderstandings.</div><div>It is very useful and plays a significant role in the Quality inspection plan for the line if correctly used.</div><div>But it can also be misleading, because it can give an erroneous sensation of effectiveness that it cannot provide for.</div><div>First let’s see what actually a good use of this inspection is.</div><div>The objective of this inspection is only to assess the visual quality of the containers and therefore check the effectiveness of the inspection machines regarding this particular aspect.</div><div>If in the screen inspections are detected defects that should be rejected by the inspection machines – that the machines have the capability and are adjusted to – then something is wrong with the inspection machine(s).</div><div>The detected defects should be run on the appropriate inspection machine checking for rejection repeatability.</div><div>It is also another point to collect information regarding the overall visual quality of the containers being produced and to forward this information to the hot end.</div><div>This is especially important for cosmetic type of defects that may run continuously or not and that should be corrected by the hot end operator.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_0f0157eb97974a10b54f5dd9ae08366b~mv2.png"/><div>Now, let's take a look at some of the misuses.</div><div>The cold end operator inspects at regular intervals – during a short period of time – the containers that are passing in the line (in front of the light box screen). It is common to find frequencies of inspection of each two hours during 5 minutes.</div><div>This is a very important point: the screen inspection is a special kind of a “sample inspection” and in normal situations should not be used as a “continuous inspection”.</div><div>Only in very particular situations – if the inspection machines cannot properly visually inspect the container due to its geometry (or engravings) or at the start-up moment when the inspection machines are not yet properly adjusted – this inspection can be used 100% of the time as a backup visual inspection but with obvious limitations.</div><div>This can only be considered as a last resource situation. In such situations it is probably more effective to adjust the final sampling plan by increasing sample sizes and / or frequencies due to limitations in automatic inspection.</div><div>Although it can give some comfort to the Quality responsible – “at least we have someone looking to the containers …. “ – the fact is that it has very low effectiveness.</div><div>I know. I have been there taking that very same decision many times …</div><div>In fact, if there are no abnormal limitations to the inspection machines’, using the screen inspection continuously is only a waste of human resources.</div><div>If used continuously at least care should be taken to frequently rotate the operators that perform this inspection due to visual fatigue.</div><div>In fact this is the main reason why this inspection cannot be considered to be effective when used continuously. There are obvious limitations regarding the accuracy and precision of the human eye to perform such inspection considering average line speeds.</div><div>Since using the screen continuously it is not a standard situation – I am speaking for the majority of the glass plants - when there is the absolute necessity to do it, usually we must resort to extra manpower.</div><div>Sometimes, if there are no available resources internally, the temporary manpower is recruited externally to the plant. Unfortunately in these situations, it is frequent to find operators – sitting on the screen – that have neither the competences nor knowledge to perform this inspection.</div><div>They don’t even know what a bottle or a jar is… Therefore the joke…</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A real challenge to the inspection machine</title><description><![CDATA[In a glass container plant – automatic inspection machines – are considered to be the basic pillar of the quality control system.The inspection machines are able to inspect 100% of the glass containers that are produced. The others inspection and controls are based on sampling – stratified or random accordingly with a sampling plan - and therefore less powerful.Being such an important tool it is crucial that are implemented control measures to assure that the machines are always performing<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_e0a25eb3fa5d4a70a98d5d784f43a411%7Emv2_d_4160_3120_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_470/3d4fdc_e0a25eb3fa5d4a70a98d5d784f43a411%7Emv2_d_4160_3120_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/07/22/A-real-challenge-to-the-inspection-machine</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/07/22/A-real-challenge-to-the-inspection-machine</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2015 15:40:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>In a glass container plant – automatic inspection machines – are considered to be the basic pillar of the quality control system.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_e0a25eb3fa5d4a70a98d5d784f43a411~mv2_d_4160_3120_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>The inspection machines are able to inspect 100% of the glass containers that are produced. The others inspection and controls are based on sampling – stratified or random accordingly with a sampling plan - and therefore less powerful.</div><div>Being such an important tool it is crucial that are implemented control measures to assure that the machines are always performing accordingly with the best set-up.</div><div>I am often questioned about the capabilities of different models of inspection machines: which ones are the best? Are the ones that I have OK?</div><div>Perhaps politically correct, but nevertheless - I believe - so true, I always reply that the most important thing it is not that the machine model that you have but what you do with it.</div><div>Nowadays in the market are available inspection machines that are very similar in their inspection capabilities. So independently of the machines that are installed in the Cold End, the key factors for success are the practices and procedures implemented that assure that the machines are always working correctly with the best possible set-up.</div><div>Working correctly here means that the machines are rejecting only defective units and accepting only containers that are not defective, accordingly with the defined set-up. The set-up will define what containers are good and what are not.</div><div>Although never a desired situation, in some particular cases where the optimum set-up is difficult to obtain, from a Quality point of view, it is preferable to have a – small - percentage of false rejects (good units rejected) just to guarantee that the equipment is able to surely reject defective units if they appear.</div><div>A challenge sample is a – or rather the - tool to guarantee the adequate operation of the automatic inspection machines in the Cold End of a container glass plant. It is the sample considered the rejection limit for a determined defect or characteristic, used for the adjustment of the automatic inspection machine and efficiency tests.</div><div>Any automatic inspection equipment that is being utilized on a production line must have an appropriate challenge sample for that equipment.</div><div>When equipment is set up to detect different inspection zones on a glass container, each inspection zone shall have its own challenge sample. The test location on the challenge sample shall correspond to the setting on the test equipment. Equipment includes all Cold End inspection equipment and other similar units.</div><div>There are 3 requirements (or rules, if you prefer) for validating a challenge sample:</div><div>Has only one defect for one type of detector;Has a defect with the smaller detectable size possible (the sample must be a real challenge to the inspection machine!);Must be kept clean all the time, avoiding possible false rejections due to dirtiness.</div><div>If any of the challenge samples does not fulfills any of these requirements or if it is found a sample that fulfills in better conditions, then the initial sample should be replaced.</div><div>Records used to challenge inspection equipment shall list each function being challenged. For each function, it should be recorded if:</div><div>The container was not inspected for this condition;The sample is broken or lost. (New sample is needed).</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_af69658402a8490ebdaacb7ce4540964~mv2.jpg"/><div>All challenge samples shall be clearly identified either by writing the name of the defect on the sample or through a documented alternate procedure within the glass plant. All of the challenge samples must be identified with a safeguard mark as well.</div><div>A safeguard mark is a mark placed in the challenge sample with the objective of assuring its rejection in case the sample it is not rejected in the tested machine. The mark assures that the rejection takes place in another one of the inspection machines downstream in the line. The mark facilitates its visual localization in the line if the above does not work or it is not possible to ensure (e.g. if tested the last inspection machine in the line).</div><div>Sample collection, selection and validation should comply with some specific rules.</div><div>In first productions and whenever it is necessary, defective samples are collected from the running production.</div><div>The types of defective samples to select are based in historical data of similar containers and past experiences, searching always for the most frequent and potentially dangerous defects.</div><div>Whenever possible and in case that that there are no sought after defects in the running production, simulated samples of defects should be used as challenge samples.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_5d50e9625528424fa063257c901b9a85~mv2.jpg"/><div>The validated challenge samples are identified and placed in the production line in specific boxes near the automatic inspection machines or near the end of the annealing lehr. All samples must be kept in good cleaning and conservation conditions.</div><div>The remaining samples that were selected but not validated should be kept and preserved for a future possible utilization in case of necessity.</div><div>For “non-first productions”, with the appropriate antecedence, the samples that were selected and validated in previous productions, should be gathered and placed in specific boxes to be sent to the Cold End of the respective production line. The samples must be in a clean and undamaged condition.</div><div>During the course of a production at the event of any loss or deterioration of the validated standard samples, the replacement of the sample shall be done as soon as possible.</div><div>First, it should be checked if there are - already selected, but not validated – equivalent samples for validation which can replace the lost or damaged samples, without any loss of quality in the inspection.</div><div>In the case that there are no compatible samples, they should be obtained from the running production, or simulated, and submitted for validation.</div><div>In the end of the production the samples must be withdrawn from the production line and stored assuring good preservation conditions.</div><div>Upon storing those samples should be checked for number and type. This is to assure that they can be used in future productions.</div><div>The criteria’s for validation of the challenge samples are based on:</div><div>Product specification;</div><div>The degree of the challenge that the sample presents to the inspection machine (again, the defect should be as small as possible and detected by only one detector);The inspection capacity of the inspection machines installed in each production line, relatively to the defects in examination;Customer requirements (some glass fillers establish requirements for specific challenge samples – specific defects of concern – and requirements for run records and effectiveness rates).</div><div>For dimensional defects, acceptance and rejection samples may be created. These samples are important to assess if the rejection and acceptance limits of the inspection machine is correct. The acceptance limit is established by product specification. The selection of these samples is made through dimensional confirmation.</div><div>To run the challenge samples in the inspection machines some procedures must be followed.</div><div>Challenge samples are to be run at a minimum frequency of every four hours. Good practices advise to run the samples each two hours of production.</div><div>In the beginning of the shift all the challenge samples for the production line shall be checked for presence and condition.</div><div>If a sample is missing or cannot be used, that sample must be replaced as soon as possible. This occurrence should be recorded. In the case that there are no available replacing samples, they should be obtained from current running production and submitted for validation.</div><div>Each one of the challenge samples shall be run in the appropriate inspection machine. The test must also be conducted after every re-adjustment of the inspection machine.</div><div>The challenge samples should be run individually in the inspection machine. Only if the production line is running at higher speeds, a maximum of two samples may be run at the same time.</div><div>In each run, it shall be checked if each sample is rejected. The check is complete only after the sample is physically rejected by the machine air ejector. The check comprises that the ejector has sufficient strength to reject the container and that is synchronized.</div><div>At each run the “rejection safety” of each inspection machine (if present) should be tested once. Only if testing this feature, the standard sample shall be removed before it reaches the air ejector. Working correctly the machine should stop.</div><div>If the machine does not stop, it should be checked the cause of failure (e.g.: displaced ejector, deformed sample) and notified the inspection machine technician for adjustments.</div><div>It is expected that the run intervals will be missed only in cases of true emergencies, and that such cases will be relatively rare.</div><div>Each challenge sample shall be run through the inspection equipment (at least) three times at each check.</div><div>In order for the inspection equipment set-up to be considered satisfactory, the inspection equipment must reject the challenge sample all three times. Failure to reject three out of three indicates that the inspection equipment set-up is unsatisfactory.</div><div>This will require that immediate corrective action be taken on the inspection equipment, and may also necessitate a hold on existing ware. Upon completion of the corrective action, challenge samples must again be run, and must reject three out of three. This recheck must be documented.</div><div>It is a good practice to define Minimum Automatic Inspection Requirements for the organization.</div><div>These requirements establish the organization minimum requirements regarding Automatic Inspection. The aim is to standardize criteria and procedures regarding challenge samples.</div><div>These requirements for inspection equipment types are established by industry (market), defect or concern.</div><div>Due to shape and decoration considerations, container glass plants may be unable to comply with the minimum inspection requirements for certain containers or even to use the inspection equipment’s.</div><div>Every attempt should be made to use coarse inspection on the line. If there is an exemption and no automatic inspection is used, it must be provided for an alternate inspection method, such as light screen. Inspection frequency must also be increased.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>It´s the communication, stupid!</title><description><![CDATA[By nature glass is a material which is peculiar. It is very strong if undamaged and very weak if severely scratched. Its strength it is highly dependable of the surface condition and the presence of stress concentrators.Glass container production is a high speed mass production process.Some defects may be present for a short time and then disappear, other might pop-up unexpectedly.Glass container production will never result in “zero defective”. Glass containers are primary packaging and thus<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_56bb8c63eb30464391cf22b3d0219c7d%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/07/17/It%C2%B4s-the-communication-stupid</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/07/17/It%C2%B4s-the-communication-stupid</guid><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:43:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>By nature glass is a material which is peculiar. It is very strong if undamaged and very weak if severely scratched. Its strength it is highly dependable of the surface condition and the presence of stress concentrators.</div><div>Glass container production is a high speed mass production process.</div><div>Some defects may be present for a short time and then disappear, other might pop-up unexpectedly.</div><div>Glass container production will never result in “zero defective”. Glass containers are primary packaging and thus the allowable number of defective bottles is low.</div><div>Any glass production line therefore needs to have a variety of container inspections (machines, human) to detect and remove non-conforming bottles and jars (refer to post “Quality Control (QC) activities in a glass container plant – Overview.”).</div><div>All faults (defects, the stress concentrators) must be eliminated before they reach the palletizer. That is, so to speak, the primary objective of the quality control activities in a container glass plant.</div><div>Equally important is the collection and spread of all the data and feedback that outcomes from and concerns to all controls performed along the process. This is crucial for fault correction.</div><div>Often the fault is detected downstream (at Cold End) requiring a correction upstream (at Hot End).</div><div>The quicker the information reaches the agent that can act on the process – for correction – less defective units will be produced, rejected, scraped …</div><div>In this industry, it is easy to understand that for the effectiveness and efficiency of the Quality System is key one communication process: the communication between Hot End and Cold End.</div><div>It helps both areas. Improves and makes everyone’s task easier in the plant. Improves efficiency which means that improves Quality.</div><div>In a glass plant: high efficiency means low defect rate, which translates in production stability.</div><div>Communication must be bidirectional: from the Hot End to the Cold End and vice-versa. In the end communication is all about trust.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_4e59b84dd6d54b2a9ebdae50c9f69746~mv2.jpg"/><div>If the defects are timely informed, in an accurate and dependable way:</div><div>Increases the trust placed by each one on its counterpart;This trust is returned in the form of better information;Trust is gained with rigor and accuracy in the information provided;</div><div>Accurate and detailed information must be exchanged, reporting:</div><div>Mould number with problem;Inside or outside cavity;Area of the container with defect: finish, body, bottom, mould seam,…,Occurrence frequency;Rejection percentage of inspection machines (if detected at the Cold End);Samples of defective containers must be delivered to the Hot End (if detected at the Cold End);</div><div>When reporting defects to the Hot End – from the Cold End - one key aspect of the communication process is to prioritize what to communicate.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_c93c1e69ddef4c0d9422e91819bea1c4~mv2.jpg"/><div>Prioritization, involves:</div><div>Analyzing the different defects of the container;Order the defects by importance;Informing immediately the Hot End colleague of the most severe defects detected;Follow the less severe defects detected (prevent that they became more severe, follow-up trends);Inform less severe defects when there are no other priorities.</div><div>Nowadays is frequent to see glass plants operating some kind of computer based system that manages the data collection, spread and display. Records are performed electronically and messages are exchanged between areas.</div><div>Records and messaging comprise:</div><div>All production losses;Information of moulds rejection by mould number reader and inspection machine;Warning messages (both ways);Information also when there are no rejections (allow to know production trends, are inputs to decision making);Mould change (verification and validation at Cold End);Hot End rejections: for later verification at Cold End (after lehr time);</div><div>Of the most importance is to record all occurrences: an inspection which was not recorded does not exist!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_56bb8c63eb30464391cf22b3d0219c7d~mv2.jpg"/><div>Two more aspects of communication in a glass plant should be mentioned:</div><div>Communication between (within) shifts;Communication between shifts and day-shift team;</div><div>Communication between (within) shifts prevents surprises and facilitates the anticipation / prevention of problems. It facilitates the work of all and it must be oral and written (for the review of previous shift records).</div><div>It is done each with its counterpart. Major shift events must be reported. Also, the most frequent defects detected and mould numbers with more problems. Physically, the samples of the major defects detected must be reviewed together.</div><div>Communication between shifts and day-shift team it is done through Supervision and it is an important input for the Production Daily Meeting.</div><div>It is very important to leave - for review of the day-shift team – samples of defects whose rejection depends of the shift criteria (more frequently cosmetic defects). </div><div>Thus, visual standards of acceptance / rejection can be established and a criterion is standardized. Critical periods can be limited and decisions can be taken regarding the packed production (eg. colour variations, seeds and bubbles,…,).</div><div>It is crucial to convey to the Supervision the shift concerns and difficulties. These help to set the work priorities of the day-shift teams.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Quality Control (QC) activities in a glass container plant – Overview.</title><description><![CDATA[In the glass container manufacturing process everything starts with the reception and storing of the different raw materials.As a first step, in order to make it possible to control the quality of the incoming raw materials, it is necessary that the glass manufacturer establishes a technical specification for each raw material that is used to produce glass. Cullet – recycled glass from external or internal origin – should be treated like any other raw material; therefore a technical<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_cd191aef5c794430b38b23656564c9de%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>João Santos</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/06/20/Quality-Control-QC-activities-in-a-glass-container-plant-%E2%80%93-Overview</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/06/20/Quality-Control-QC-activities-in-a-glass-container-plant-%E2%80%93-Overview</guid><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2015 14:31:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>In the glass container manufacturing process everything starts with the reception and storing of the different raw materials.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_83811e1f81ab4c14993fbaa090fd8c10~mv2.png"/><div>As a first step, in order to make it possible to control the quality of the incoming raw materials, it is necessary that the glass manufacturer establishes a technical specification for each raw material that is used to produce glass. Cullet – recycled glass from external or internal origin – should be treated like any other raw material; therefore a technical specification should be developed as well for cullet.</div><div>Typically the specification defines optimum and normal reject limits for key parameters specific of each raw material: chemical composition and grain size.</div><div>Percentages for the concentration of main oxides, desired an undesired (contaminations) are established.</div><div>The goal it is not having a detailed chemical composition description of the raw material but rather focus on the oxides that are considered to be important. That is, those that can affect the outcome of the melting process, in the end the glass quality.</div><div>Grain size is another key parameter to control in a raw material. Economical and quality concerns are associated with it.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_1c6773dd871045fa81b9b4468508a7fc~mv2.jpg"/><div>For cullet are established limits for contaminants: foreign materials (ceramic, organic) and colours (especially important if producing in flint glass colour). If the cullet used in the plant has an external source – bought from a supplier, opposed to an internal source, coming from internal glass rejections – it is of special importance the control of its quality. The uncertainty is greater.</div><div>Usually this is done by operating a formal compliance certificate system.</div><div>Ideally these technical specifications should be part of the commercial contract between glass manufacturer and the raw material supplier. As a minimum they should be of proven knowledge by the supplier.</div><div>Once established technical specifications for the raw materials, physical and chemical checking of incoming raw materials on receipt can be undertaken.</div><div>These controls are undertaken either in a local laboratory in the glass plant or subcontracted to an outside accredited lab. The latter has been of preference – as long as the response time is adequate – to decrease costs.</div><div>Nowadays these checking’s have largely been replaced by the provision of supplier certificates of conformance, by the access of the glass manufacturer to the raw material supplier’s process control information complemented by audits of the raw material supply locations. The purpose of such audits is to ensure familiarity with the process control methods and standards used by the supplier and to confirm their ability to adequately control the raw material within the glass manufacturer technical specification. These audits are part of the organization supplier audit plan.</div><div>Depending of the type of system that is in place to assure the quality of the raw materials received, the incoming check can vary from a confirmation of the nature of the material, the quantity being delivered and a validation of the certificate of conformance.</div><div>If a chemical and/or physical checking is required small samples can be taken and retained for laboratory examination. This may be done either on a random basis or regularly in accordance with an inspection plan.</div><div>A typical check that is done locally at the plant at the moment of raw materials receiving is the moisture content of the sand. It is necessary to control this to tight limits and if these are exceeded then corrections have to be made to the batch composition to compensate at the time of mixing. Also there are obvious economic implications in receiving a truck load of sand with excess of moisture.</div><div>Other materials that are used – or aid – in the container glass manufacturing process are also submitted to some kind of quality check. Among these we can refer: moulds, packaging material and coating materials.</div><div>In what concerns moulds, typically compliance certificates are required together with data from the checks carried out from the supplier. Alternatively, or sometimes additionally, the glass manufacturer samples the incoming mould items and carries out his measurements against a defined plan and the mould specification. Again, to decrease costs the latter option has becoming less used by the glass manufacturers.</div><div>The typical approach concerning other materials is the monitoring of the suppliers through certificates of conformance systems and supplier audits whenever appropriate and integrated in the supplier audit plan of the organization.</div><div>As in other cases the observed tendency is not to exert the control at plant reception using plant resources but rather to have tools that allow supplier monitoring continuously or at prescribed occasions.</div><div>The result of the batching, mixing and melting of the raw materials is glass. Independently of its end usage – that is, if it is going to be moulded into a bottle or jar – there are a couple of controls that should be performed to assess the quality of the molten glass.</div><div>The density test is a quick and easy way to indirectly detected unexpected changes in the glass composition due to mistakes in the raw materials batch and mixing process. The test involves the determination of the density of a glass specimen and comparison with previous results, monitoring significant deviations.</div><div>Homogeneity test indicates the presence of any inhomogeneous glass which shows up as coloured streaks under polarized light. The degree of inhomogeneity – permanent induced stress - can be quantified if necessary by examination under a petrological microscope. These inhomogeneities are known as cords.</div><div>Bubble and seed – gaseous inclusions in the glass, potentially stress concentrators – count, give an indication regarding the quality of the melting process. The result of the count is compared against the glass manufacturer established rejection limits.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_119f0b92d03a42279c28bbd28c71d80b~mv2.png"/><div>Stones are solid un-molten material embedded in the glass that acts as stress concentrator - induces permanent stress in the glass surface. The total amount of stone contamination – stone count - is compared with established rejection limits. In parallel the origin of the stone is determined by visual comparison using reference literature.</div><div>If producing coloured glass it is fundamental to control the glass colour. Glass colour can be measured using a spectrophotometer to determine: dominant wavelength, purity and brightness. Again, the result achieved is compared against the established colour standard.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_efcff156f27445eb86f12dceb41bb016~mv2.png"/><div>Manual QC starts at the Hot End. The Hot End comprises basically glass conditioning and container forming.</div><div>Immediately after the glass containers leave the forming machine. The Hot End operator should perform a visual and dimensional verification.</div><div>Samples from each individual mould cavity on the forming machine – a stratified sample -are taken off at regular predetermined intervals and allowed to cool for inspection in a light box. They are inspected visually and gauged either with fixed go-no go gauges or by a conventional S.P.C. measurement system where this method of control is preferred or more appropriate.</div><div>S.P.C. system is preferred since it is of preventive and not of reactive nature.</div><div>The glass weight is another parameter which is regularly monitored at the Hot End.</div><div>In fact – although sometimes undervalued – the detection of defects at this stage it is very important. Here it is possible to act immediately on the machine for correction. There is no significant delay involved between the moment of defect detection and the action for correction.</div><div>One of the idiosyncrasies of this manufacturing process is that – simply putted – the latter part of the process is almost entirely dedicated to QC activities. We call this area the Cold End.</div><div>In the Cold End, immediately after the containers leave the annealing lehr and after the application of the Cold End Coating, they are submitted to a second QC, now performed by a Cold End (Quality) operator. Again, we have an attributes inspection for stratified sampling. This inspection is performed at regular intervals in accordance with an inspection plan.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_cd191aef5c794430b38b23656564c9de~mv2.jpg"/><div>The controls are similar to those performed on the Hot End but with the advantage that at this stage the container is annealed and coated (hot end and cold end coated). That is, the container is finished.</div><div>The aim of this control is to detect and eliminate defects and give important information to the hot end for the correction of defects. In fact one of the key aspects for the success of a Quality Control System in a glass container plant is precisely the communication between Hot End and Cold End operators.</div><div>The results of these controls are recorded either electronically or on paper documents (each defect has a specific code which facilitates the communication and recording).</div><div>After this manual inspection the containers are placed in single lines and passed by various automatic inspection machines. This type of inspection should be the most effective. Every single container produced is inspected as opposed to the other inspections that are based on sampling plans.</div><div>Associated with the inspection machines we have a crucial tool used for defect elimination. That is the mould number code engraved in the containers as a dot or alphanumeric code. This code allows the automatic – and reliable – rejection of specific mould numbers by the inspection machines.</div><div>Important as well is to assess regularly the effectiveness of the inspection machines. The monitoring of such condition is done with the use of challenging samples. These are samples of containers with specific defects used to verify if the machines are performing as expected. However as simple as this may seems, rules and procedures must be followed in order to assure that only the best and most adequate samples are used. Otherwise it will be a wasteful and ineffective operation.</div><div>Inspection machines can be grouped – generically - in 3 big groups depending of the type of inspection they perform.</div><div>Sidewall inspection machines, inspect for defects – visual and some dimensional – in the body of the glass container.</div><div>Base and finish inspection machines, inspect – as it says – the base and finish areas of the containers.</div><div>These two groups of inspection machines use cameras for performing their inspection.</div><div>A third type of inspection machine - multi inspection machine - uses light reflection principles to detect and automatically reject defects. These machines mechanical in nature – several inspection stations, containers indexed by a star wheel – also check selected dimensions such as the bore of a bottle or the waviness of the sealing surface of a jar and glass thickness, amongst other possible detections.</div><div>These three groups of machines are installed sequentially in the production line and sometimes subdivided in equal parallel branches on the Cold End.</div><div>After the inspection machines in the cold end usually we have a human visual inspection as the containers pass in front of an on line light box (light screen).</div><div>The cold end operator inspects at regular intervals – during a short period of time – the containers that are passing in the line, in front of the light box screen.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_0f0157eb97974a10b54f5dd9ae08366b~mv2.png"/><div>The objective of this inspection is often source of much misunderstanding.</div><div>Here we want to assess the visual quality of the containers and therefore check the effectiveness of the inspection machines regarding this particular aspect. It is also another point to collect information regarding the overall visual quality of the containers being produced and to forward this information to the hot end.</div><div>Only in very particular situations – if the inspection machines cannot properly visually inspect the container due to its geometry or engravings (limitations to inspection) – this inspection can be used 100% of the time as a backup visual inspection but with obvious limitations.</div><div>Care should be taken to frequently rotate the operators that perform this inspection due to visual fatigue.</div><div>A final statistical check, or audit, is done as the containers are being, or when they have been, assembled on pallets for shrink-wrapping. Random samples are made accordingly with a sampling plan and the containers are visually inspected.</div><div>For the purpose of these checks, imperfections are often classified into three main groups: critical, major and minor defects. AQL levels are established in the organizations for each type of defect and the result of this inspection is compared against that standard.</div><div>This final inspection is used to formally approve the batch in production. We should be able to validate all the controls that are upstream.</div><div>Once the containers have been assembled onto pallets, each pallet is assigned a sequence coded label. The information in the label can be cross-referenced to all control inspection records. The batch sequence code number on the pallet label therefore provides traceability to the rest of the manufacturing chain and the other on-line control points.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_2a572141421e4b068144a5840286c109~mv2.png"/><div>Where traceability of individual containers is required this is achieved by marking each individual bottle at the time of production usually with an ink jet mark. Although very often a customer requirement, this marking is very useful for the producer as well. Especially when there is a need to investigate causes for specific failure or defect.</div><div>In parallel in the Quality Laboratory a series of parameters are tested in order to determine the container resistance and compliance with specifications.</div><div>Typical tests encompass: thermal shock, internal pressure, impact test, vertical load, annealing level, hot end coating level and cold end coating level.</div><div>Also, quantified dimensional measurements – in the production line the assessments are qualitative: go, no-go! – are performed and calculated simple averages and ranges. These results are handled statistically to detect trends and trigger corrective actions at the earliest possible moment.</div><div>The frequency of testing depends on several factors. These include the method of test, the magnitude of the control values, and how quickly a feature could go to out of control.</div><div>Resources are scarce and it is the task of the Quality Control Manager to determine were efforts must be made and where they can be relieved. The outcome of this management is documented in the Quality Control Plan for the specific container.</div><div>Samples from each mould are checked when making a routine control test. Apart from the annealing and cold end coating test, where the samples are selected based on their position in the annealing tunnel.</div><div>A failure during a routine process control test initiates an immediate retest of a larger sample (usually 3 to 6 containers from the mould cavity concerned) to establish whether or not there is a downward quality trend.</div><div>When sub-standard ware is detected, all the containers from the suspect mould cavities are rejected until there is a successful test. In addition, all the ware packed as good from the suspect mould cavities since the last successful test is regarded as suspect and reinvestigated so that all substandard ware can be rejected.</div><div>In the end – regardless of how cliché this might sound – people make the difference between an effective and an ineffective quality control system.</div><div>Key aspects encompass their attitude when performing the prescribed tasks and decision making. There is a significant connection between knowledge, skill and good decision making. Correct decisions are best made by the person performing the task.</div><div>The operator’s key role is to follow standard procedures relative to process control and document problems and suggestions.</div><div>Understanding customer needs and interacting with the customer via plant visits and cross functional teams is absolutely critical. Observe their filling lines and get direct feedback on the quality of the glass containers.</div><div>Every opportunity to interact with customers should be taken on a regular basis.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Stress analysis simulation to determine glass bottles failure</title><description><![CDATA[That the glass thickness and distributions are paramount for a glass container is a statement that comes without question. But most probably we’ve found situations where a container is within the specifications and still breakages occur.This article will explore a real case situation, where it was requested to Empakglass to evaluate the design of a 750ml bottle, which has a consistent glass thickness and distribution and nevertheless, breakages did occur when internal pressure load was<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_266bf4dbb51044829f1999598725bd48%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Pedro Pontes</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/06/20/Stress-analysis-simulation-to-determine-glass-bottles-failure</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2016/06/20/Stress-analysis-simulation-to-determine-glass-bottles-failure</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2015 11:41:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>That the glass thickness and distributions are paramount for a glass container is a statement that comes without question. But most probably we’ve found situations where a container is within the specifications and still breakages occur.</div><div>This article will explore a real case situation, where it was requested to Empakglass to evaluate the design of a 750ml bottle, which has a consistent glass thickness and distribution and nevertheless, breakages did occur when internal pressure load was applied.</div><div>For the simulations presented on this article, the Empakglass Forming Software was used (Empaktor Suite). </div><div>The method applied by Empakglass consisted on the following:</div><div>The client provided the current bottles in order to make cuts to determine the glass distribution;</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_3211bf59609941d68e769c4872661916~mv2.jpg"/><div>The client provided the glass composition and gob temperature; The current client’s parison design was simulated using Empakglass’s Forming Software and based on the physical properties of the used glass and the client’s IS machine timing;</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_da87fa4a708745eeb711ec2af34d38e2~mv2.jpg"/><div>A comparison between the real current glass thickness distribution and the one achieved by the simulation was performed. Although there was still a deviation on the settle wave line position It was verified that the achieved simulation profile was quite similar to the actual bottles,Using the achieved wall thickness profile, a stress analysis for internal pressure load was performed on the model to assess the resistance of the current bottle design.</div><div>Following the principle that failure only occurs when generated stresses exceeds the glass strength, all the maximum surface stress values achieved on the above shown Internal pressure simulations are below the glass strength limits, meaningthis design is theoretically acceptable for beverage usage with a Carbonatation of 4Vol-CO and for pasteurization at 70°C.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_d4748fc3ee1346d5a3f6c1a6b2b5103b~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_d1d53a8abb8945dd9aa67d96e5213f08~mv2.jpg"/><div>Nevertheless and although the simulation results theoretically pass the bottle design, a pattern between the breakage origin and the simulation can be determined.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_266bf4dbb51044829f1999598725bd48~mv2.jpg"/><div>The sidewall area of a bottle is one of the identified critical areas of a container in what regards its resistance to internal pressure. The type of breakage shown on the above pictures has undoubtedly a sidewall origin (settle wave area).</div><div>On this particular bottle the settle wave line (associated with lower wall thickness values) is placed on the contact area of the bottle.</div><div>Due to the production process limitations (B&amp;B), to have an absolute control on the thickness values achieved on the settle wave area during production is statistically low and therefore will generate bottles that will fail under the tests performed by QC.</div><div>The parison design is without any doubt one of the main tools where a glass producer can try to compensate the lack of glass on the settle wave area.</div><div>In order to prove the relation between the wall thickness values and the internal pressure resistance, a new parison was developed and again simulated. This parison used the same glass weight. As well, the new parison was also shorter in order to compensate the fast rundown seen on the forming simulations</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_555b56abb39b4caf88232133e194ce5f~mv2.jpg"/><div>The forming simulation results show that on the new developed parison, a higher wall thickness on the settle wave area has allowed to shift the weakest area on the container from a glass contact area to a non-contact area on the shoulder. </div><div>By increasing 0.55mm on the settle wave area (see figure 4), there was an increase of extra 15% resistance to the internal pressure load even by keeping the same glass weight.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_7b04daec62c04fa98df8ec11e148264a~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_e2d5105195dc467abb7d2c2c88edd6ab~mv2.jpg"/><div>Also, complementing the proper mould design and having in mind that it is critical to protect the surface areas against surface abuse, especially in the contact points, where the probability is higher of having any kind of abuse.</div><div>By achieving this is by having good Hot End Coating (HEC) and Cold End Coating (CEC) application. The combination of these two coatings protects the glass surface against friction damage. This damage typically occurs when a blunt hard object slid across a glass surface – for example – two bottles slid against each other in manufacturing line and filling line. Resistance to scratching must be achieved so as to keep the inherent bottle strength high.</div><div>For HEC – for carbonated bottles – the level should between 30 to 40 CTU and 25 CTU should be the absolute minimum. It should be guaranteed an even distribution of the coating throughout the glass surface.</div><div>For CEC the recommend values are between 9 to 12 degrees of slip angle (determined with AGR Tilt Table). Again, it should be guaranteed an even distribution of the coating throughout the glass surface.</div><div>So, summoning this article:</div><div>We can have a bottle with a reasonable glass thickness and distribution;The glass distribution is within Quality AQL’s for that particular container;Nevertheless, the container fails under internal pressure loads;By developing a new parison and keeping the same glass weight on this container, it is possible to shift the weakest area on the container from the labeling area (glass contact area) to the shoulder (non contact area).</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>When less glass wall thickness becomes a solution</title><description><![CDATA[It isn’t the most common issue to find in a glass plant. However for niche markets - where the same bottle or jar is produced in different colors, this becomes something to have in consideration technical wise. The end results will be significantly different and commercial wise has implications when budgeting the costs of a production.On this article we will show a practical case, where for the same mold design, very different results were achieved in terms of glass distribution. Glass<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_d4a6689006074918bc5498855a50c915%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250%2Ch_234/3d4fdc_d4a6689006074918bc5498855a50c915%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Hélder Remédios</dc:creator><link>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/06/23/When-less-glass-wall-thickness-becomes-a-solution</link><guid>https://www.empakglass.com/single-post/2015/06/23/When-less-glass-wall-thickness-becomes-a-solution</guid><pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2015 10:38:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>It isn’t the most common issue to find in a glass plant. However for niche markets - where the same bottle or jar is produced in different colors, this becomes something to have in consideration technical wise. The end results will be significantly different and commercial wise has implications when budgeting the costs of a production.</div><div>On this article we will show a practical case, where for the same mold design, very different results were achieved in terms of glass distribution. Glass distribution is, without debate, the most important contributor for the integrity of any glass container. The simulations here shown were made using Empakglass’s Forming Software.</div><div>Glass color in terms of physical properties directly influences the thermal transmission. This is common sense: we know how sun light crosses more or less along a lighter or darker window.</div><div>On a IS machine, the reheating time, which is part of the production process is directly influenced by the thermal conductivity of glass.</div><div>The reheating is the period of time between the end of the parison transfer and the start of the final blow. During this time, the parison tends for temperature equalization (reheat) and gravity stretches it. Excessive reheating on the blank mold side allows the parison to sag and on the blow side to run, and the two effects have to be counterbalanced. Stretching and cooling of the parison can be helped by the use of overhead cooling over the blow mold.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_d4a6689006074918bc5498855a50c915~mv2.jpg"/><div>The speed of invert affects the glass distribution of the finished bottle: if it is too slow, the parison will sag backward due to gravity; if too fast, the parison is thrown forward by centrifugal force. The speed must be varied to suit the weight, viscosity and shape of parison.</div><div>Coming back into the glass physical properties. When comparing a darker glass versus a lighter color glass, the time to equalize the parison temperature will take longer on the first case. Therefore the sag/run effects will be less for the same actual time cycle comes to place.</div><div>For this particular case study example, the blank molds were developed for a Empakglass client flint glass. The consistency of the Forming Simulation results was confirmed in the actual bottle production.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_c73d9510070e426c9c07f604b17f9456~mv2.jpg"/><div>(images from left to right: Glass thickness simulation ;3D Rendering; Actual bottle)</div><div>When the client decided to use the same mold set with “black” color glass, a visual defect appeared around the heel area. A “wave” shape, with a “cold” appearance and the heel region wasn’t completely formed.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_96cf3cfcefa74d8c936a77dbc2915e95~mv2.jpg"/><div>(images from left to right: Wave shape defect and heel region not completely formedly formed)</div><div>Another defect that was detected were “dropped bottoms”. These did not appear in the flint bottles produced with the same mold set.</div><div>This defect is consistent with temperatures higher than the softening point (log 7.65).</div><div>Curiously, although this might have two different reasons (cold appearance and dropped bottoms), the root cause is just one – the thermal conductivity of black glass.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_59e52905fcb145d28d085a707d2341cd~mv2.jpg"/><div>By using Empakglass’s Forming Software and simulating in black and comparing with flint, :</div><div>the glass outside surface temperature on the moment where the final blow starts has an average of 40 degrees lower in black color when compared with flint =&gt; cold appearance on the out surface and &quot;wave&quot; look;The isotherm areas above 1080ºC in black glass are bigger than in flint, mainly around the shoulder and mostly on the bottom, where the glass thickness is higher =&gt; longer to equalize temperature and therefore the occurrence of dropped bottoms already on the annealing lehr;</div><div>This is already showing that the black glass reheat time is too slow when compared with the flint (more difficult to have thermal transmission).</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_56b80a0c76ab4cb2b9cf0341e4861ad6~mv2.jpg"/><div>(image above shows client's Flint Glass thermal profile)</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_f4c9046763fe4aa78eee86d9b7630db5~mv2.jpg"/><div>(image above shows client's Black Glass thermal profile - forming simulation)</div><div>In practice, this means that in “black” when the final blow is applied, the glass is still cold on the outer surface and will not form completely on the blow side.</div><div>This confirms as well the practice from Production Staff when it states that with darker colors and the higher the thickness the worse it will be in terms of reheat time.</div><div>The excessive glass thickness on the bottom together with the reheat time difference between flint and black is too big (almost double). In black glass we can see a deformation on the bottle heel, that doesn’t appear in flint, already after the bottles entered the annealing lehr.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_3506f44a53314c7dabf9f3d245946a5a~mv2.jpg"/><div>(image on the left shows the temperature/glass thickness profile using black glass physical properties and image on the right the actual bottle)</div><div>In black, due to the thermal conductivity, when comparing with flint glass it is required to reduce the bottle bottom thickness to get a faster reheat time on the glass. This can be achieved by developing a different parison design, with higher overcapacity.</div><div>By doing so, both the “wave” look appearance on the heel and also the dropped bottoms effect can be solved.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d4fdc_c6c5b7dbcc2f4d8d8c352db89b28ee10~mv2.jpg"/><div>(image above shows the comparison between the glass distribution for flint (in blue), with a blank mould with 25% overcapacity and a 40% overcapacity blank mould for black glass (in black) keeping the same weight)</div><div>Therefore this is one of the actual practical cases, where by keeping the same weight and increasing the overcapacity, a lower thickness on the bottom is achieved, in order to solve the issues presented above.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>