| 摘要 |
A kiln for forming a glass product and method of forming the glass product are disclosed. Glass cullet is heated to a temperature of between 530 and 570°C and held at that temperature to stabilise the heated product. The glass cullet is then heated to a higher temperature between 950 and 990°C and held at that temperature to form the product. The product is then cooled to a temperature of between 530 and 570°C and held at that temperature to anneal the product and then cooled to a temperature below 530°C. The kiln is divided into a plurality of kiln stages through which product moves. The stages include a preheating stage, a stabilising stage, a final heating stage, a fusing stage, an initial cooling stage, an annealing stage, and a final cooling stage. Each stage is provided with an entrance gate (30) and an exit gate (32). A conveyor (40) runs through all of the stages. Moulds (M) are supported by the conveyor (40) for location in each of the stages to produce the product. The conveyor (40) is driven by a motor (49) so that the motor can shunt or reciprocate the conveyor back and forth. The shunting movement keeps rollers (42) of the conveyor (40) moving so that they do not acquire flat spots and the shunting also smooths the glass within the moulds (M) so that the top surface of the product is relatively smooth and air trapped in the cullet is forced to the top surface so the bottom surface, which will be the finished surface of the product, has a more aesthetically pleasing finish. |
