Quality Manufacturing and Shipping

Glass is a versatile and ubiquitous material that plays an integral role in our daily lives.

From windows and bottles to electronics and fiber optics, glass is utilized in numerous applications due to its transparency, chemical resistance, and unique aesthetic qualities.

One of the key aspects that determine its suitability for various purposes is its strength and durability.

Here at Moore’s Glassworks, we specialise in custom glass manufacturing and create a wide range of products that are used in many different settings, including the military and science.

Many of our products have special qualities when it comes to strength and durability and this blog will help you understand just how we achieve this through our manufacturing process.

Let’s take a look.

The Chemical Composition of Glass

Glass is mostly made up of silicon dioxide (SiO2).

While this is often the primary substance found in the production of glass, there are others that can be added to modify the properties of the glass and make it suitable for other purposes.

For example, in one of our vacuum viewport options, we can offer borosilicate glass which contains boron oxide (B2O3) in addition to the silicon dioxide. This gives it added strength and durability and makes it ideal to undergo the rigours of changing elements and temperatures inside a vacuum chamber without cracking.

Knowing which type of glass and what to add to make your glass always safe and up for the task at hand is a key part of manufacturing high quality products.

The Molecular Structure of Glass

While glass is a solid structure after it has been manufactured, the arrangement of atoms isn’t what you would expect.

Basically, whereas the atoms would be rigid and uniform in a solid, they are all jumbled inside glass. There is no pattern or order to the molecules, and this provides glass with some interesting properties.

When stress is added to glass, these molecules have space to move and disperse which can help to alleviate the stress in certain points.

This is also why glass often cracks but sometimes the crack doesn’t spread, as the disordered arrangement of the atoms impedes the breakage.

Glass is made up of silicon and oxygen atoms, and these work together perfectly to provide a material that is strong, durable, and capable of handling many different environments. These are called covalent bonds, and when together they form a three-dimensional network which contributes to the rigidity of glass.

Strengthening Techniques in Glass

Since the early days of glass blowing, the uses of the material have changed.

While it used to be used mostly for aesthetic pieces of art, it is now commonly used in many applications, from televisions to reading glasses.

Due to the ever-growing need for glass that these new uses promote, new measures are always been developed on how it can be more suitable and better fitted for the many roles it is needed to carry out.

One such method is tempering, which involves heating the glass to an extremely high temperature before quickly cooling it down. This makes the glass in questions stronger due to the compressive stress on the surface combining with the tension that is being maintained in the core.

Tempered glass is much more likely to survive under impact and thermal stress than ordinary glass, and if it is broken, will shatter into small pieces rather than long shards.

Another method is laminating.

This involves sandwiching a layer of polymer between two glass panels that will act as an adhesive and hold the two pieces of glass together.

What this means is that if the glass is to shatter, the glass doesn’t disperse, and dints instead of shattering completely.

This is a technique commonly used throughout many everyday applications such as car windshields to provide much more strength and safety to the person driving the car who shouldn’t be showered in broken glass in the case of an accident.

The Durability of Glass

As mentioned earlier, many of the products we specialise in, such as cathode ray tubes, multi pin stems, and PH electrode glass bodies, are used in various different settings.

This means that they may be exposed to chemicals and radiation, as well as having to withstand extreme temperatures and pressure.

Due to this, we always make sure our products are made to withstand the environment they are placed in. As mentioned earlier, elements can be added to the composition of the glass to improve it’s resistance to these factors, and this should lead to a long-lasting product that is sure to stand the test of time.

Without these measures taking place, there is a high chance that glass can discolour or crack and this can not only lead to it being unusable, but also to it being unsafe for the workers operating the equipment with the glass.

While the manufacture of the glass does play a big part in it’s durability, another important aspect is the maintenance process, and we always recommend that you look into the best ways of caring for your glass to ensure it is in always in a healthy condition.

Moore’s Glassworks

There are many factors that are at play when creating glass items that are strong, durable, and suited for the task at hand.

These methods of creating glass that is tough against impact and long-lasting have revolutionized the way glass is used throughout society.

We are always looking to grow our knowledge into the factors that can affect glass durability, such as thermal expansion and environmental conditions, and learning the best ways to counteract these factors is key in allowing us to produce glass products that are always high-quality and built to perform at the highest level.

With ongoing research and advancements in technology and the knowledge of this wonderful material, the science behind glass strength and durability continues to evolve, and who know what else glass will be able to used for in the future.

Want to know more about how we manufacture our glass products, or how we can assist with your latest projects, then why not get in touch with our team today.

We send our glass products all over the world.

For every customer that we ship an item to, we hope that they are happy with their purchase, and that the glass product in question does it’s job as it should and lasts for a long time.

Every time we manufacture one of our glass items, we take the utmost care to ensure it is of the highest quality, and that is durable and up for the task at hand.

But there are ways our customers can help to increase the lifespan of their purchase, including these ten tips.

Let’s take a look.

10 Tips on Caring for Your Glass

Handle with Care

The first hint in this guide relates to all glass products, and it is that you must be careful when handling and transporting your glass products.

One of the biggest causes of damage to glass products is people dropping them or banging them as they hold them. This is a big issue as if glass smashes whilst you’re holding it, it can be dangerous for you.

Make sure you are extra careful every time you hold glass, wearing gloves if needed, and always having a clear path ahead of you without any trip hazards.

Store Properly

The location that you store your glass is important for it’s longevity.

There are two key features of your glass storage, and they are that is should be dry, and it should be cool.

Your glass should never be kept in direct sunlight or an environment that is humid as this can cause issues with your product.

Also, make sure you are storing it on a soft surface to avoid scratching and try not to overfill your storage and pile products on top of each other as this could lead to pressure which may cause a break.

Keep it Clean

If you can keep your glass clean, then the clarity you need for the glass to function properly should remain throughout the lifespan of the product.

This is especially important in some of our products such as vacuum viewports and cathode ray tubes.

Avoid using rough cleaners such as brushes that are too hard, and try to keep away from chemicals.

In most cases, a soft cloth will do the trick.

If you can regularly clean your glass, then you will always have an item that looks in perfect condition and works just as it should.

Make Sure it is Well Dried

On the topic of cleaning.

If you are using water or a cleaning substance to keep your glass in great condition, then you must make sure it is completely dried before you use it again or place it in storage.

If water is left on your glass, then this can lead to water spots which can be detrimental to the visibility of your item.

Also, cleaning solutions may leave marks or damage the glass, so this must also be wiped off.

Again, try to avoid using a harsh material to do this, and use a soft cloth if available to eliminate the risk of scratching.

Handle Different Components Carefully

Every glass item manufactured at Moore’s Glassworks has passed our strict quality control and is always right for the job at hand.

If you are attaching it to your equipment, or using it, then it may come into contact with other components.

It is important that you handle these carefully, making sure you don’t bang them together and that any attachments aren’t too tight and therefore putting a strain on the glass.

If your glass item has a lid or a cap for example, or has smaller components that require special attention, make sure they are handled correctly and that everything is secure and in place before use, especially when dealing with potentially hazardous materials.

Use Heat in the Right Way

Glass and extreme temperature don’t always mix. In fact, some thinner glasses can only withstand heat of around 160 degrees Celsius.

It is also hazardous when glass goes through a quick temperature change.

A good example of this is the warning not to pour boiling water on a frozen car windscreen as the change in temperature may cause the glass to crack.

While a lot of our products use glass that is designed and manufactured to be able to withstand extreme temperature and pressure, this isn’t always the case, so always be careful when dealing with these situations and make sure your glass is up for the test before adding in the hot or cold component.

Keep an Eye Out for Damage

Constantly checking your glass for damage is important.

A small crack in a glass product can lead to bigger issues if left unattended. Regularly checking your glass (it is a good idea to do this while cleaning) will ensure that it is always in working condition and that any issues can be quickly rectified before they cause major problems.

Glass can be damaged in many ways, as we have mentioned throughout this blog, so it is vital that you assess the condition of it when it arrives to check for transportation damage, and also after handling it, or after it has been under high pressure.

It is also a good idea to always check it before use, especially if dealing with high pressure situations, as this will give you assurance that it is up to the task and won’t pick up any major damage.

Try Not to Stack

We’ve already touched on storage, but this is another important point that is definitely worth highlighting.

When placing your products in storage, try not to place glass items together somewhere they may rub.

This applies to when transporting your items as well. When glass comes into contact with a similar material, it can cause scratching and in some cases cracks so you must be careful to not place them together.

If you have no other choice, try to place something like a cloth or some cardboard between them so that they can be kept apart and close contact is avoided.

Beware of Some Materials

Some materials such as metal can be hazardous when it comes to using with glass.

If you are using metal components in your glass product, or using metal to attach it to something, then you must be careful.

When metal comes into contact with glass, it can often lead to scratching and this can cause problems with visibility.

If you’re adding any hazardous materials or extreme pressure then this should also be checked to make sure it is compatible and that the glass item you are using is strong enough to contain it and do it’s job properly.

Handle with Clean Hands

The final hint and tip is to always make sure your hands or gloves are clean when touching your glass, especially if it is being used for its visibility.

Glass is easy to stain, and if you are dealing with substances that are dark, then this can quickly lead to your glass becoming cloudy.

Also, if you are wearing gloves, these may contain some small bits of material that could cause damage to the glass such as scratching.

Try and always use a clean pair of gloves, and if handling with your bare hands, always give them a good clean first.

Cathode Ray Tubes

Custom Glass Manufacturing from Moore’s Glassworks

If you do require custom glass products that are always of the highest quality and to the exact dimension required, then why not get in touch with Moore’s Glassworks.

Our expert team of glassblowers have access to innovative auto-lathes and have years of experience in creating glass items that are perfect for the job at hand.

Want to know more? Then take a look at our range of products today.

Glass is used all around the world and has been for many centuries.

From windows to television screens and beyond, everywhere you look there is this versatile material.

But how does this glass get there?

Well, glass manufacturers such as Moore’s Glassworks have packed and sent products for many years, and we know a thing or two about how to do this safely.

We regularly ship to customers across Europe, in America, and beyond, and here are ten tips to help you do the same.

Let’s take a look.

10 Tips for Exporting Glass Products

If you are looking to ship your glass products to your customers, then here are ten important hints and tips to help.

1. Choose the Right Packing Material

One of the key elements of a safe delivery is choosing the right packaging material.

You should always be sending your glass items in a substance that is sturdy and shock-resistant. This will mean it is able to withstand the rigours of long-haul delivery without any damage occurring to the contents within.

Some great materials to use are corrugated cardboard, foam, and bubble wrap to make sure every item is individually protected.

Which brings me nicely onto my next topic.

2. Wrap Each Product Individually

When you are packing your items, it can be tempting to save time and money by wrapping your products together.

This isn’t ideal for glass products though, as if you allow your items to bang together and rub against each other then you will find that they may end up being cracked or scratched.

Try and wrap each product in the aforementioned items to make sure they don’t connect with each other in transit, or buy a container which you can stack them in securely to avoid any excess movement.

3. Secure the Products in Packaging

Speaking of making sure your products are secure, double-checking each item to make sure that is carefully wrapped in your packaging material and secured with tape is vital.

The last thing you want is for your package to reach its customer and for the items inside to be damaged, and the best way to avoid this is to make sure there is limited movement.

Securing them tightly is key to always having successful deliveries, so don’t be afraid to spend some time on this step and make sure you’re getting it just right.

4. Make the Label Clear

If you don’t label your items carefully and clearly, then it may not reach your customer at all.

Adding the address and name of your customer is always needed, but it’s also wise to add some information on the products inside the package on the label just in case anyone needs to check it along the way.

It’s also a good idea to label the package and let all handlers and customers know that the contents inside are fragile so it is best to handle with care.

This can be the difference between cracked items and products that are in one piece, so again, don’t take any second measures when it comes to this step.

5. Choose a Reliable Shipping Company

When choosing shipping companies to help you export your products, it can be hard to not just focus on price. This may be a good tactic for some industries, but when it comes to glass products, you need a reliable shipping company that can ensure your products get to their destination in one piece.

Look for a shipping company that has experience in handling fragile and valuable items, and can provide some assurances that will help yours, and the customer’s, peace of mind.

If they can also provide other features such as tracking then even better but safety is paramount here, so if you have to pay a little more to get a company you really trust, then it’s certainly not a waste of money.

6. Check All Export Regulations

If you’re shipping your products all around the world, then you will soon realise that different countries have different rules and regulations.

When you are shipping to a country, you must assess all of the regulations that you will have to adhere to, as some may be out of the ordinary and may leave your delivery delayed if you don’t have the right forms and permits.

Spend a bit of time looking into each country that you deliver to and make a note of the rules that apply to this location. It’s always a good idea to note this down in case of repeat orders.

7. Use Corner Protectors

One of the points of a package that is most likely to get damaged in transit is the corners.

Corner protectors are an item that is always worth investing in. These can be made from plastic, foam, or cardboard and can be used to add another layer of strength to any points that are susceptible to damage.

You always want to fit as many items into one delivery as you can, but it can be worrying placing some in the corner, but with corner protectors you’re getting a good bit of protection that will help to get everything there in working condition.

8. Provide Clear Instructions

Glass products need to be handled differently compared to many other materials.

You must remember that your shipping company may not be aware of what is in the box, so you must provide clear instructions to the handlers to make sure they treat it with the care it needs.

This can include instructions on how to lift the box (which why up for example) and also instructions on how to move the package, including warnings about fragile content.

If you give your delivery driver all of the instructions they need to get your parcel their unscathed, then it’s a big help for you, the customer, and the handler.

9. Provide Insurance Coverage if Needed

If you are shipping expensive glass products, then it’s always a good idea to have some insurance cover just in case things do go amiss.

This will help to protect against loss or damage during the delivery process.

There are several ways you can attain this, including seeking it out yourself and purchasing it, or going through your delivery company who should be able to provide this to you also.

Insurance may sometimes feel like an unnecessary expense, but when something goes wrong it will be worth every penny, so it’s definitely worth thinking about for the larger, and more costly parcels.

10. Consider Custom Packaging

If you ship unique or irregularly shaped glass products, then you may need to use custom packaging to ensure that all items have sufficient protection during the shipping process.

This can include everything from different shaped boxes and specialised crates to custom foam inserts to hold each product in place.

At Moore’s Glassworks, we have a set range of products including cathode ray tubes and vacuum viewports that are available in custom sizes, so being able to provide packaging that is the right size to get our items to the customer in one piece is very important.

Moore’s Glassworks: Exporting Glass Worldwide for Decades

Our team have customers from all around the world, and over the many years of our service we have become experts in packing and shipping glass products in a safe way.

If you are based in the UK, or elsewhere, and you’re looking for high quality glass products delivered safely to your location, then get in touch with Moore’s Glassworks today.

At Moore’s Glassworks, we pride ourselves on creating high-quality products of all shapes and sizes, and have done for over fifty years.

From the early days of creating products aimed at an audience of medical and surgical professionals such as test tubes and chemistry sets, to the more specialist items we make today, we have always stuck to a strict quality control procedure before shipping to the customer.

Our products are now used in many different industries, including the military and some medical and scientific businesses.

From cathode ray tubes and glass condom moulds, to vacuum viewports and multi-pin bases, we manufacture a wide range of glasswork, and this involves a meticulous approach to what we do.

Having a strict quality control procedure is vital in our industry, and we don’t take any second measures.

Here’s how it works.

Moore’s Glassworks Quality Control 

We have a team of quality control experts who check every product we make before sending it to the client.

This is to make sure that there are no defects with the product and that all measurements and dimensions are exactly what was asked for.

This is a hugely important part of our process and plays a key role in the production of our products.

We do use auto-lathes, but a lot of our work is still done by experienced and professional glassblowers.

While every member of our team is a highly skilled glass engineer, there is still the human factor and mistakes can be made.

In these instances, having a team checking before any product is sent out helps to eliminate issues causing bigger problems.

For more information on this, why not visit our dedicated quality control page.

Why is Quality Control so Important in Glass Manufacturing? 

There are many reasons quality control is so important.

Firstly, a product that isn’t fit for purpose could lead to issues, including causing harm to the equipment and people that are using it.

It is also vital to check that products are uniform when needed to be. At Moore’s Glassworks, we often receive orders of batch products that need to look exactly the same and have the exact same dimensions.

If there are errors in the manufacturing, these need to be spotted and rectified before shipping.

And finally, quality control is vital in maintaining a high reputation and making sure we always supply our customers with the exact product they asked for, in the best condition possible.

Quality control at Moore’s Glassworks

The Benefits of Quality Control

Keep Our Customers Pleased

We have a loyal customer base, and we love making glassware products for them.

Through quality control, we make certain that every time our customers receive a product, it is in the best condition possible.

This means we can maintain a strong relationship with our clients and ensures they keep coming back to use us for their glass manufacturing again and again, safe in the knowledge they will receive a high-standard product.

Maintain our Positive Brand

Every business relies on having a good reputation.

At Moore’s Glassworks, we have worked in the glass manufacturing business for over 50 years. In this time, we have continuously made products that are fit for purpose and exactly fit the brief given to us by the customer.

Through our quality control checks, we ensure that we never let a defected or poor-quality product slip through the cracks, and this helps us to maintain our reputation as a good and consistent manufacturer of glass products.

Gain New Business

Through providing great products, we gain a lot of business from being referred from previous customers.

This is another major benefit of our comprehensive quality control.

As we build our reputation, more and more people begin to trust our business to create great products, and this is all aided by checking every product and making sure every order we ship is in the right condition.

Make Sure All Products are Safe 

The main reason we carry out quality control checks is not in a bid to gain new business, but to make sure everything we manufacture is safe to use.

As mentioned above, our products are used in many different industries and must be precise dimensions in order to work to their proper capacity.

We consider our control process of being of huge importance and only when we know that a product is safe to use in its intended environment will it leave the warehouse.

Continuing to Innovate

Quality control covers much more than just the moment the product is checked.

It also involves years of research and innovation in how to make our products the best they can be for the job they are being created to do.

Our products are placed in a variety of environments and are often exposed to ultraviolet rays, and elements which could lead to corrosion, alongside many other different environments.

Through our decades of scientific work, we continue to adapt our products and are always on the forefront of the latest changes in the glass manufacturing industry to ensure our products are at their best.

Moore’s Glassworks 

If you’re looking for precise, high-quality glass manufacturing, then get in touch with Moore’s Glassworks today.

We offer a range of products for a range of professions and can adapt our services to create the exact bespoke product you need.

With Moore’s, you are sure to get a product that is high quality.

Why?

Because no product that leaves our warehouse hasn’t gone through the strict quality control procedure detailed in this blog and we’re sure it’s up to the job.