Operators must first have the ability to accurately control temperature. The temperature change in the tempering furnace directly affects the physical properties of the glass. Different types of glass need to be heated and cooled within a specific temperature range. This requires operators to be able to keenly perceive the subtle fluctuations in the furnace temperature and adjust the power of the heating device in time by observing the color changes and softening degree of the glass surface. For example, if ordinary float glass has a slight foggy texture on the surface during heating, it may mean that the temperature is too high, and the heating intensity needs to be appropriately reduced to avoid deformation of the glass due to excessive softening. This sensitivity to temperature needs to be accumulated in long-term practice in order to make accurate judgments in the complex furnace environment.
It is also crucial to be familiar with the movement rhythm of glass in the tempering furnace. The running speed of the glass on the conveyor belt and the residence time in different heating areas are closely related to the final tempering effect. Operators need to flexibly adjust the speed of the conveyor belt according to the thickness and material of the glass to ensure that each piece of glass can be heated evenly. When the glass enters the cooling stage, it is also necessary to coordinate the matching of the intensity of the cooling wind and the conveying speed to avoid cracks in the glass due to too fast cooling, or too slow cooling to affect the tempering strength. This control of rhythm is like directing a precise dance, which requires every part of the glass to be in the right place at the right time.
The ability to perceive the operating status of the equipment is the basis for ensuring stable production. Any abnormality in the mechanical parts, temperature control system, cooling device, etc. of the tempering furnace may affect the processing effect of the glass. The operator must be able to judge whether there is a potential fault through the sound, vibration frequency, and subtle changes in the instrument display when the equipment is running. For example, when the heating element emits an abnormal humming sound, it may be a signal of poor circuit contact. It is necessary to stop the machine for inspection in time to prevent damage to the glass due to a sudden rise in local temperature. This "stethoscope" ability of the equipment can be timely checked before the fault expands, avoiding production interruptions and material waste.
The emergency response ability to deal with emergencies is indispensable. The environment inside the furnace is complex and changeable, and occasionally there will be sudden problems such as glass deviation and local temperature abnormality. The operator needs to react in a short time. For example, when a piece of glass is found to be tilted during the transmission process, the guide device of the conveyor belt should be adjusted quickly, and the heating temperature of the area should be appropriately reduced to prevent the edge of the glass from breaking due to uneven force. When the furnace temperature suddenly gets out of control, the backup cooling program must be started in an orderly manner to gradually reduce the furnace temperature to avoid the glass at high temperature from being scrapped due to rapid cooling. This ability to deal with danger calmly needs to be based on a deep understanding of the equipment principles and glass characteristics.
The recognition of different glass characteristics is the prerequisite for precise operation. There are obvious differences in the reactions of ordinary glass and special glass during the tempering process. For example, laminated glass has a low tolerance to temperature. When heating, gradual heating is required to avoid aging of the interlayer material due to high temperature. Operators should be familiar with the composition and properties of various types of glass and formulate corresponding treatment plans based on their characteristics. In daily operations, it is also necessary to distinguish the differences in the treatment of new and old glass. Trace impurities may be attached to the surface of glass that has been stored for a long time. When heating, the preheating time needs to be appropriately extended to ensure that the impurities are fully volatilized and do not affect the tempering effect. This in-depth understanding of glass characteristics can make the operation more targeted and reduce errors.
The ability to coordinate the cooperation of various links is also critical. The tempering and tempering process involves multiple links such as heating, transmission, and cooling, and the parameter settings of each link affect each other. Operators need to take the overall situation into consideration. For example, after adjusting the heating temperature, they should also consider the bearing capacity of the cooling system to avoid exceeding the load of the cooling device due to excessive heating temperature. When changing the glass specifications, not only the conveyor belt speed should be adjusted, but also the heating time and cooling intensity should be changed accordingly to ensure that the parameters of each link form a matching system. This coordination ability requires operators to have a systematic thinking and regard the entire tempering process as an organic whole rather than an isolated step.
The habit of continuous observation and recording is an important way to improve the operation level. Operators should observe the state of the glass in the tempering furnace at any time and record the treatment effects under different parameter combinations, such as the tempering quality of glass of a certain thickness at a specific temperature and speed. Through long-term accumulated records, summarize the operating experience suitable for different scenarios and form personalized treatment plans. At the same time, pay attention to the state of the glass after it comes out of the furnace, check whether there are invisible cracks and whether the flatness meets the standards, and use these feedback information to optimize subsequent operations. This cycle of learning from practice and improving in learning can enable operators to continuously improve their skills and always maintain control over the production process.
