Glass annealer

Glass annealers operate electric or gas kilns used to strengthen the glass products by a heating-cooling process, making sure the temperature is set according to specifications. They inspect the glass products  through the entire process to observe any flaws.

The following job titles also refer to glass annealer:

lehr tender
glass annealing kiln worker
glass annealing oven worker
lehr kiln tender
glass annealing kiln operator
lehr operative
lehr operator
lehr kiln operator
lehr kiln operative
pot annealer
glass annealing kiln operative

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a glass annealer.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Glass annealer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to glass annealer.

metal annealer
drawing kiln operator
glass forming machine operator
mineral crushing operator
kiln firer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of glass annealer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of glass annealer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

automated assembly line operator
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
pulp control operator
industrial robot controller
gas station operator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of glass annealer.

• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

These skills are necessary for the role of glass annealer.

• Adjust burner controls: Adjust the heat in the burner regulating the thermostat according to the prescribed temperature following each product specification.
• Observe products’ behaviour: Observe the color of fires and pyrometric cones under certain processing conditions such as high temperature.
• Tend lehr: Operate the temperature-controlled kiln used in annealing, the process of gradually cooling hot glass to avoid any internal stress.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
• Restore trays: Restore the trays in order to be reused by removing them form the kiln and placing them into the lehr for gradual cooling and annealing.
• Supply machine: Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
• Observe glass under heat: Observe the characteristics of the glass already set into the kiln so that cracking, warping or blistering is avoided.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• Form bed for glass: Form a bed for glass on the metal trays by spreading plasters of paris using rollers or pallete knifes.
• Adjust oven temperature: Adjust the oven temperature level and uniformity by correcting the fuel feed.
• Follow production schedule: Follow production schedule taking into account all requirements, times and needs. This schedule outlines what individual commodities must be produced in each time period and encapsulates various concerns like production, staffing, inventory, etc. It is usually linked to manufacturing where the plan indicates when and how much of each product will be demanded. Utilise all the information in the actual implementation of the plan.
• Set up the controller of a machine: Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
• Position glass on trays: Position the glass on the specific kiln trays using the tongs.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of glass annealer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of glass annealer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Read gas meter: Read gas measuring meter, recording the relevant information such as the amounts of gas dispensed and received.
• Monitor gauge: Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
• Inspect glass sheet: Inspect the drawn sheets of glass in order to detect any flows such as blisters or stones, signalling the defective glass sheets.
• Remove defective products: Remove defective materials from the production line.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Perform kiln maintenance: Perform small maintenance tasks on drawing kiln such as replacing the cooling pads of the jacket and plugging in the kiln with mortar.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Monitor conveyor belt: Monitor the flow of the work pieces on the conveyor belt as they are processed by the machine to ensure optimal productivity.
• Manage waste: Manage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials or hazardous materials. Ensure required licenses and permits are in place and reasonable management practices, industry standards, or commonly accepted farming practices followed.
• Operate drying blowers: Operate the portable air and heat blowers by placing them in the drying aisles in order to dry specific products.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Monitor end-product drying process: Let the end-products to cool and dry during the correct amount of time. If necessary, hasten the drying process using kilns or delay it by allowing water to humidify the products.
• Record production data: Keep a record of data such as name, colour and quantity of the produced goods.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Manage kiln ventilation: Managing a product specific and energy efficient kiln ventilation.
• Handle broken glass sheets: Handle the damaged glass sheets so that they do not collapse into the kiln by closing the roll of the drawing kiln.

8181 – Glass and ceramics plant operators

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References

1. Glass annealer – ESCO