Glass beveller

Glass bevellers measure, cut, assemble and install flat glass and mirrors. They also load and unload glass, mirrors and equipment, drive to installation sites, install metal or wood frameworks that need to be fitted with glass, and work according to client specifications.

The following job titles also refer to glass beveller:

glass beveller machine operator
glass hand-beveller
glass beveling machine operator
glass edger
hand-beveller
glass cutter
glass finisher

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

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 beveller is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

glass polisher
drawing kiln operator
plate glass installer
glass annealer
pultrusion machine operator

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

automated assembly line operator
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
glass installation supervisor
pulp control operator
metal production supervisor

These skills are necessary for the role of glass beveller.

• 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.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• Trim excess material: Trim surplus material of fabric such as fiberglass mats, cloth, plastics or rubber.
• Cut glass: Use glass cutting tools or diamond blades to cut pieces out of glass plates, including mirrors.
• Manipulate glass: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of glass.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
• 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.
• Rinse glass: Rinse the glass following the bevelling process using water in order to remove the abrasive residue.
• 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.
• Operate bevelling machine: Operate the bevelling machine by setting it up and performing the specific operations such as beveling or polishing glass or mirror edges.
• Adjust glass sheets: Adjust glass sheets` thickness, according to the gauge readings, using asbestos pads on the sides of the kilns` cooling jacket.
• 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.
• Measure materials: Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.

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

• Silvering: Process of evaporating aluminium or silver in a vacuum chamber containing glass objects, such as mirrors or optical instruments, to obtain a reflective coating. Some methods also use pure oxygen or a layer of quartz.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of glass beveller. 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.
• Assemble windows: Assemble the profiles to build window or glass door frames using cutting, trimming, sealing and welding equipment,fix the metal fittings with power tools, and insert the glass pane.
• Adjust measuring machines: Adjust the tension and the position of the belt on the measuring machines` spindles, following the belt-size chart specifications.
• Tend coating machine: Tend manufacturing machines designed to coat workpiece surfaces by applying various coating machine processes, such as powder coating, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
• Install sill pan: Install different types of sill pans, systems that sit underneath the window sill to collect any excess moisture or fluids and convey it outside as to prevent moisture damage to the window or adjacent structures.
• Remove defective products: Remove defective materials from the production line.
• Smooth glass edges: Use automated abrasive belts to smooth or shape glass edges.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Assemble insulating glazing units: Assemble two glass panes with a spacer, usually made of stainless steel, aluminium or structural foam, and apply an adhesive sealant to press the glass panes against the spacer. Drill holes in the spacer to draw out the air, fill the space with gas or leave the vacuum, then seal the holes.
• 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.
• Handle fragile items: Use different specialised handling for products that are delicate and tend to be broken or damaged easily.
• Apply a protective layer: Apply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush.
• Use polishing compounds: Use the specified polishing compounds such as emery powder, spreading it on the stone.
• 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.
• Create furniture frames: Construct a strong frame out of materials such as wood, metal, plastic, laminated boards, or a combination of the materials for furniture.
• Create architectural sketches: Create architectural sketches for the design and detail specifications of interiors and exteriors to scale.
• Apply insulation strips: Apply insulation strips, which prevent air exchange between outdoors and indoors areas.
• Draw blueprints: Draw layout specifications for machinery, equipment and building structures. Specify which materials should be used and the size of the components. Show different angles and views of the product.
• Smooth glass surface: Smooth glass or lens surfaces of optical instruments with grinding and polishing tools, such as diamond tools.
• Set window: Place a window in a prepared position such as a wall or floor, in case of full height glass. Use measurement tools to ascertain that the window is straight and plumb.
• Perform loading and unloading operations: Load and unload materials from containers, manually or using appropriate tools. Load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using tools such as forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• 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.
• Apply spray foam insulation: Spray foam insulation, usually polyurethane, to fill a space.
• Pack fragile items for transportation: Pack fragile items such as glass panes or glass objects using the appropriate boxes and cushioning materials such as air-encapsulated plastic or customised foam enclosures to make sure the content will not move during transportation.
• Operate grinding hand tools: Operate a variety of hand tools designed for grinding production materials, such as angle grinders, die grinders, grindstones, bench grinders, and others.

7315 – Glass makers, cutters, grinders and finishers

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References

1. Glass beveller – ESCO