Measuring & Controlling Glass Temperature with Infrared Thermometers

Vern Lappe

As glass is heated during the bending, tempering, annealing, coating and laminating process the temperature of the glass is critical. Measuring the temperature of the oven with a thermocouple does not provide the actual glass temperature. The actual glass temperature can be measured and controlled utilizing an non-contact infrared thermometer. The instrument can measure the glass temperature
either inside or outside of the oven. By measuring the actual glass temperature the following goals are
achieved.

1. Bending, the glass is heated in the area of the bend but kept cool where no bend is required to insure the clarity of the glass.
2. Annealing the glass at the right temperatures and cooled at the right rate insures glass with minimal stress and easy to cut.
3. Coatings that are baked or cured properly insure good bonding to the glass
4. Laminated glass requires that the laminate material be bonded tightly to the glass. Infrared thermometers can measure the actual bond temperature.
5. Tempering, the glass has to be heated to a very specific temperature to insure that it is hardened.
Infrared thermometers insure proper glass temperature during the process.

Full-Text Article [162 KB]

The Authors

Mr. Vern Lappe Vice President of Technical Services, Retired Ircon Inc. (Retired) Ircon is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of non-contact thermometers. I have been with Ircon for 30 years and have worked in many aspects of the glass industry. I have a BSME degree in Mech... Read more