The HORN® tin bath is the unit used to form float glass according to the highest geometrical and optical requirements.
Side sealings consists of a steel box filled with mineral wool and is used to seal the gap between the bottom and roof casings.
The fence and the pusher are relatively simple machines, which, however, have a considerable impact on the production process. Both machines consist of a motorised positioning unit, a water-cooled supporting tube made of stainless steel and a graphite working element.
Between the canal at the end of the working end and the tin bath there is a spout. Its function is a controlled pouring of the glass coming from the working end through the canal on the surface of the liquid tin in the tin bath.
The dross box is the most important instrument for a smooth transfer of the glass ribbon from the tin bath into the annealing lehr. For this purpose the dross box needs to perform numerous important functions simultaneously.
The HORN® linear motor of Type LM influences the tin flow in the tin bath by means of an electromagnetic field, which generates a magnetic force on the tin surface. As a result, the molten tin circulates along the flux lines of the magnetic field, moving from the middle of the tin bath towards its edges and back.
The HORN® entrance cooler of Type HECO, which is installed in the entrance section of the tin bath, provides optimum production conditions in the tin bath right from the start.
The exit end cooler of Type HEECO, which is installed in the narrow part of the tin bath, serves to cool down the glass ribbon to the optimal lift-out temperature (approx. 610 °C), which is crucial for ensuring smooth production.
The tin bath bottom cooling is divided in float bath sections, so-called bays, and serves for the cooling of the lower surface of the bottom wall.
Flags are used to control the tin flows at the sides of the tin bath. Uncontrolled tin flows in the tin bath can lead to undesired optical distortions in the glass.
The tin cooler of Type HTICO 600 operates on the physical principle of convection cooling. It is installed directly on the side walls of the tin bath. The cooling pipe is submerged directly into the liquid tin. The tin cooler extracts heat from the tin so that the tin, in turn, could extract heat from the glass ribbon.
Shield gas regulation station is used to adjust the nitrogen and shield gas flow in the tin bath. Each shield gas regulation station has shield gas supply regulation line and nitrogen supply regulation line.
The tweel is one of the most important control instruments within a float glass production plant. It adjusts the flow of the glass melt from the furnace into the tin bath. The tweel can also be used to completely shut-off the glass flow.
The venting cleans the tin bath atmosphere of impurities, which are formed when oxygen enters.
The tin bath bottom casing is made of steel. It is important that the finished casing is water-/gas-tight and has a minimum amount of welded joints inside which will be exposed to the liquid tin.
Top rollers are among the most important machines of a tin bath. Top rollers are used in pairs to form the glass ribbon with precise control of its width and thickness.
HORN® provides complete measurement and control equipment for the glass forming area in the tin bath.
