The production of glass tubes requires precise thermal control to ensure consistent geometry, wall thickness, and mechanical properties. During forming and processing, even minor temperature deviations can lead to deformation, internal stress, or defects in the final product.
Non-contact infrared temperature measurement is a key technology for maintaining stable process conditions and ensuring high product quality in glass tube manufacturing.
Process Characteristics and Measurement Challenges
Glass tube production involves continuous heating, forming, and cooling processes, often under dynamic and high-temperature conditions. Maintaining accurate temperature control is essential throughout all stages.
Key challenges include:
• varying emissivity of glass surfaces
• reflections from surrounding heating sources
• localized heating zones requiring точечные измерения
• high temperatures and harsh industrial environments
These factors make reliable temperature measurement difficult using conventional contact sensors and require advanced infrared solutions.
Role of Infrared Measurement in Glass Tube Production
Infrared sensors enable precise, real-time monitoring of temperature directly at critical points in the process. Unlike contact methods, IR measurement does not interfere with the material or process.
Typical measurement points include:
• heating and forming zones
• burner and flame interaction areas
• glass shaping and drawing sections
• cooling stages
Accurate temperature control ensures consistent forming conditions and reduces variability in production.
Advantages of Non-contact Temperature Control
The use of infrared measurement systems provides several important benefits:
• precise control of localized heating zones
• improved product consistency and dimensional accuracy
• reduced defect rates and material waste
• increased process stability and repeatability
• enhanced production efficiency
This allows manufacturers to maintain tight control over thermal processes and optimize production output.
Optris CTlaser G5 for Glass Applications
A key solution for glass tube production is the Optris CTlaser G5 infrared pyrometer, specifically designed for accurate temperature measurement of glass surfaces.
The CTlaser G5 features:
• spectral range optimized for glass (around 5.0 µm), minimizing emissivity-related errors
• dual laser sighting for precise targeting of small measurement spots
• fast response time for dynamic processes
• high accuracy and repeatability in industrial environments
• robust design suitable for harsh production conditions
The dual laser system allows operators to clearly define the measurement area, which is especially important in processes involving small glass tubes or narrow heating zones.
Application Value in Industrial Production
Accurate thermal monitoring enables better control of critical process parameters and directly improves product quality.
With infrared measurement systems such as CTlaser G5, manufacturers can:
• maintain stable temperature in forming zones
• ensure consistent wall thickness and geometry
• detect temperature deviations in real time
• reduce rejects and improve yield
The result is a more stable, efficient, and controlled glass tube production process.
