Abstract: A hot forming device for producing glass containers from a glass tube is provided. The device includes a machine frame, a turntable, a plurality of holding chucks, and a direct drive motor. The turntable is mounted on the machine frame. The holding chucks are arranged on the turntable. The turntable is connected to the machine frame directly by the direct drive without a transmission. The direct drive has a stator arranged in an upper region of the machine frame and a rotor on the turntable.

Abstract: A hot-forming tool for producing glass containers is provided. The tool includes a forming roller, a holder, and a heat sink. The forming roller has a forming surface. The holder receives the forming roller with the forming roller rotatably mounted on the holder. The heat sink is directly or indirectly connected to the holder. The forming roller is in thermal contact with the heat sink and the heat sink has an internal cooler so that process heat can be transferred from the forming roller to the heat sink.

Abstract: A device for the shaping of glass bodies, in particular of pharmaceutical vials, comprises a clamping chuck for holding a glass body, a rotary drive for driving the clamping chuck rotatingly, further at least one heat source for heating a glass body held within the clamping chuck, and further a controller which is coupled to the rotary drive so that the clamping chuck can be driven at variable rotational speed.

Abstract: A vial for packing a substance to be smoked from the vial and a method of manufacturing the vial, the method of manufacturing including providing a glass vial, the glass vial having a first end portion and a second end portion connected by a tubular portion having a hollow interior, the first end portion being open and the second end portion being closed; applying heat to a section of the tubular portion to heat the section of the tubular portion; applying a pressure around the heated section of the tubular portion to collapse the section of the tubular portion into the hollow interior of the tubular portion; pressing the first end portion and the second end portion together until an exterior surface of the tubular portion surrounding the collapsed section is level with a remaining exterior surface of the tubular portion; and forming an opening in the second end portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a hollow cylinder, in a single step, into a quartz glass tube with a large outer diameter and high dimensional stability is provided. To produce the tube, the cylinder, while rotating, is softened in portions in a heating zone which is moved at a relative feed rate Va and the softened portion is radially expanded by a centrifugal force and/or internal overpressure applied in the hollow cylinder bore so as to form a deformation zone. The radial expansion of the softened portion is carried out at a location-dependent radial expansion rate Vr, the profile of which along the deformation zone has a maximum value Vr,max which is smaller than 20 cm/min. The temperature in a rear heating portion of the heating zone, assigned to the end of the deformation zone, is lower than in a front heating portion assigned to the beginning of the deformation zone.

Abstract: A device for the shaping of glass bodies, in particular of pharmaceutical vials, comprises a clamping chuck for holding a glass body, a rotary drive for driving the clamping chuck rotatingly, further at least one heat source for heating a glass body held within the clamping chuck, and further a controller which is coupled to the rotary drive so that the clamping chuck can be driven at variable rotational speed.

Abstract: A device for bending sheets of glass running between a bed of upper rolls and a bed of lower rolls forming a shaping bed that pinches the sheets as they run, the shaping bed being disposed in a path having a curved profile in the running direction of the sheets of glass, the shaping bed including at least one roll of what is known as the rod/sheath type including a fixed metal rod preformed in a curved profile lengthwise and a flexible sheath that is able to rotate about the rod, the sheath being rotated about the rod. The roll of the rod/sheath type may include a metal rod preformed in a curved profile lengthwise and a flexible sheath that is able to rotate about the rod, the sheath including a first envelope made of a polymer material and a second envelope made of a flexible metal material disposed around the first envelope, the first and the second envelope rotating together as one.

Abstract: A glass-cell vial is provided which can examine specimen without causing any hindrance even when as minimum as possible specimen is used, and prevents mixture of foreign substances from causing examination errors. A vial is provided which comprises function of cell capable of optical examination, and the inner surface of bottom of the vial is formed to be a round-state convex part upwardly and the outer surface of the bottom is formed to be in convex state. When a small amount of liquid specimen is introduced into this cell vial, a part which can be a light irradiation part for optical examination can be positioned between the meniscus part of the liquid specimen and the upper end of the inner bottom. Consequently, it becomes possible to examine light quantity variation even though the specimen is in small amount.

Abstract: A method of producing a spiral cut transparent tube using laser machining includes using an ultrafast laser beam comprising a burst of laser pulses and focusing the laser beam on the transparent tube to enable relative movement between the laser beam and the transparent tube by moving the laser beam, the glass tube or both the laser beam and the glass tube. A beam waist is formed external to the surface of the transparent tube wherein the laser pulses and sufficient energy density is maintained within the transparent tube to form a continuous laser filament therethrough without causing optical breakdown. The method and delivery system makes a spiral cut in the transparent tube.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that heats the glass of a primary glass product to be formed. The apparatus includes a laser that emits light at a wavelength for which the glass of the primary glass product is at most partly transparent, such that the light is absorbed at least partially in the glass. The apparatus also includes a mold having a forming mandrel having a thermally stable ceramic material, at least in the region that forms the contact surface with the glass during the forming process.

Abstract: A method for producing a vial with low alkali elution by removing a deteriorated region caused by processing on an internal surface of a vial is disclosed. The method is for forming vials from borosilicate glass tubes, which includes a first step of forming a mouth of the vial; a second step of forming the borosilicate glass tube into a cup-shaped body to form a bottom of a vial; and a third step of fire-blasting an internal surface of the cup-shaped body with a flame.

Abstract: A method for producing a vial with low alkali elution by removing a deteriorated region caused by processing on an internal surface of a vial is disclosed. The method involves forming vials from borosilicate glass tubes including a first step of forming a borosilicate glass tube into a cup-shaped body by formation of a bottom of a vial, and a second step of forming the cup-shaped body into the vial by formation of a mouth of the cup-shaped body.

Abstract: The invention proposes a process for the production of a container made from glass, in the form of a hollow body open on both ends for pharmaceutical and medical applications, in particular in the form of a syringe barrel, where a glass drop (14) is dispensed from a melting unit, is placed into a mold (12) that is driven to rotate, and is formed by the effect of the centrifugal force, the mold being driven at a rotational speed of at least 5000 rpm, preferably approximately 50000 rpm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating the ends of glass rods in which glass rods are inserted into receptacles in a carrier and with the carrier are carried past a burner and at least one rail in an advancing direction, the flame of the burner melting at least one end of the glass rods and the glass rods being lifted by the rail in the receptacles and rolling on the rail so that the glass rods are made to rotate during the melting process.

Abstract: A glass-cell vial is provided which can examine specimen without causing any hindrance even when as minimum as possible specimen is used, and prevents mixture of foreign substances from causing examination errors. A vial is provided which comprises function of cell capable of optical examination, and the inner surface of bottom of the vial is formed to be a round-state convex part upwardly and the outer surface of the bottom is formed to be in convex state. When a small amount of liquid specimen is introduced into this cell vial, a part which can be a light irradiation part for optical examination can be positioned between the meniscus part of the liquid specimen and the upper end of the inner bottom. Consequently, it becomes possible to examine light quantity variation even though the specimen is in small amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating the ends of glass rods in which glass rods are inserted into receptacles in a carrier and with the carrier are carried past a burner and at least one rail in an advancing direction, the flame of the burner melting at least one end of the glass rods and the glass rods being lifted by the rail in the receptacles and rolling on the rail so that the glass rods are made to rotate during the melting process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating the ends of glass rods in which glass rods are inserted into receptacles in a carrier and with the carrier are carried past a burner and at least one rail in an advancing direction, the flame of the burner melting at least one end of the glass rods and the glass rods being lifted by the rail in the receptacles and rolling on the rail so that the glass rods are made to rotate during the melting process.

Abstract: To provide a vial with low alkali elution and a method for producing the same by removing a deteriorated region caused by processing on an internal surface of a vial. A vial with reduced alkali elution and a method for producing the same by forming vials from borosilicate glass tubes comprises a first step of forming a borosilicate glass tube into a cup-shaped body by formation of a bottom of a vial, and a second step of forming the cup-shaped body into the vial by formation of a mouth of the cup-shaped body.

Abstract: The manufacturing method comprises: a softening step of softening a straight glass tube in a heating furnace; a moving and placing step of moving the softened glass tube so that the glass tube is placed on the top of the mandrel; and a winding step of winding the glass tube placed on the top of the mandrel around the periphery of the mandrel. The mandrel is disposed beneath the glass tube starting to get soft, and the glass tube being soft is perpendicularly lowered in order to be placed on the top of the mandrel. In the winding step, the winding speed Vr at which the glass tube is wound around the mandrel is higher than the moving speed Vs at which chuck units holding the ends of the glass tube move toward the mandrel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping a tubular object made of glass or glass ceramics or any other thermoplastic material, comprising the following method steps: the object is heated up to softening; an inner shaping tool and an outer shaping tool are provided for shaping The outside and inside jacket surface of the object, of which at least the inner shaping tool consists at least in the region of its shaping surface of open-pored material with a permeability of between 10?11 and 10?16 m2; a free-flowing pressurized medium is conducted through the open-pored material towards the surface of the object to be shaped; the inner shaping tool is introduced into the object; the outer shaping tool is applied on to the object in order to shape the same

Abstract: Stress exerted on an inner or outer circumferential side of a glass tube 6 is controlled when a glass material 3 is heated and softened by a heating element 41 provided around the glass material 3 and a piercing plug 31 is relatively pressed into a softened region of the glass material 3 to thereby form the glass material 3 into the glass tube 6 gradually. For example, the control of the stress can be carried out by controlling an internal or external pressure of the glass tube 6. As a result, the deformation of the glass tube 6 just after piercing is prevented so that the glass tube 6 can be obtained with high quality. It is also possible to solve the problem that cracks may occur easily at the time of reheating because of residual stress distribution after cooling.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for forming a discharge tube for a low-pressure discharge lamp. In the method, an end of a section of the discharge tube is fastened with first clamping means, and a second end of the section in held in an oriented position. The section is heated to a softening temperature, and a bending moment is exerted on the section between the first end and the second end for achieving the desired radius or direction of curvature of the section. The holding of the second end of the section and the exertion of the bending moment on the section are effected at least partly with another re-solidified section of the discharge tube which is adjacent to the softened first section. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises first and second clamping means for positioning the ends of a bending section of the discharge tube in an oriented position relative to each other, and for exerting a bending moment on the ends.

Abstract: A method of making a capillary splice includes applying pressure to a bore in a tube, applying heat to a portion of the tube to soften the portion of the tube, and forming a bubble within the bore in the heated portion under the influence of the pressure and heat. While forming the bubble, a diameter of the bore at the heated portion is measured to determine when the bubble has enlarged to a target size. When the bubble has enlarged to the target size, a force is applied along an axial axis of the tube to shape the bubble to a desired size.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass coiled tubes from a source of glass in which a molten glass thread is drawn, and a method for forming glass coiled tubes. The apparatus has a shaping mandrel having a first end and an opposing second end, having a desired shape for receiving around it the molten glass thread such that when the thread is drawn about the desired shape, a formed coil is developed that essentially takes a desired shape from the shaping mandrel; a block simultaneously applies the newly formed coil to the back of the formed tube and moves the formed tube in a direction towards the second end in response to the additional molten glass thread drawn to the coil; a hook engages the molten glass thread and a rotating motor rotates the hook.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping a selected end region of a hollow cylindrical glass tube includes an internal mold placed within the selected end region for supporting the walls of the tube and controlling the shape of the internal surface of selected end region of the tube, during the period of time heat is applied to the tube and the tube is being shaped. In one embodiment the internal mold has a variable configuration and may be selectively set to an extended (open) configuration or to a collapsed (closed) configuration. With the internal mold set to its extended configuration, sufficient heat may be applied to the selected end region to render it malleable. Then, compression forces may be applied to the exterior surface of the tube to press the inner surface of the selected end region of the tube against the outer surface of the internal mold, causing the inner surface of the selected end region to conform to the outer surface of the internal mold.

Abstract: In a known method of producing a quartz glass tube (22), a cylinder (21) of quartz glass which rotates about a rotational axis (27) is continuously fed to a heating zone (24), softened therein in portions starting from one end, and the softened portion (25) is drawn over a drill head (1) of a drill body arranged to be coaxial to the rotational axis and is thereby formed into the quartz glass tube (22). Starting therefrom, in order to indicate a method for forming a cylinder of quartz glass into a hollow cylinder of quartz glass having an inner bore that is as flawless as possible and straight and dimensionally stable, it is suggested according to the invention that a drill body should be used with a drill head (1) having a contact surface (2) of a convex curvature facing the cylinder (21), preferably a spherically shaped contact surface (2). The drill body according to the invention is characterized by a drill head (1) which has a contact surface (2) of a convex curvature (2).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a discharge tube, including heating a quartz tube by irradiation and closing it shut, is presented, in which variation of the heating temperature of the quartz tube can be reduced. Laser light is irradiated on a portion of the quartz tube, and in the step of sealing the portion of the quartz tube onto which laser light has been irradiated, the laser light is scanned while oscillating back and forth. The intensity of the laser light is controlled such that the intensity of the laser light when the size of a displacement of the laser light is maximal is smaller than the intensity of the laser light when the size of the displacement of the laser light is minimal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass tube used for a fluorescent lamp having an arc tube constructed by joining a plurality of glass tubes is provided. According to this method, a straight glass tube held at both ends is rotated, and a predetermined cutting portion of the glass tube is softened by heating, and then the glass tube is moved in the heated state in the direction toward the predetermined cutting portion to form a glass accumulated portion at the area of the predetermined cutting portion. Next, the glass tube is drawn away in the direction receding from the predetermined cutting portion, and the predetermined cutting portion of the glass tube is cut into two glass tubes having self-closing end walls. In this way, the end walls of the self-closed glass tubes can be formed thicker and more uniform compared to those obtained by the conventional techniques, and the mechanical strength of the end walls also can be improved.

Abstract: A pair of chucks, which grip end portions of a cylindrical glass tube blank, are moved by a chuck moving mechanism toward each other, so that softened glass in an intermediate portion of the cylindrical glass tube blank is gathered, thereby forming a shape that is suitable for blow molding a light emitting tube portion. In the approaching movement, the position of one chuck is detected by using a laser position detector, and a result of the detection is fed back to the chuck moving mechanism, so as to control the approach distances of the chucks. The laser position detector detects the position of the chuck itself. Therefore, even when the positional relationship between the chuck and the chuck moving mechanism is varied, or backlash or deformation occurs in the chuck moving mechanism, the correct position of the chuck still is detected irrespective of such variation, backlash or deformation.

Abstract: A mold for shaping the end region and the opening at a selected end of a first, hollow, generally cylindrical, glass tube to enable a second tube, of smaller diameter than the first tube, to be inserted snuggly a first distance within the selected end of the first tube resulting in the two tubes nesting and being self-centered. The mold includes two complementary elongated side pieces having inner side surfaces for, when joined, encircling the periphery of the first tube along a given portion of its selected end region, and an end cap with a cylindrical stub for insertion within the opening of the first tube at its selected end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a crucible. The method includes the steps of (a) bottoming one end of a tube thereby forming a substantially closed end; (b) heating the closed end to a forming temperature; (c) contacting an interior surface of the closed end with a forming tool, thereby altering the interior surface of the closed end to form at least one section with a predetermined wall thickness; and (d) manipulating the at least one section of the closed end to form an orifice.

Abstract: A composition for production of silica glass using a sol-gel process is described, comprising silica particles, a dispersing agent, and a solution containing a polymerizable monomer for formation of acrylic resin and a crosslink agent dissolved in distilled water. The polymerizable monomer is n-methylol acrylamide or n-methylol methacrylamide. A method for production of silica glass is described, including the step of adding silica particles and a dispersing agent to a premix solution of the polymerizable monomer for formation of acrylic resin and the crosslink agent dissolved in distilled water.

Abstract: A device and process for forming hollow glassware comprising producing solid glass blanks in a manufacturing line, storing the blanks, feeding the blanks to a manufacturing line for forming hollow glassware, preheating the blanks during the feeding step, supplying the preheated blanks to a heating stage, heating to form solid plastically deformable glass globs, transferring the glass gobs to a blow molding stage and blow molding the glass gobs supported by a bottom lifter in a blow mold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a discharge tube, including heating a quartz tube by irradiation and closing it shut, is presented, in which variation of the heating temperature of the quartz tube can be reduced. Laser light is irradiated on a portion of the quartz tube, and in the step of sealing the portion of the quartz tube onto which laser light has been irradiated, the laser light is scanned while oscillating back and forth. The intensity of the laser light is controlled such that the intensity of the laser light when the size of a displacement of the laser light is maximal is smaller than the intensity of the laser light when the size of the displacement of the laser light is minimal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for making an article such as the body of a needleless injector capsule, from a formable material, such as glass, the article having a cavity communicating with the exterior via an orifice. A blank having an open end is mounted on a first forming tool, and the open end is engaged by a second forming tool while an end region of the blank adjacent the open end is in a condition to permit it to be formed. One of the tools has a pin extending therefrom, and when the tools are brought together to form the end region into the desired shape the pin defines the orifice.

Abstract: In a method for producing a streak-free quartz glass sheet with a highly homogeneous degree of refraction, a quartz glass rod is lowered into a melting pot parallel to a longitudinal axis of the quartz glass rod. A cross-section of the melting pot is larger than a cross-section of the quartz glass rod and determines a contour of the quartz glass sheet. The quartz glass rod is heated in the melting pot to a flow temperature whereupon the quartz glass rod is lowered until the quartz glass rod melts and a height of the quartz glass flowing in the melting pot reaches a desired quartz glass sheet thickness. The melting pot and the quartz glass rod move relative to each other in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the quartz glass rod during the melting process. Preferably, the movement involves a rotational and a transverse movement.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for fabricating tubing used in the making of chalcogenide fibers. The apparatus features a three-sectioned melt/spin ampoule that allows for fabricating the chalcogenide tubing without introducing impurities and contaminants, in a self-contained apparatus.

Abstract: In a known method of producing a quartz glass tube (22), a cylinder (21) of quartz glass which rotates about a rotational axis (27) is continuously fed to a heating zone (24), softened therein in portions starting from one end, and the softened portion (25) is drawn over a drill head (1) of a drill body arranged to be coaxial to the rotational axis and is thereby formed into the quartz glass tube (22). Starting therefrom, in order to indicate a method for forming a cylinder of quartz glass into a hollow cylinder of quartz glass having an inner bore that is as flawless as possible and straight and dimensionally stable, it is suggested according to the invention that a drill body should be used with a drill head (1) having a contact surface (2) of a convex curvature facing the cylinder (21), preferably a spherically shaped contact surface (2). The drill body according to the invention is characterized by a drill head (1) which has a contact surface (2) of a convex curvature (2).

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to reduce variations in dimensional accuracy such as the outer-diameter accuracy and roundness of a flare shape and the concentricity between the bulb portion and the flare portion. According to the present invention, a lower mold (1) formed of a metallic material and forming a recess flare shape (1a) that is subjected to surface treatment forms a flare shape (21b) almost identical to the flare shape (1a) by means of the rotational motion of a rotating head portion (2). An upper mold (10) is fitted in the lower mold (1) to form a flare-shaped gap portion (13), into which glass is forced to form a flare shape (22).

Abstract: A method and an machine for the manufacturing of syringes by vertically feeding long glass tubes to an intermittently rotary forming machine, having two horizontally rotary machine sections each intermittently rotating on a central vertical axis of a stationary machine frame, to a plurality of forming stations, each machine section having a plurality of continuously rotary gripping chucks mounted on the stationary machine frame, a plurality of burner nozzles and a plurality of forming tools, for firstly opening a closed lower end of a glass tube, forming a tip for a needle at the lower end of the glass tube, cutting off a syringe body including the tip at a lower end, and then translating the syringe body to the second machine forming section for opening a closed upper end of the syringe body, forming a finger flange at the upper end of the syringe body and release the finished syringe body at a discharging machine.

Abstract: A method and an machine for the manufacturing of syringes by vertically feeding long glass tubes to an intermittently rotary forming machine, having two horizontally rotary machine sections each intermittently rotating on a central vertical axis of a stationary machine frame, to a plurality of forming stations, each machine section having a plurality of continuously rotary gripping chucks mounted on the stationary machine frame, a plurality of burner nozzles and a plurality of forming tools, for firstly opening a closed lower end of a glass tube, forming a tip for a needle at the lower end of the glass tube, cutting off a syringe body including the tip at a lower end, and then translating the syringe body to the second machine forming section for opening a closed upper end of the syringe body, forming a finger flange at the upper end of the syringe body and release the finished syringe body at a discharging machine.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass tube used for a fluorescent lamp having an arc tube constructed by joining a plurality of glass tubes is provided. According to this method, a straight glass tube held at both ends is rotated, and a predetermined cutting portion of the glass tube is softened by heating, and then the glass tube is moved in the heated state in the direction toward the predetermined cutting portion to form a glass accumulated portion at the area of the predetermined cutting portion. Next, the glass tube is drawn away in the direction receding from the predetermined cutting portion, and the predetermined cutting portion of the glass tube is cut into two glass tubes having self-closing end walls. In this way, the end walls of the self-closed glass tubes can be formed thicker and more uniform compared to those obtained by the conventional techniques, and the mechanical strength of the end walls also can be improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for making an article such as the body of a needleless injector capsule, from a formable material, such as glass, the article having a cavity communicating with the exterior via an orifice. A blank (1a) having an open end is mounted on a first forming tool, and the open end is engaged by a second forming tool (22) while an end region of the blank (1a) adjacent the open end is in a condition to permit it to be formed. One of the tools (7a) has a pin (21) extending therefrom, and when the tools are brought together to form the end region into the desired shape of the pin (21) defines the orifice.

Abstract: A known method for producing an object having a flanged tubular portion at the outer periphery, comprises supplying a continuously extended, cylindrical body made of the flange material to a welding zone at the tubular portion of the object and welding the flange material to the welding zone by heating and winding the cylindrical body around the object.

Abstract: Methods of plastically forming an axially extended zone of the interior surface of a hollow glass tube heated to its forming temperature employ a generally cylindrical embossing mandrel connected to a driving shaft. The hollow glass tube and the embossing mandrel are brought together at a predetermined start position for the embossing mandrel inside the glass tube and are brought into contact in an area in which the zone is to be formed on the interior surface of the glass tube. A relative rolling off planetary motion between the embossing mandrel and the glass tube is provided while plastically forming the zone of the glass tube and creating depressions therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying heat to a rotatable workpiece is disclosed. A rotating lathe is provided for mounting a workpiece, for example a quartz tube, thereto so as to enable rotation of the workpiece. At least one translatable burner is coupled to a fuel source and an oxygen source for producing a flame. The burner is directed such that flame impinges upon the workpiece mounted on the rotating lathe. A first pulse control valve is coupled to and positioned between the translatable burner and the fuel source. A second pulse control valve is coupled to and positioned between the translatable burners and the oxygen course. The first and second pulse control valves are pulsed at a predetermined frequency to prevent the formation of a steady thermal boundary layer about the workpiece to improve the rate of heat transfer between the flame and the workpiece.

Abstract: To provide a halogen incandescent bulb with controlled variation in wall ckness of the bulb, a bulb tube (20) first has a cup region (26) formed thereon. The cup region, by radial application of force, for example by rollers (22), is constricted, and the constriction then pulled to form a small, closed projecting tip (19). Mold jaws (27) then mold the shape of the bulb; the mold jaws are formed with a cavity (29') to receive the projecting tip (19) which, then, has the end cut off to provide an attachment cannula (30) for the pumping tube (32). The pumping tube is melted on the nipple (29) of the cup (26) of the bulb. A filament mount (8) with filaments (9) is then introduced, and pinch jaws (35) pinch-seal the filament mount in the bulb and finish-shape the bulb. The bulb can then be flushed, evacuated, and filled with the requisite halogen containing fill through the pumping tube (32), which then is tipped off.

Abstract: A lathe for blowing glass. The lathe includes a lower section and an upper section removably attached to the lower section to form a housing. A motor is operably connected to a gear assembly. At least one roller assembly rotatably supports a blowpipe. An air coupling assembly rotatably attached to the gear assembly allows air to pass from a blowhose to an air tube frictionally engaging the blowpipe. A sprinkler system may be provided for cooling the blowpipe while the article is being formed. The speed and direction of rotation of the blowpipe can be manually or remotely controlled by the glassmaker. Thus, the lathe is capable of rotating the blowpipe while air is being provided to the blowpipe to form the article.

Abstract: In a device for shaping glass tubes (32), the shaping tools (3, 4), which are designed as shaping rollers, are mounted on a rotary table (2) that encloses the glass tube (32) and that rotates at a speed that is several times higher than the speed of rotation of the glass tube (32). The shaping tools (3,4) are moved in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis (40) of the glass tube (32) in order to shape it. The relatively high speed of rotation of the rotary table (2) allows the advance of the shaping tools per rotation of the rotary table (2) and at the same time the forces that act on the softened part of the glass tube (32) to be kept small.

Abstract: A fluorescent tube which is used for bulb-type fluorescent lamps is spirally wound, so that the effective length of the tube is increased. While a fluorescent tube is kept vertical, it is rotated and heated evenly at the part to be wound to a glass softening temperature or above by a heating device. The rotation of the fluorescent tube is stopped, and the part which is not facing a rod are heated. Then, the tube is clamped from a horizontal direction by a pair of clamps, and is wound around the rod at least 2.5 times by rotating the clamp arms in opposite directions while the arms gradually shift away from each other.