Abstract: A method of producing a sintered glass article from a fritted glass body, and preventing the body from adhering to a refractory carrier during the sintering step which comprises coating the refractory carrier with a thin, continuous layer of yttrium oxide.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a ceramic composition and a process for forming thin tapes and bodies with minimal and controllable firing-induced shrinkage. The composition comprises a refractory component, a glass component and may also include a metal component. The glass component should have no more than about five percent of particles less than 10 microns. The glass component is not milled with the refractory component. They are briefly blended, e.g., by high shear mixing, in a manner which will preserve the particle size and particle size distribution of the glass. The resultant mixture is cast into a sheet or tape, with minimal or no pressure, dried and fired.

Abstract: A porous silica body with a density of 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 and a density variation of less than 30% is subjected to a first heat-treatment in an ammonia-containing atmosphere, a second heat-sintering in non-oxidizing atmosphere, and further heat-treatment at a temperature in the range of 1400.degree. C. to 2000.degree. C. under an increased pressure of 500 kg/cm.sup.2 or more in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: In a quartz glass crucible obtained by heating and fusing a rotating layer (3) charged with a powder of silicon dioxide, impurity elements are controlled so that copper, chromium, and nickel each amount to 0.5 ppb or less, iron amounts to 120 ppb or less, and sodium amounts to 20 ppb or less. The silicon dioxide powder is supplied to a rotatable mold (1) having an open top, thereby forming a layer (3) charged with silicon dioxide along the inner peripheral wall of the mold. The layer (3) is internally heated and fused while covering the open top with a lid (5) having two or more holes (6,7), and the mold (1) is ventilated to discharge the high temperature gases through the holes (6,7).

Abstract: Molded bodies of quartz glass have at least one surface area of transparent quartz glass, the exposed surfaces of which are smooth and which have a surface microroughness of less than 8 .mu.m. The base material has a chemical purity of at least 99.9% and a cristobalite content of no more than 1%; is gas-impermeable and opaque; and contains pores. At a wall thickness of 1 mm, the base material has a nearly uniform direct spectral transmission of less than 10% in the wavelength range of .lambda.=190-2,650 nm; and which has a density of at least 2.215 g/cm.sup.3. The transparent surface area is formed from base material by heating it to a temperature above 1,650.degree. C. The thickness of the transparent layer is at least 0.5 mm, and its direct spectral transmission in the wavelength range of .lambda.=6001-2,650 nm is at least 60% for a layer thickness of 1 mm.

Abstract: Fused silica boules (19) having improved homogeneity are produced by causing the boule (19) to flow radially during its formation to achieve local mixing between portions of the boule which may have experienced different laydown conditions. The mixing is achieved by one or a combination of: (1) use of a containment vessel (13) having a gently sloping containment wall (22); (2) use of a containment vessel (13) whose inner radius (r.sub.v) is substantially larger than the outermost radius (r.sub.b) of the burners (14) used to produce the boule (19); and/or (3) maintaining the boule (19) at a sufficiently high temperature during laydown so that radial flow is achieved with a minimum head height of glass. Large blanks having high homogeneity can be made from such boules, e.g., blanks having diameters above 200 millimeters and .DELTA.n values of less than 0.25.times.10.sup.-6.

Abstract: An alumina ceramic article and a method for preparing the article. The method comprises the steps of:(1) Compacting a mixture of a first concentration of particulate aluminum oxide sufficient to prevent retention of the zirconium oxide alloy particles in the shell in a predominantly tetragonal crystal structure and a second concentration of particulate zirconium oxide alloy. The zirconium oxide alloy is zirconium oxide and a secondary oxide selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, Sc.sub.2 O.sub.3, CeO.sub.2, and rare earth oxides having a concentration of secondary oxide generally of about 0.5 to about 5 mole percent Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, from about 0.1 to about 1 mole percent MgO, from about 0.5 to about 15 mole percent CeO.sub.2, from about 0.5 to about 7.0 mole percent Sc.sub.2 O.sub.3, or from about 0.5 to about 5 mole percent CaO, relative to the total of the zirconium oxide alloy. The compacting results in the formation of a blank.

Abstract: A glass material is formed from SiO.sub.2, CaO, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and the porous, non-crystalline structure is most preferably created by melting the constituents, cooling and pulverizing the resulting glass, and then forming and hot pressing the powder. The glass of the present invention may be formed to produce templates that are useful for various indications, as well as granules that may be formed into a paste.

Abstract: A process for producing tabular building and decorative materials similar to natural stone and having high strength for the facing of facades, walls and floors in interior and exterior applications from thermally treated mixtures of crushed glass, ceramic components and finely divided additives and materials produced by the process.

Abstract: To produce a free-flowing granulate which has a high bulk density and a defined particle size distribution, which generates little dust, is easy to handle, and is suitable as a starting material for quartz glass products, the mixing operation includes a first mixing phase, in which the materials to be mixed are subjected to a slow mixing action to form a coarse-grained mass, and a second mixing phase, in which the coarse-grained mass is converted to a fine-grained mass by a more intensive mixing action which grinds and compacts the grains. The content of silica powder in the materials to be mixed is adjusted at least during the second mixing phase to a value of at least 75 wt. %.

Abstract: A method for forming a GeO.sub.2 -doped SiO.sub.2 glass article by depositing glass particles to form a porous preform and then drying and sintering the porous preform. A precursor of SnO.sub.2 is also present in the reactant stream used to form the particles, whereby the reaction produces particles of glass that contain GeO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2 and SnO.sub.2. The presence of SnO.sub.2 in the particles reduces the reaction of GeO.sub.2 with chlorine to form GeCl.sub.4 during the drying step. The GeCl.sub.4 that would have formed would have either escaped from the porous preform or caused GeO.sub.2 to be re-deposited in an undesirable portion of the preform. The retention of GeO.sub.2 in the article is therefore enhanced.

Abstract: Optical waveguides are produced in laser densified Type VI porous gel-silica. A CO.sub.2 laser directly scans the substrate having a pore size of about 30 angstroms. Tracks having a width of about 50 microns are produced.

Abstract: Glass ceramic for use as a biomaterial comprising CaO 34.6 to 54.6%, SiO.sub.2 24.2 to 44.8 %, P.sub.2 O.sub.5 0 to 8.0%, CaF.sub.2 0.1 to 1.0% and Mgo 1.0 to 10.0% by weight and characterized by a primary wollastonite crystalline phase (CaO, SiO.sub.2) and a secondary apatite crystalline phase, and the process for the preparation thereof are disclosed. The glass ceramic of the present invention has superior mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, bioactivity, and no toxicity making it useful as a biomaterial in artificial bone and dental implants.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical device having a profile of refractive indices along its optical axis. A desired volume of each of a plurality of types of optical material are dispensed into a mold of known plan area in the form of a frit or a melt and the mold is heated to cause the materials to melt and fuse together to define a contiguous body of optical material having a desired profile. As the optical materials melt, the different types of material separate out so that they are arranged with the most dense material closest to the bottom of the mold and the least dense material closest to the top of the mold. To enhance this effect, the optical materials are layered in the mold in decreasing order of density of the materials from the bottom to the top so that the layers of optical material with the greater densities are closer to the bottom of the mold than the layers of materials with lesser densities.

Abstract: The high-purity, opaque quartz glass containing 3.times.10.sup.6 -9.times.10.sup.6 of closed cells having an average size of 20-40 .mu.m per 1 cm.sup.3, a ratio of closed cells having sizes of 100 .mu.m or more to the whole of cells being 1% or less, thereby showing 5% or less of linear transmittance for near infrared rays (.lambda.=900 nm) at a thickness of 1 mm is produced by compacting amorphous silica powder having an average particle size of 0.5-10 .mu.m, in which each of impurities selected from Li, Na, K, Fe, Ti and Al is 1 ppm or less, if any, and sintering the resultant green body at 1730.degree.-1850.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of essentially defect-free high purity fused silica glass articles, the method comprising the following steps: (a) forming a green body from silica particulates or a porous body of amorphous silica; (b) sintering said body in a chamber by raising the temperature of the chamber to above 1720.degree. C., while purging the chamber with helium or applying a vacuum to the chamber; and (c) consolidating the sintered body in a chamber by raising the temperature within the chamber to at least 1750.degree. C., introducing an inert gas into the chamber at a pressure less than about 6.9 MPa (1000 psig), and cooling the chamber while maintaining the pressurized atmosphere to a temperature at least below the annealing point of the glass. In the most preferred practice, a green body of silica particulates will be prepared via a sol-gel process.

Abstract: A foamed glass product and its manufacturer are disclosed. According to the present invention, crushed glass particles and a foaming agent, preferably selected from CaCO.sub.3 and CaSO.sub.4, are provided. The glass particles and foaming agent are mixed and heated to a desired foaming temperature for creating foamed glass. A nonreactive gas having desired insulative properties, preferably selected from SO.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 is provided to sweep air away from the mixture during heating.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device comprises a first transparent dielectric substrate having a predetermined index of refraction and a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second transparent dielectric substrate having the same index of refraction and coefficient of thermal expansion as the first transparent dielectric substrate. An intervening layer having an index of refraction smaller than the index of refraction of the first and second transparent dielectric substrates is interposed between the first and second transparent dielectric substrates. An optical waveguide path is formed in at least either of the first and second transparent dielectric substrates.

Abstract: A method for preparing strengthened ceramic/glass substrates by laminating and sintering multiple layers of ceramic/glass precursory substrates having different thermal expansion coefficients, with the inner layer having higher thermal expansion coefficient and the outer layers having lower thermal expansion coefficient. After the sintered substrates are cooled, a compressive stress will be permanently imparted in the sintered substrates which will be exerted onto the surface layer thereof. Such a compressive stress has the effect of impeding the growth of any defects and thus provides the strengthening effect. The method disclosed in the present invention can be used to strengthen ceramic/glass substrates that contain electronic parts or conductor circuits.

Abstract: A process for producing a glass having a rod refractive index distribution, which includes pressing a glass at a temperature below the glass transition temperature to form a glass having a density increased towards the surface layer thereof, or alternatively includes heating a glass at a temperature around the transition temperature at the lowest to prepare glass having a uniformly enhanced density and heating the treated glass under a pressure lower than the applied pressure at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the glass to prepare a rod glass having a density increased towards the central portion.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing fibre-reinforced structures with a glass matrix, there is used for the glass matrix an SiO.sub.2 colloid dispersed in water as glass former, with which the fibres are impregnated, and the impregnated fibres are heated in the final form of the structure to the sintering temperature of the SiO.sub.2 colloid.

Abstract: Unique cristobalite-seeded quartz glass crucibles and cores admirably suited for Cz crystal growing and D.S. metal casting are formed by slip casting using a slurry containing a quartz refractory composition comprising silica particles with an average particle size of from 1 to 10 microns and a minute but effective amount of micronized dispersible particles of a unique crystallization aid, such as basic aluminum acetate, which provides the glass with at least 0.005 percent by weight of evenly dispersed metallic ions. The metallic ions provide the quartz glass with nucleation sites so that heating of the glass to a temperature of from 1200.degree. C. to 1250.degree. C. permits formation of a high concentration of evenly dispersed cristobalite nuclei in the glass without causing excessive devitrification prior to cooling of the seeded glass. The desired nucleation sites can also be provided by using micronized particles of alpha quartz or alpha cristobalite.

Abstract: Bent sol-gel produced tubing is straightened by drawing, with tensile force and operating temperature to result in minimal plastic flow, so that size reduction is small. The method is usefully applied to reject recovery in the preparation of overclad tubes, which as encompassing closely-fitting core rods, form the composite preform from which optical fiber is drawn.

Abstract: A method for producing an elongated composite glass body by melting at least two starting materials of different material compositions, feeding the starting materials to a drawing die disposed at the bottom of an externally heated melting crucible, and continuously drawing the melts vertically out of the drawing die to form a composite body laminated transverse to the drawing direction. To provide an interface free from impurities between the starting materials in the composite body and to enable the path of the interface to be freely shaped, the starting materials are fed in particle form continuously to a single melting crucible and heaped therein to form a preformed body in which one starting material lies directly next to the other starting material forming an interface line therebetween that extends substantially vertically and parallel to the drawing direction.

Abstract: A method for preparing a ceramic article comprising compacting a particulate including a primary oxide and a secondary oxide to form a blank. The primary oxide is ZrO.sub.2. The secondary oxide is selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, Sc.sub.2 O.sub.3, rare earth oxides and combinations thereof. The blank is sintered in contact with oxide selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, Sc.sub.2 O.sub.3 and rare earth oxides. The zirconia alloy ceramic articles produced have a cubic phase case and a tetragonal phase core.

Abstract: A thrust vectoring panel which is a hybrid ceramic/ceramic composite consisting of three layers of lightweight materials, the anisotropic properties of which are manipulated such that the properties of the materials, i.e., the coefficient of thermal expansion, the strain energy release rate, and the tensile and flexure modules, either match or gradually transition from material to material. The three layers include a face layer which is of a high temperature capable material that can withstand temperatures within a range of 2300.degree.-25000.degree. F. for an extended period of time and a temperature as high as 28000.degree. F. for a short period of time. The middle layer simply is an insulating layer for providing adequate thermal insulation for the activator mechanism for the thrust panel. The third layer is a skeletal structure or layer which is of a lightweight material having sufficient strength to support all the integral interfaces, such as the activator mounts and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an optical fiber preform having the steps of disposing a rod member made of a silica-based material within a cavity of a mold, followed by loading a molding material within the mold cavity, and applying pressure to the mold from the outside to form a porous layer on the surface of the rod member and, thus, to obtain a porous preform, wherein at least one end portion of the rod member extends outside the mold cavity in the step of applying pressure to the mold. The particular method permits manufacturing a high quality porous preform free from splits or cracks, making it possible to obtain a high quality optical fiber preform free from residual bubbles.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a cylindrical part from glass, especially but not exclusively fluorinated glass, a vertical cylindrical cavity is lined with a porous material and its inside dimensions are a few tens of microns greater than those of the part. A cylindrical pedestal constituting a support for the part slides in the cavity. An initial seed mass constituted from the glass is provided on the pedestal. The seed mass is heated until it melts and a gas is injected permanently into the porous material in order to maintain between them and the molten seed mass a layer of gas a few tens of microns thick to prevent any contact. The molten seed mass is fed continuously from the top of the cavity with the powder constituents of the glass and the pedestal is lowered as the cylindrical part is formed from the seed mass.

Abstract: Optical fiber drawn from preforms including sol-gel-derived glass is found to contain small refractory particles of the order of a micron in size. These particles initiate fiber breaks with the result that fiber may not meet proof-test tensile strength requirements. An effective separation method relies upon density and/or size difference from suspended sol particles for separation in the ungelled sol. A preferred separation procedure is centrifugation.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for securing a parison molding cone atop the plunger shaft of a glass container-moulding machine. A one piece collar is secured to the head of the shaft by a bayonet tongue-and-groove assembly. The collar has a crenulated inwardly projecting flange around its upper rim. The base of the molding cone has an outwardly projecting crenulated flange around its lower rim. The flanges of each part are shaped and dimensioned to mesh together, thus allowing the flanged part of the base to be inserted into the top section on the collar then rotated into a locking position. Two spring-loaded locking members mounted into the collar engage recesses in the flange of the molding cone in order to prevent rotation of the molding cone away from its engaged position. A locking pin located in a vertical channel in the collar when forced down by the cone engages a recess or groove in the shaft and is locked there permanently by the cone while it remains in its engaged position.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a glass sheet supported on a ring mould including a press-bending station provided with a plurality of thermally insulated walls, a press-bending tool assembly arranged above the glass sheet supported on a ring mould in the press-bending station, a claw crane mounted in the station for raising and lowering said press-bending tool assembly which includes first and second articulated arms connected to each other along a common axis of rotation. The first articulated arm has one end fixed to a ceiling in the press-bending station and an opposite end movable along the press-bending tool assembly. The second articulated arm has one end fixed to the press-bending tool assembly and an opposite end movable in a horizontal plane along the ceiling of the press-bending station. A power unit is located outside the station.

Abstract: A multiple segment glass fiberizing spinner and method of making same provides a product of low cost and improved service life. The spinner comprises a plurality of, preferably four, segments of a cast alloy having a large number of small radially oriented apertures disposed about its periphery. Each segment is preferably investment cast. After casting, the segments may be trued if necessary by heating and forming. The segments are then weighed and same-weight segments are welded end-to-end to form a hoop or annulus. Next, a larger plurality of small bores are formed in the sidewall of the spinner. Finally, an optional bottom disc is secured to the segmented annulus, preferably by welding.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a glass stem for an electron tube comprises a first mold assembly and a second mold assembly for forming the stem therebetween. The glass stem includes a plurality of fillets with a lead-in conductor through less than all of the fillets and at least one dummy fillet without a lead-in conductor therethrough. The first mold assembly includes a universal stem having a mold block with fillet-forming openings therein. A replaceable marker pin is disposed and retained within the openings. The marker pin has a first end and an oppositely disposed second end. The first end has a distinctive geometric shape for contacting the dummy fillet and for conveying intelligible information thereto.

Abstract: A glass fiber forming assembly is described which permits rapid change of a production fiber glass bushing. The system includes a secondary bushing and means to heat it as well as a glass delivery bushing permanently connected to a forehearth. The production bushings are physically out of contact with the forehearth.

Abstract: A nonprecious metal drain bushing for use in the start-up of a glass melting furnace. The bottom wall of the bushing is relatively wide and thick and is bent downwardly near the ends of the bottom wall to form integral terminal ears. The end portions of the terminal ears are of reduced thickness for attachment by the power clamp. The side walls coverage at an angle down to the bottom wall to facilitate flow of the molten glass through the bushing, and the thickness of the bottom wall and terminal ears is substantially greater than the thickness of the side and end walls.

Abstract: A glass sheet shaping apparatus shapes a curved reinforced glass sheet by bending a glass sheet which has been heated by a heating furnace up to a softening point and thereafter cooling the bent glass sheet with a cooling medium and imparting a prescribed stress to the glass sheet. The glass sheet is bent by upper and lower mold members fixed to respective common plates which are interconnected by positioning rods. The unit assembly comprising these upper and lower mold members and common plates is carried on a carrier and moved by a suitable displacing device onto a lower surface plate located in a frame assembly for replacing the existing unit assembly.

Abstract: A take-out mechanism for removing articles of glassware from a glassware forming machine comprises an arm turnable about a horizontal axis, a support (10) mounted on the arm, orientating means to maintain the orientation of the support as the arm turns, a tong carrier (14) and securing means securing the tong carrier to the support. The securing means comprising mating portions (10b,14b) having mating surfaces (10c,14c) and at least one projection (18) arranged to enter a recess (20) so that the surfaces can only mate in a particular desired orientation, and a screw (22) captive in the carrier and arranged to enter a threaded recess (24) in the support.

Abstract: A gob distributor for directing glass gobs to glassware-forming sections. Most particularly, this relates to the automatic positioning of scoops receiving the glass gobs from the glassmaking apparatus and directing them into troughs of glassware-forming sections which are arranged in a bank. The gob distributor features an arrangement wherein the distributor may be converted to vary the number of scoops in a scoop group from one to three or more. Principal features of the gob distributor are the utilization of a servomotor which is a reversible DC motor for positioning a rack which controls the angle of the scoops, and a releasable ball screw drive.

Abstract: Neck ring half (18,20) supporting arms (14,16) are mounted on carriers (10,12) therefor, in a parison transferring mechanism of a glassware manufacturing machine, by providing a stop (40) on each carrier at a predetermined height (x) relative to an axis (24) about which the carriers turn to move the neck ring halves and hence the parisons. As an arm slides into a mounting therefor on the carrier, a heightwise adjustable stop (44) on the arm contacts the stop (40) and thereby determines the height of the arm. Adjustment of the stop (44) on the arm can be carried out away from the machine so that machine down-time can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing bushings in a glass melting furnace is disclosed. A support attached to the furnace holds the bushings beneath an opening in the forehearth. A replacement bushing is placed in the framework, translated next to the operating bushing, brought to operating thermal condition and then both bushings are translated until the replacement bushing is beneath the opening in forehearth. This eliminates the need to freeze the molten glass within the bushing.

Abstract: A non-precious metal drain bushing for use in the start-up of a glass melting furnace. Relatively thin, wide terminal ears extend outwardly and downwardly from the ends of the bushing and are supported against bending stresses by a rigid band or strip which contacts the outer surface of the ears and extends along the bottom wall of the bushing toward the other end for a substantial distance. In addition to the physical reinforcement it provides, the strip also acts to electrically widen the terminal ears.

Abstract: An operative member such as a blowhead (10) is moved between an out-of-the-way position thereof and an operative position thereof by moving means which comprises a vertical shaft (15), means for moving the shaft vertically and turning it about a vertical axis (14), and a support (18) for the operative member clamped to the shaft. The support (18) comprises an arm (20) on which the member is mounted and clamping means (30,34,38,40) to clamp the support to the shaft. Complementarily-shaped camming surfaces (22 and 36) of the shaft and the support urge the support into the correct orientation with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A support for a mould portion comprises an upwardly-facing recess into which a hook portion of the mould portion is received. The support further comprises a projection which enters a slot in the mould portion to prevent transverse movement thereof. The support also comprises a locking member, movable into an operative position in which it projects over an upwardly-facing surface of the mould portion and prevents upwards movement thereof, and moving means for moving the locking member between its operative position and an out-of-the-way position thereof.

Abstract: The plunger comprises a base portion adapted to be mounted on a piston rod and a tip portion which has a glass-engaging surface and a projection which enters a recess in the base portion. A generally cylindrical passage is defined by the base portion and the projection of the tip portion, the portion of the wall of the passage defined by the base portion being screw-threaded. A screw-threaded member is threadedly received in the passage and serves to retain the tip portion on the base portion by engaging a lip of the projection which projects across a portion of the passage.

Abstract: One or more jigs or frameworks are provided at a location remote from the glass feeder so several different plunger assemblies can be made up for ready installation in the feeder. Each jig is made up with the help of an alignment tool having characteristics peculiar to that feeder and to the orientation of the plungers relative to the feeder. The extensive downtime now required to repair or replace the refractory plungers in the feeder can be minimized by following the method detailed herein for use of the alignment tool and subsequent fabrication and assembly of the jig or framework in which the plungers are assembled away from the feeder.

Abstract: The invention involves a fiber glass bushing which is provided with a plurality of tubular feed inlets, through a top cover chamber, which by means of controlled introduction of a gaseous medium allows a gaseous void to be maintained above the glass level in the bushing. The gas void allows easy removal of the bushing from the forehearth and the tubes provide a means of stopping glass flow from forehearth during bushing removal without requiring severe cooling of the surrounding ceramics. Flexibility in glass feed to the bushing for optimum conditions is also possible.

Abstract: In a rolling machine for continuously manufacturing rolled plates of glass or glass ceramics, in which the two shaping rolls can be changed during operation without interrupting the flow of glass, the two shaping rolls together with at least one replacement roll are disposed in a respective change-over device rotatable around a shaft which is symmetrical relative to all the rolls. To enable both shaping rolls to be rapidly changed during operation, the change-over device for the top shaping roll has a device for rapidly raising and lowering the change-over device and thus raising or lowering the top shaping rolls.

Abstract: In a flat glass melting and forming installation, the threshold between a melting furnace and a forming chamber is supported on movable cart means to expedite installation and removal of the threshold.

Abstract: This invention relates to a movable gate disposed between a fluid application station and a glass sheet transfer station of apparatus for processing heated glass sheets that are suspended or gripped by tongs along their upper edges during their conveyance along a first path of glass sheet travel for heating and further processing. The gate is moved to a retracted position to let a glass sheet leave the fluid application station and into an operative position to minimize swaying of the processed glass sheet when the latter is along said first path of glass sheet travel downstream of said fluid application station. This increases the chance of transferring the glass sheet in non-tilting relation to a peg conveyor located along a second path of glass sheet travel.

Abstract: A valve block assembly for use in glassware forming machines is disclosed. The valve block has at least two rows of valve stations arranged parallel to one another. An air supply manifold and an air exhaust manifold communicates with each row of valve stations. A cartridge valve is disposed at each of the valve stations for controlling the air flow through a respective valve station. An outlet conduit, having a needle valve disposed within it, forms a flow path away from the cartridge valve. A check valve is also disposed within at least one of said outlet conduits. All of the valves are mounted in a vertical front face of the valve block.