The modern production process of glass blow molding, used for creating items like light bulbs and bottles, involves several key steps. It begins with the gathering of molten glass from a furnace using a hollow blowpipe. Once a suitable amount of glass is gathered, a mold is placed around the glass or a parison (a hollow tube of glass) is formed. Air is then introduced into the glass through the blowpipe, causing it to inflate and take on the shape of the mold.
This inflation process, often aided by mechanical assistance, ensures the glass takes the form of the mold’s interior. Once the glass has cooled and solidified within the mold, the mold is opened, and the newly formed glass object is removed. The object is subsequently annealed in an oven to relieve internal stresses, making it strong and durable. After annealing, the glass objects may undergo additional processes like cutting, trimming, or surface treatments to achieve the desired final shape and appearance. Modern glass blow molding combines traditional craftsmanship with automated machinery to produce a wide range of glass products efficiently and consistently.