Step 4 - Initial processing

During the initial processing of the glassware, the first step is to separate the glass from the part that connects it to the glassblower’s pipe. In the first step, the glass is scored around its circumference with a vidia knife. After scoring, the glass is held over a sharp flame, which causes it to crack exactly where it was scored. However, after cracking, the glass remains sharp and must be ground down. Grinding is again done by hand on a horizontal grinding wheel. Once the glass is sufficiently ground, it is moved on a conveyor belt to the annealing machine. Here, the glass is placed on a rotating carousel, and a sharp flame melts the sharp edges of the glass until the upper rim is completely rounded. Firing the upper rim is the final stage in the production of the glass. Then all that remains is quality control, packaging, and shipment to the customer.