Senior Scientist Peter de Haan conducted a new AGR Seminar “Audit of Glass Plant Operations” in Butler, PA, USA. This new seminar is for both filling line and glass container-manufacturing personnel who are responsible for conducting or preparing audits of glass container-manufacturing plants. The seminar is designed to instruct personnel on how to conduct a detailed audit of a glass container manufacturing plant, what would be thoroughly reviewed to assure a high level of ongoing quality in all aspects of the manufacturing process, the importance of adherence to policies and procedures for reaction, containment and rejection of faulty material and how the data from the audits can be used to establish a basis from which continuous improvements in the manufacturing process can be monitored and implemented.

“Filling Line Impact Measurement” is the topic of the AGR Technical Paper just published in Glass Worldwide Magazine the Nov/Dec issue. The paper authored by Senior Scientists William Slusser and Steven Spence discusses measurement of filling line impacts and the relationship to impact testing. To read it visit our Library - White Paper section of our website.

AGR Senior Scientists Bill Slusser and Gary Smay conducted Training Seminars in Munich, Germany.  The three day seminar “Testing & Fracture Diagnosis” and two day seminar “Coating Technology “ were well attended.  Training returns to Butler, PA USA with “Audit of Glass Plant Operations” November 11-12  and “Coating Technology” November 18-19 .  Seminars are scheduled in Munich, Germany in both the spring and fall of 2016.  Visit the full 2016 Annual Training Schedule and Catalogue to find one that meets your needs.  Private training is also available.

Two teams of AGR Instructors recently conducted Training Seminars in Krakow, Poland. Peter de Haan and Gary Smay first conducted the “Advanced Testing & Fracture Diagnosis of Glass Bottles” teaching techniques required to solve complex glass breakage and performance related problems. They next conducted “Coating Technology” which explained the role of surface coatings in maintaining glass strength, their application in both hot end and cold end as well as problems associated with use of coatings. The second AGR team, consisting of Bill Slusser and Brad Salitrik conducted the “Design Evaluation & Lightweighting” training seminar where participants learned key design principles necessary to achieve acceptable bottle performance, as well as improvements in existing designs and techniques for Lightweighting.

American Glass Research is pleased to announce that Dr. Brandon Aldinger has joined the staff as a Senior Scientist.  Dr. Aldinger has experience in glass processing, performance testing, fracture diagnosis and chemical strengthening.

Dr. Aldinger received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Physical Chemistry from Cornell University and his B.S. in Chemistry from Penn State University.  He has authored seven peer-reviewed articles and is a co-inventor on a patent application for enhancing the scratch resistance of coated glass. In addition, he is a member of the American Ceramic Society and the American Chemical Society.

Dr. Aldinger will be involved in primary research, fracture diagnosis, stone identification, pharmaceutical services and Training Seminars.  If you have questions for Dr. Aldinger, please “Ask Our Experts"

AGR just released the September Quarterly e-Newsletter with features on Electrostatic Precipitator Dust, Glass Coating and Iridescent Returnable Bottles.  Go to our Library/e-Newsletters to read or sign up for a free subscription.