In this interview with one of Pilkington Italia’s operational team, we ‘speak’ to Maurizio Pesce, Claims Manager and Manufacturing Support, about the quality of glass the company produces, in line with the policy of its mother company NSG Group.
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Maurizio Pesce, Claims Manager and Manufacturing Support,
Pilkington Italia
Maurizio Pesce boasts a multifaceted and versatile know-ledge of the flat glass sector, having worked in various branches of the company, from the production line to quality control. He is now responsible for the Pilkington Italia Claims Service, based in Venice.
Mr. Pesce, how can you guarantee the quality of your glass?
Maurizio Pesce: Glass is manufactured using an extremely complex industrial process, where each phase requires continuous commitment and high levels of attention in order to obtain a superior product. This is all in line with NSG Group policy, which every day invests in workers’ safety and product quality.
How important was 2018 for the Porto Marghera plant?
Maurizio Pesce: Following the furnace restart in October 2017, this was the first year in which we were able to produce Pilkington Optiwhite™ extra-clear glass, one of the products of the wide range of Pilkington glass that is recognised by architects and glaziers as a leader in its field.
What operations are necessary for its production? Which controls and strategies must be implemented?
Maurizio Pesce: Pilkington Optiwhite™ extra-clear glass is a wonderful product. Its manufacture is more complex than ordinary clear float glass. This called for important structural changes in the shape of the furnace and in the construction of a new system aimed at eliminating NOx (nitrogen oxides). The process also requires constant attention from its state-of-the-art production management system.
Special raw materials from selected quarries are essential in achieving the transparency and neutrality of the glass. Careful logistics control and experienced process management are also vital. In addition to applying strict environmental controls, special attention to the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects that regulate the forming of glass is essential.
Last but not least, it is vital that we hit the colour rendering index target that ensures the continuity that is required by our customers. We achieve this through continuous process monitoring and by implementing specific quality controls on glass samples in the laboratory.
Can you give us some examples?
Maurizio Pesce: Every hour we implement quality control of physical parameters, such as thickness, size, squaring and absence of micro-defects, as well as checks on all optical parameters, such as distortions, streaks and corrugations. Every six hours we carry out laboratory-controlled chemical analysis, which guarantees colour constancy. These checks include continuous precision monitoring by a latest-generation scanner that detects any defects such as halo, residue or stains. With this scanner, which is installed on-line, we are able to guarantee quality to our customers’ satisfaction. The scanner, in turn, is verified and checked every day, and, if necessary, re-calibrated, to ensure its reliability.
So you carry out numerous checks on the optical-quality aspects of glass?
Maurizio Pesce: Yes, but that’s not all. The control of parameters that influence the workability of glass is also of primary importance: through sophisticated sensors on the glass ribbon and continuous monitoring by the operators, we are able to act on any surface tensions that are detected, thus guaranteeing stress values that will ensure easy cutting and working, such as toughening and lamination.
Quality is a really serious matter…
Maurizio Pesce: It would be better to say that quality is fundamental! This, and being willing and able to constantly improve is how we are sure of achieving total customer satisfaction.
Pilkington Italia SpA – NSG Group
www.pilkington.com