Any seasoned veteran of scientific glass blowing knows the importance of having quality tools at his or her disposal. One of the most important tools for any artist in this profession has to be the glass blowing lathe. This device is essential for quickly and efficiently producing test tubes, graduated cylinders, beakers, and other glass laboratory supplies.
What does a glass blowing lathe do, exactly? Essentially, it allows you to spin and manipulate molten glass at a much more mechanical rate than glass spun entirely by hand. This is especially useful when making identical replications of a device, such as a series of test tubes. When it comes to making these measuring devices, it’s important to achieve consistent accuracy. The slightest unevenness or jagged edge will render the glass tool absolutely useless.
Another advantage to working with a glass blowing lathe is that you are not so dependent on the speed and dexterity of your own hands. Instead, you can adjust the lathe to rotate at different speeds for different projects, allowing you to focus more on shaping the glass accurately. This advantage alone does wonders for increasing the consistent output of thousands of identical glass supplies. In addition to making the work process easier, a glass blowing lathe is also great for rush orders and particularly difficult projects. Along with increasing accuracy, it also cuts production time in half.
A glass blowing lathe also allows you to increase how many projects you’re capable of doing. For example, many scientific glass blowers use a lathe in creating larger glass projects or projects in which they are unable to achieve specific accuracy solely by hand. Along with providing you with this advantage, it also allows you to produce quality glass laboratory supplies at a much faster rate.
These are only a few reasons why a glass blowing lathe can benefit any scientific glass blowing studio. While pricey, it’s likely you’ll only need to purchase one once. Maintenance, of course, is necessary, but in keeping up with routine repairs and adjustments, you will continue to create uniform shipments of glass at a much higher rate.
Learn more today about how a glass blowing lathe can benefit you. You’ll be surprised at just how much faster and more accurate your production will be. Regardless of the type of lathe you choose, you will be able to rest easy in the knowledge that you will be able to produce high quality laboratory supplies and contribute to the scientific community.