It is generally recognised that the lightweight narrow neck press and blow (NNPB) process is fundamental to the economic future of the glass container industry. As the process has developed over time from existing glass forming technology, there are still aspects of the process that are little understood or which may, at times, act in an unpredictable manner. There is need for continued development to optimise the process and its control if the full economic and environmental benefits of lightweight glass containers are to be realised. The EPSRC is providing funding for a collaborative programme of research between PLM Redfearn and the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. The project is having to consider topics such as: heat transfer, glass/plunger contact conditions, glass deformation, plunger materials and manufacture and process modelling and control.
