New technologies have sprung up that allow you to make your own kilns at home. Let’s have a look at the benefits and disadvantages of each type of technology for creating your own glass kilns.
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| Glass Kilns |
Future of Glass Kilns: CBS Dichroic, Glass Slumping, and Microwave Kilns
One of the most common questions I hear when speaking to people about glass is how they can get started on making their own glass pieces, and while there are many ways to go about it, everyone has a different method. Glass can be made by hand in a variety of ways including using a kiln. But now, new technologies have sprung up that allow you to make your own kilns at home. This article discusses the benefits and disadvantages of each type of technology for creating your own glass-blowing.
Future of Glass Kilns
Right now, glass kilns are used to produce mirror-polished and frosted glass panels. But in the near future, the material is going to see a drastic change. Instead of using a kiln to create a specific type of finished product, the glass will be much more diverse. There are many different types of glass that could potentially be created through this type of manufacturing process, including clear glass, metal coated glass, and even colored glass.
CBS Dichroic
While conventional ovens and kilns cause thousands of slumps per year, CBS Dichroic Kilns have an average of 2,000 slumps. This is a result of the high quality of the materials used in the construction of this kiln. The design allows for uniform heating and cooling, resulting in low heat absorption and shorter firing times.
Glass Slumping
A slumping glass kiln would be a one time cost for the company to make. There is the added benefit of the company making its own glass and therefore not having to worry about excess inventory. Slumping is where the glass slumps or falls from the kiln because it has been heated too quickly. There are various causes of this problem, such as the temperature being too high or the glass is not in a hot enough oven. When this happens, the glass will fall to the bottom of the kiln and cause a lot of damage. If you are using a CBS Dichroic Kiln, make sure that your oven is properly calibrated and exactly at 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Microwave Kilns
Glass kilns have been around for a long time, but recently they are seeing a new type of glass. The latest technology is called CBS Dichroic and it is also known as dichroic glass. This type of glass can be heated in the microwave which makes it easy to manufacture this new product. In the microwave kiln, glass is heated to high temperatures by an external source. The rate at which it heats up is controlled through different kiln settings. By placing a piece of glass in between two heating elements, the glass will heat up evenly from both sides and will not crack or chip.
Glass Kiln Molds
Three different types of glass kilns are currently on the market: cold, dichroic, and microwave. The cold kilns are often found in larger companies where they have a set schedule for production whereas the two other types vary greatly in size and price. The important factor to consider when choosing a kiln is how fast it can heat up to the desired temperature because this will determine how well the product will be made.
Grinder
A grinder is an essential tool for glass artists. A grinder has two functions: to grind down and polish the grinding wheels to a fine consistency and to grind (finely) the glass before use in order to achieve the desired texture. The Grinder is a type of glass kiln that includes a Speedmaxx attachment that can be used to grind glass. This saves time and makes the process of grinding smoother than with a standard grinder.
Conclusion
Looking into the future of glass kilns and all the types of kilns that are available to us, it's easy to see how many opportunities there are for creativity. With new technologies coming out all the time it is vital for companies like CBS Dichroic, who have been in business for over 100 years, to adapt to these changes.