Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the optimisation of cutting and snapping of float glass operation. It is essential for any manufacturing industry to optimise their processes to increase productivity and compete in this ever changing manufacturing environment. This is a case study of glass manufacturing in South Africa, the leading manufacturer of float glass in South Africa. Questionnaire was designed to collect primary data and an experiment was conducted to collect secondary data. This design was preferred and allowed the researcher to collect easily onsite. Both quantitative and qualitative research was used in this study to explore and examine different variables linked to the cutting and snapping process at the company. The results revealed that the variables with the most impact on the cutting and snapping operation at the company as well as the ranges at which these variables should be set to achieve optimum cutting and snapping operation in float glass manufacturing. The relationship between these variables were also examine. However, the extent to which they are interlinked should be further studied. The study findings led to the conclusion that to optimize cutting and snapping the following variables must be considered. The cutting wheel must not be worn and must have not run more than 15km, temperature must be 59 to 60 at cutting and the ribbon must be stable. These variables must be continuously monitored and should be adjusted as outside conditions drastically change.

Keywords

Glass company, Manufacturing, Optimizing, South Africa