The area of a commercial glassworks where raw materials are melted and the glass is actively formed into its final shape. It includes the melting furnace, forehearth, gob feeders, and the forming machines, ending right before the glass enters the annealing lehr.
Heard on the job
The sensors in the hot end are showing a temperature drop in the forehearth.
Insider tip
Workers in the hot end deal with extreme radiant heat and noise, requiring specialized protective gear.