In float glass manufacturing, the tin bath is the core forming zone where molten glass is shaped into a perfectly flat ribbon. This unit defines the final product’s optical clarity, surface quality, thickness stability, and geometry, making it one of the most performance-critical parts of any float line.

HORN Glass Industries AG is recognised as an industry leader and one-stop supplier for turnkey glass plants, supporting customers from the first planning sketch to a fully operating production line. With its “Glass Plant Technology from A to Z” concept, HORN delivers complete plant solutions where engineering, equipment selection and construction principles are aligned to ensure stable production and consistent output.

Because every float line has different targets, from product mix and thickness range to energy strategy and capacity, each HORN float tin bath is customised to match customer requirements. This ensures controlled forming conditions and reliable ribbon behaviour, enabling float glass production that meets high geometrical and optical expectations.

Rather than supplying only a shell, HORN provides a complete tin bath package, designed for integration into the full float process. Key elements include basic engineering and documentation, steel casing, casing refractories, graphite built-in components, tin bath bracing, and a bottom cooling system. A major technical feature is the tin bath roof system, delivered with suspension and heating, including heating elements and thermocouples for controlled thermal performance and process monitoring.

To support stable operation and atmosphere control, HORN also supplies the required media supply equipment, with utility connections that can include compressed air, cooling water, cooling air, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulfur, and electrical supply. These inputs are essential for long-term stability, thermal balance and consistent forming performance.

For producers with specialised output requirements, HORN can additionally integrate special equipment for thick glass production, supporting expanded product capability within the float portfolio.

All major plant components are manufactured in-house at HORN’s headquarters in Germany, enabling controlled quality standards, coordinated assembly and dependable technical results. The outcome is a tin bath system built for precision forming, process stability and high-value float glass performance.