CP Glass Turns to 3D Printing to Expand Their Glass Packaging Designs

3D printing has such a long reach in industry today that it is impossible to predict what will happen next. All you can do is sit back and enjoy the ride—and marvel at the changes that are being made, as well as the impacts that will continue for decades.

Now, CP Glass S.A. (a subsidiary of CAN-PACK S.A. and part of Can-Pack Capital Group) is using their leverage as a major European manufacturer in the creation of high-quality packaging. Known for making glass for both beer and spirits, their R&D efforts have paid off too.

The CP Glass research and development department is home to a VSHAPER 270 Double 3D printer. This piece of hardware is known for its industrial fortitude, printing with a wide range of materials from PLA to PVA. It’s no surprise that they would turn to such progressive technology for their products, as well as training employees to use new hardware like 3D printers. New products such as their 3D printed prototypes for packaging will extend their investment potential not only in Europe but Asia too.

“In order to meet the expectations of our customers we offer a wide range of solutions for customizing bottle designs, including shape, color, closure type, positioning, engraving and a number of other solutions to distinguish our customers’ products on the market,” says Krzysztof Staniek, the CEO of CP Glass.

CP Glass has opened a new design office in Orzesz, Poland. In this facility, they are able to design new glass packaging for clients, as well as making technical documentation regarding containers as well as product visualization materials, to include those that are ‘filled.’ 3D printing is allowing them to streamline their processes.

“When analyzing solutions available on the market, we were looking for those demonstrating good value for money. The cooperation with the producer from day one of the device selection stage was also an important factor. The VSHAPER printers manufacturer was very professional in creating test models, incorporating our suggestions and providing solid technical support. No other manufacturer has made such a positive impression on us,” says Paweł Skop from CP Glass R&D Department.

In creating their new glass packaging, the team makes a glass set which is then mixed and placed into a glass furnace where it begins to melt.

“As a result of the melting process we obtain molten glass which is next directed to molding machines. In the meantime, the molten glass is cooled down to molding temperature and undergoes thermal homogenization. Next the molten glass is formed into a gob which later undergoes the formation process,” states the team in a recent release.

The ‘gob’ then goes through two stages. First, it is made into a bulb which is then delivered into a mold. After that, the product is made into its final shape, and cooled. The parts are inspected for defects, and if they are not up to standards, are recycled through re-melting.

“3D Printing allows us to quickly model new geometrically faithful shapes of bottles while maintaining their quality. Working with the VSHAPER team, we have developed a method for printing ABS and PA models to produce prints with distinctive transparency in white, green and brown. Printed models also undergo resin processing. The designs we have prepared this way are presented to our customers, and most importantly, the process of their preparation is much cheaper than the traditional modeling method,” explains Skop.

CP Glass will also be using 3D printing for other research and development projects, to include making more lightweight bottles and testing their load resistance for filling. You can find out more about this innovative company here. VSHAPER 3D printers from Poland-based Verashape have been expanding their global presence, being put to use to study structures and processes, among their myriad applications. Discuss in the CP Glass forum at 3DPB.com.

[Images: CP Glass, provided by Verashape]