Meet the Beloved Child of Glass Tempering: Convection

Think about your circle of friends and colleagues. There’s always that one person everyone knows, someone who sparks opinions and conversations. In the world of glass tempering, that person is convection. It’s the buzzword you hear time and time again.

You’ve probably heard the conversations:"I want a full convection furnace.""Is that assisted convection?""We're looking to buy a forced convection furnace.""Recirculated-air convection delivers the best quality.""Compressed-air convection doesn’t meet my needs.""Is this a high convection furnace?"

The list of terms related to convection seems endless, doesn’t it?

We get it—convection is a big deal, and investing in the right type can make a world of difference. But before diving deeper, let's clarify the two main types of convection technology in the glass tempering industry:

1. Compressed-Air Convection Technology

2. Recirculated-Air Convection Technology

At first glance, these names may hint at how each technology operates, but they don’t tell you the whole story.

So, which one is better?

Here's the thing: neither technology is inherently superior. The right choice depends entirely on your production goals. The glass doesn’t care how the convection is created—it only responds to the efficiency of the process. So, instead of fixating on the technology, focus on the results. That’s what truly matters to the glass in the end.

Glass Quality and Convection: What’s the Connection?

There isn’t a direct link between the type of convection technology—whether it’s recirculated air or compressed air—and the quality of the tempered glass. The real difference lies in how the entire convection system performs.

The terms “full,” “high,” or “assisted” convection are just marketing lingo created by tempering line manufacturers. For instance, the concept of a "full convection furnace" is a bit misleading because every tempering furnace out there uses conduction and radiation alongside convection.

Instead of focusing on the type of convection technology, pay attention to the overall capability of the convection system—its repeatability, capacity, the quality of glass it produces, and the reliability of the line.

Key Takeaways:

• Choose your tempering line technology based on your production needs.

• Don’t get hung up on the type of convection technology; focus on the results you want to achieve.

• Not all recirculated-air convection furnaces are the same—don’t lump them together just because they use similar technology.

• The same goes for compressed-air convection furnaces—each one can perform differently despite using the same underlying technology.

In the end, what matters most is the outcome. By focusing on the performance of the convection system as a whole, you’ll be better equipped to make the right decision for your glass tempering needs.