Our Company
A.F.T. (UK) Limited was formed in 1985 with the purpose of carrying out work in the Glass Industry, particularly related to the electric melting of glass.
Almost 100% of AFT’s work has been exclusively in the Glass Industry. All key personnel have long associations with the Glass Industry and this experience covers containers, tubing, bulbs, tableware, heat resistant toughened glass, fibre glass, sodium silicate, borosilicate scientific ware etc. etc.
AFT spends considerable time each year in developing improved systems for the furnace and allied areas. These developments have enabled us to bring into the market such products as: improved insulated clamping devices for electrodes, bubblers and thermocouples; improved bottom electrode supports; sidewall integral electrode connector/support/guard; new and much improved bus bar system; automatic furnace drains; automatic DC control systems used in flint container forehearths; low cost thermocouple and conductivity sequencers; thyristor control systems designed specifically for electric furnace control; miscellaneous electrical transducers and parts specifically for use in our systems; sophisticated gob measuring devices for gob speed, length and acceleration; packaged dry type transformer units; numerous electrode developments, including electrodes through the superstructure, and many different electrodes for the forehearth; design of special purpose furnaces, including a revolutionary portable electric hand shop furnace. Many more products are on the drawing board or in various stages of development.
AFT has been involved with supervision of new and rebuilt furnaces since its inception, but has over the last few years become more involved in the total furnace rebuild side. Following on with our tradition of development, we have designed many special purpose block lifting and handling systems for the rebuild section of our work. These systems incorporate mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum and electrical technology and aim at lifting the refractory side to an improved status with regard to safer and quicker refractory installation.
AFT carries out all its own drilling and electrode/bubbler/thermocouple installation etc. Additionally, as an extension to this service we carry out an increasing amount of in-house refractory cutting and drilling for our different customers. We have the facility to cut and drill almost any size of furnace block, thereby giving the customer access to services that he is unable to economically maintain on his own.
AFT also carry out engineering studies for customers. This type of engineering may vary from supply of an engineering package, or merely carrying out model studies and salt bath tests to determine furnace electrical and flow characteristics.
AFT supply products to other furnace builders. Occasionally, these products will be to the particular furnace suppliers specification, but more often than not will be our standard or slightly modified product. This gives some measure of the depth of our experience and commitment, which is highlighted by the fact that may of our competitors are happy to carry out business with us.
In summation, A.F.T. (UK) Limited is a growing and extremely active organisation that has established a reputation for a good glass house practice and engineering. Glass always has been and always will be our business, our commitment to it is total. This specialisation enables us to provide a technical service, probably second to none, to our many customers throughout the world.