GENERAL DESCRIPTION
During the production of float glass, one
side of the molten glass comes into contact
with a bath of molten tin. Traces of tin or tin
oxide metal are deposited on the surface
of glass as it is removed from the molten
tin bath. This surface of the glass is identi-
fied as the “TIN SIDE” surface of the glass.
The opposite side of the glass is denoted
as the “AIR SIDE”. The presence of the tin
is invisible to the human eye. Glass proces-
sors find it beneficial to know which surface
of the glass is the tin side surface, since the
tin side of the glass results in a smoother
surface (among other reasons).
The TS1320 Commercial Tin Side Detec-
tor is very helpful in identifying the tin side.
Short-wave UV energy causes the tin to
fluorescence at a frequency that is visible to
the human eye. When the lamp is placed
on the tin side surface, the tin will fluoresce
and produce a milky white image that is
visible to the human eye. If you place the
lamp on the non-tin side of the glass, the lack
of tin results in no fluorescence and there-
fore only the duller image of the UV lamp
is seen. Since the float glass substrate
does not transmit the UV light, the tin coat-
ing on the opposite side of the glass is not
exposed to the UV energy, and therefore it
will only fluoresce when the lamp is placed
on the tin side of the glass.
WARNING:
Do not expose eyes and skin to
shortwave ultraviolet light, as rays are harm-
ful to unprotected eyes and skin. Never view
the image of the lamp directly without plac-
ing a piece of glass between your eyes and
the lamp. We recommend the user wear the
UV Blocking safety glasses supplied with
the product. UV light is not visible to the
human eye. Although the UV lamp may ap-
pear dim, recognize that this is only a small
percentage of the intensity being emitted
by the lamp. Your eyes cannot detect the
full intensity of the short-wave UV lamp.
745 Capital Commons Drive
Toledo, Ohio 43615 USA
PHONE: (419) 861-1030
FAX: (419) 861-1031
www.EDTM.com Email: [email protected]
TIN SIDE DETECTOR
Commercial Model for Float Glass
MODEL# TS1320
differential. In certain situations it may be
easier to view the milky white image at a
slight angle. Viewing the image at an angle
is especially helpful when working with tint-
ed and reflective glass.
If the top surface of the glass is NOT the
TIN SIDE, then it is the AIR SIDE. The air
side of the glass will result in the lamp image
appearing normal (violet color) (Figure 4).
Figure 3: Tin Side
Milky white reflection
Figure 4: Air Side (NOT Tin Side)
Dull violet lamp reflection
NEW STENCIL INSERT METHOD
The TS1320 design includes a patent-pend-
ing stencil insert that helps you view the tin
side glow in brighter environments. As long
as you can view the edge surface of the
glass, you can use this feature. If you do not
typically have access to the edge of the
glass surface, it may be beneficial to remove
the stencil insert from the rubber boot.
The TS1320 model comes equipped from
the factory with the stencil inserted into the
rubber boot. The stencil channels the energy
from the lamp through the words “TIN SIDE”,
causing this image to be imposed on the
glass surface during tests. When the instru-
ment is placed on the glass surface and
turned on, you will see the image of the word
“TIN SIDE” in the edge surface of the glass
if you have the meter placed against the tin
surface.
YOU MUST PLACE THE METER
CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE GLASS SO
THE STENCILED IMAGE CAN BE TRANS-
FERRED FULLY TO THE EDGE SUR-
FACE OF THE GLASS.
Figure 5: Stenciled image on tin side of glass
Stenciled image “TIN SIDE” appears in the
surface edge when the meter is placed on
the tin side of the glass.
If you are on the air side of the glass (non-
tin side), the word “TIN SIDE” will NOT be
projected to the edge of the glass. It should
be noted that thicker glass will result in the
easiest viewing of the projected image.
This feature is great when you only have
access to one side of the glass, and also
when you are working in brighter light en-
vironments. Without the stencil, it is often
necessary to test the glass in a shaded or
darker environment.
OPERATION
You can use the TS1320 in three different
methods. You can either choose to view the
image of the lamp through the glass by plac-
ing the instrument on the bottom side of the
glass, OR you can tilt the TS1320 on the top
surface of the glass and view the reflection
of the lamp under the meter OR you can
utilize the new stencil insert. You may find
that one approach may work better for cer-
tain glass samples and various lighting con-
ditions. BEFORE performing any tests, we
recommend putting on the protective UV
blocking safety glasses that were supplied
with the product.
TRADITIONAL BOTTOM SIDE METHOD
To test glass using the bottom side method,
place the TS1320 on the bottom side of the
glass, as shown in Figure 1. Turn on the
power, but do not view the image of the lamp
unless it is placed behind the glass. If the
bottom side is the TIN SIDE of the glass,
the image of the lamp will appear milky white
(Figure 1). The intensity of the lamp may
even appear to get stronger. There are 2
simple ways to improve the viewing of the
glow. The first is to use the momentary pow-
er switch on the meter to pulse the power on
and off. The pulsing power magnifies the
difference between a tin side glow versus
no glow. The second method is to wave the
meter closer and further away from the glass
surface to magnify the glow differential. In
certain situations it may be easier to view
the milky white image at a slight angle.
Viewing the image at an angle is especially
helpful when working with tinted and reflec-
tive glass.
If you are on the air side of the glass, there
will be no milky white glow. The image of
the lamp will remain unchanged as shown
below.
TRADITIONAL TOP SIDE METHOD
To test glass using the top side method,
place the TS1320 on the top surface of the
glass, as shown in Figure 3. Using this
method, it is important that you put on your
UV blocking safety glasses. Turn on the
power, but DO NOT look directly at the
lamp. Tilt the unit at a slight angle so you
can view the REFLECTION of the lamp.
If the reflection of the lamp on the glass
appears milky white (Figure 3), then the
top surface of the glass is the TIN SIDE.
The intensity of the lamps reflection may
even appear to get stronger. Again, there
are two simple ways to improve the viewing
of the glow. The first is to use the momen-
tary power switch on the meter to pulse
the power on and off. The pulsing power
magnifies the difference between a tin side
glow versus no glow. The second method is
to wave the meter closer and further away
from the glass surface to magnify the glow
FEATURES
Identify the tin side of float glass using a
custom UV lamp for detection
Also works on coated glass as long as
coating does not block UV-C energy
Commercial design includes a rubber boot
for rugged applications
Patent-pending stencil projects the words
“TIN SIDE” into the edge surface of the
glass, allowing for testing in brighter en-
vironments
Bulb mounting system absorbs shock of
dropping the unit, better than previous
competing models
Drop tested to withstand falls up to five
feet
Momentary power switch allows user to
pulse the power to see the tin side glow
much easier, plus helps conserve life of
batteries
Slide switch also included for extended
use of the lamp
Low Battery indicator
Powered by only three-AA batteries (in-
cluded)
50% longer battery life than previous com-
peting models, despite fewer batteries
Protective UV blocking safety glasses in-
cluded
Replaceable lamp option, with convenient
insertion sockets for easy replacement
Extended warranty period compared with
previous models
POWER SWITCH
The momentary (membrane) power switch
is the preferred switch to use for the TS
1320 product. This switch minimizes the use
of the lamp in between tests, and extends
the life of the batteries. As described later
in this operating manual, being able to
cycle the power on and off also aids in the
determination of the tin side glow.
The continual power (slide) switch should
only be used when the operator is going to
be taking repeated measurements continu-
ously, with few breaks.
Figure 1: Tin Side
Milky white image
(
(
Figure 2: Air Side (NOT Tin Side)
Dull violet lamp image
CONTINUAL POWER
(Slide switch)
power stays on
continuously when the
slide switch is moved to
the ON position
MOMENTARY POWER
(Membrane switch)
power only stays on
while the membrane
switch is being
depressed
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