When 2.5 million glass bottles are produced weekly across multiple production lines, the slightest confusion between molds can create significant quality control problems. For Arglass, a custom glass bottle manufacturer in Valdosta, Georgia, this challenge required an elegant, durable solution—custom handstamps from Durable Technologies.
Having used Durable Technologies' marking device products at a previous employer, Shawn Self, Arglass Mold Shop Manager, knew precisely where to turn for a part marking solution that distinguishes identical beer bottle molds running simultaneously on different production lines.
Arglass produces identical beer bottles for the same customers across multiple machines, creating a traceability challenge. When bottles look identical but come from different production lines, how do you track which line produced which bottle? The solution came as simple yet effective custom symbol hand stamps.
The team at Arglass now uses distinct symbols—circles, triangles, and hearts—stamped directly onto the cast iron molds, bottom plates, and blanks to prevent mixing between production lines. Clear signage posted on the ovens and tables in the forming area shows operators which symbol should be running on each line.
"Due to the similarities of all beer mold equipment and multiple lines running the same beers, the mold shop has stamped symbols on the molds to help avoid mixing," Mr. Self explains. Currently, Line 11 uses a circle symbol, Line 12 uses a triangle, and Line 13 uses a heart, with diamond and star symbols ready for future expansion."
The Craftsmanship Behind the Stamps
What makes Durable Technologies' custom handstamps particularly valuable to companies like Arglass is the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each tool. Unlike mass-produced marking solutions, these custom handstamps are individually crafted to meet the specific needs of each application.
The half-inch circle, diamond, star, triangle, and heart symbols used by Arglass were designed with the perfect depth and character style to make clear impressions in cast iron that would withstand the intense heat and pressure of glass bottle manufacturing.
The expedited delivery that impressed Mr. Self is a hallmark of Durable's approach to custom tooling. While many tooling manufacturers struggle with small-run custom orders, Durable Technologies has refined its processes to serve customers who need customized marking solutions quickly.
"We received the stamps days before expected delivery and would like to thank you and your team for making this happen!" says Mr. Self.
Each stamp begins as a blank steel die, precision-machined to the customer's exact specifications—whether a simple shape, like Arglass's symbols, or complex logos and text that will eventually be part of their expanded marking plans.
This attention to detail demonstrates why customers like Mr. Self return to Durable Technologies, even when changing employers. The company's focus on creating marking solutions that are not only effective but also safe and practical to use in demanding industrial environments sets them apart in the industrial marking industry.
This solution's effectiveness is based on its simplicity and permanence. The half-inch circle mark and other symbols are applied directly to the cast iron molds, creating identification that will not wear away during the intense manufacturing process.
As Arglass prepares to open a new facility in the coming months, it's already planning to expand its marking capabilities to include customer logos and text directly on its 12oz bottles, taking its quality control and branding capabilities to the next level. Arglass will create a pocket in the mold to hold the stamping die, eventually imprinting the identifying shape and text directly into the glass bottles.
The partnership between Arglass and Durable Technologies demonstrates how, when implemented thoughtfully, even traditional industrial marking methods like custom handstamps can solve modern manufacturing challenges.
Sometimes, the most effective solutions aren't always the most technologically advanced—they're the most time-tested and reliable.
Other handstamp success stories
C&C Metals, located in West Boylston, MA, had a problem. How would they direct part mark the end of a very expensive custom ship drive shaft and get it just right every time? Read their story here.
Oowee Products of Asheville, NC, creates custom, hand-crafted leather sleeves for mugs and other beer accessories. They were looking for a custom hand stamp letter set and that's where Durable Technologies came in. Read the story here.
Sharrow Lifting Products manufactures and sells a full line of lifting slings, rigging equipment, tie-down equipment, and other specialty lifting devices. When their old hand stamps started to chip, and pieces were flying off the stamp when hit, they knew they needed to find a better solution fast. Read their story here.
