At Acme Vial, we manufacture every tubular glass vial through precise, controlled steps that ensure consistency, durability, and reliable performance for cannabis, essential oil, skincare, cosmetics, and related applications. This overview describes our end-to-end process, from raw tubing preparation to final inspection and packaging.
Glass Tubing Selection and Material Specifications
We begin with high-quality glass tubing made from either:
- Borosilicate glass in clear, amber and cobalt blue for thermal resistance and chemical stability
Soda-lime glass for cost-effective, general-purpose use
Our tubing ranges from 7.75 mm to 29 mm in diameter and is certified for:
- Outer diameter tolerances
- Wall thickness consistency
- Uniform clarity and chemical composition
These specifications establish the baseline for dimensional accuracy and strength in all downstream operations.
Preparation and Cutting
Tubing is loaded into the line either manually or automatically. We cut the tubing to required lengths using heat and tooling ensuring edges are clean and square without creating micro-fractures.
Heating and Body Formation
Sections of tubing are rotated in a gas-oxygen flame at 1200–1600 °C. This softens the glass evenly, allowing us to:
- Shape the cylindrical body
- Set the vial length
- Maintain uniform wall thickness
Air pressure and forming tools are used during rotation to achieve the final dimensions.
Neck and Opening Formation
The open end is heated and tooled to create the required finish:
- Screw thread
- Fire-polished edge
- Patent lip
- Display finish
- Serum finish
This step sets the open-end specifications and closure compatibility. Standard screw thread finishes as outlined by GPI include but are not limited to: 8-425, 13-425, 15-425, 18-400, 20-400, 22-400, 24-400
Bottom Formation
The opposite end is reheated and formed into either a rounded or flat base, depending on the product’s intended use.
Annealing
Vials pass through an annealing lehr, where they are slowly cooled to relieve internal stress. This controlled cool-down greatly increases durability during filling, shipping, and handling.
Inspection and Packaging
Every vial is visually or automatically inspected for clarity, dimensional accuracy, and finish quality. Those meeting specifications are shrink-wrapped or otherwise packaged for protection before shipment.
Closures and Customization
We supply caps, corks, stoppers, droppers, and glass applicator rods matched precisely to the vial’s finish. For branding, we offer custom screen printing with durable, ceramic paint, which creates a permanent bond to the glass.
Conclusion
By carefully managing every stage of the glass vial manufacturing process—from selecting the tubing to final packaging—we ensure that each glass vial meets our high standards for precision, strength, and finish quality. This commitment to craftsmanship and consistency is what makes our vials dependable for a wide range of industries and applications.