Configurable feeder assembly for forming and feeding molten glass gobs in an individual section machine for forming hollow glassware

A method for configuring a feeding assembly for forming and feeding glass gobs in an individual section machine for forming hollow glassware during a production change, the feeding assembly comprising a bowl defining a cavity adapted to receive and contain, in use, a mass of molten glass;

• a plurality of outlet bodies each having respective orifices of different diameters, the outlet bodies configured to be mounted interchangeably in a fixed position at a lower end of the cavity;
• at least one plunger having a vertical axis aligned with a corresponding orifice of a mounted one of the outlet bodies, the at least one plunger being axially movable in the cavity to form a glass bead through the corresponding orifice from the mass of molten glass;
• and a cutting device arranged below the corresponding orifice and operable to cut the glass bead to form the glass gob, the method comprising the steps of:
• selecting one of the diameters to meet at least one of a weight requirement or a shape factor requirement for the glass gobs to be fed by the feeding assembly after the production change;
• determining a target glass flow rate;
• checking whether the feeding assembly, configured with the selected one of the diameters, meets the target glass flow rate;
• and
• responsive to the checking step indicating that the target glass flow rate is not met, adjusting a height position of the corresponding orifice relative to the bowl to approach the target glass flow rate.