Quality built on precision.
Made from natural cotton and galvanized steel, our products are designed to meet the constraints of the glass industry while helping to preserve moulds and their service life.
Thanks to careful manufacturing, our swabs provide even swabbing without excessive cotton deposits, allowing controlled use of grease and clean, consistent work.
Frequently asked questions.
Everything our customers have asked us before, during and after ordering.
The product
What is a lubrication swab and what is it used for?
It is a cotton brush mounted on a steel handle, used to apply a film of grease to the walls of the moulds of a container glass forming machine. On contact with the mould, the swab leaves a layer of grease: without it, the glass sticks, the container has flaws, the surface finish deteriorates and the mould wears out prematurely.
What is the difference between a swab and a mop?
The shape of the head, and therefore its use. A swab has a narrow head of varying length, while a mop has a wider head that can cover a wide area.
Why pure cotton swabs?
Pure cotton, with no added finish or surface treatment, prevents any foreign body leaving a residue and offers genuine heat resistance.
Do you make custom swabs?
Yes — in fact that is the bulk of our production. Our catalogue of more than 140 models is a starting point, not a limitation. Diameter, length and density, tip shape, handle type and length: every parameter is adjusted to your mould. We work from a drawing, your descriptions or simply the swab you currently use and send us.
Do you also supply the grease?
No, we are a manufacturing plant: we only make swabs and mops. Grease is a matter for specialist suppliers.
Can we test before placing an order?
That is the approach we always recommend. We send a batch of samples to be tested on a single line, with unchanged grease and speed, so as not to mix variables. Allow a few shifts to judge the effect on deposition and rejection rate. If the result is not conclusive, call us back with your observations: it is the quickest way to the right product.
Choosing the right model
How do I choose the diameter and length of a swab?
At COFOX we listen to your needs first and foremost. We customize all our products: before you place an order, we can discuss your working methods, your production lines and your products. Once all the characteristics have been taken into account, we offer you a batch of test samples.
Do I need a different swab for each different glass product manufactured?
No — and that's good news for stores that manage hundreds of different products. What determines the choice is not the name of the product but the geometry of the mould: depth, cross-section, whether or not there are sharp edges or an engraved pattern, as well as the mould temperature.
Are your swabs compatible with swabbing robots?
Yes, we provide a range dedicated to robotic swabbing.
In production
How often should a swab be replaced?
There is no general answer: it depends on the production rate, grease, mould temperature, operators and model used. It is up to your production teams to tell us how long a swab lasts and, based on that, we can set up automatic shipments at the frequency you want.
Depending on the production
Does extra-flint glass require more care?
We cannot say it requires more care, since everything in the glass sector calls for particular attention. However, depending on the type of glass, we can customize our swabs to best suit its characteristics: adding sleeves to the end of the swabs, finer cotton, or using mops.
How do you swab a mould with an engraved relief pattern?
The parameter to consider is the way the brush comes into contact with the relief.
Are your swabs suitable for pharmaceutical production?
Yes, as we offer Oeko-Tex® certified cotton.
Does food contact impose constraints on the swab?
The swab and the grease never come into contact with food products, since only the outside of the container is swabbed — never the inside.