WMiami University

Instrumentation Laboratory Glasswork Policy



    Repair & Modification Work:
    • Standard "Off the Shelf" Purchasable Items (beakers, flasks, funnels, etc.)
      • Most repairs will not be worth doing unless there are a large number of items involved
        or custom alterations are required.
      • These items are easier, cheaper, and faster to purchase, rather than to attempt to repair.
      • If items are standard "off the shelf" glassware, they should be considered disposable, unless they meet the above criteria.

    • Non-Standard Items (Most standard taper glassware)
      • First preference will be to repair non-standard items.
      • Materials have always been paid for by user's department, labor will continue to be paid
        by IL.

    • User's Responsibilities
      • Requestor must select and contact a glassblower and make arrangements to have the work done.
      • Requestor must complete IL's "glasswork form" (see below for download) (includes supplying all needed instructions, drawings, measurements, etc.) before shipping glass to glassblower.
        • It is requestor's responsibility to ensure that the IL receives a completed, legible, copy of the "glass work form" (and associated paperwork).
        • If requestor does not furnish the IL with a completed copy of the form, all costs of the work will be charged to the requestor's department.
      • If glassblower requires a PO before agreeing to perform the work, a written quote will be required. (Labor and materials costs must be separate.)
        • Requestor must make arrangements for quote (includes supplying all needed instructions, drawings, measurements, etc.) from the glassblower. 
        • IL will then make arrangements to have  PO issued by Purchasing.
      • All packing and shipping functions are the responsibility of the requestor. They must ensure that glass is packed and shipped in a manner to keep glass from being damaged while in shipment.
        • Package must contain a copy of PO (if required) and the IL's "shipping form" (see below for download). (This is to provide glassblower with a return address to the IL, so IL can track glass inventory.)
        • When glass is returned, IL will contact requestor for pickup.
      • Requestor should have glassblower submit invoices to IL. IL will submit invoices to Accounts Payable for payment. Invoices must have labor and materials costs listed separately. (Invoices must be originals or emailed to IL, Accounts Payable will not accept copies or faxes.)
        Fabrication Work:
    • User's Responsibilities
      • Requestor must obtain quotes from a minimum of 3 glassblowers. Quotes must have labor and materials costs listed separately.
      • Lowest quote will be used unless requestor can demonstrate extenuating circumstances to justify using another quote. Quote should include all needed instructions, drawings, measurements, etc. to ensure a correct quote.
        • If fabrication work is duplication of job done within the last few years, requestor may check with IL to see if previous drawing is still available.
      • Requestor must complete IL's "glasswork form" (see below for download) (including all needed instructions, drawings, measurements, etc.) upon receiving quotes.
        • It is requestor's responsibility to ensure that the IL receives a completed, legible copy of the "glass work form" (and associated paperwork) before paperwork is sent to glassblower with lowest quote.
        • If requestor does not furnish the IL with a completed copy of the form", all costs of the work will be charged to the requestor's department.
      • IL will secure PO for accepted quote and Purchasing will fax PO to glassblower.
      • All fabrication work returned by glassblower should be shipped to the IL for tracking purposes. The IL will contact the requestor for pickup.
      • Have glassblower submit invoices to IL. (IL will submit invoices to Accounts Payable.) Invoices must have labor and materials costs listed separately. (Invoices must be originals or emailed to IL, Accounts Payable will not accept copies or faxes.)
      Instrumentation Laboratory Responsibilities
    • Will have downloadable forms available (click below to download)
    • Will ensure that invoices from glassblowers are submitted for payment.
    • Will track receipt of incoming glass work and alert users when glass is available for pickup.
    • Will charge requestor's department for materials used in glass work.
            Summary
      • In order for the IL to track the amount of glasswork needed and the cost of having the glasswork done, the IL must be the central point for all glasswork. All who expect the IL to pay for any portion of their glasswork must complete the needed paperwork with the IL before having any glass blower  perform any glass work.