Abstract: An end effector apparatus for attachment to an industrial robot for transferring prepressed windshields to an autoclave tub. Vacuum cups engage and secure the windshield to the end effector for transfer of the windshield from an upender conveyor to the tub. A combination spacer clip sensing device and spacer clip retaining device senses the presence of a spacer clip on the top edge of the windshield and holds the clip in place during transfer.

Abstract: Damage-free scores are initiated by engaging a scoring wheel to the surface of a refractory piece with the plane of rotation of the scoring wheel forming an oblique angle to the desired path of damage-free scoring. An aligning force generated by the interaction of the scoring wheel and the refractory piece during relative movement along the desired scoring path pivots the scoring wheel into alignment with the desired path of scoring, which pivoting creates a zone of surface damage which serves to initiate a damage-free score. Facilities are provided to urge the scoring wheel out of alignment with the desired path of scoring, with a magnitude of force less than the aligning force, such that the scoring wheel automatically returns to a pivotally offset initiating position when it is disengaged from the surface of the refractory piece.

Abstract: A damage-free score is initiated in a moving ribbon of glass by projecting grit material toward the surface of the ribbon in a controlled manner to create a selected zone of surface damage thereon. The selected zone of surface damage is then advanced under a scoring wheel sized, shaped, and loaded to generate the damage-free score upon encountering an appropriate zone of surface damage.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a plurality of particles of grit material onto the surface of a refractory piece to be damage-free scored, whereby the entrapment of a particle of grit material between a biased scoring wheel and the surface of the refractory piece generates a zone of surface damage which initiates a damage-free score.

Abstract: Damage free scores are initiated in a refractory piece by advancing a pattern of grit material on the surface of the refractory piece under a properly biased scoring wheel. The grit material is preferably harder than the surface of the refractory piece but not as hard as the scoring surface of the scoring wheel.

Abstract: A damage-free score, e.g., a subsurface score, in a moving refractory piece, e.g., glass, is initiated by imparting vibrations to a damage-free scoring wheel. The damage-free score is increased in depth by the continual impartation of the vibrations during the damage-free scoring of the piece.

Abstract: Scores between leading and trailing edges of an advancing sheet are opened as the sheet moves over score opening wheels having their rotating axis transverse to the path of the sheet. The wheels are moveable along a path transverse to the sheet path to align the wheels with respective one of the scores. Sections cut from the sheet move in a side by side relation over freely rotating wheels mounted on a bowed shaft to space side edges of the adjacent sections to prevent edge damage.