Abstract: A thermal edge finishing process includes preheating at least one cut edge of a glass sheet, laser finishing the edge to a single full continuous radius from a position orthogonal to the edge and in-plane with the glass sheet while continuing to heat the glass, and localized annealing of the edge to reduce residual stress from the laser/thermal treatment of the edge. By the present process, edge stress is reduced considerably, such as to less than 3000 psi, and more preferably to less than 2500 psi, and to as low as 1000 psi in the first 1 mm along the treated edge.

Abstract: A thermal edge-finishing process includes pre-heating an edge of a glass sheet, focused heating inboard of the edge to cause thermal tensioning, laser finishing the edge, and localized annealing of the edge. By stress cancellation, the thermal energy added by a laser edge-finishing operation does not result in as much residual stress. By the present process, residual stress is reduced to below 3000 psi, and more preferably to about 1000 psi, and as low as 600 psi in the first 1 mm along the treated edge.