Abstract: A window processing system is disclosed for fabricating window frames. A welding station has welding heads to weld or fuse vinyl frame parts together. The frames are taken to a cleaning station having a number of cleaning heads that are independently actuated to move into a position relative selected portions of the window frame to clean off burrs, weld beads etc from the welded window frame. The cleaning process involves both training of a controller to recognize certain frame profiles and a compensation process for adjusting the cleaning process for individual variations in the frame that occur during fabrication. Real-time cleaning involves coupling a visual sensor to a moving support that also supports a cleaning tool.

Abstract: A system that delivers window or door components to an assembly station where multiple components are assembled to form a multi-sided window or door frame or sash. A preparation station in proximity to the assembly station includes an alignment fixture for bringing multiple frame or sash components into alignment while a preceding frame or sash is being assembled at the assembly station. A conveyor moves aligned components of a next subsequent frame or sash to the assembly station while maintaining the alignment of said window components for clamping at the assembly station prior to assembly. One system is used to assemble vinyl door or window components by welding them together.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. A spacer frame separates spaced apart window panes in an insulating glass unit for use in fabricating a window The spacer includes an elongated frame that is bent into a multi-sided closed form having outwardly facing surfaces for supporting the spaced window panes. An intermediate or bridging body portion of the frame transmits heat between the spaced window panes. Thermal interruptions in this intermediate body portion disrupt heat flow to raise the inside window temperature in winter and lower it in summer. This is referred to as the warm edge value.

Abstract: A system for abrading and scoring glass. An abrading/scoring station includes a table for supporting a large sheet of glass on a generally flat support. A first tool support moves an abrading tool for abrading a coating material from the glass. A second tool support moves a scoring or cutting tool that scores a region of the glass. By coordinating a movement of the first and second tool supports with respect to a piece of glass, a controller causes the respective tools to first abrade and then score controlled paths on the piece of glass while avoiding contact between the first and second tool supports and their respective tools.

Abstract: A glass cutting station having a controller that lays out a pattern of lites to be cut from set of glass sheets to fulfill the lite requirements of a multiple number of cutting batches. The controller identifies one or more underutilized glass sheets in a first set of glass sheets that have free space with no lites designated to be cut in the first batch. The controller also lays out a pattern of lites to be cut to fulfill the lite requirements of an additional or second batch in the number of batches by utilizing at least some of the free space on the underutilized glass sheets of the first set of glass sheets. Additionally the controller designates other glass sheets from which to cut other lites in the additional batch. If, after this process is performed, additional free space is identified, the controller can continue to lay out the sheet with standard or filler lites that fill up the additional underutilized space of a glass sheet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar. A supply of sheet material having a finished surface on at least one side in the form of a coiled ribbon is unwound and fed along a strip path of travel to a punch station. At the punch station a ribbon punching mechanism punches the ribbon at a precisely predetermined locations along the ribbon to form one of a plurality notch patterns that define a portion of a contoured muntin bar. Downstream along the travel path from the punch station the ribbon is fed through a forming station having a succession of forming rolls that define a succession of forming roll nips to bend the ribbon and form a generally closed cross-sectional tube. The rolls form a number of bending stages to produce a muntin bar tube having a contoured shape with raised sides to provide an attractive appearance to a muntin grid.

Abstract: A glass cutting station having a controller that lays out a pattern of lites to be cut from set of glass sheets to fulfill the lite requirements of a multiple number of cutting batches. The controller identifies one or more underutilized glass sheets in a first set of glass sheets that have free space with no lites designated to be cut in the first batch. The controller also lays out a pattern of lites to be cut to fulfill the lite requirements of an additional or second batch in the number of batches by utilizing at least some of the free space on the underutilized glass sheets of the first set of glass sheets. Additionally the controller designates other glass sheets from which to cut other lites in the additional batch.

Abstract: A glass cutting station having a controller that lays out a pattern of lites to be cut from set of glass sheets to fulfill the lite requirements of a multiple number of cutting batches. The controller identifies one or more underutilized glass sheets in a first set of glass sheets that have free space with no lites designated to be cut in the first batch. The controller also lays out a pattern of lites to be cut to fulfill the lite requirements of an additional or second batch in the number of batches by utilizing at least some of the free space on the underutilized glass sheets of the first set of glass sheets. Additionally the controller designates other glass sheets from which to cut other lites in the additional batch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar. A supply of sheet material having a finished surface on at least one side in the form of a coiled ribbon is unwound and fed along a strip path of travel to a punch station. At the punch station a ribbon punching mechanism punches the ribbon at a precisely predetermined locations along the ribbon to form one of a plurality notch patterns that define a portion of a contoured muntin bar. Downstream along the travel path from the punch station the ribbon is fed through a forming station having a succession of forming rolls that define a succession of forming roll nips to bend the ribbon and form a generally closed cross-sectional tube. The rolls form a number of bending stages to produce a muntin bar tube having a contoured shape with raised sides to provide an attractive appearance to a muntin grid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar. A supply of sheet material having a finished surface on at least one side in the form of a coiled ribbon is unwound and fed along a strip path of travel to a punch station. At the punch station a ribbon punching mechanism punches the ribbon at a precisely predetermined locations along the ribbon to form one of a plurality notch patterns that define a portion of a contoured muntin bar. Downstream along the travel path from the punch station the ribbon is fed through a forming station having a succession of forming rolls that define a succession of forming roll nips to bend the ribbon and form a generally closed cross-sectional tube. The rolls form a number of bending stages to produce a muntin bar tube having a contoured shape with raised sides to provide an attractive appearance to a muntin grid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar. A supply of sheet material having a finished surface on at least one side in the form of a coiled ribbon is unwound and fed along a strip path of travel to a punch station. At the punch station a ribbon punching mechanism punches the ribbon at a precisely predetermined locations along the ribbon to form one of a plurality notch patterns that define a portion of a contoured muntin bar. Downstream along the travel path from the punch station the ribbon is fed through a forming station having a succession of forming rolls that define a succession of forming roll nips to bend the ribbon and form a generally closed cross-sectional tube. The rolls form a number of bending stages to produce a muntin bar tube having a contoured shape with raised sides to provide an attractive appearance to a muntin grid.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar. A supply of sheet material having a finished surface on at least one side in the form of a coiled ribbon is unwound and fed along a strip path of travel to a punch station. At the punch station a ribbon punching mechanism punches the ribbon at a precisely predetermined locations along the ribbon to form one of a plurality notch patterns that define a portion of a contoured muntin bar. Downstream along the travel path from the punch station the ribbon is fed through a forming station having a succession of forming rolls that define a succession of forming roll nips to bend the ribbon and form a generally closed cross-sectional tube. The rolls form a number of bending stages to produce a muntin bar tube having a contoured shape with raised sides to provide an attractive appearance to a muntin grid.

Abstract: A connector for a power module to selectively engage metallic pads positioned on the backplate printed circuit board is disclosed. The connector includes a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts positioned such that the first set of contacts makes engagement with the metallic pads before the second set of contacts make such engagement. The contacts are capable of carrying relatively high current.