Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system. The embodiments include a method for three-dimensional printing of an object. The method provides for one or more processors to receive image data of an object to print. The one or more processors receive a position of a light-emitting robot inserted within photosensitive material. The one or more processors initiate movement of the light-emitting robot within the photosensitive material. The one or more processors control navigation of the light-emitting robot through the photosensitive material, based on continual feedback of the position of the light-emitting robot within photosensitive material and the received image data of the object to print, and the one or more processors control activation and deactivation of emitted light of the light-emitting robot, based on the image data of the object to print, wherein the emitted light of the light-emitting robot solidifies the photosensitive material.

Abstract: An improved system and method for forming falling hot glass gobs which will be molded into glass containers in an Individual Section (IS) machine is disclosed which controls the weight, length, and shape of such glass gobs as they are produced. The system includes a gob feeder apparatus and a gob shearing mechanism a controller using models being used to correlate the effect of a number of feeder control settings on gob weight, length, and, shape. The controller is configured to adjust various feeder control settings based on a prioritized order of the feeder control settings such that gobs having different physical characteristics for different ones of the individual sections can be produced during a single machine cycle. By implementing the models, a closed loop system has been developed to set up controls to achieve the desired gob forming for each individual section and cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for trimming a float glass strip that has a normal or structured surface, comprising the following features: a) a cutting slide having a lower running rail and a cutting slide having an upper running rail for a bottom cut for a structured surface or a top cut for a normal surface, wherein both running rails are arranged at an acute angle to the running direction of the glass strip and this angled position can be adjusted; b) a number of counter pressure rollers for the lower cutting slide; c) a hold-down apparatus (6) having a breaking roller (20) and a front hold-down roller (21) for a bottom cut; d) a hold-down apparatus (15) having a breaking roller (14) and a rear hold-down roller (18) for a top cut; e) apparatuses (10, 11, 12) for measuring the advance speed of the glass strip (11) and the current length of the glass strip.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the process parameters of a machine for producing hollow glass articles, the shape of the produced hollow glass article is measured online by means of at least one camera immediately after its shaping. Deviations from a reference shape are detected, and these deviations are used as the basis of the control. The control is a storage medium that contains a mechanical model describing the functional correlation between a certain pattern of a deformation of the hollow glass article and an adjustment of process parameters. An intervention in the adjustments of process parameters is carried out in accordance with the type of deformation detected.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping at least one glass sheet wherein a lower press ring and an upper press ring are configured to clamp a perimeter section of the glass sheet between the lower press ring and the upper press ring. The apparatus also includes an upper press at least partially disposed within the upper press ring and configured to shape at least a section of the glass sheet inside the perimeter section of the glass sheet, including forming by use of applied vacuum. The inner press may include openings that apply vacuum in selected areas of the inner press to vacuum form the ply within the selected areas. To control the ply on the upper press assembly, vacuum that is applied though passageways in the upper press ring to the gap between the upper press ring and the inner press is controlled through a seal in the gap. The upper press ring includes pivotal joints that increase adjustability of the forming surface of the upper press ring to the face surface of the inner press.

Abstract: There is provided a system of an individual section machine (IS) having a blow side with a mold and a blow head, and a blank side, the system includes a P-Switch valve in fluid communication with an EPVB of the IS machine and with the P-Switch valve configured to control a valve pilot air supply to a predetermined pilot valve. When the P-Switch valve is activated, the blow side mold is set to an OPEN position and the associated blow head is set to an UP position. With the P-Switch valve of the system activated, the blow side machinery cannot be overridden from the blank side of the IS machine.

Abstract: A non-ablative laser machining method and apparatus for cutting facets of a diamond, using a material machining technique involving filamentation by burst ultrafast laser pulses well suited to mass production. Coupled with 3D modeling and the computerized laser machining system, complex geometric surfaces can be created on the diamond. The facets of the diamond need not be planar in configuration, and may incorporate acute as well as oblique angles. This method minimizes the need for diamond polishing, speeds up production, and realizes great reductions in the quantity of lost material from the cutting process.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the process parameters of a machine for producing hollow glass articles, the shape of the produced hollow glass article is measured online by means of at least one camera immediately after its shaping. Deviations from a reference shape are detected, and these deviations are used as the basis of the control. The control is a storage medium that contains a mechanical model describing the functional correlation between a certain pattern of a deformation of the hollow glass article and an adjustment of process parameters. An intervention in the adjustments of process parameters is carried out in accordance with the type of deformation detected.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lithium silicate crystalline or amorphous glass overlaying the top surfaces of zirconia and the manufacturing process thereof. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a lithium silicate glass or lithium silicate crystalline glass with high light transmittance and good coloring characteristics and the manufacturing process thereof, which overlays the top surface of zirconia with high mechanical strength, frameworks, or copings. The lithium silicate crystalline or amorphous glass may include 10-15 wt % Li2O, 71.1-85.0 wt % SiO2, 2-5 wt % P2O5 working as nuclear formation agent, 1-5 wt % Al2O3 to increase glass transition temperature and softening temperature, as well as chemical durability of the glass, and 0.01-1.0 wt % ZrO2 which increases the binding strength of the zirconia substructure.

Abstract: A method for cutting a glass article from a strengthened glass substrate having a surface compression layer and a tensile layer includes forming an edge defect in the surface compression layer on a first edge of the strengthened glass substrate. The method further includes propagating a through vent through the surface compression and tensile layers at the edge defect. The through vent precedes a region of separation along a cut line between the glass article and the strengthened glass substrate.

Abstract: The invention introduces new glasses, and new methods for making glass, glass-ceramics, and/or ceramic articles from inorganic compounds extracted from organic waste streams, including food waste streams, agricultural waste streams, and other organic waste streams with high inorganic oxide content. The organic waste stream can also be extended to human and animal wastes. These glasses will have the same, or improved physical, chemical, and mechanical properties as glasses made from mined minerals, however, the methodology disclosed in this invention will produce a renewable and sustainable inorganic product manufactured from organic waste streams.

Abstract: In order to achieve reproducible operating parameters of the shaping process of an I.S. glassware forming machine, a central control of all blowing and cooling air flows is proposed, in which in accordance with sections a volume flow of the cooling air including the inlet-side and outlet-side temperatures thereof are measured by means of a measuring device (51, 52) and a heat loss which is associated with the section is ascertained. The heat thus removed in sections is compared with standard values, wherein in the event that tolerance zones are exceeded a variation of the volume flow is initiated by the actuation of restrictors (53, 54). All of the sections of the glassware forming machine which are intended for passage of cooling air are monitored in this way, namely on the basis of a determinable heat loss, so that uniform cooling conditions, which are adapted to a mathematical model, and in this respect a reproducible product quality are achieved.

Abstract: Repositionable heater assemblies and methods of controlling temperature of glass in production lines using the repositionable heater assemblies are disclosed. The repositionable heater assembly includes a support frame, a first sled and a second sled each coupled to the support frame with bearing members that allow the first sled and the second sled to translate in a longitudinal direction. Each of the first sled and the second sled include at least one heating element, where the heating elements are spaced apart from the glass ribbon a spacing distance. The first and second sleds are movable in the longitudinal direction to controlling the spacing distance between the heating elements of the first sled and the second sled and the glass ribbon to manage temperature of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sheet glass includes: a re-draw process forming a sheet glass by, heating and softening a glass preform manufactured by float method, and extending the glass preform to a desirable plate thickness. An extension direction in which the glass preform is extended by the re-draw process is 90 degrees with respect to a direction in which molten glass is fed in the float method.

Abstract: A method of welding together pieces that contain substratum includes focusing a laser beam to their common surface between them so the focal point energy melts material in both pieces at the same time. The focused laser beam is set to move in relation of the pieces that do not move in relation to each other with such a velocity that the melted material when getting hard forms a united welded seam. When the surfaces to be joined together are three-dimensional the height position of the laser beam focal point is altered following the measuring results of a light beam that advances in front of the laser beam so that it focuses all the time with a certain accuracy to the common surface.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method of producing glass products from glass product material. Said method comprises the steps of heating the glass product material, shaping the heated glass product material into a glass product, cooling the shaped glass product, and inspecting the shaped glass products by means of at least one sensor sensitive to infrared radiation In said inspecting step a first image of the glass product is taken under a first viewing angle. In addition a second image of said glass product is taken under a second viewing angle which is different from the first viewing angle. The first image is compared with the second image for eliminating parasite reflections. The first and second images are analyzed for detecting whether said glass product is defective or not. An assembly is described for performing said method of producing glass products from glass product material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting a strengthened glass sheet in which, when a strengthened glass sheet 10 including a front surface layer 13 and a rear surface layer 15 which have a residual compressive stress, and an intermediate layer 17 which has an inside residual tensile stress, is cut by moving an irradiation region 22 of a laser beam so as to have a predetermined curvature radius, an irradiation energy per unit irradiation area of a laser beam 20 to be irradiated on the strengthened glass sheet 10 is increased as a curvature radius decreases. Thereby, it is possible to cut a strengthened glass sheet using a laser beam without causing a deterioration of quality.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for supplying a hydrogen gas to a quartz glass manufacturing apparatus including a burner that generates an oxyhydrogen flame when supplied with the hydrogen gas, where the apparatus includes: a first hydrogen supply system that supplies a hydrogen gas in which isomers are in equilibrium; a second hydrogen supply system that supplies a hydrogen gas in which isomers are out of equilibrium; a flow rate control section that includes: a valve that changes a flow rate of the hydrogen gas to be supplied to the burner; a first flow rate measuring section that measures the flow rate of the hydrogen gas to be supplied to the burner by measuring a heat capacity; and a control section that controls the valve in such a manner that a measured value obtained by the first flow rate measuring section approaches a set value input from outside; a second flow rate measuring section that measures the flow rate of the hydrogen gas to be supplied to the burner by measuring a different factor than the

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for managing pulling forces applied to a glass ribbon in a draw apparatus are disclosed. The method includes applying a front-side and a rear-side drive torque to a glass. The method further includes calculating automatically with the at least one electronic controller a front-side and a rear-side average pulling force applied to the glass ribbon and corresponding to a first time period of at least one rotation of the front-side or rear-side stub roller, respectively. The front-side average pulling force and the rear-side average pulling force are compared to establish a pulling force differential between the front-side average pulling force and the rear-side average pulling force. One or more of the front-side drive torque or the rear-side drive torque are modified to decrease the pulling force differential between the front-side average pulling force and the rear-side average pulling force.

Abstract: A pull roll apparatus and method are described herein that can control a cross-draw tension and a down-draw tension of a glass sheet while manufacturing the glass sheet. In one embodiment, the pull roll apparatus includes a first driven stub roll pair, a second driven stub roll pair and a control device (e.g., PLC) that controls the first and second driven stub roll pairs while a first edge portion of the glass sheet is drawn between two vertically downtilted rolls associated with the first driven stub roll pair and while an opposing second edge portion of the glass sheet is drawn between two vertically downtilted rolls associated with the second driven stub roll pair. If desired, the pull roll apparatus may include a pulling roll assembly (located below the first and second driven stub rolls) or another set of driven stub roll pairs (located below the first and second driven stub roll pairs).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting viscosities of glass materials as a function of temperature and composition are provided. Two fitting parameters (fitting coefficients) are used for each of the viscosity-affecting components contained in the material. The parameters can accurately cover a wide range of temperatures (i.e., a wide range of viscosities) and a wide range of compositions. The viscosity predictions can be used as a guide for glass research as well as in feedback control systems for glass manufacturing processes. Methods and apparatus for predicting glass resistivity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of creating a batch of recycled glass from mixed color glass cullet. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving at a glass plant a weight and color composition percentage of a first batch of mixed color cullet. The glass plant also receives a weight and color composition percentage of a second batch of mixed color cullet. The weight and color composition percentage of the first batch and the second batch are combined to generate a combined weight and composition percentage. The combined weight and composition are percentage are used to generate, automatically at a glass plant, a formulation to produce glass of a desired color.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for trimming a float glass strip that has a normal or structured surface, comprising the following features: a) a cutting slide having a lower running rail and a cutting slide having an upper running rail for a bottom cut for a structured surface or a top cut for a normal surface, wherein both running rails are arranged at an acute angle to the running direction of the glass strip and this angled position can be adjusted; b) a number of counter pressure rollers for the lower cutting slide; c) a hold-down apparatus (6) having a breaking roller (20) and a front hold-down roller (21) for a bottom cut; d) a hold-down apparatus (15) having a breaking roller (14) and a rear hold-down roller (18) for a top cut; e) apparatuses (10, 11, 12) for measuring the advance speed of the glass strip (11) and the current length of the glass strip.

Abstract: A spray nozzle is used in a process of quenching a hot glass sheet during a laser scoring process or other high energy glass heating process. The nozzle is located in proximity to the glass sheet, creating gas in the liquid used to quench the glass while in the nozzle. The gas is removed from the quenching liquid. Then, the spray nozzle is used to spray the quenching liquid onto the sheet at a location trailing laser scoring of the sheet. The spray nozzle has a purge opening and tubing leading to a discharge location, and can have a sloped passageway that pre-stages gas bubbles near the purge opening. The spray nozzle can include a cooling coil passing around the nozzle passageway to cool the quenching liquid passing through the nozzle, and increase the solubility of bubbles in the quenching liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing glass ribbon includes a control device configured at least periodic thermal stress compensation of the glass ribbon by independently adjusting operation of a plurality of temperature adjustment elements based on stress characteristic information at least periodically obtained from a stress sensor apparatus. In further examples, methods of producing glass include at least periodically sensing a stress characteristic of a glass ribbon and at least periodically changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon based stress characteristic information. In further examples, methods include the step of changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon only if a measured parameter is within an operating range associated with the parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating substrates are disclosed, as are articles formed from the separated substrates. A method of separating a substrate having first and second surfaces includes directing a beam of laser light to pass through the first surface and, thereafter, to pass through the second surface. The beam of laser light has a beam waist located at a surface of the substrate or outside the substrate. Relative motion between the beam of laser light and the substrate is caused to scan a spot on a surface of the substrate to be scanned along a guide path. Portions of the substrate illuminated within the spot absorb light within the beam of laser light so that the substrate can be separated along the guide path.

Abstract: A glass-plate manufacturing method employing a down-draw process includes: a forming step of forming a sheet glass by making a molten glass flow downward along opposite side surfaces of a forming member and merge at a lower section of the forming member; and a cooling step of cooling the sheet glass while drawing the sheet glass downward with rollers. In the cooling step, an above-glass-strain-point temperature control step is performed which is a step of performing a temperature control in the width direction of the sheet glass in a temperature region ranging from the lower section of the forming member to where the temperature of the sheet glass falls below a temperature region near the glass strain point, and includes: first, second and third temperature control steps as defined herein.

Abstract: A method comprises flowing an oxidant and a fuel into a submerged combustion burner in a glass tank furnace, the glass tank furnace receiving a feed of glass forming material and producing molten glass, the burner and furnace comprising a melting system. The melting system has a variable system vibration and/or oscillation due to the nature of submerged combustion. One method includes predicting a value of at least one property, such as viscosity, of the molten glass using the variable system vibration and/or oscillation.

Abstract: A cover glass element can extend to the edges of an electronic device while maintaining the optical flatness and thickness needed for the cover glass. A first glass sheet with the desired thickness and flatness can be thermally bonded to a second glass sheet machined to include an opening to be received by the edges of the electronic device. The resulting three-dimensional cover element forms a uni-body frame that is significantly stiffer than a single sheet of glass, and the larger surface area of the edge provides for enhances pressure distribution, particularly after chemical strengthening, thus enhancing the durability of the electronic device. Further, the thermal bonding process uses lower temperatures than processes such as slumping or pressing, which could potentially affect the flatness and optical clarity of the original sheet glass.

Abstract: A dwell time control system and method for automatically adjusting the selection and timing of a sequence of pressures used to drive the plunger in a parison mold during the parison forming process. The timing of characteristics of the observed press curve from one or more previous parison forming cycles are ascertained and used to control the timing of the changes in pressure during a subsequent parison forming cycle. The timings of these changes of pressure are determined as predetermined percentages of the timings of the characteristics in order to prevent the blow mold from being forced open and in order to prevent the occurrence of an overpressed finish.

Abstract: A method keeps the width of the manufactured sheet substantially the same by attaching edge directors for the formed sheet to the manufacturing apparatus structure instead of to the forming block. Thus, sheet glass may be manufactured to specification for a longer time with the same forming block. An additional method adjusts the width of the manufactured sheet by changing the distance between the edge directors. Thus sheet glass may be manufactured to different width specifications with the same forming block.

Abstract: A method keeps the width of the manufactured sheet substantially the same by attaching edge directors for the formed sheet to the manufacturing apparatus structure instead of to the forming block. Thus, sheet glass may be manufactured to specification for a longer time with the same forming block. An additional method adjusts the width of the manufactured sheet by changing the distance between the edge directors. Thus sheet glass may be manufactured to different width specifications with the same forming block.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for temperature monitoring of Horizontal Tempering and bending system (HTBS) furnace in glass industries. The present invention improves furnace heaters shut down performance, thereby causing longer lifetime for furnace equipments. The present invention further increases transparency for output tempered and bent glass. The present invention discloses multiple sensors for temperature control of the furnace, wherein said sensors provide a precise and accurate measurement of the glass temperature separately. After acquiring sensors data, the fusion process is done using Bayesian approach in order to achieve more accurate values for glass temperature, thereby enhancing the system performance and decreasing the number of unnecessary emergency shut downs (unnecessary ESDs) of the furnace heating elements, which are produced due to false alarms.

Abstract: A micro-optical element for use with an edge-emitting laser diode bar stack, the element comprising a plurality of spaced apart fast-axis collimators formed as a monolithic array, wherein the spacing between the collimators in the fast-axis varies across the micro-optic element. A method of manufacturing a micro-optical element for use with a laser diode bar stack, using a wavelength stabilized CO2 laser is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for force-fit connecting glass-like components to metals, particularly for connecting a glass plate (2) to a large-scale mounting element (19) as a central connecting element, particularly made of metal, having the following characteristics: a) an input and control device (6) for inputting process data, b) a storage and positioning device (15) for supplying individual fastener elements (1) as support elements of a central connection element (20), c) having mounting and fixing means (3) for fixing a glass plate (2), d) a thickness measuring device (7) for measuring the thickness of each of the components to be connected and layers of the same, e) a measuring machine (8) for measuring the resonant frequency of the glass plate (2) and a surface sensor (10) for determining the roughness of the glass plate (2), f) a sliding device (11) for pressing together the components to be connected by means of an ultrasonic horn (4), g) a device for generating ultrasonics by

Abstract: The present invention significantly modifies “The Overflow Process”. It includes a method and apparatus for measuring glass flow rate and maintaining a constant glass flow rate. It also embodies design features and methods that support and stress the forming apparatus in a manner such that the deformation that results from thermal creep is corrected, thus minimizing the effect of the thermal creep on the thickness variation of the glass sheet. The present invention also embodies design features that change the process from a single step (combined flow distribution and cooling) to a two step process; step one being flow distribution and step two being cooling.

Abstract: A display device including a holding device that can be placed on the head of a user, an image generating module fixed to the holding device and generating an image, and a multifunction glass that is fixed to the holding device and has a coupling in area and a coupling out area. The image produced is coupled into the multifunction glass via the coupling in area, guided in the multifunction glass to the coupling in area, and extracted via the coupling out area, in such a way that the user can perceive the coupled out image superimposed on the surroundings when the holding device is placed on the head of the user. The coupling in area has a Fresnel structure causing a folding of the beam path when the image is injected into the multifunction glass, said structure having an imaging property.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a hollow glass product using an I.S. machine and a robot that can move alongside blank molds of the I.S. machine, wherein the robot is capable of replacing one or more blank molds, section after section. The I.S. machine for manufacturing hollow glass products includes a robot that can move alongside the blank molds, and the robot is capable of carrying plural tools having different functions, simultaneously and/or alternately, chosen from an electromagnet, and/or a spray tube for greasing by spraying, and/or an optical pyrometer, an infrared or equivalent viewing port, and/or a rotary abrasive tool, and/or a camera or equivalent.

Abstract: The method of evaluating an optical defect in a transparent material includes irradiating the material with light to produce scattered light from the defect, rotating the material about a rotation axis passing through the defect, measuring scattered light intensity at a scattering angle (?s) to the rotation axis by means of a detector, determining the dependence of the measured scattered light intensity on rotation angle (?s) around the rotation axis and characterizing size and/or shape of the defect from that dependence. The apparatus for performing the method has a light source, a rotatable holder for the transparent material, a light sensitive receiving device and an imaging optical system for imaging scattered light from the material within a certain angular range on a detector surface of the receiving device.

Abstract: There are the steps of conveying a glass plate by a roller conveyor including a plurality of rollers; and moving a roller in contact with the glass plate in conveyance to position the glass plate so as to conform a posture of the glass plate to a reference posture.

Abstract: Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a system for and method of analyzing and cleaning a cullet stream prior to bottle manufacturing. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the system includes a raw materials feeder, a mixing stage, a melting stage, a bottle-forming stage, a cooling/annealing stage, an inspection stage, and a batch controller. The raw materials feeder further includes a cullet bin within which is cullet supply, a feeder, an analysis device, and removal assembly. Certain preferred embodiments of the method include the steps of feeding cullet onto the conveyor, performing real-time composition analysis of the cullet, removing contaminants from the cullet, determining whether the cullet batch is consistent with a predetermined tolerance threshold, adjusting the glass batch formulation, sending the batch ingredients to the mixing stage, and then completing the overall glass manufacturing process.

Abstract: A system for and method of analyzing a cullet stream prior to batch formulation in glass manufacturing. Cullet is fed onto a conveyor where a real-time composition analysis is performed. Contaminants are optionally removed, and a determination is made as to whether the cullet batch color is consistent with a predetermined tolerance threshold. If necessary, the glass batch formulation is modified in view of the cullet analysis. Virgin raw materials requirements of the modified glass batch formulation may then be communicated to the batch controller before sending batch ingredients to the mixing stage and completing the overall glass manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for severing a marked region of a glass strip (1) produced continuously on a conveyor belt (11), having the following characteristics: a) a line (12) highlighting the severing of the marked region is scored on the continuous glass strip (1), b) once the scored line (12) reaches the crusher roll (6), the two lock rolls (7, 8) following the crusher roll (6) are folded away downward, c) once the scored line (12) is located in the region of the highest area of the crusher roll (6), means for shearing off (5) push onto the glass strip (1) and break it off, d) after the broken-off glass piece (10) has dropped, the lock rolls (7, 8, 9) are folded back in the conveyor belt (11), and to a computer program and a machine-readable carrier with the program code thereof.

Abstract: There are the steps of conveying a glass plate by a roller conveyor including a plurality of rollers; and moving a roller in contact with the glass plate in conveyance to position the glass plate so as to conform a posture of the glass plate to a reference posture.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for controlling a glassware molding machine having a number of forming sections, each for successively forming a number of glass articles. The control system has a number of automatisms for controlling respective actuating mechanisms of the machine, which cooperate to form the glass articles; and a central control unit connected individually to the automatisms and having a processing unit configured to control and coordinate activation of the actuating mechanisms of the automatisms. The processing unit is configured to determine the activation times of the actuating mechanisms of the automatisms on the basis of a desired production plan, and to transmit corresponding control signals to the automatisms.

Abstract: A method of a stirring a molten glass which includes an analytical model which may be used to optimize the stirring conditions to minimize refractory metal inclusions which may result from the stirring operation.

Abstract: A control for a glass forming machine is disclosed which receives as an input the event angles used to control the machines operation. These event angles, which define the time in a cycle when each event is turned on and off, are unwrapped to represent times in the glass forming process which takes more than two machine cycles to complete. A computerized model of the unwrapped cycle is defined and a control analyzes the computerized model as a constrained optimization problem to define an optimized schedule of event times and defines a plurality of intermediate event time schedules in an incremental application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a treatment process in safety glass production by means of information representing a load of glass panels. Flat glass panels are conveyed through a heating lehr (2) and a quenching section (22). The treatment process is preceded by using a line camera (6) for reading the information representing a load of glass. This information is used in controlling the treatment process. The load-representing information is supplemented by automated detection of a glass panel's coating or the absence of coating. A glass panel's thickness is also measured. This information about coating and thickness is used in quenching for automated regulation of a quenching time and a blast pressure. Such information is also particularly useful for the automated control of convection heating (3c) included in the heating device.

Abstract: A glass sheet, which has been heated to have a viscosity of not lower than 105 Pa·s and not higher than 108 Pa·s, is pressed against a mold having a certain bending surface to be bent. There are a step for controlling a bending temperature T and a bending time period t for the glass sheet so as to satisfy the following formulas 1 and 2, and a step for bending the glass sheet: 0.05<?<2.00Formula 1 ? = ? 0 t ? P ? ( ? ) ? ? ( T ) ? ? ? Formula ? ? 2 where P(?) is a surface pressure difference (unit: Pa) between a pressure applied on a primary surface of the glass sheet and a pressure applied on a rear surface of the glass sheet at a time ?, t is a bending time period (unit: s), ?(T) is the viscosity (unit: Pa·s) of the glass sheet at a temperature T, and T is a bending temperature (unit: ° C.) at the time ?.

Abstract: Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a system for and method of analyzing and cleaning a cullet stream prior to bottle manufacturing. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the system includes a raw materials feeder, a mixing stage, a melting stage, a bottle-forming stage, a cooling/annealing stage, an inspection stage, and a batch controller. The raw materials feeder further includes a cullet bin within which is cullet supply, a feeder, an analysis device, and removal assembly. Certain preferred embodiments of the method include the steps of feeding cullet onto the conveyor, performing real-time composition analysis of the cullet, removing contaminants from the cullet, determining whether the cullet batch is consistent with a predetermined tolerance threshold, adjusting the glass batch formulation, sending the batch ingredients to the mixing stage, and then completing the overall glass manufacturing process.