Abstract: Embodiments of a method of forming a glass article are disclosed. The methods include supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction different from the first direction without contacting the glass ribbon with a solid material. The glass ribbon may exhibit a viscosity of less than about 108 Poise and a thickness of about 1 mm or less. Embodiments of a glass or glass-ceramic forming apparatus are also disclosed. The apparatus may include a glass feed device for supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and a redirection system disposed underneath the glass feed device for redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction. In one or more embodiments, the redirection system comprising at least one gas bearing system for supplying a gas film to support the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A strengthened glass sheet product as well as process and an apparatus for making the product. The process comprises cooling the glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened glass sheets having improved breakage properties.

Abstract: With regard to a glass substrate 1 according to the present invention, a value of an amendment concentricity AC that has taken into consideration Sk and/or Ku calculated from a shape profile over the whole circumference of an inside hole, or the skewness is within a predetermined range. The glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium can stably read servo information including track information stored on a magnetic disk when the glass substrate is used for an HDD.

Abstract: With regard to a glass substrate 1 according to the present invention, a value of an amendment concentricity AC that has taken into consideration Sk and/or Ku calculated from a shape profile over the whole circumference of an inside hole, or the skewness is within a predetermined range. The glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium can stably read servo information including track information stored on a magnetic disk when the glass substrate is used for an HDD.

Abstract: Vacuum-insulated glass (VIG) windows (10) that employ glass-bump spacers (50) and two or more glass panes (20) are disclosed. The glass-bump spacers are formed in the surface (24) of one of the glass panes (20) and consist of the glass material from the body portion (23) of the glass pane. Thus, the glass-bump spacers are integrally formed in the glass pane, as opposed to being discrete spacer elements that need to be added and fixed to the glass pane. Methods of forming VIG windows are also disclosed. The methods include forming the glass-bump spacers by irradiating a glass pane with a focused beam (112F) from a laser (110). Heating effects in the glass cause the glass to locally expand, thereby forming a glass-bump spacer. The process is repeated at different locations in the glass pane to form an array of glass-bump spacers. A second glass pane is brought into contact with the glass-bump spacers, and the edges (28F, 28B) sealed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for measuring the asymmetry of glass-sheet manufacturing processes. The methods include subjecting glass sheets or test samples taken from glass sheets to an ion-exchange process and measuring warp values. Metrics for the asymmetry of the glass-sheet manufacturing process are then obtained from the warp values. In one embodiment, the metric is independent of the geometry of the glass sheets or the test samples (the BM1 metric); in another embodiment, the metric is independent of the geometry of the glass sheets or the test samples and substantially independent of the ion-exchange process used in the testing (the ASYM metric).

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 sheet bending device includes a sheet shaping rail having a stationary shaping rail portion mounted on a support member and an articulating shaping rail portion pivotally mounted on the support member for movement from a non-shaping position to a shaping position. A retention member limits movement of a sheet to be shaped relative to the stationary shaping rail portion when the articulating shaping rail portion moves to the shaping position. A “cut-to-size” method is also disclosed to shape a sheet for use in making an aircraft transparency.

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 method for manufacturing a disklike glass material comprising the successive molding of multiple pieces of disklike glass material from glass melt. Being suppressed variation over time in the concentration of infrared radiation-absorbing ions contained in the glass melt being molded into the pieces of disklike glass material so that the variation in the sheet thickness of the multiple pieces of disklike glass material falls within a range of ±15 percent of a reference value. The reference value being the median between the maximum value and the minimum value of the sheet thickness of 1,000 pieces of the glass material. In the course of molding multiple pieces of disklike glass material comprised of glass containing 0.1 to 100 ppm of infrared radiation-absorbing ions, vaiiation over time in the concentration of the infrared radiation-absorbing contained in the glass melt is suppressed to suppress variation in the sheet thickness of the multiple pieces of sheet like glass material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for shaping an elongated glass body 81, which is a glass tube or glass rod and has an initial profile, to an elongated glass body having a different profile. In order to be properly shaped, an elongated glass body 81 passes through, in a hot malleable state, a nip, which is formed by squeezing rollers 1 and which has a nip width which is less than an outer dimension of the initial profile. In order to accomplish an enhanced precision of the shaping process, according to the invention the position of at least one of the squeezing rollers is varied continuously so that a contact area between the respective squeezing roller and the hot glass body is varied cyclic reciprocating movement. Disturbing effects such as local overheating of the squeezing rollers or an accumulation of dirt or glass particles on the surface of the squeezing rollers can thus be effectively prevented.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic-disk glass substrate manufacturing method that can reduce the inner diameter dimensional error.

Abstract: Methods for controlling thickness variations across the width of a glass ribbon (104) are provided. The methods employ a set of thermal elements (106) for locally controlling the temperature of the ribbon (104). The operating values for the thermal elements (106) are selected using an iterative procedure in which thickness variations measured during a given iteration are employed in a mathematical procedure which selects the operating values for the next iteration. In practice, the method can bring thickness variations of glass sheets within commercial specifications in just a few iterations, e.g., 2-4 iterations.

Abstract: A method for specifying the material of glass or glass ceramic components by either the minimum service life of a component as a function of a predefined mechanical stress or the mechanical resistance as a function of a predefined service life during which mechanical stress occurs. The method enables a leaner dimensioning of mechanically stressed glass and glass ceramic components.

Abstract: In a known process for drawing a quartz glass strand, SiO2 particles are fed to a melting crucible and softened therein to form a quartz glass mass, and the softened quartz glass mass is pulled vertically downward as a quartz glass strand via a drawing nozzle which is provided in the bottom region of the melting crucible and has a gap-like drawing nozzle opening.

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 glass manufacturing apparatus includes a control device configured to modify a predetermined diameter of at least one of a first downstream pair of draw rolls in a first downstream equation based on a monitored actual velocity of a first edge portion of a glass ribbon such that a predetermined ribbon velocity of the first edge portion of the glass ribbon in the first downstream equation changes to substantially match the monitored actual velocity without substantially changing a first downstream angular velocity of the at least one of the first downstream pair of draw rolls. In further examples, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon include the step modifying the predetermined diameter of at least one of a first downstream pair of draw rolls in the first downstream equation based on the monitored actual velocity of the first edge portion of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A shape measuring apparatus includes: an image pick-up section that captures an image of two reflection spot groups of a pattern reflected in a first surface M1 and a second surface of a transparent flat plate and generates an image containing two reflection images separated in a direction perpendicular to a direction of extending; a first surface reflection spot group estimating section that estimates from the image a first surface reflection spot group of the pattern generated by the first surface of the transparent flat plate; an inclination angle calculating section that calculates an inclination angle of the first surface of the transparent flat plate at an estimated position of the first surface reflection spot group; and a surface shape determining section that determines a shape of the first surface of the transparent flat plate based on the calculated inclination angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology capable of measuring three-dimensional shapes by applying a stereo method even in the case that an object has a specular surface. A shape measuring apparatus 1 is equipped with a pattern position specification section 20 (before-movement pattern position specification section, after-movement pattern position specification section), an image capturing position calculation section 30 (before-movement image capturing position calculation section, after-movement image capturing calculation section), a pixel area specification section 40 (second pixel area specification section), an inclination angle calculation section 50 (before-movement inclination angle calculation section, after-movement inclination angle calculation section), a height-direction coordinate determination section 60, and an output section 80.

Abstract: Methods for controlling thickness variations across the width of a glass ribbon (104) are provided. The methods employ a set of thermal elements (106) for locally controlling the temperature of the ribbon (104). The operating values for the thermal elements (106) are selected using an iterative procedure in which thickness variations measured during a given iteration are employed in a mathematical procedure which selects the operating values for the next iteration. In practice, the method can bring thickness variations of glass sheets within commercial specifications in just a few iterations, e.g., 2-4 iterations.

Abstract: A method of producing glass pipettes or glass capillaries for patch-clamp experiments and an apparatus for producing glass pipettes or glass capillaries.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a glass strip, the method including a heating and drawing process of heating and softening a glass plate preform, drawing the glass plate preform to have a desired thickness, and forming a glass strip, wherein at the heating and drawing process, the glass plate preform is drawn so that an internal pressure of a heating furnace is kept positive relative to an atmospheric pressure and so that gas flows introduced to both surfaces of the glass plate preform, respectively are equal to each other within the heating furnace.

Abstract: Methods for controlling thickness variations across the width of a glass ribbon (104) are provided. The methods employ a set of thermal elements (106) for locally controlling the temperature of the ribbon (104). The operating values for the thermal elements (106) are selected using an iterative procedure in which thickness variations measured during a given iteration are employed in a mathematical procedure which selects the operating values for the next iteration. In practice, the method can bring thickness variations of glass sheets within commercial specifications in just a few iterations, e.g., 2-4 iterations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a sheet wafer melts feedstock material in a crucible that is part of a crystal growth furnace, passes a plurality of filaments through the crucible to form a sheet wafer, and cuts a portion of the sheet wafer to form a smaller sheet wafer. The method and apparatus then determine the weight of the smaller sheet wafer, and control the temperature of the melted feedstock material (e.g., by controlling crucible temperature or by interfacing with another temperature control system) as a function of the determined weight.

Abstract: In a known drawing method for producing cylinder-shaped components from quartz glass, a quartz glass strand (10) is drawn in the direction of a drawing axis (12) from a deformation region of a quartz glass mass (9) and pieces having a cutting length (S) are separated therefrom. The cylinder-shaped components are produced from the pieces. In order to provide a simple drawing method for producing quartz glass components, wherein the effects of geometric disruptions, in particular variations in diameter and material rejects, are reduced, the separation of the quartz glass strand (10) is carried out at a separating position (T), wherein the distance of the separating position from the deformation region (9) is set in a way such that a disruption of the quartz glass strand geometry created by the separation lies in an end region of the component to be produced or between two neighboring components during a subsequent separation.

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 method for manufacturing at least one lens of synthetic quartz glass with increased H2 content for an optical system with an operating wavelength of less than 250 nm.

Abstract: An oblong conduit (13) for conditioning molten glass is disclosed. The wall (23) of the conduit is composed of a precious metal, e.g., a platinum-rhodium alloy, and can be equipped with precious metal tabs (29) for supporting the upper surface (25) of the wall so as to reduce sag of that surface at such times as the conduit is at an elevated temperature and is not filled with glass. The precious metal tabs (29) can be received in channels (31) formed in a refractory support structure (27). The refractory support structure (27) can be a laminate of two layers (33,35), where one of the layers (33) has a smaller grain structure than the other layer (35), the layers being held together by an adhesive (37).

Abstract: Methods for controlling thickness variations across the width of a glass ribbon (104) are provided. The methods employ a set of thermal elements (106) for locally controlling the temperature of the ribbon (104). The operating values for the thermal elements (106) are selected using an iterative procedure in which thickness variations measured during a given iteration are employed in a mathematical procedure which selects the operating values for the next iteration. In practice, the method can bring thickness variations of glass sheets within commercial specifications in just a few iterations, e.g., 2-4 iterations.

Abstract: A method and device for making high precision glass forms (110). A glass rod (1) is pushed into a melting tube (47) and the glass form is pulled from the chamber. Preferably, both the push rate and the pull rate are controlled. Fiber optic glass ferrules and other components manufactured by the use of this invention have precision dimensions that fall well within the tight dimensional tolerances required for ferrules and others.

Abstract: The method of making thin glass panes includes conveying a glass melt through a vertical inlet to a drawing tank with a slit nozzle; drawing a glass ribbon downward from the slit nozzle; setting a total throughput by setting length and cross section of the inlet and by heating and cooling the inlet to control glass melt viscosity so that pressure in the inlet decreases; and setting a throughput per unit of length in a lateral direction along the glass ribbon via nozzle system geometry and by heating and cooling of the drawing tank and slit nozzle to control melt viscosity, so that glass does not wet an underside of the slit nozzle near a breaking edge. The setting of the total throughput and the throughput per unit length are largely decoupled to simplify process control. An inventive apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

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 invention relates to a method for producing iridescent crystal glass. The glass products produced with the method of present invention have the advantages of good streamline shape, natural color transition, and excellent visual effect, etc.; the method is helpful for accelerating product upgrade, improving product appearance and visual effects, and enhancing competence of products. Therefore, we paint iridescent crystal ink on glass products, and add patterns suitable for household electric appliances and buildings, thereby greatly improving the appearance of the product. In addition, due to the high safety performance of toughened glass and suitability of patterns and colors, iridescent crystal glass products have been accepted by the consumers gradually. The method comprises the following steps: a. cutting; b. edge processing; c. toughening; d. ink preparation; e. iridescent crystal printing; f.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic-disk glass substrate manufacturing method that can reduce the inner diameter dimensional error.

Abstract: The present invention has for its objects to provide a method for manufacturing a disklike glass material for the mass production of information recording media substrate-use materials of constant sheet thickness, to provide a method for manufacturing an information recording medium-use substrate from the material thus manufactured, and to provide a method for manufacturing an information recording medium. The provided is a method for manufacturing a disklike glass material comprising the successive molding of multiple pieces of disklike glass material from glass melt. Being suppressed variation over time in the concentration of infrared radiation-absorbing ions contained in the glass melt being molded into said pieces of disklike glass material so that the variation in the sheet thickness of said multiple pieces of disklike glass material falls within a range of ±15 percent of a reference value.

Abstract: A glass ribbon producing apparatus (1) which feeds molten glass (Y) to a forming member (2) and causes the molten glass (Y) to flow downward from the forming member (2) to form a sheet-like glass ribbon (G) includes reheating portion (5) provided on a transport route for the glass ribbon (G) caused to flow downward from the forming member (2), and is configured so that the glass ribbon (G) is reheated by the reheating portion (5) to cause the sheet thickness of the glass ribbon (G) below the reheating portion (5) to be smaller than that of the glass ribbon (G) thereabove.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation-shielding glass, including a glass composition in % by mass of 10 to 35% SiO2, 55 to 80% PbO, 0 to 10% B2O3, 0 to 10% Al2O3, 0 to 10% SrO, 0 to 10% BaO, 0 to 10% Na2O, and 0 to 10% K2O, in which the radiation-shielding glass has a total light transmission at a wavelength of 400 nm at a thickness of 10 mm of 50% or higher. Also provided is a radiation-shielding glass which has the similar glass composition and can be used for a gamma-ray shielding glass for a PET examination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the process used in the heat treatment of glass measures the quality of the glass following the heat treatment process. Inputs to the control system for the heat treatment process derive from the automated inspection of glass following heat treatment. Outputs from the control system for the heat treatment process may adjust one or more parameters in the heat treatment process including a furnace or heating setting, a transport setting, and a quench or cooling setting.

Abstract: An on-line thickness gauge (OLTG) and method are described herein that are capable of measuring a thickness of a moving glass substrate. In the preferred embodiment, the OLTG includes a Y-guide and a stabilizing unit that respectively captures and stabilizes the moving glass substrate. The OLTG also includes a laser instrument which contains a laser source and a detector. The laser source emits a beam at the front surface of the moving glass substrate. And, the detector receives two beams one of which was reflected by the front surface of the moving glass substrate and the other beam which was reflected by the back surface of the moving glass substrate. The OLTG further includes a processor that analyzes the two beams received by the detector to determine a distance between the two beams which is then used to determine the thickness of the moving glass substrate.

Abstract: A method and forming system (10) having particular utility for making outer and inner formed windshield glass sheets provide glass sheet positioning centrally on a forming face (34) of a forming mold (32) to form each glass sheet to a design shape regardless of any size difference between the glass sheets from one cycle to the next.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring safety glass production or controlling a treatment process, such as a tempering process. Information representing a load of glass panels is used in controlling a treatment process, such as heating of glass panels, or in monitoring production. The information, which includes at least one of the following: shape, size, and position, is read with one or more cameras (6). This is possible as glass is made visible by means of reflected light as high intensity light is applied to the glass surface. The line camera (6) is used for receiving low intensity background light radiation incident through the glass conveying plane, a substantial increase in its intensity, as light is reflected by glass, being deciphered as glass.

Abstract: The method of making thin glass panes includes conveying a glass melt through a vertical inlet to a drawing tank with a slit nozzle; drawing a glass ribbon downward from the slit nozzle; setting a total throughput by setting length and cross section of the inlet and by heating and cooling the inlet to control glass melt viscosity so that pressure in the inlet decreases; and setting a throughput per unit of length in a lateral direction along the glass ribbon via nozzle system geometry and by heating and cooling of the drawing tank and slit nozzle to control melt viscosity, so that glass does not wet an underside of the slit nozzle near a breaking edge. The setting of the total throughput and the throughput per unit length are largely decoupled to simplify process control. An inventive apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a quality control method and a quality control apparatus for use in the formation of a glass product. A feeder mechanism cuts a column-like molten glass pushed out through an orifice thereof into a glass gob and allows each glass gob to fall with gravity from the orifice. A predetermined glass product is formed from the glass gob after delivering the fallen glass gob to a predetermined position. According to the present invention, the glass gob produced by the feeder mechanism is observed by a plurality of optical observing means spaced apart from each other during a falling process of the glass gob, and three-dimensional coordinates data of the entire surface of the glass gob is generated. Measurement data relating to at least one of a volume, a weight, a surface shape, a length, a thickness, an angle in a falling direction, and a cut surface shape of the glass gob is produced based on the three-dimensional coordinates data.

Abstract: According to a prior art method for producing a cylindrical component comprised of silica glass, a cylinder comprised of a softened silica glass mass is drawn in a predetermined drawing direction along a drawing axis by means of a drawing device which acts upon said cylinder. The aim of the invention is to provide a method which prevents, to the greatest possible extent, warping of the drawn cylinder and other deviations from the ideal cylinder dimensions and to prevent, to the greatest possible extent, the outer surface of the drawn cylinder from being touched. To these ends, the invention provides that the drawing device comprises a plurality of guide elements which are arranged one behind the other along the drawing axis, and which can be displaced independently of one another in a drawing direction and in a direction opposite thereto.

Abstract: A method of making a capillary splice includes applying pressure to a bore in a tube, applying heat to a portion of the tube to soften the portion of the tube, and forming a bubble within the bore in the heated portion under the influence of the pressure and heat. While forming the bubble, a diameter of the bore at the heated portion is measured to determine when the bubble has enlarged to a target size. When the bubble has enlarged to the target size, a force is applied along an axial axis of the tube to shape the bubble to a desired size.

Abstract: The invention concerns an automated method for producing a blown glass body, in particular a glass wall of an electrochemical sensor, wherein an immersion tube (10), through which air or gas can flow, is immersed into molten glass an amount of molten glass from the molten glass mass, and wherein the (8) and subsequently withdrawn to remove removed glass is blown into the form of the glass body to be produced by means of the air or gas flowing through the immersion tube (10), comprising the following features:—the position of the surface (42) of the molten glass (8) in the adjustment direction of the immersion tube (10) is determined; an adjustment means (18) for the immersion tube (10) is controlled in correspondence with the determined position of the surface (42) such that the free end of the immersion tube is first immersed into the molten glass mass (8) up to a certain predetermined immersion depth (h) of molten glass; and then removed thereby retaining a predetermined amount—following removal from the mo

Abstract: A new glass lining application method enables stable, uniform glass lining layers to be applied to large glass-lined instruments composed of a stainless base material, the method including forming a thermal spray treatment layer by applying a thermal spray treatment to a surface of a stainless base material using a thermal spray material selected from a group composed of a stainless material identical to the base material, Ni metal, Cr metal, Fe metal, Co metal, Ni—Cr alloys, and Fe—Cr alloys, then forming a glass lining layer on the thermal spray treatment layer by means of a glass lining heat treatment using a ground coat and a cover coat, a surface roughness Rz of the thermal spray treatment layer being within a range from 5 to 100 &mgr;m, and an open pore diameter being within a range from 3 to 60 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a quality control method and a quality control apparatus for use in the formation of a glass product. A feeder mechanism cuts a column-like molten glass pushed out through an orifice thereof into a glass gob and allows each glass gob to fall with gravity from the orifice. A predetermined glass product is formed from the glass gob after delivering the fallen glass gob to a predetermined position. According to the present invention, the glass gob produced by the feeder mechanism is observed by a plurality of optical observing means spaced apart from each other during a falling process of the glass gob, and three-dimensional coordinates data of the entire surface of the glass gob is generated. Measurement data relating to at least one of a volume, a weight, a surface shape, a length, a thickness, an angle in a falling direction, and a cut surface shape of the glass gob is produced based on the three-dimensional coordinates data.

Abstract: A method for processing a preform supported with a stationary chuck and a movable chuck of a glass-working lathe comprises providing a burner of a type which is able to create flame-controlled conditions by controlling flow rates of a flammable gas and a supporting gas wherein the supporting gas is discharged from at least one group of discharge pipes co-axially classified into plural groups that are, respectively, controllable with respect to a gas flow rate. The preform is processed under the flame-controlled conditions. A burner system and a preform processing apparatus comprising the burner system, both suited for realizing the method, are also described.

Abstract: A glass composition to be softened is fed to a heating zone and is shaped continuously into a cylindrical component in a deformation zone, and the cross-sectional geometry of the component is determined. A feed device, a heating device, and a take-off device are provided, and a glass composition is supplied continuously by the feed device to the heating device, where it is softened, the component being formed from the softened glass composition by means of the take-off device under formation of a deformation zone. To produce a component with only slight deviations from the desired cross-sectional geometry and to provide a flexible apparatus suitable for this purpose, the glass composition is locally heated or cooled in at least one deformation area, which extends over only a part of the circumference of the deformation zone, as a function of a determined deviation of the cross-sectional geometry from a nominal geometry.