Abstract: An integrated glass cutting and laser marking table includes a main table, at least one bridge, at least one carriage, a glass cutting head and laser marking unit. Each bridge extends across the main table, wherein each bridge is movable along the length of the table. Each carriage is moveable along the length of each bridge in a direction generally transverse to the table length. The cutting head is mounted on a carriage with the cutting head selectively engaged with the work piece. The laser marking unit is also mounted on a carriage and with the laser marking unit selectively engaged with the work piece. One embodiment has separate bridges and carriages, a second embodiment has a common bridge and separate carriages, and a third embodiment has a common bridge and a common carriage. The laser marking unit may be retrofitted to existing cutting tables.

Abstract: A glass product cutting line includes a CNC cutting table, a sheet feeding device for feeding glass sheets to the glass cutting table, a plurality of harp racks, a sorting device and a dynamic cutting line control system. The control system optimizes the workpiece layout on the individual sheets with a biasing favoring individual workpieces assigned to a leading harp rack. The bias tends to cut workpieces of the leading harp rack on leading sheets fill the leading harp rack in a minimum time. The system allows for removal of a filled leading harp rack, by designating a new leading harp rack for the control system, which then dynamically adjusts the bias and associated cutting scheduling.

Abstract: A glass transporting and locating system for a glass cutting table with a bridge extending across the glass cutting table which is movable along the length of the glass cutting table. A glass workpiece feeding table is positioned adjacent the glass cutting table and adapted to support a glass workpiece to be fed to the glass cutting table. At least one vacuum chuck is carried by the bridge at a position which can overlap a glass workpiece supported on the glass workpiece feeding table when the bridge is at one end of the glass cutting table. The system includes a device for aligning the glass workpiece which is supported on the glass workpiece feeding table. The alignment device may include a retractable stop on the bridge or on the glass workpiece feeding table. The retractable stop on the bridge may also be used for advancing finished workpieces off of the glass cutting table. The glass workpiece transporting and locating system is adapted to be easily retrofitted to existing glass cutting tables.

Abstract: A vertical assembly table is designed to automatically assemble an insulated glass window structure consisting of two identical glass lites and an edge seal. The seal is added to one glass lite after washing, but prior to conveying to the vertical assembly table. The vertical assembly table includes two independent conveyor tables, each having a plurality of conveyor rolls. A pivotable subframe is associated with each roller table, with each subframe having a plurality of support arms coupled to a common pivot shaft. Each support arm is positioned between the rolls of the associated roller table. Each subframe is moved between a retracted position below a pass line of the roller table and a transfer position adjacent the other subframe in the transfer position. A transfer mechanism is provided for transferring a glass workpiece from one subframe to the adjacent subframe when the subframes are in the transfer position.

Abstract: A process for cutting glass sheets (10) includes the steps of: scoring each glass sheet on an automatic scoring table (12) having a scoring head (14) moveable on a bridge (16) and a track (18); transporting each scored glass sheet to a breaking table (22) via conveyor (20); floating each scored sheet on a fluid medium on the breaking table; and impacting each scored sheet from above the floated scored sheet to fracture the scored sheet along the score lines (40 and 44). An apparatus for cutting glass sheets includes mechanisms for performing the steps of this process. The fluid medium may be air with the impacting performed by a vacuum workholder (26) consisting of an arm (30) raised and lowered by pneumatic cylinders (32), the arm supporting a plurality of vacuum cups (28) engaging the workpiece (42) for subsequent transportation.

Abstract: A plasma cutting table includes an open frame table, a movable bridge extending across the table and a gas evacuation system. A pair of opposed plenums are positioned adjacent the table on opposite sides of the table extending along the general length of the table with each plenum forming a channel. A hopper extends across an underside of the table and is attached to the bridge to be movable relative to the table with the bridge. A pair of conduits extend from the hopper to each channel, respectively, wherein each conduit is slidably positioned in the channel formed by the respective plenum. A flexible sealing member is attached to an upper side of each plenum forming a seal between the conduit and the plenum. The flexible sealing member includes a pair of strips of flexible material extending the length of the plenum on opposed sides of the plenum, wherein the conduit is received between the pair of strips of flexible material.

Abstract: A rectangular glass workpiece positioning system and method of use for a cutting table is disclosed. A conveyor transports a rectangular glass workpiece in a transporting direction. A stop mechanism is adapted to abut an edge of the glass workpiece which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the transporting direction of the conveyor. A movable edge sensor is adapted to sense an edge of the glass workpiece extending substantially parallel to the transporting direction with the movable edge sensor movable at least perpendicular to the transporting direction. A movable cutting head is provided for cutting the glass workpiece according to a predetermined pattern. The present invention additionally includes a method of retrofitting existing cutting tables.

Abstract: A sealant strip applying system (10) is for applying a sealant strip (12) to a top surface of a sheet material (16) adjacent to a plurality of straight edges (18, 20) thereof. The system (10) is configured to support the sheet material (16) and to produce the controlled repositioning thereof on an air flotation table (30) with each edge (18, 20) being selectively aligned with a front edge (34) of the table (30). The sealant strip (12) is successively applied to each edge (18, 20) by a sealant strip applicator (50) that is supported by the air flotation table (30) and mounted for selective movement along the front edge (34) thereof.

Abstract: A glass washing machine for washing and drying glass workpieces incorporates a variety of noise reduction features. These noise reduction features include the use of tight-fitting, sound-reducing panels, a separate blower in a substantially enclosed space, a greater spacing of a washing section from a drying section, isolation mounting of individual air knives, air supply to the individual air knives substantially along their length, concentric air supply pipes leading from the blower and lateral labyrinth type vents in the drying section.

Abstract: A bead or caulking material is applied to a workpiece, such as a window frame, utilizing a moveable carriage holding a bead dispensing nozzle thereon. The nozzle is mounted on a platform moveable relative to the carriage. The carriage is moved along a predetermined path relative to the workpiece. Bead or caulking material is simultaneously dispensed from the nozzle onto the workpiece. Additionally throughout the movement of the carriage, the nozzle and platform are biased to maintain engagement between a guide surface mounted on the nozzle and a reference surface. The reference surface may be formed as a portion of the workpiece. The platform may include a pair of orthogonally arranged slides with piston cylinder assemblies utilized for biasing each of the respective slides. Sensors may be provided on each of the cylinders for sensing biasing parameters relating to the biasing of the nozzle and the platform with the sensed parameters utilized for controlling the movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A table for cutting, grinding or otherwise machining a frangible workpiece includes a conveyor for receiving, supporting and selectively moving the workpiece on the table and a carriage mounted for moving both parallel to the centerline of the table and perpendicular to the centerline of the table. A machine tool for machining the workpiece, such as a cutting head or grinding head, is mounted on the carriage above the conveyor. A first linear motor mechanism is mounted below the conveyor in an area protected from the machining environment for moving the carriage parallel to the centerline of the table. A second linear motor mechanism moves the carriage perpendicular to the centerline.

Abstract: An air flotation assembly table utilized in the application of sealant strip material to the perimeter edges of sheet material, the assembly table having a flat work surface upon which the flat sheet material, such as a glass sheet, is placed for applying the sealant strip material to successive perimeter edges thereof. The flat work surface has a plurality of spaced-apart air holes through which air is emitted to float the sheet material slightly thereabove. In combination with the assembly table there is included a vacuum cup assembly for linearly positioning the sheet material so that an edge of the sheet material is presented to the workman, the vacuum cup assembly further including a vacuum cup for adhering to the sheet material, and a lift shaft for raising and lowering the vacuum cup. The vacuum cup assembly is mounted to a carriage which is selectively actuated for linear movement by a band cylinder.

Abstract: An oven unit for heat treating sealant strip material applied to the perimeter edges of a window unit includes an oven box having a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls and an upstream end for receiving the window unit and a downstream end for egress of the window unit after heat treating. The window unit is conveyed through the oven box by a plurality of rollers extending between each sidewall and arranged from the entrance end to the exit end. Interspersed among the rollers and located immediately adjacent and below the window unit are a plurality of lower emitters for generating and directing radiant heat energy upon the sealant strip material. An upper row of spaced-apart emitters also directs radiant heat energy upon the sealant material.

Abstract: In stationary equipment including a system for successively conveying curved glass sheets in a linear horizontal pathway through washing and rinsing zones, and than a drying zone, upper and lower air knife assemblies are utilized in the drying zone for simultaneously directing pressurized air streams on the opposite broad surfaces of the glass sheets to effect drying action. Each air knife assembly comprises an elongated bendable casing formed into a plenum disposed transverse to the pathway, with each plenum having a longitudinally extending slot serving as an orifice for emitting the air stream against the glass surface. The slot is defined by parallel spaced flexible strips sealed in longitudinal disposition on the casing. The strips, with the casing to which they are sealed, are adapted to be selectively adjustably shaped to generally conform to various glass sheet configurations.

Abstract: A hub assembly comprising a pair of hub members, each having a tubular body or bushing portion which is centrally bored to enable the hub members to be slid onto a shaft or axle of uniform circular cross-section. The hub members are adapted to be disposed on the shaft to support a wheel element, and their tubular bodies are adapted to be interfitted one in the other, thus establishing an annular seat for the wheel element. One of the tubular bodies in insertably slidably received into a substantially large bore of the other tubular body and both tubular bodies are configured such that they bindingly lock to each other and to the shaft as a function of limited manual rotation of one hub member relative to the other. Reverse rotation acts to release the locking action.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating sheet or continuous ribbon material including a table with idler rolls to support the material to be treated, a drive roll to move the material over the table and vertical guide rolls at an edge of the table. An elongated beam extending across and spaced above the table and a track extending along the length of the beam. Adjustable carrier heads supported on the track for movement along the length of the beam across the table and each carrier head having a bracket to support apparatus for treating the material as the material passes over the table. A drive mechanism independently engageable with each carrier head to individually move that head along the track to position the head along the beam over the table, and a counter and indicator connected with the drive mechanism to measure the distance each head is moved along the track over the table to accurately position each head relative to the table.