Abstract: An insulated glass assembly line generally includes a first and second automated lite picker, a washer, a vertical gas filling and wetting station, a robot, and an applicator station.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: A single axis application unit for processing a glass workpiece includes a workpiece supporting table, an applicator movable on a traveler shiftable along a first linear axis and a central suction unit that is activateable to grip the glass workpiece that travels along a second linear axis oriented generally perpendicular to the first linear axis. A central suction unit brake selectively secures the central suction unit both rotationally and translationally. The central suction unit is freely moveable both translationally and rotationally when the central suction unit brake is released. A mid-peripheral suction unit is located at a fixed location remote from the central suction unit and selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece to hold the glass workpiece in a fixed orientation. A corner suction gripper is movable with the applicator parallel to the first linear axis, and is selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: A welder for constructing and welding plastic fenestration structures, including parts storage bins structured to store and support parts to be assembled to create the plastic fenestration structures; wheels that receive the parts from the parts storage bins; aligners that position the parts relative to one another; heating plates that apply heat to ends of the parts thereby rendering at least a portion of the ends of the parts molten; parts shifters operably shiftable between a first position adjacent the wheels and a second position remotely located from the wheels that shift the parts to a fusing position in which adjacent parts are abutted together at a fusing station to produce the plastic fenestration structure; and at least one cooling station at which the plastic fenestration structure is held.

Abstract: An insulated glass assembly line generally includes a first and second automated lite picker, a washer, a vertical gas filling and wetting station, a robot, and an applicator station.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a front conveyor system, a back conveyor system, a shuttle mechanism that distributes glass lites to the front conveyor system and the back conveyor system, an insulated glass unit spacer applicator having a spacer dispensing head configured to apply perimeter spacer material to one of the glass lites, the spacer head being proportionally movable relative to the glass lite as the glass lite is conveyed on the front conveyor mechanism to apply the perimeter spacer material to create a spacer applied lite and a gas press. A secondary edge sealing unit has a first secondary edge sealing head and a second secondary edge sealing head, each of the first secondary edge sealing head and the second secondary edge sealing head applying edge sealant to portion of a perimeter of an insulated glass unit.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: A single axis application unit for processing a glass workpiece includes a workpiece supporting table, an applicator movable on a traveler shiftable along a first linear axis and a central suction unit that is activateable to grip the glass workpiece that travels along a second linear axis oriented generally perpendicular to the first linear axis. A central suction unit brake selectively secures the central suction unit both rotationally and translationally. The central suction unit is freely moveable both translationally and rotationally when the central suction unit brake is released. A mid-peripheral suction unit is located at a fixed location remote from the central suction unit and selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece to hold the glass workpiece in a fixed orientation. A corner suction gripper is movable with the applicator parallel to the first linear axis, and is selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a front conveyor system, a back conveyor system, a shuttle mechanism that distributes glass lites to the front conveyor system and the back conveyor system, an insulated glass unit spacer applicator having a spacer dispensing head configured to apply perimeter spacer material to one of the glass lites, the spacer head being proportionally movable relative to the glass lite as the glass lite is conveyed on the front conveyor mechanism to apply the perimeter spacer material to create a spacer applied lite and a gas press. A secondary edge sealing unit has a first secondary edge sealing head and a second secondary edge sealing head, each of the first secondary edge sealing head and the second secondary edge sealing head applying edge sealant to portion of a perimeter of an insulated glass unit.

Abstract: A single axis application unit for processing a glass workpiece includes a workpiece supporting table, an applicator movable on a traveler shiftable along a first linear axis and a central suction unit that is activateable to grip the glass workpiece that travels along a second linear axis oriented generally perpendicular to the first linear axis. A central suction unit brake selectively secures the central suction unit both rotationally and translationally. The central suction unit is freely moveable both translationally and rotationally when the central suction unit brake is released. A mid-peripheral suction unit is located at a fixed location remote from the central suction unit and selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece to hold the glass workpiece in a fixed orientation. A corner suction gripper is movable with the applicator parallel to the first linear axis, and is selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece.

Abstract: A single axis application unit for processing a glass workpiece includes a workpiece supporting table, an applicator movable on a traveler shiftable along a first linear axis and a central suction unit that is activateable to grip the glass workpiece that travels along a second linear axis oriented generally perpendicular to the first linear axis. A central suction unit brake selectively secures the central suction unit both rotationally and translationally. The central suction unit is freely moveable both translationally and rotationally when the central suction unit brake is released. A mid-peripheral suction unit is located at a fixed location remote from the central suction unit and selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece to hold the glass workpiece in a fixed orientation. A corner suction gripper is movable with the applicator parallel to the first linear axis, and is selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously edge sealing and gas filling an insulated glass unit, the insulated glass unit including a supporting structure that supports the insulated glass unit in a working position and a gas filling module including a gas fill injection structure and a displaced air extraction structure and a gas metering unit. The device also includes an edge sealing module having a sealant metering device, an edge sealing dispensing head, and an edge sealing dispensing nozzle. The device also includes a control device programmed with an algorithm to initiate gas filling substantially simultaneously with initiating edge sealing of the insulated glass unit and to complete the gas filling of the insulated glass unit prior to completion of the edge sealing.

Abstract: An insulated glass secondary edge sealing device that dispenses sealant to insulated glass units including at least two panes of glass separated by a spacer, including a fixed sealant dispensing head, a table that supports the insulated glass units, a fence, a depth sensor, a linear motion encoder, a metering device. The sealant dispensing head has a dispensing nozzle and a corner dam. The dispensing nozzle includes a floating insulated glass unit contact surface and the corner dam is shiftable between a retracted position and an extended position. A control unit receives signals from the depth sensor and the linear motion encoder and controls the metering device to dispense a measured flow of sealant based on the depth of the inset of the spacer and the movement of the insulated glass unit parallel to the fence and relative to the encoder.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously edge sealing and gas filling an insulated glass unit, the insulated glass unit including a supporting structure that supports the insulated glass unit in a working position and a gas filling module including a gas fill injection structure and a displaced air extraction structure and a gas metering unit. The device also includes an edge sealing module having a sealant metering device, an edge sealing dispensing head, and an edge sealing dispensing nozzle. The device also includes a control device programmed with an algorithm to initiate gas filling substantially simultaneously with initiating edge sealing of the insulated glass unit and to complete the gas filling of the insulated glass unit prior to completion of the edge sealing.

Abstract: An insulated glass secondary edge sealing device that dispenses sealant to insulated glass units including at least two panes of glass separated by a spacer, including a fixed sealant dispensing head, a table that supports the insulated glass units, a fence, a depth sensor, a linear motion encoder, a metering device. The sealant dispensing head has a dispensing nozzle and a corner dam. The dispensing nozzle includes a floating insulated glass unit contact surface and the corner dam is shiftable between a retracted position and an extended position. A control unit receives signals from the depth sensor and the linear motion encoder and controls the metering device to dispense a measured flow of sealant based on the depth of the inset of the spacer and the movement of the insulated glass unit parallel to the fence and relative to the encoder.

Abstract: A glazing apparatus to glaze a window or door sash is described that includes a nozzle and a gear metering assembly. The metering assembly creates a flow of glazing material through the nozzle at a controlled rate such that the rate of flow of glazing material from the nozzle is proportional to a distance that the nozzle travels across the sash. The invention also allows the production of a finished window or door from precut glass and a pre-assembled sash at a single manufacturing station. The invention largely eliminates the effect of operator skill and experience on the quality of the finished product by evenly depositing sealant on the window frame as well as desiccant within a channel formed in the window frame.

Abstract: A fouling resistant fluid dispensing assembly including a metering device and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly generally includes a nozzle holder including a body defining a cylindrical bore. The nozzle has a cylindrical portion proportioned to be inserted into the cylindrical bore in a close fitting relationship. The nozzle holder is pierced by a passage oriented substantially perpendicular to the bore axis and passing through the cylindrical bore on a non-diametrical chord and the nozzle has a complementary passage that can be aligned with the nozzle holder passage. Once the holder passage and the nozzle passage are aligned, a retaining member proportioned to pass through the nozzle holder passage and the nozzle passage retains the nozzle in the cylindrical bore. The fluid dispensing assembly further includes a floating head and a mass distribution to maintain a viscous fluid at a desired temperature.