Abstract: An optical inspection system is provided with a fixture to support a glass sheet, with the fixture having an optical fiducial. An ultraviolet laser and associated optics form a planar laser sheet that intersects a surface of the glass sheet causing the surface to fluoresce and form a visible wavelength line thereon. A camera has an image sensor for detecting the optical fiducial and the visible wavelength line across at least a portion of a width of the sheet. A control system is configured to (i) image the optical fiducial on the fixture, (ii) define an optical fiducial coordinate system from the imaged optical fiducial, (ii) receive a mathematical model of the glass sheet in a model coordinate system, and (iii) relate the optical fiducial coordinate system to the model coordinate system via at least one transformation. A method of using a non-contact optical inspection system is also provided.

Abstract: A glass sheet forming station for forming a glass sheet may include an upper mold, a lower outer mold arrangement and a lower inner mold arrangement disposed inwardly of the lower outer mold arrangement and movable relative to the lower outer mold arrangement. The lower outer mold arrangement may include first and second outer longitudinal support portions and first and second outer lateral support portions that are each configured to contact the glass sheet. The lower inner mold arrangement may include first and second inner longitudinal support portions and first and second inner lateral support portions that are each configured to contact the glass sheet. Furthermore, the lower outer mold arrangement and the lower inner mold arrangement may each be operable to press the glass sheet against the upper mold.

Abstract: An articulated lower mold arrangement for use with an upper mold includes a mold portion configured to bend a heated glass sheet. The mold portion has a first end, a sharp bend area proximate the first end for bending an end portion of the glass sheet, and a second end opposite the first end and spaced away from the sharp bend area. The arrangement may further include a first guide member connected to the mold portion at a first location proximate the first end, and a second guide member connected to the mold portion at a second location proximate the second end and spaced away from the sharp bend area. The mold portion and the guide members are cooperable to allow the first end of the mold portion to move from a lowered position to a raised position in order to move the end portion of the glass sheet upwardly.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring optical characteristics of a glass sheet as the glass sheet is conveyed in a system for fabricating glass sheets including one or more processing stations and one or more conveyors for conveying the glass sheet during processing. The method comprises providing a background screen including contrasting elements arranged in a pre-defined pattern and a camera for acquiring an image of the background screen; acquiring data associated with a shape of a glass sheet travelling on a conveyor upstream from the background screen; removing the glass sheet from the conveyor; and positioning the glass sheet between the camera and the screen and thereafter acquiring an image of the background screen; re-positioning the glass sheet for continued movement of the glass sheet on the conveyor; and performing one or more processing operations using the acquired image data to analyze the optical characteristics of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A quench arrangement for quenching glass sheets includes a main quench station having upper and lower main quench heads for performing a primary quench operation on a glass sheet, a first lower secondary quench head located downstream of the main quench station, and a second lower secondary quench head located downstream of the first lower secondary quench head. The arrangement further includes an upper secondary quench system positioned above the first and second lower secondary quench heads, and the upper secondary quench system is cooperable with the lower secondary quench heads to perform further cooling of the glass sheet. The arrangement further includes a conveyor located above the second lower secondary quench head for moving the glass sheet away from the second lower secondary quench head.

Abstract: An articulated lower mold arrangement for use with an upper mold includes a mold portion configured to bend a heated glass sheet. The mold portion has a first end, a sharp bend area proximate the first end for bending an end portion of the glass sheet, and a second end opposite the first end and spaced away from the sharp bend area. The arrangement may further include a first guide member connected to the mold portion at a first location proximate the first end, and a second guide member connected to the mold portion at a second location proximate the second end and spaced away from the sharp bend area. The mold portion and the guide members are cooperable to allow the first end of the mold portion to move from a lowered position to a raised position in order to move the end portion of the glass sheet upwardly.

Abstract: A glass processing may include a heating station to heat glass sheets, and a bending station disposed downstream of the heating station to bend the heated glass sheets. The bending station may include first and second independent movement mechanisms configured to independently move first and second molds when the glass processing system is operated in a first mode, and to cooperate to move a third mold when the glass processing system is operated in a second mode. The system further includes a control system to control the movement mechanisms so that they operate independently when the glass processing system is operated in the first mode, and so that they operate simultaneously when the glass processing system is operated in the second mode.

Abstract: An end cap assembly for a conveyor roll includes an end cap configured to fit over an end of the conveyor roll, and the end cap has an opening. The end cap assembly further includes a spring member configured to be positioned between the end of the conveyor roll and the end cap, and a fastener that is insertable into the opening of the end cap. The fastener is configured to cooperate with the spring member to apply a retention force to assist in retaining the end cap on the conveyor roll.

Abstract: An optical inspection system is provided for an ultraviolet laser and associated optics forming a planar laser sheet directed to a glass sheet. The planar laser sheet intersects a surface of the glass sheet thereby causing the surface of the glass sheet to fluoresce and form a visible wavelength line on the surface. A camera has an image sensor for detecting the visible wavelength line. A control system in configured to receive image data indicative of the visible wavelength line, analyze and triangulate the data to determine a series of coordinates associated with the line, and create a three-dimensional map of the surface of the glass sheet as a function of the series of coordinates. Methods for using an optical inspection system, for gauging a surface using an optical inspection system, and for providing optical reflectance information tor a surface using an optical inspection system are also provided.

Abstract: A glass sheet forming and annealing system disclosed provides control of edge stresses by maintaining a press formed glass sheet on an annealing ring (72) below a heated upper forming mold (58) within a forming station (12) for slow cooling toward the glass strain point temperature.

Abstract: A mold shuttle positioning system in a glass sheet forming system includes a mold mounted on a support frame. A shuttle frame including a pair of generally parallel elongate beams for receiving and supporting the mold support frame thereon. At least one support wheel assembly including a wheel and a shuttle guide is mounted in proximity to each of the shuttle beams to position and support each one of the beams as the shuttle frame is moved to position the mold supported thereon at one of multiple desired processing locations. At least one mold guide is mounted on the support surface of one of the beams for receiving and fixing the position of the mold support frame relative to the shuttle frame to align and prevent movement of the mold support frame with respect to the shuttle frame in any direction as the mold support frame is supported thereon.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring optical characteristics of a glass sheet as the glass sheet is conveyed in a system for fabricating glass sheets including one or more processing stations and one or more conveyors for conveying the glass sheet during processing. The method comprises providing a background screen including contrasting elements arranged in a pre-defined pattern and a camera for acquiring an image of the background screen; acquiring data associated with a shape of a glass sheet travelling on a conveyor upstream from the background screen; removing the glass sheet from the conveyor; and positioning the glass sheet between the camera and the screen and thereafter acquiring an image of the background screen; re-positioning the glass sheet for continued movement of the glass sheet on the conveyor; and performing one or more processing operations using the acquired image data to analyze the optical characteristics of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A vacuum mold shuttle system in a glass sheet forming system includes a vacuum mold mounted on a support frame. A shuttle frame including a pair of generally parallel elongate beams for receiving and supporting the mold support frame thereon. A vacuum source is mounted on the shuttle frame near the end of the beams opposite to the end supporting the mold, a conduit and coupling port for releasably connecting the mold to the vacuum source. At least one guide element is mounted on the support surface of one of the beams for receiving and fixing the position of the mold support frame relative to the shuttle frame to align and prevent movement of the mold support frame with respect to the shuttle frame in any direction as the mold support frame is supported thereon.

Abstract: A glass sheet processing system for processing a glass sheet includes a conveyor for conveying the glass sheet in a direction of conveyance, and a positioning apparatus for adjusting position of the glass sheet on the conveyor. The positioning apparatus includes a movable carriage having first and second carriage bodies. The first carriage body is translatable in the direction of conveyance, and the second carriage body is supported by the first carriage body such that the second carriage body is movable in a direction generally transverse to the direction of conveyance. The positioning apparatus further includes a first drive assembly for moving the first carriage body in the direction of conveyance, a second drive assembly for moving the second carriage body with respect to the first carriage body, and a positioner member connected to the second carriage body for contacting the glass sheet to adjust position of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A glass sheet acquisition and positioning system and associated method are utilized in a glass sheet optical inspection system installed in-line in a glass sheet processing system. The acquisition and positioning system include an exterior support frame and a moveable glass sheet support frame connected to the exterior support frame such that the glass sheet support frame may be selectively positioned from first orientation whereby a glass sheet is removed from a conveyor and retained on the support frame, to a second orientation whereby the glass sheet is positioned for processing by the optical inspection system. The system may also include a glass sheet part identifier and a programmable control including logic for analyzing acquired image data and identifying the glass sheet as one of a set of known part types and thereafter securing and positioning the glass sheet on the glass sheet support frame based upon the part-shape analysis.

Abstract: A glass processing may include a heating station to heat glass sheets, and a bending station disposed downstream of the heating station to bend the heated glass sheets. The bending station may include first and second independent movement mechanisms configured to independently move first and second molds when the glass processing system is operated in a first mode, and to cooperate to move a third mold when the glass processing system is operated in a second mode. The system further includes a control system to control the movement mechanisms so that they operate independently when the glass processing system is operated in the first mode, and so that they operate simultaneously when the glass processing system is operated in the second mode.

Abstract: A glass sheet processing system for processing a glass sheet includes a conveyor for conveying the glass sheet in a direction of conveyance, and a positioning apparatus for adjusting position of the glass sheet on the conveyor. The positioning apparatus includes a movable carriage having first and second carriage bodies. The first carriage body is translatable in the direction of conveyance, and the second carriage body is supported by the first carriage body such that the second carriage body is movable in a direction generally transverse to the direction of conveyance. The positioning apparatus further includes a first drive assembly for moving the first carriage body in the direction of conveyance, a second drive assembly for moving the second carriage body with respect to the first carriage body, and a positioner member connected to the second carriage body for contacting the glass sheet to adjust position of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A mold apparatus for bending a glass sheet includes a main frame structure and a first mold arrangement having a first mold and a guide frame connected to the first mold. A first guide member of the guide frame is guidable by the frame structure such that it is inhibited from moving laterally in any direction, and a second guide member of the guide frame is guidable by the frame structure such that it is movable laterally away from the first guide member due to thermal expansion. The apparatus further includes a second mold arrangement including a second mold and a frame that supports the second mold such that the second mold is movable laterally relative to the frame. A sensor is also included for sensing position of one of the molds to determine whether the one mold is in a suitable position for mating with the other mold.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a heated glass sheet in connection with a bending operation includes a frame, a support ring adjustably supported on the frame for supporting a peripheral portion of the glass sheet, and multiple rib assemblies associated with the frame. Each rib assembly includes a laterally extending rib supported on the frame and multiple spaced apart support members connected to the rib and configured such that at least a portion of each support member is adjustable with respect to the rib. Furthermore, each support member is configured to contact a respective inner portion of the glass sheet to support the respective inner portion of the glass sheet until the glass sheet has been sufficiently cooled.

Abstract: A press station (12) and system (10) for forming glass sheets that are initially formed with an upwardly concave curved shape with end portions (86) and an intermediate portion (88) having straight line elements that are subsequently formed with curved shapes to provide curvature along transverse directions. The forming is performed by initially providing curvature to the straight line elements of the glass sheet end portions (86) while the intermediate portion (88) still has the straight line elements. The glass sheet intermediate portion is subsequently formed to provide curvature to its straight line elements so the entire glass sheet has curvature in transverse directions.