Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating and/or pressing sealant of an insulating glass unit. The apparatus may include an oven and a press. The oven includes a detector that detects an optical property of the insulating glass unit. The detected optical property is used to regulate the amount of energy applied to the insulating glass unit to adjust the amount of energy applied to the sealant. The press may include a displacement transducer that detects a pre-pressed thickness of the insulating glass unit. The measured pre-pressed thickness is used to automatically select a press thickness from a set of pressed IGU thicknesses.

Abstract: A window processing system is disclosed for fabricating window frames. A welding station has welding heads to weld or fuse vinyl frame parts together. The frames are taken to a cleaning station having a number of cleaning heads that are independently actuated to move into a position relative selected portions of the window frame to clean off burrs, weld beads etc from the welded window frame. The cleaning process involves both training of a controller to recognize certain frame profiles and a compensation process for adjusting the cleaning process for individual variations in the frame that occur during fabrication. Real-time cleaning involves coupling a visual sensor to a moving support that also supports a cleaning tool.

Abstract: An insulating glass unit (IGU) assembly line capable of interleaving double and triple pane IGUs in accordance with an IGU production schedule. Visual indicators or prompts instruct operators at the assembly line in configuring a sequence of IGUs. Triple pane IGUs are assembled with minimal contamination of a center glass lite. A non-contact Bernoulli pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.

Abstract: A stock supply station for use in a insulated glass unit component production line includes a plurality of rotatable sheet stock coils, an indexing mechanism, and an uncoiling mechanism. The indexing mechanism is coupled to the sheet stock coils for indexing a selected one of the sheet stock coils to an uncoiling position. The uncoiling mechanism selectively uncoils sheet stock from a sheet stock coil indexed to the uncoiling position to thereby provide sheet stock to a downstream processing station.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Better control over the notching process is also achieved by exhaust flow control of a double acting cylinder. A positioning spacer achieve very accurate side to side positioning of a die and anvil to precisely notch and deform the metal strip. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

Abstract: A stock supply station for use in a insulated glass unit component production line includes a plurality of rotatable sheet stock coils, an indexing mechanism, and an uncoiling mechanism. The indexing mechanism is coupled to the sheet stock coils for indexing a selected one of the sheet stock coils to an uncoiling position. The uncoiling mechanism selectively uncoils sheet stock from a sheet stock coil indexed to the uncoiling position to thereby provide sheet stock to a downstream processing station.

Abstract: A muntin bar joiner clip having a relatively flat, thin body and first and second muntin bar engagement legs extending from the body. These legs extend along a longitudinal axis of said joiner clip. The body has opposite sides defining substantially parallel major surfaces having substantially parallel opposite edges extending substantially parallel to the axis. A region of weakness such as a line of weakness allows the body to be separated into two portions between the first and second legs. One or more muntin bar abutments project from said body in a direction transverse to the axis and each abutment includes a muntin bar abutment face oriented in a direction transverse to said axis.

Abstract: A string light assembly includes a string light connector and a lighting module electrically connected with the string light connector. The string light connector includes a cable, a plug connected with one end of the cable, and a socket module connected with the other end of the cable. The socket module has a plurality of interface modules of which at least one is used for connecting the lighting module, and at least one is used for connecting a plug of another string light connector. A plurality of the string light assemblies are connected to form a light string by engaging the plugs and the corresponding interface modules of the socket modules thereof with one of the plugs used for connecting to a power source. The string light assembly is designed to facilitate the connection and disconnection between two string light assemblies so as to conveniently adjust the length of the light string.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar assembly or grid. A tubular muntin bar grid has a first muntin bar formed from an elongated tube having ends that engage a window spacer frame and include side walls that have relatively narrow top and bottom planar walls and relatively wider side planar walls. The top and bottom planar walls defining one or more slots that define intersecting muntin bar positions. One or more intersecting muntin bars formed from elongated tubes have ends that engages the first elongated muntin bar in a region of a slot. The grid includes one or more joiner clips for positioning the one or more intersecting muntin bars in relation to said first muntin bar.

Abstract: A glass sheet washing machine with a broken glass removal system includes a support, a liquid container or reservoir, a pump, a liquid applicator, and a liquid permeable member. The support supports a glass sheet being washed. The liquid reservoir is positioned below the support. The pump is coupled to the liquid reservoir. The liquid applicator is coupled to the pump. The liquid applicator applies the liquid from the liquid reservoir to wash the glass sheet. Excess liquid falls into the reservoir. The liquid permeable member is positioned between the support and the liquid reservoir to catch pieces of glass to inhibit the pieces of broken glass from falling into the liquid reservoir and is moved to remove the pieces from the glass washing machine.

Abstract: A system that delivers window or door components to an assembly station where multiple components are assembled to form a multi-sided window or door frame or sash. A preparation station in proximity to the assembly station includes an alignment fixture for bringing multiple frame or sash components into alignment while a preceding frame or sash is being assembled at the assembly station. A conveyor moves aligned components of a next subsequent frame or sash to the assembly station while maintaining the alignment of said window components for clamping at the assembly station prior to assembly. One system is used to assemble vinyl door or window components by welding them together.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic removal of scrap elongated window component stock from a conveyor includes a path of travel altering mechanism, a translating mechanism, and a controller. The path of travel altering mechanism is positioned along the path of travel that selectively facilitates movement of scrap elongated window component stock off the path of travel. The translating mechanism is in communication with the path of travel altering mechanism for moving the scrap elongated window component stock off of the path of travel.

Abstract: A window processing system is disclosed for fabricating window frames. A welding station has welding heads to weld or fuse vinyl frame parts together. The frames are taken to a cleaning station having a number of cleaning heads that are independently actuated to move into a position relative selected portions of the window frame to clean off burrs, weld beads etc from the welded window frame. The cleaning process involves both training of a controller to recognize certain frame profiles and a compensation process for adjusting the cleaning process for individual variations in the frame that occur during fabrication. Real-time cleaning involves coupling a visual sensor to a moving support that also supports a cleaning tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic feeding of elongated sheet stock from a stamping station into a roll forming station in a window component production line includes a transfer mechanism, a feed mechanism and a controller. The transfer mechanism is between the stamping station and the roll forming station. The feed mechanism is positioned at an entrance to the roll forming station. The controller is in communication with the stamping station, the transfer mechanism and the feed mechanism. The controller is programmed to engage stock material that extends from the stamping station with the transfer mechanism, transfer the stock material paid out by the stamping station to the feed mechanism, and drive the feed mechanism to feed the elongated sheet stock into the roll forming station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (50, 300) are provided for applying decorative material (52) to a component (C) comprising a first roller (70) having a heating element (72) substantially located centrally within the first roller (70). The apparatus (50, 300) further comprises a second roller (80) having a central hub (90) surrounded by an outer surface (92). The outer surface (92) is in contact with the first roller (70). The first roller (70) heats the outer surface (92) of the second roller (80) to a prescribed temperature. At least one idler roller (86) is located opposite the second roller (80) at an application region with at least a section of the component (C) passing therebetween. The second roller (80) applies heat and pressure to a decorative material (52) at the application region, forming a bonding connection between a decorative material (52) and component (C).

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic removal of scrap elongated window component stock from a conveyor includes a path of travel altering mechanism, a translating mechanism, and a controller. The path of travel altering mechanism is positioned along the path of travel that selectively facilitates movement of scrap elongated window component stock off the path of travel. The translating mechanism is in communication with the path of travel altering mechanism for moving the scrap elongated window component stock off of the path of travel.

Abstract: A method of making elongated spacer frame members prevents a first spacer frame member in a series of spacer frame members from being scrapped. A supply of thin relatively narrow sheet metal stock is provided. The stock is fed endwise to a stamping station. The stock is passed through the stamping station that stamps the stock to define a scrap length of stock followed by a connected first spacer frame defining length of stock. The scrap length of stock and the connected first spacer frame defining length of stock are fed to a roll forming station. The scrap length of stock and the connected first spacer frame defining length of stock are formed into a rigid linearly extending scrap element having opposite side walls and a base wall and a connected rigid linearly extending first spacer frame element having opposite side walls and a base wall. A connection between the scrap element and the first spacer frame element is then severed.

Abstract: This invention describes a process flow and method to assemble triple IG units without contaminating the center glass lite. A non-contact vacuum pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.

Abstract: A method of making elongated spacer frame members prevents a first spacer frame member in a series of spacer frame members from being scrapped. A supply of thin relatively narrow sheet metal stock is provided. The stock is fed endwise to a stamping station. The stock is passed through the stamping station that stamps the stock to define a scrap length of stock followed by a connected first spacer frame defining length of stock. The scrap length of stock and the connected first spacer frame defining length of stock are fed to a roll forming station. The scrap length of stock and the connected first spacer frame defining length of stock are formed into a rigid linearly extending scrap element having opposite side walls and a base wall and a connected rigid linearly extending first spacer frame element having opposite side walls and a base wall. A connection between the scrap element and the first spacer frame element is then severed.