Abstract: Various embodiments provide a masking system to apply a mask to a workpiece, comprising: a frame structure, an application head, an X-axis movement element, a Y-axis movement element, a Z-axis movement element, and a workpiece movement element. The frame structure comprising a workpiece support. The application head can be configured to apply film to a workpiece. The application head can comprise a vacuum roller comprising a rotatable cylindrical body with an outer surface; a film roll comprising film wrapped around a spool; a cutting element configured to cut the film to separate a portion of the film from a remainder of film on the film of the film roll, and a guide element disposed between the film roll and the vacuum roller. The guide element is moveable. The guide element is configured to contact an unwound portion of the film between the film roll and the vacuum roller.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method for applying a spacer to a planar substrate, comprising supplying the spacer to be adhered to the planar substrate; defining a first notch, a second notch, and a third notch in the spacer; applying an adhesive to the spacer; translating the spacer in a longitudinal direction; aligning a first end of the spacer with a first corner of the planar substrate; feeding the spacer and the planar substrate between a front carriage and a rear carriage along a longitudinal axis of an unadhered portion of the spacer while pressing the spacer against the planar substrate to adhere a portion of the spacer being pressed by the front carriage to the planar substrate, and rotating, with a six-axis robot, the planar sheet and adhered portion of spacer.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for replacing air with an interpane gas during manufacture of a sealed insulating glass unit (IGU). The method includes forming an unsealed IGU assembly defining an IGU passage for fluid communication between an interpane space and an ambient environment; positioning the unsealed IGU assembly within an enclosure and sealing the enclosure around the unsealed IGU assembly; evacuating air from the enclosure; introducing a first gas into the interpane space through the IGU passage; introducing a second gas into the enclosure, wherein the second gas has a different composition than the first gas; and closing the IGU passage to seal the interpane space. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system and method for applying a masking material to a glass unit. In an embodiment, the method can include applying a masking material to a roller, cutting the masking material on the roller, and transferring the masking material from the roller to a glass unit. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods, and masking workstations for masking a planar substrate with a shield. The shield is configured to facilitate the removal of a waste portion of masking material from a portion of a planar substrate. In some cases the shield is placed adjacent to a substrate and a masking material is applied to the substrate and at least a portion of the shield. A waste portion is separated from the masking material and the shield removes the waste portion. Embodiments can be useful for masking only a portion of a planar substrate, including glass panes and glass units, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments include a window assembly that includes a first sheet of a translucent, transparent or semi-transparent material; a second sheet of a translucent, transparent or semi-transparent material; a spacer extending from the first sheet to the second sheet and includes at least a first elongated strip having a first surface and wherein the spacer defines a muntin opening in the first surface of the first strip; and a muntin bar having a first end that is positioned within the muntin opening of the spacer. Other embodiments are also included herein.