Abstract: A glass sheet processing apparatus includes a first gantry assembly that extends across a glass sheet in a cross-machine direction. The first gantry assembly includes a processing head that moves along a length of the first gantry assembly and includes a laser comprising an optical arrangement positioned in a beam path of the laser providing a laser beam focal line that is formed on a beam output side of the optical arrangement. A second gantry assembly extends across the glass sheet in the cross-machine direction. The second gantry assembly includes a processing head that moves along a length of the second gantry assembly.

Abstract: A method of separating a transparent mother sheet includes contacting a first surface of the transparent mother sheet with an open ended pressure assembly including a pressure vessel shell, thereby forming a shell cavity defined by the first surface of the transparent mother sheet and the pressure vessel shell, where the transparent mother sheet comprises a damage path. The method also includes removing gas from the shell cavity through a fluid removal outlet extending through the pressure vessel shell to reduce a cavity pressure in the shell cavity, thereby applying stress to the damage path to separate a portion of the transparent mother sheet along the damage path.

Abstract: A glass sheet processing apparatus includes a first gantry assembly that extends across a glass sheet in a cross-machine direction. The first gantry assembly includes a processing head that moves along a length of the first gantry assembly and includes a laser comprising an optical arrangement positioned in a beam path of the laser providing a laser beam focal line that is formed on a beam output side of the optical arrangement. A second gantry assembly extends across the glass sheet in the cross-machine direction. The second gantry assembly includes a processing head that moves along a length of the second gantry assembly.

Abstract: Glass articles with protective films used for processing hard disk drive substrates and methods of forming glass articles with protective films used for processing hard disk drive substrates are provided herein. In one embodiment, a glass blank includes: a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and an edge surface connecting the first surface and the second surface; wherein the first surface comprises a first coated portion and a first uncoated portion surrounding the first coated portion, wherein the first uncoated portion extends a first distance radially inward from the edge toward a center of the first surface, wherein the second surface comprises a second coated portion and a second uncoated portion surrounding the second coated portion, wherein the second uncoated portion extends a second distance radially inward from the edge toward a center of the second surface.

Abstract: A method of separating a transparent mother sheet includes contacting a first surface of the transparent mother sheet with an open ended pressure assembly including a pressure vessel shell, thereby forming a shell cavity defined by the first surface of the transparent mother sheet and the pressure vessel shell, where the transparent mother sheet comprises a damage path. The method also includes removing gas from the shell cavity through a fluid removal outlet extending through the pressure vessel shell to reduce a cavity pressure in the shell cavity, thereby applying stress to the damage path to separate a portion of the transparent mother sheet along the damage path.

Abstract: A method for laser processing a laminate workpiece stack includes forming a contour line in a first transparent workpiece of the laminate workpiece stack having a resin layer disposed between the first transparent workpiece and a second transparent workpiece. Forming the contour line includes focusing a pulsed laser beam into a pulsed laser beam focal line directed into the first transparent workpiece to generate an induced absorption within the first transparent workpiece and translating the pulsed laser beam focal line along a first workpiece separation line, thereby laser forming the contour line having a plurality of defects. The method also includes separating the resin layer along a resin separation line by focusing the pulsed laser beam into the pulsed laser beam focal line directed into the resin layer and translating the pulsed laser beam focal line along the resin separation line, thereby laser ablating the resin layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for cutting and separating arbitrary shapes of thin substrates of transparent materials, particularly tailored composite fusion drawn glass sheets, and the disclosure also relates to a glass article prepared by the method. The developed laser method can be tailored for manual separation of the parts from the panel or full laser separation by thermally stressing the desired profile. The self-separation method involves the utilization of an ultra-short pulse laser that can be followed by a CO2 laser (coupled with high pressure air flow) for fully automated separation.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, systems, and system components for creating and arranging small (micron and smaller) defects or perforations in transparent materials in a particular manner, and, more particularly, to the arrangement of these defects, each of which has an average crack length, in a predetermined spaced-apart relation (each defect separated from an adjacent defect by a predetermined distance) defining a contour in a transparent material to lower the relative interface fracture toughness for subsequent planned induced separation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of forming a glass article comprises perforating a glass substrate along a contour with a laser forming a plurality of perforations, such that the contour separates a first portion of the glass substrate from a second portion of the glass substrate. After perforating, thermal forming the glass substrate into a non-planar shape with a mold, and separating the first portion of the glass substrate from the second portion of the glass substrate.

Abstract: Processes of chamfering and/or beveling an edge of a glass or other substrate of arbitrary shape using lasers are described herein. Three general methods to produce chamfers on glass substrates are disclosed. The first method involves cutting the edge with the desired chamfer shape utilizing an ultra-short pulse laser. Treatment with the ultra-short laser may be optionally followed by a CO2 laser for fully automated separation. The second method is based on thermal stress peeling of a sharp edge corner, and it has been demonstrated to work with different combination of an ultrashort pulse and/or CO2 lasers. A third method relies on stresses induced by ion exchange to effect separation of material along a fault line produced by an ultra-short laser to form a chamfered edge of desired shape.

Abstract: A system for levitating a softened, viscous or viscoelastic material by near field acoustic levitation. The system includes a support structure having a rigid surface, and a vibration generator operatively connected to the rigid surface. The vibration generator transmits acoustic waves to the rigid surface at a frequency and an amplitude sufficient to vibrate the rigid surface and create a gas squeeze film between the material and the rigid surface. The gas squeeze film has a pressure greater than ambient air pressure and sufficient to levitate the material. The system is particularly suited for transporting, forming, or casting heated glass. Also disclosed are methods for transporting, forming, and casting heated glass using near field acoustic levitation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for laser processing arbitrary shapes of molded 3D thin transparent brittle parts from substrates with particular interest in substrates formed from strengthened or non-strengthened Corning Gorilla® glass (all codes). The developed laser methods can be tailored for manual separation of the parts from the panel or full laser separation by thermal stressing the desired profile. Methods can be used to form 3D surfaces with small radii of curvature. The method involves the utilization of an ultra-short pulse laser that may be optionally followed by a CO2 laser for fully automated separation.

Abstract: A method of arresting propagation of an incident crack through a transparent material includes focusing pulsed laser beams into a laser beam focal line directed into the transparent material a series of locations corresponding to a predetermined pattern that is designed to arrest an incident crack that propagates through the transparent material, and generating, with the laser beam focal line (1460), an induced absorption within the transparent material in order to produce a defect (1440) in the transparent material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for cutting and separating arbitrary shapes of thin substrates of transparent materials, particularly tailored composite fusion drawn glass sheets, and the disclosure also relates to a glass article prepared by the method. The developed laser method can be tailored for manual separation of the parts from the panel or full laser separation by thermally stressing the desired profile. The self-separation method involves the utilization of an ultra-short pulse laser that can be followed by a CO2 laser (coupled with high pressure air flow) for fully automated separation.

Abstract: A system for levitating a softened, viscous or viscoelastic material by near field acoustic levitation. The system includes a support structure having a rigid surface, and a vibration generator operatively connected to the rigid surface. The vibration generator transmits acoustic waves to the rigid surface at a frequency and an amplitude sufficient to vibrate the rigid surface and create a gas squeeze film between the material and the rigid surface. The gas squeeze film has a pressure greater than ambient air pressure and sufficient to levitate the material. The system is particularly suited for transporting, forming, or casting heated glass. Also disclosed are methods for transporting, forming, and casting heated glass using near field acoustic levitation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser cutting technology for cutting and separating thin substrates of transparent materials, for example to cutting of display glass compositions mainly used for production of Thin Film Transistors (TFT) devices. The described laser process can be used to make straight cuts, for example at a speed of >1 m/sec, to cut sharp radii outer corners (<1 mm), and to create arbitrary curved shapes including forming interior holes and slots. A method of laser processing an alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass composite workpiece includes focusing a pulsed laser beam into a focal line. The focal line is directed into the glass composite workpiece, generating induced absorption within the material. The workpiece and the laser beam are translated relative to each other to form a plurality of defect lines along a contour, with adjacent defect lines have a spacing of 0.1-20 microns.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating formed glass articles are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a formed glass article may include forming a glass ribbon, forming a parison, and shaping the parison to form a glass article. The glass article may be attached to the glass ribbon at an attachment region defining an edge of the glass article. The process may also include contacting the attachment region with a focal line of a laser beam and separating the glass article from the glass ribbon at the attachment region. The attachment region may be perforated by the laser beam and the focal line may be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: A method for laser processing a laminate workpiece stack includes forming a contour line in a first transparent workpiece of the laminate workpiece stack having a resin layer disposed between the first transparent workpiece and a second transparent workpiece. Forming the contour line includes focusing a pulsed laser beam into a pulsed laser beam focal line directed into the first transparent workpiece to generate an induced absorption within the first transparent workpiece and translating the pulsed laser beam focal line along a first workpiece separation line, thereby laser forming the contour line having a plurality of defects. The method also includes separating the resin layer along a resin separation line by focusing the pulsed laser beam into the pulsed laser beam focal line directed into the resin layer and translating the pulsed laser beam focal line along the resin separation line, thereby laser ablating the resin layer.

Abstract: A glass sheet processing apparatus includes a glass sheet processing station including a laser cutting assembly that includes an optical arrangement positioned in a beam path of the laser providing a laser beam focal line that is formed on a beam output side of the optical arrangement. A glass holding conveyor belt carries a glass sheet by the laser cutting assembly so that the laser beam focal line is positioned on the glass sheet with the glass sheet on the glass holding conveyor belt. The glass holding conveyor belt is configured to carry multiple glass sheets to the laser cutting assembly for cutting the multiple glass sheets on the glass holding conveyor belt in a repeated fashion.

Abstract: A glass sheet processing apparatus includes a first gantry assembly that extends across a glass sheet in a cross-machine direction. The first gantry assembly includes a processing head that moves along a length of the first gantry assembly and includes a laser comprising an optical arrangement positioned in a beam path of the laser providing a laser beam focal line that is formed on a beam output side of the optical arrangement. A second gantry assembly extends across the glass sheet in the cross-machine direction. The second gantry assembly includes a processing head that moves along a length of the second gantry assembly.