Abstract: Methods apply a layer of material to a glass sheet having a non-planar shape. The methods can each include the step of providing the glass sheet having an initial non-planar shape including a thickness defined between a first sheet surface and a second sheet surface. The method further includes the step of at least partially flattening the glass sheet into an application shape. The method further includes the step of applying the layer of material to the first sheet surface while the glass sheet is in the application shape. The method then includes the step of releasing the glass sheet to relax into a post non-planar shape.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher. A pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher, vertically below the glass feed, that thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower, vertically below the forming rolls, that thin the formed glass ribbon glass to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired thickness and a desired thickness uniformity. The sized glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/?0.025 mm.

Abstract: Methods apply a layer of material to a glass sheet having a non-planar shape. The methods can each include the step of providing the glass sheet having an initial non-planar shape including a thickness defined between a first sheet surface and a second sheet surface. The method further includes the step of at least partially flattening the glass sheet into an application shape. The method further includes the step of applying the layer of material to the first sheet surface while the glass sheet is in the application shape. The method then includes the step of releasing the glass sheet to relax into a post non-planar shape.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher. A pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher, vertically below the glass feed, that thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower, vertically below the forming rolls, that thin the formed glass ribbon glass to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired thickness and a desired thickness uniformity. The sized glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/?0.025 mm.

Abstract: A bonding plate mechanism for use in anodic bonding of first and second material sheets together, the apparatus comprising: a base including first and second spaced apart surfaces; a thermal insulator supported by the second surface of the base and operable to impede heat transfer to the base; a heating disk directly or indirectly coupled to the insulator and operable to produce heat in response to electrical power; and a thermal spreader directly or indirectly coupled to the heating disk and operable to at least channel heat from the heating disk, and impart voltage, to the first material sheet, wherein the heat and voltage imparted to the first material sheet are in accordance with respective heating and voltage profiles to assist in the anodic bonding of the first and second material sheets, and a thermal inertia of the bonding plate mechanism is relatively low such that heating of the first material sheet to a temperature of about 600° C. or greater is achieved in less than about one-half hour.

Abstract: An anodic bonding apparatus includes: a first bonding plate mechanism operable to engage a first material sheet, and to provide at least one of controlled heating, voltage, and cooling thereto; a second bonding plate mechanism operable to engage a second material sheet, and to provide at least one of controlled heating, voltage, and cooling thereto; a pressure mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second bonding plate mechanisms and operable to urge the first and second bonding plate mechanisms toward one another to achieve controlled pressure of the first and second material sheets against one another along respective surfaces thereof; a control unit operable to produce control signals to the first and second bonding plate mechanisms and the pressure mechanism to provide heating, voltage, and pressure profiles sufficient to achieve anodic bonding between the first and second material sheets.