Abstract: A laminated or single layer glass cylinder and its method of making are disclosed. The laminated cylinder glass is a precursor component to enable making subsequent drawn tubing having high optical quality. The laminated cylinder glass may comprise a first layer of glass as a clad glass and a second layer of glass as a core glass. The second layer of glass may be bound to the first layer of glass. The second layer may have a higher CTE from about 5×10?7/° C. to about 100×10?7/° C. than the first layer of glass. The first layer and second layer of glass may have different softening points within about 200° C. of each other. In some embodiments, the first layer and second layer of glass may have different softening points from about 50° C. to about 200° C. of each other.

Abstract: Methods of forming a glass tube are described. In one embodiment, the method includes heating a glass boule to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the glass boule, drawing the glass tube from the glass boule in a vertically downward direction, and flowing a pressurized gas through a channel of the glass boule as the glass tube is drawn. The glass boule includes an outer surface defining an outer diameter of the glass boule and a channel extending through the glass boule defining an inner diameter of the glass boule. Drawing the glass tube decreases the outer diameter of the glass boule to an outer diameter of the glass tube and flowing the pressurized gas through the channel increases the inner diameter of the glass boule to an inner diameter of the glass tube. Glass boules, glass tubes, and apparatuses for making the same are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for bending sheet glass are disclosed. The present invention improves on the state-of-the-art by providing apparatus and methods that prevent unwanted distortion of the glass sheet. The apparatus and methods utilize localized heating at the bend to allow for overall glass sheet temperatures to be reduced, along with optional mechanical devices for improved bend quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for bending sheet glass are disclosed. The present invention improves on the state-of-the-art by providing apparatus and methods that prevent unwanted distortion of the glass sheet. The apparatus and methods utilize localized heating at the bend to allow for overall glass sheet temperatures to be reduced, along with optional mechanical devices for improved bend quality.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a honeycomb extrusion die from a die body include the step of machining extrusion slots with at least one grinding wheel to provide a honeycomb pattern of extrusion slots. In further examples, a plurality of the extrusion slots of the honeycomb pattern of extrusion slots can be machined with a wire electrical discharge machining process after machining the plurality of extrusion slots of the honeycomb pattern of extrusion slots with the grinding wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for bending sheet glass are disclosed. The present invention improves on the state-of-the-art by providing apparatus and methods that prevent unwanted distortion of the glass sheet. The apparatus and methods utilize localized heating at the bend to allow for overall glass sheet temperatures to be reduced, along with optional mechanical devices for improved bend quality.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a honeycomb extrusion die from a die body include the step of machining extrusion slots with at least one grinding wheel to provide a honeycomb pattern of extrusion slots. In further examples, a plurality of the extrusion slots of the honeycomb pattern of extrusion slots can be machined with a wire electrical discharge machining process after machining the plurality of extrusion slots of the honeycomb pattern of extrusion slots with the grinding wheel.