Abstract: An inspection system and method are described herein which use an illuminating system (e.g., light source (strobe) and light sharpening components) and an imaging system (e.g., digital camera and computer/software) to inspect and identify surface and body defects in a glass sheet (e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD) glass substrate).

Abstract: An inspection system is set forth for the inspection of surface and body defects within glass substrates. The glass is supported by an inclined air table during the inspection process to provide planar stability and minimize vibration. The sheet is indexed a given distance along an oblique axis parallel to the air table and stopped, wherein a scanning mechanism having portions on opposite sides of the air table moves transversely of the sheet in alignment with slots formed in the air table, and the process is repeated until the sheet is completely scanned.

Abstract: A system for breaking large sheets of brittle material such as glass into smaller sheets, in which at least one laser is moved across a sheet of brittle material having two major surfaces to form two vent cracks in the sheet, a first vent crack in a first path on one side of the sheet and a second vent crack in a second path on the other side of the sheet. The sheet is broken into smaller sheets by applying a bending moment under the vent cracks.