Abstract: A system for picking and placing glass articles from a first location to a second location, the second location including a thermal reforming apparatus for transforming the glass articles from 2D glass articles to 3D glass articles includes a robot having an end effector, the end effector including a compliance assembly having at least six degrees of freedom. The compliance assembly is in fluid communication with both an open pneumatic system and a closed pneumatic system, the open pneumatic system providing a partial vacuum to a portion of the compliance assembly for grabbing the glass article, and the closed pneumatic system for activating a centering function for a portion of the compliance assembly.

Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a bearing assembly for transporting an article. The bearing assembly includes a support structure for receiving the article, and a plenum housing for receiving the support structure. The plenum housing and the support structure define a plenum cavity, the plenum cavity being configured to receive and direct a flowing gas for floatingly supporting the article above the support structure. The bearing assembly further includes at least one sensor assembly, which includes a sensor for transmitting and receiving energy emissions for determining a location of the article relative to the support structure. The sensor assembly may determine the location of the article relative to the support structure substantially through at least one aperture located on the bearing assembly. The article location determined by the sensor assembly may be communicated to a display panel or a control unit for adjusting the location if necessary.

Abstract: A multi-screen electronic device includes a first electronic device having a first electronic device screen and a second electronic device having a second electronic device screen. The first and second electronic device screens are stacked and on different planes when the multi-screen electronic device is in a compact form. The first and second electronic device screens are unstacked and on the same plane when the multi-screen electronic device is in an expanded form. A translation mechanism is coupled to the first and second electronic devices. The translation mechanism is configured to guide a motion of at least one of the first and second electronic devices along a nonlinear path such that a travel along the nonlinear path in a forward direction transforms the multi-screen electronic device from the compact form to the expanded form and a travel along the nonlinear path in a reverse direction transforms the multi-screen electronic device from the expanded form to the compact form.

Abstract: A glass molding system and a method of making glass articles using the glass molding system are disclosed. The glass molding system includes an indexing table, a plurality of enclosures arranged along the indexing table, and a plurality of stations defined on the indexing table such that each of the stations is selectively indexable with any one of the enclosures. At least one radiant heater is arranged in at least one of the enclosures. A radiation reflector surface and a radiation emitter body are arranged in the at least one of the enclosures. The radiation emitter body is between the at least one radiant heater and the radiation reflector surface and has a first surface in opposing relation to the at least one radiant heater and a second surface in opposing relation to the radiation reflector surface.

Abstract: A glass molding system and a method of making glass articles using the glass molding system are disclosed. The glass molding system includes an indexing table, a plurality of enclosures arranged along the indexing table, and a plurality of stations defined on the indexing table such that each of the stations is selectively indexable with any one of the enclosures. At least one radiant heater is arranged in at least one of the enclosures. A radiation reflector surface and a radiation emitter body are arranged in the at least one of the enclosures. The radiation emitter body is between the at least one radiant heater and the radiation reflector surface and has a first surface in opposing relation to the at least one radiant heater and a second surface in opposing relation to the radiation reflector surface.

Abstract: A glass molding system and a method of making glass articles using the glass molding system are disclosed. The glass molding system includes an indexing table, a plurality of enclosures arranged along the indexing table, and a plurality of stations defined on the indexing table such that each of the stations is selectively indexable with any one of the enclosures. At least one radiant heater is arranged in at least one of the enclosures. A radiation reflector surface and a radiation emitter body are arranged in the at least one of the enclosures. The radiation emitter body is between the at least one radiant heater and the radiation reflector surface and has a first surface in opposing relation to the at least one radiant heater and a second surface in opposing relation to the radiation reflector surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for cooling optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, In some embodiments, a cooling apparatus for cooling an optical fiber in a production process includes a channel defined by at least one sidewall assembly and a plurality of interior cavities positioned along the interior of the sidewall assembly. The interior cavities include at least one plenum, a first plurality of fluid supply cavities in fluid communication with the at least one plenum, and a second plurality of fluid supply cavities in fluid communication with the at least one plenum. Cooling fluid is supplied from the at least one plenum to the first plurality of fluid supply cavities in a first direction and the second plurality of fluid supply cavities in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A cover glass article includes a glass body having a three-dimensional shape, an inside surface, and an outside surface. Each of the inside and outside surfaces has a surface roughness (Ra) less than 1 nm and is free of indentations having diameters larger than 150 ?m.

Abstract: A system for picking and placing glass articles from a first location to a second location, the second location including a thermal reforming apparatus for transforming the glass articles from 2D glass articles to 3D glass articles includes a robot having an end effector, the end effector including a compliance assembly having at least six degrees of freedom. The compliance assembly is in fluid communication with both an open pneumatic system and a closed pneumatic system, the open pneumatic system providing a partial vacuum to a portion of the compliance assembly for grabbing the glass article, and the closed pneumatic system for activating a centering function for a portion of the compliance assembly.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic module that is connectable to a terminal includes a first glass sheet defining a sun facing surface and a second glass sheet defining a back facing surface opposite the front side surface. The second glass sheet includes a feed-though opening extending through the second glass sheet. A photovoltaic material is between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet. An encapsulant material is between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet that bonds the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet together and seals the photovoltaic material from moisture. A conductor is electrically connected to the photovoltaic material at one end. The conductor passes through the feed-though opening. A reinforcing member is disposed on the sun facing surface of the first glass sheet. The reinforcing member has a footprint hanging over at least a portion of the feed-through opening.

Abstract: A glass molding system and a method of making glass articles using the glass molding system are disclosed. The glass molding system includes an indexing table, a plurality of enclosures arranged along the indexing table, and a plurality of stations defined on the indexing table such that each of the stations is selectively indexable with any one of the enclosures. At least one radiant heater is arranged in at least one of the enclosures. A radiation reflector surface and a radiation emitter body are arranged in the at least one of the enclosures. The radiation emitter body is between the at least one radiant heater and the radiation reflector surface and has a first surface in opposing relation to the at least one radiant heater and a second surface in opposing relation to the radiation reflector surface.

Abstract: A method for screening abrasive wheels for fabricating a honeycomb extrusion die from a die body, and methods for fabricating a honeycomb extrusion die using an abrasive wheel assembly. One method for fabricating a honeycomb extrusion die includes measuring at least one of runout and thickness of each of a plurality of abrasive blades while rotating the blades, selecting a subset of the plurality of blades that have a measured runout or a measured thickness within a predetermined range, and mounting the subset of blades spaced from one another and concentrically aligned along a rotation axis of the abrasive wheel assembly.

Abstract: A fixture apparatus for positioning an optical component has a transparent base. An adjustment plate that is formed from a transparent material is kinematically coupled to the base. Support posts extend from the adjustment plate for seating the optical component. A number of alignment elements extend from the transparent base for aligning one or more edges of the optical component seated on the support posts.

Abstract: A glass molding system and a method of making glass articles using the glass molding system are disclosed. The glass molding system includes an indexing table, a plurality of enclosures arranged along the indexing table, and a plurality of stations defined on the indexing table such that each of the stations is selectively indexable with any one of the enclosures. At least one radiant heater is arranged in at least one of the enclosures. A radiation reflector surface and a radiation emitter body are arranged in the at least one of the enclosures. The radiation emitter body is between the at least one radiant heater and the radiation reflector surface and has a first surface in opposing relation to the at least one radiant heater and a second surface in opposing relation to the radiation reflector surface.

Abstract: An extrusion die is processed to alter the flow of extrudable material through the die by collecting data reflecting flow variations across the face of the die, constructing a graded resistance flow restrictor utilizing the data, and forcing an abrasive machining medium through the flow restrictor and die with the flow restrictor being arranged to deliver higher abrasive flow through die portions initially exhibiting low extrusion rates, the resulting die being useful for the manufacture of ceramic honeycomb bodies exhibiting a reduced incidence of shape defects attributable to die flow variations.

Abstract: A multi-screen electronic device includes a first electronic device having a first electronic device screen and a second electronic device having a second electronic device screen. The first and second electronic device screens are stacked and on different planes when the multi-screen electronic device is in a compact form. The first and second electronic device screens are unstacked and on the same plane when the multi-screen electronic device is in an expanded form. A translation mechanism is coupled to the first and second electronic devices. The translation mechanism is configured to guide a motion of at least one of the first and second electronic devices along a nonlinear path such that a travel along the nonlinear path in a forward direction transforms the multi-screen electronic device from the compact form to the expanded form and a travel along the nonlinear path in a reverse direction transforms the multi-screen electronic device from the expanded form to the compact form.

Abstract: A method for screening abrasive wheels for fabricating a honeycomb extrusion die from a die body, and methods for fabricating a honeycomb extrusion die using an abrasive wheel assembly. One method for fabricating a honeycomb extrusion die includes measuring at least one of runout and thickness of each of a plurality of abrasive blades while rotating the blades, selecting a subset of the plurality of blades that have a measured runout or a measured thickness within a predetermined range, and mounting the subset of blades spaced from one another and concentrically aligned along a rotation axis of the abrasive wheel assembly.

Abstract: An extrusion die is processed to alter the flow of extrudable material through the die by collecting data reflecting flow variations across the face of the die, constructing a graded resistance flow restrictor utilizing the data, and forcing an abrasive machining medium through the flow restrictor and die with the flow restrictor being arranged to deliver higher abrasive flow through die portions initially exhibiting low extrusion rates, the resulting die being useful for the manufacture of ceramic honeycomb bodies exhibiting a reduced incidence of shape defects attributable to die flow variations.

Abstract: A print press system and a method are described herein that print an electronic circuit onto a material (e.g., glass substrate, plastic film, plastic film-glass substrate laminate). In exemplary applications, the print press system can print an electronic circuit onto a material to form, for instance, a flexible Liquid Crystal Display, a retail point of purchase sign and an e-book.

Abstract: A self-compensating hydrostatic (pressurized fluid film) linear bearing that maintains a fluid gap between a carriage and a rail when relative forces are applied. The geometric shape of the rail and mating carriage enable the bearing to have very high stiffness and load capacity without exessive detrimental carriage deformation. The carriages contain bearing grooves and lands which control and use fluid pressure to provide a very high degree of restoring force in response to changes in the fluid gap. The fluid emanating from the bearing gap is prevented from immediately leaking from the bearing carriage, and is instead routed back to the source from which it is pumped, thereby sealing the bearing carriage and simplifying the handling of the lubricating fluid. The hydrostatic bearing is particularly designed to be compact and to be bolt-for-bolt compatible with conventional linear bearings.