Abstract: An apparatus for locating a preform on a mold includes a preform handling tool and a force sensor coupled to the preform handling tool such that the force sensor is capable of sensing forces applied to the preform during handling of the preform by the preform handling tool. The apparatus includes a control device that is arranged and operable to move the preform handling tool relative to the mold. A method of locating the preform on the mold includes picking up the preform using the preform handling tool and placing the preform in a vicinity of the mold. Positions on the mold are mapped with an edge of the preform with the aid of the force sensor. The preform is paced on the mold according to the mapped positions.

Abstract: A mold for shaping glass can be made by a method that includes providing a mold body having a shaping surface comprising at least about 90% nickel and modifying the composition of the shaping surface of the mold body by exposing the shaping surface to an oxidizing heat treatment. The oxidizing heat treatment may include a ramping heat treatment, a fixed heat treatment, or both the ramping heat treatment and the fixed heat treatment. The ramping heat treatment may include increasing a heating temperature at a rate from about 20° C./hour to about 500° C./hour to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. The fixed heat treatment may include holding the heating temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. for a holding time of at least about 5 minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a preform on a mold includes a preform handling tool and a force sensor coupled to the preform handling tool such that the force sensor is capable of sensing forces applied to the preform during handling of the preform by the preform handling tool. The apparatus includes a control device that is arranged and operable to move the preform handling tool relative to the mold. A method of locating the preform on the mold includes picking up the preform using the preform handling tool and placing the preform in a vicinity of the mold. Positions on the mold are mapped with an edge of the preform with the aid of the force sensor. The preform is paced on the mold according to the mapped positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high purity nickel molds for use in forming three dimensional glass substrates, along with methods of making three dimensional glass substrates. The mold compositions minimize imperfections in the formed glass substrates providing optical quality shaped glass articles for use in electronics applications.

Abstract: A mold for shaping glass can be made by a method that includes providing a mold body having a shaping surface comprising at least about 90% nickel and modifying the composition of the shaping surface of the mold body by exposing the shaping surface to an oxidizing heat treatment. The oxidizing heat treatment may include a ramping heat treatment, a fixed heat treatment, or both the ramping heat treatment and the fixed heat treatment. The ramping heat treatment may include increasing a heating temperature at a rate from about 20° C./hour to about 500° C./hour to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. The fixed heat treatment may include holding the heating temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. for a holding time of at least about 5 minutes.

Abstract: A mold for shaping glass can be made by a method that includes providing a mold body having a shaping surface comprising at least about 90% nickel and modifying the composition of the shaping surface of the mold body by exposing the shaping surface to an oxidizing heat treatment. The oxidizing heat treatment may include a ramping heat treatment, a fixed heat treatment, or both the ramping heat treatment and the fixed heat treatment. The ramping heat treatment may include increasing a heating temperature at a rate from about 20° C./hour to about 500° C./hour to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. The fixed heat treatment may include holding the heating temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. for a holding time of at least about 5 minutes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high purity nickel molds for use in forming three dimensional glass substrates, along with methods of making three dimensional glass substrates. The mold compositions minimize imperfections in the formed glass substrates providing optical quality shaped glass articles for use in electronics applications.

Abstract: A mold for shaping glass can be made by a method that includes providing a mold body having a shaping surface comprising at least about 90% nickel and modifying the composition of the shaping surface of the mold body by exposing the shaping surface to an oxidizing heat treatment. The oxidizing heat treatment may include a ramping heat treatment, a fixed heat treatment, or both the ramping heat treatment and the fixed heat treatment. The ramping heat treatment may include increasing a heating temperature at a rate from about 20° C./hour to about 500° C./hour to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. The fixed heat treatment may include holding the heating temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. for a holding time of at least about 5 minutes.