Abstract: An insulated glass assembly line generally includes a first and second automated lite picker, a washer, a vertical gas filling and wetting station, a robot, and an applicator station.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: A heating station for use with, for example, a high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the heating station including at least two opposing infrared heaters that linearly heat spacer material that includes integrated temperature sensitive adhesive. Each of multiple linear infrared heaters includes a respective associated temperature sensor. The infrared heater and temperature sensor are coupled to a spacer heating controller that controls intensity and/or duration of heating of the spacer material and adhesive to provide optimal wetting and adhesive qualities. Individual control of the at least two opposing linear infrared heaters compensates for variable environmental conditions affecting spacer material at different locations around and insulated glass unit.

Abstract: A single axis application unit for processing a glass workpiece includes a workpiece supporting table, an applicator movable on a traveler shiftable along a first linear axis and a central suction unit that is activateable to grip the glass workpiece that travels along a second linear axis oriented generally perpendicular to the first linear axis. A central suction unit brake selectively secures the central suction unit both rotationally and translationally. The central suction unit is freely moveable both translationally and rotationally when the central suction unit brake is released. A mid-peripheral suction unit is located at a fixed location remote from the central suction unit and selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece to hold the glass workpiece in a fixed orientation. A corner suction gripper is movable with the applicator parallel to the first linear axis, and is selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece.

Abstract: A robotic work cell to manufacture insulated glass units including a robotic gripper supported by a robot positioned and structured to lift a first glass lite from a first workstation by applying a robotic gripper to a first surface of the first glass lite; a second workstation including a spacer material applicator structured to apply spacer material to a perimeter of the supported first glass lite presented to the second workstation while supported by the robotic gripper; a third workstation reachable by the robot including a second conveyor; and the third workstation further including an edge sealant applicator; wherein the first workstation, the second workstation and the third workstation are within reach of the robotic gripper as manipulated by the robot

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: An insulated glass assembly line generally includes a first and second automated lite picker, a washer, a vertical gas filling and wetting station, a robot, and an applicator station.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: A welder for constructing and welding plastic fenestration structures, including parts storage bins structured to store and support parts to be assembled to create the plastic fenestration structures; wheels that receive the parts from the parts storage bins; aligners that position the parts relative to one another; heating plates that apply heat to ends of the parts thereby rendering at least a portion of the ends of the parts molten; parts shifters operably shiftable between a first position adjacent the wheels and a second position remotely located from the wheels that shift the parts to a fusing position in which adjacent parts are abutted together at a fusing station to produce the plastic fenestration structure; and at least one cooling station at which the plastic fenestration structure is held.

Abstract: A welder for constructing and welding plastic fenestration structures, including parts storage bins structured to store and support parts to be assembled to create the plastic fenestration structures; wheels that receive the parts from the parts storage bins; aligners that position the parts relative to one another; heating plates that apply heat to ends of the parts thereby rendering at least a portion of the ends of the parts molten; parts shifters operably shiftable between a first position adjacent the wheels and a second position remotely located from the wheels that shift the parts to a fusing position in which adjacent parts are abutted together at a fusing station to produce the plastic fenestration structure; and at least one cooling station at which the plastic fenestration structure is held.

Abstract: An insulated glass assembly line generally includes a first and second automated lite picker, a washer, a vertical gas filling and wetting station, a robot, and an applicator station.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a front conveyor system, a back conveyor system, a shuttle mechanism that distributes glass lites to the front conveyor system and the back conveyor system, an insulated glass unit spacer applicator having a spacer dispensing head configured to apply perimeter spacer material to one of the glass lites, the spacer head being proportionally movable relative to the glass lite as the glass lite is conveyed on the front conveyor mechanism to apply the perimeter spacer material to create a spacer applied lite and a gas press. A secondary edge sealing unit has a first secondary edge sealing head and a second secondary edge sealing head, each of the first secondary edge sealing head and the second secondary edge sealing head applying edge sealant to portion of a perimeter of an insulated glass unit.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: A single axis application unit for processing a glass workpiece includes a workpiece supporting table, an applicator movable on a traveler shiftable along a first linear axis and a central suction unit that is activateable to grip the glass workpiece that travels along a second linear axis oriented generally perpendicular to the first linear axis. A central suction unit brake selectively secures the central suction unit both rotationally and translationally. The central suction unit is freely moveable both translationally and rotationally when the central suction unit brake is released. A mid-peripheral suction unit is located at a fixed location remote from the central suction unit and selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece to hold the glass workpiece in a fixed orientation. A corner suction gripper is movable with the applicator parallel to the first linear axis, and is selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: A single axis application unit for processing a glass workpiece includes a workpiece supporting table, an applicator movable on a traveler shiftable along a first linear axis and a central suction unit that is activateable to grip the glass workpiece that travels along a second linear axis oriented generally perpendicular to the first linear axis. A central suction unit brake selectively secures the central suction unit both rotationally and translationally. The central suction unit is freely moveable both translationally and rotationally when the central suction unit brake is released. A mid-peripheral suction unit is located at a fixed location remote from the central suction unit and selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece to hold the glass workpiece in a fixed orientation. A corner suction gripper is movable with the applicator parallel to the first linear axis, and is selectively activateable to grip the glass workpiece.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a gas filling topping press that mates a spacer applied lite supplied to the topping press and a topping lite supplied to the topping press to create an insulated glass unit and fills the insulated glass unit with a non-air gas. A heating station applies localized heat to adhesive of the spacer material. A sealing press applies pressure to the insulated glass unit and facilitates further sealing of the spacer material to the spacer applied lite and the topping lite. The line may include a fourth corner sealer that completes sealing of the airspace of the IGU prior to finishing of the IGU.

Abstract: An insulated glass assembly line generally includes a first and second automated lite picker, a washer, a vertical gas filling and wetting station, a robot, and an applicator station.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a front conveyor system, a back conveyor system, a shuttle mechanism that distributes glass lites to the front conveyor system and the back conveyor system, an insulated glass unit spacer applicator having a spacer dispensing head configured to apply perimeter spacer material to one of the glass lites, the spacer head being proportionally movable relative to the glass lite as the glass lite is conveyed on the front conveyor mechanism to apply the perimeter spacer material to create a spacer applied lite and a gas press. A secondary edge sealing unit has a first secondary edge sealing head and a second secondary edge sealing head, each of the first secondary edge sealing head and the second secondary edge sealing head applying edge sealant to portion of a perimeter of an insulated glass unit.

Abstract: A high speed parallel manufacturing line for manufacturing insulated glass units, the manufacturing line including a front conveyor system, a back conveyor system, a shuttle mechanism that distributes glass lites to the front conveyor system and the back conveyor system, an insulated glass unit spacer applicator having a spacer dispensing head configured to apply perimeter spacer material to one of the glass lites, the spacer head being proportionally movable relative to the glass lite as the glass lite is conveyed on the front conveyor mechanism to apply the perimeter spacer material to create a spacer applied lite and a gas press. A secondary edge sealing unit has a first secondary edge sealing head and a second secondary edge sealing head, each of the first secondary edge sealing head and the second secondary edge sealing head applying edge sealant to portion of a perimeter of an insulated glass unit.