Abstract: A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a glass ribbon gripping device including a first column of jaw clamps spaced from one another along a first clamp path extending in a glass ribbon travel direction of the glass manufacturing apparatus. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a second column of jaw clamps spaced from one another along a second clamp path extending in the glass ribbon travel direction of the glass manufacturing apparatus. The first column of jaw clamps and the second column of jaw clamps are spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the glass ribbon travel direction. Additionally, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon with the glass manufacturing apparatus are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a glass substrate positioned in a vertical orientation into a downstream process. A pair of guide arms move with the glass substrate and constrain lateral movement of an otherwise unsupported bottom edge of the glass substrate. Sensors sense a position of the glass substrate, while a controller calculates a speed of the glass substrate in a conveyance direction and positions the guide arms.

Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.

Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.

Abstract: A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet.

Abstract: A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet.

Abstract: A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet.

Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.

Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a glass sheet compound shape during a severing operation including, for example, positioning a scoring device against the first side of the central portion of the glass sheet, and temporarily bending an extended portion of the glass sheet located between the scoring device and a selected one of the edge portions from a first orientation to a severing orientation by applying a force to the extended portion of the glass sheet. In one example, the force can be applied to achieve a predetermined surface stress in the glass sheet. The method can further include forming a score line along the first side of the central portion of the glass sheet while the force is being applied to the extended portion, and breaking away the selected one of the edge portions from the glass sheet along the score line.

Abstract: A glass sheet guidance apparatus includes a guidance member extending adjacent a conveyance path. In one example, an adjustment device selectively adjusts a length of the guidance member extending between a first holding structure and a second holding structure. In another example, the glass sheet guidance apparatus is configured to traverse a length of the guidance member and the glass sheet in a common direction of a conveyance path. Further examples include methods of guiding a glass sheet with the glass sheet guidance apparatus. In still further examples a method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes guiding the glass sheet.

Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.

Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.

Abstract: Process for removing peripheral portions such as bead regions of a glass sheet including a step of pushing the glass sheet in the peripheral portion using a pushing mechanism such as a pushing bar, and corresponding apparatus. As a result of the use of the pushing mechanism, the engagement completion time for suction cups, if used, are reduced significantly. A process without using suction cups is enabled with enhanced yield. The increased process stability and enlarged process window are particularly advantageous for processing glass sheets having high flexibility.

Abstract: A method of cutting glass that prevents uncontrolled crack propagation when high background stress is present, either in the form of thermal residual stress, external mechanical stress or a combination thereof. The method includes masking an edge of the glass by blocking the beam using highly reflective or absorptive material located near the glass surface, or deposited on the surface in a form of a thin film (or highly reflective paint) to prevent uncontrolled crack initiation and propagation starting from the glass edge. The initiation of the laser scoring is located at a predetermined distance from the glass edge. Yet another aspect of the invention embodies stopping propagation of the vent at the exiting end of the score line.

Abstract: A method of cutting glass that prevents uncontrolled crack propagation when high background stress is present, either in the form of thermal residual stress, external mechanical stress or a combination thereof. The method includes masking an edge of the glass by blocking the beam using highly reflective or absorptive material located near the glass surface, or deposited on the surface in a form of a thin film (or highly reflective paint) to prevent uncontrolled crack initiation and propagation starting from the glass edge. The initiation of the laser scoring is located at a predetermined distance from the glass edge. Yet another aspect of the invention embodies stopping propagation of the vent at the exiting end of the score line.

Abstract: A thermal edge finishing process includes preheating at least one cut edge of a glass sheet, laser finishing the edge to a single full continuous radius from a position orthogonal to the edge and in-plane with the glass sheet while continuing to heat the glass, and localized annealing of the edge to reduce residual stress from the laser/thermal treatment of the edge. By the present process, edge stress is reduced considerably, such as to less than 3000 psi, and more preferably to less than 2500 psi, and to as low as 1000 psi in the first 1 mm along the treated edge.

Abstract: A thermal edge-finishing process includes pre-heating an edge of a glass sheet, focused heating inboard of the edge to cause thermal tensioning, laser finishing the edge, and localized annealing of the edge. By stress cancellation, the thermal energy added by a laser edge-finishing operation does not result in as much residual stress. By the present process, residual stress is reduced to below 3000 psi, and more preferably to about 1000 psi, and as low as 600 psi in the first 1 mm along the treated edge.