Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling dispensing of a desiccant material into an interior region of an elongated spacer frame member. The appropriate desiccant dispensing nozzle is automatically selected and/or the distance between the desiccant dispensing nozzle and the elongated spacer frame member is automatically determined based on a property of the spacer frame member, such as the width of the spacer frame member.

Abstract: A system for abrading and scoring glass. An abrading/scoring station includes a table for supporting a large sheet of glass on a generally flat support. A first tool support moves an abrading tool for abrading a coating material from the glass. A second tool support moves a scoring or cutting tool that scores a region of the glass. By coordinating a movement of the first and second tool supports with respect to a piece of glass, a controller causes the respective tools to first abrade and then score controlled paths on the piece of glass while avoiding contact between the first and second tool supports and their respective tools.

Abstract: A muntin clip for use with a spacer frame or window sash having an elongated channel extending around an inner periphery of the frame. The disclosed muntin clip has a spacer frame or sash engaging body for insertion into a channel of the spacer frame. A flexible body portion flexes from a first configuration to a second configuration as the clip is pushed into the spacer frame to exert an outward force against walls of the spacer frame bounding the frame channel. The disclosed clip also includes a muntin bar engaging body attached to the spacer frame engaging body that includes a flexible portion that flexes as the muntin bar engaging body is pushed into the muntin bar to frictionally engage the muntin bar.

Abstract: A glass oven may include an emitter, a glass bearing device for use in bearing a glass product to be heated by the glass oven and a shield supported within the oven and positioned between the emitter and the glass product. In one embodiment, the emitter is an IR emitter and the shield is formed from a quartz tube.

Abstract: The system includes a nozzle, a drive, a metering pump, a supply of material and a controller. The nozzle dispenses material into contact with one or more surfaces of a window sash. The drive relatively moves the nozzle with respect to the window sash along a path of travel defined by a perimeter of the window sash at controlled speeds. The metering pump delivers the material to the nozzle at controlled volumetric rates that correspond to the controlled speeds of relative motion between the nozzle and the sash. The supply of material delivers the material to the metering pump. The controller controls the relative motion between the window sash and the nozzle and controls the flow rate of material dispensed by the nozzle.

Abstract: A stock supply station for use in a insulated glass unit component production line includes a plurality of rotatable sheet stock coils, an indexing mechanism, and an uncoiling mechanism. The indexing mechanism is coupled to the sheet stock coils for indexing a selected one of the sheet stock coils to an uncoiling position. The uncoiling mechanism selectively uncoils sheet stock from a sheet stock coil indexed to the uncoiling position to thereby provide sheet stock to a downstream processing station.

Abstract: A method of making elongated spacer frame members prevents a first spacer frame member in a series of spacer frame members from being scrapped. A supply of thin relatively narrow sheet metal stock is provided. The stock is fed endwise to a stamping station. The stock is passed through the stamping station that stamps the stock to define a scrap length of stock followed by a connected first spacer frame defining length of stock. The scrap length of stock and the connected first spacer frame defining length of stock are fed to a roll forming station. The scrap length of stock and the connected first spacer frame defining length of stock are formed into a rigid linearly extending scrap element having opposite side walls and a base wall and a connected rigid linearly extending first spacer frame element having opposite side walls and a base wall. A connection between the scrap element and the first spacer frame element is then severed.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic feeding of elongated sheet stock from a stamping station into a roll forming station in a window component production line includes a transfer mechanism, a feed mechanism and a controller. The transfer mechanism is between the stamping station and the roll forming station. The feed mechanism is positioned at an entrance to the roll forming station. The controller is in communication with the stamping station, the transfer mechanism and the feed mechanism. The controller is programmed to engage stock material that extends from the stamping station with the transfer mechanism, transfer the stock material paid out by the stamping station to the feed mechanism, and drive the feed mechanism to feed the elongated sheet stock into the roll forming station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling dispensing of a desiccant material into an interior region of an elongated spacer frame member. The appropriate desiccant dispensing nozzle is automatically selected and/or the distance between the desiccant dispensing nozzle and the elongated spacer frame member is automatically determined based on a property of the spacer frame member, such as the width of the spacer frame member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating and/or pressing sealant of an insulating glass unit. The apparatus may include an oven and a press. The oven includes a detector that detects an optical property of the insulating glass unit. The detected optical property is used to regulate the amount of energy applied to the insulating glass unit to adjust the amount of energy applied to the sealant. The press may include a displacement transducer that detects a pre-pressed thickness of the insulating glass unit. The measured pre-pressed thickness is used to automatically select a press thickness from a set of pressed IGU thicknesses.