Abstract: A method for cleaving one or more optical fiber(s) at an angle to the optic axis is provided and includes clamping the optical fiber(s) with its coating stripped to expose its distal end. An axial force and/or a bending force is applied to the optical fibre to create internal stresses in the fiber. A sharp blade is provided in an orientation such the blade edge is perpendicular to the optical fiber. The blade is further orientated such that a plane bisecting the blade angle formed between two polished surfaces of the blade is slanted relative to the longitudinal axis of the fibre. The at least one optical fiber is scratched with the sharp blade to create a non-perpendicular cleave having a controlled shape in the region of the scratch. A method of splicing the fibers and a tool for cleaving the fibers are also provided.

Abstract: A pane is separated from a moving ribbon of brittle material by restraining the ribbon upstream of a score line prior to separating the pane. The ribbon is restrained by selectively contacting a first side and a second side of the ribbon in one of an opposite, overlapping or offset relation. The ribbon can be restrained prior to, substantially simultaneous with or subsequent to forming the score line. The restrained status of the ribbon is maintained during and immediately after separation of the pane from the ribbon, thereby reducing the introduction of a disturbance or bending moment into the upstream ribbon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating substrates are disclosed, as are articles formed from the separated substrates. A method of separating a substrate having a main surface, a tension region within an interior thereof, and a compression region between the main surface and the tension region, includes forming a modified stress zone extending along a guide path within the substrate such that a first portion of the substrate is within the modified stress zone, wherein the portion of the substrate within the modified stress zone has a modified stress different from a preliminary stress of the first portion. A vent crack also formed in the first main surface. The vent crack and the modified stress zone are configured to separate the substrate along the guide path.

Abstract: The method serves for producing network-like metal mats from metallic strip material, for which purpose the strip material is first provided with notches (2), running parallel to one another, for the forming of metal wires (1), by means of notching rollers. The notches (2) are thereby formed to such depths, depending on the material, that as far as possible no sliding fractures are formed. The notches (2) are interrupted by unnotched regions—the mutual spacing of which in the respective notch (2) determines the later possible mesh width—at least in such a way that they later form network nodes (4). The network nodes (4) are offset by approximately half a network node spacing in the respectively adjacent notches (2).

Abstract: A split bearing ring according to the invention includes two or more split portions into which the split bearing ring is divided with respect to a circumferential direction. Surfaces of the split portions other than circumferential end faces of the spit portions have hardness of HRC 59 or higher, the surfaces of the split portions other than the circumferential end faces are quenched and tempered, and the surfaces of the split portions other than the circumferential end faces have a prior austenite grain size of No. 6 or above. The split portions are formed by applying a load to a bearing ring such that stress generated on one end side of the bearing ring with respect to an axial direction is larger than stress generated on the other end side of the bearing ring with respect to the axial direction.

Abstract: An exemplary brittle non-metallic workpiece (70) is made by the laser beam (31), a cutting surface (701 ) of the brittle non-metallic workpiece has no micro cracks. A method for making the brittle non-metallic workpiece includes: focusing a laser beam on the brittle non-metallic substrate to form an elliptic beam spot; driving the laser beam to move along a predetermined curved cutting path, making a center of a major axis of the elliptic beam spot intersecting along the predetermined curved cutting path and the major axis being tangent to the predetermined curved cutting path at the intersecting point; a coolant stream following the elliptic beam spot to move, thus producing a crack in the brittle non-metallic substrate corresponding to the predetermined curved cutting path; separating the brittle non-metallic substrate along the crack. A laser cutting device (40) for making the same is also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated glass (VIG) panel includes a first glass panel and a second glass panel spaced from the first glass panels. A spacer is disposed between the first and second glass panels. The spacer includes first and second generally opposed faces, and a plurality of sides extending therebetween. The spacer is processed using tumbling and polishing operations to preferably round all corners of the spacer and form a circular contact footprint on opposed side faces of the spacer. The spacer surface break conditions are measured during tumbling and/or polishing operations using optical flat measuring equipment. Following the polishing operation the spacer is thermally processed to strengthen the spacer.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a solution for guiding the cutting of a piece of plasterboard, which can be rapidly implemented, and does not require any finishing step for refilling the surface of the piece of plasterboard. To this end, the invention relates to a guide element (200) for guiding the cutting of a piece of plasterboard, said guiding element having two longitudinal edges and two ends, for guiding a cutting blade, during operation, parallel to the guiding element, said guiding element also comprising, at least on one end, a rotatably mounted abutment (210) provided with means (211) for holding the abutment against the piece of plasterboard.

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 device for engaging and tensioning a glass ribbon includes a center frame member, and first and second outer frame members connected thereto. The first outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the first outer frame member. The second outer frame member includes a suction cup that engages an opposite edge area of the glass ribbon and an actuator for moving the suction cup of the second outer frame member. The actuators of the first and second outer frame members moves the suction cups of the respective frame members in directions away from each other.

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: The invention proposes a solution for cutting a sheet of gypsum board quickly and allowing a flat cut edge to be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for rapidly grooving a piece of plasterboard, enabling the creation of a plane cutting edge and a precise cut-out of the layer(s) of paper or cardboard. To this end, according to the invention, the cutting is carried out in three main steps by means of a blade having a particular shape and sharpness: a step of grooving, a step of breaking the plasterboard, and a step of levelling the cutting edge. The invention therefore relates to a blade (300) for cutting a piece of plasterboard, characterised in that it comprises at least one grooving corner (301) having a plane face and a bevelled face.

Abstract: A method is provided for the internal processing of a transparent substrate in preparation for a cleaving step. The substrate is irradiated with a focused laser beam that is comprised of pulses having an energy and pulse duration selected to produce a filament within the substrate. The substrate is translated relative to the laser beam to irradiate the substrate and produce an additional filament at one or more additional locations. The resulting filaments form an array defining an internally scribed path for cleaving said substrate. Laser beam parameters may be varied to adjust the filament length and position, and to optionally introduce V-channels or grooves, rendering bevels to the laser-cleaved edges.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuous edge separation in a continuous process for a ribbon of flexible brittle material such as a thin ribbon of glass is disclosed wherein an initial flaw or score is formed in the ribbon. The initial flaw is turned into a crack that propagates continuously throughout the processing of the ribbon. The cracking itself results in no material loss. After cracking, the cut side edge is routed along a path different than the interior quality region to avoid contact damage between the quality region and the edge portion. The quality region can be provided for further processing or be stored. The flexible, brittle ribbon can be sourced from a hot forming device or from a roll (spool) of substrate.

Abstract: A substrate cutting method includes the steps of aligning a panel including two or more substrates, along a cutting line, forming groove lines in the respective substrates of the panel along the cutting line, by oscillating respective ultraviolet UV laser beams along the cutting line, and cutting the panel along the groove lines, by applying force to the panel.

Abstract: A device and method for cleaving a sample includes: Creating an indentation on a top surface of the sample by applying a downward force along a vertical axis, the axis arranging perpendicularly to the top surface of the sample; Providing a breaking pin and arranging the breaking pin under the sample to touch the bottom surface of the sample at a position that is directly opposite from the indentation; And, applying a downward force on the sample by providing a left side and right side breaker pin wherein the downward force comprises a left-side downward force extended through the left-side breaker pin and right-side downward force through the right side breaker pin. Further the pins that provide the left-side and right-side downward force are disposed on a breaker bar and arranged to be on opposite sides of a vertical axis that extends through the indentation on the top surface.

Abstract: The invention is based on the object of improving the detachment of portions of a glass rod to the extent that a very planar, uniform fracture surface is produced. For this purpose, an apparatus according to the invention for detaching portions of glass rods comprises a device for the parallel holding and lateral fixing of a number of glass rods, a scoring wheel holder with a scoring wheel rotatably mounted parallel to the axis of the glass rods, at least one pressing spring for pressing the scoring wheel and the glass rods against one another, a device for guiding the glass rods and the scoring wheel past one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the glass rods, a holddown means for pressing against the glass rods, a breaking bar and a breaking beam, the breaking bar being arranged opposite, between the holddown means and the breaking beam.

Abstract: Methods for the recycling of carpet are disclosed that produce clean face fiber suitable for industrial use. The methods allow the recovery of face fiber material, for example a polyester or a polyamide, from carpets that includes a face fiber material and a backing material, and include the steps of heating the carpet to a temperature lower than the melting point of the face fiber material, but higher than the initial thermal decomposition temperature of the backing material, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to thermally decompose, pyrolyze, or oxidize at least a portion of the backing material, rendering the backing material friable, that is more friable than the untreated backing; and applying mechanical force to the carpet so as to liberate the friable backing material from the face fiber material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mechanically cleaving a bonded wafer structure are disclosed. The apparatus and methods involve clamps that grip the bonded wafer structure and are actuated to cause the bonded structure to cleave.

Abstract: A segmentable wiring board includes a ceramic base body, a conductor, a metal plating film and a glass layer, the glass layer having an upwardly-protruding convexity located on the metal plating film. The ceramic base body has a plurality of wiring substrate regions and dividing grooves located in boundaries among the plurality of wiring substrate regions. Moreover, the conductor is located in a periphery of each of the plurality of wiring substrate regions. Moreover, the metal plating film is located on the conductor. Further, the glass layer coveringly extends from an inner surface of each of the dividing grooves of the ceramic base body to the metal plating film.

Abstract: There are provided a process of forming a recess groove having a depth shallower than and a width larger than the notch groove for fracturing at a portion of fracturing and splitting in the permanent magnet; a process of forming the notch groove for fracturing the permanent magnet in a groove bottom of the recess groove formed in the recess-groove forming process; and a process of fracturing and splitting the permanent magnet along the notch groove so as to obtain magnet pieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an implant (1) having at least one surface segment having at least one break line (3) delineating for exposing an opening or recess of a closure segment (2) removable from the surface segment by the effect of force. In a first, preferably machining method, a sub-assembly of the implant (1) is first produced. In a second step, the material strength in the region of the break line (3) is weakened by material deformation.

Abstract: A device for loading strips of wipe material for wipe material dispensing machines of the type including a housing that accommodates lateral side pieces which support a drum including a cutting device and a strip of material located above the drum, is distinctive in that it comprises a dual arrangement with, firstly, an enclosure that is concentric with the drum and defines, together with the drum, a gap through which the strip of material passes and, secondly, at least two rollers arranged parallel to each other and rotatably mounted relative to the lateral side pieces of the housing and meshing with a sprocket joined to the drum. An intermediate roller is fitted between the at least two rollers and make it possible to insert the strip of material into the gap between the enclosure and the drum and then eject it towards the front of the machine.

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 label assembly including a face sheet, a back sheet, and a layer of an adhesive positioned between the face sheet and the back sheet. A separation line divides the label assembly into at least two portions. The separation line is formed by a first tearable line of separation extending across the back sheet and a second tearable line of separation extending across the face sheet. The first tearable line of separation is offset with respect to the second tearable line of separation, and at least one of the first and second tearable lines of separation includes a non-linear portion directed toward and/or an angled portion extending at an angle to an other of the at least one of the first and second tearable lines of separation.

Abstract: A rotary sizing apparatus to form granola pieces includes a transfer device to move a granola slab and a diversion portion extending along a transfer axis between a receiving end and an exit end for receiving the slab from the transfer device. A rotary breaking device is disposed adjacent and in spaced relationship to the exit end for receiving the granola slab. The rotary breaking device is rotatable about a rotary breaking axis disposed above the transfer axis, and includes at least one blade for rotatably striking the top side of the moving granola slab to break the granola slab into a plurality of granola pieces. The at least one blade engages the top side of the granola slab during rotation of the blade to establish a breaking angle between zero and forty five degrees relative to the top side of the granola slab.

Abstract: A vertical crack is generated at a desired position on a brittle material substrate S by making a wheel tip 5a of a glass cutter 5 move while being in contact with the substrate surface by a load which does not allow the wheel tip 5a to damage the surface, using an armature 6 applying an abrupt impact force for generating the vertical crack having a predetermined depth, to the glass cutter 5 moving on the substrate. A scribe line is formed as the vertical crack is urged to extend along a planned scribe line, due to a stress gradient exerted onto the vertical crack and occurring between a compressive stress in an irradiation area on the substrate at which a laser beam is irradiated from a laser beam oscillator 8 and a tensile stress in a cooling area made by a cooling medium released from a cooling nozzle 7.

Abstract: Provided is a method for cutting a glass sheet whereby even a thin glass sheet having a thickness of 1 mm or less can be suitably cut. A nick (20a) is formed on a section of a planned cutting line (L) of a glass sheet (20). The glass sheet (20) is placed on a surface (10a) of a jig (10) in which an uneven portion (10b) having a shape corresponding to the planned cutting line (L) is formed. The glass sheet (20) is cut by deforming a portion thereof located above the uneven portion (10b) and developing a crack originating from the nick (20a).

Abstract: Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium are disclosed. The abrasive medium may be placed into contact with an optical fiber to induce a flaw in the optical fiber. The optical fiber is broken about the induced flaw to create an end face for fiber optic termination preparations. In one embodiment, a method for cleaving an optical fiber without employing a blade is provided. The method includes providing an optical fiber. A flaw is created in a portion of the optical fiber using a bladeless cleaver comprised of a body and a cleaver structure attached to the body. The cleaver structure is configured to actuate to place an abrasive medium in contact with the portion of the optical fiber to create a flaw in the optical fiber. The method further includes breaking the optical fiber at the flaw to create an end face.

Abstract: A ceramic base plate is divided into a plurality of substrate regions 2 each having corner part 8. A dividing groove 7 is formed between the substrate regions 2 adjacent with each other. The corner part 8 of each of the substrate regions 2 faces a spacing 9B communicated with the dividing groove 7. At least a part of the corner part 8 is arc-shaped. The arc-shaped part of the corner part is tangent to a center line 7a of the dividing groove 7 at a cross point “P” of the spacing 9B with the dividing groove 7. The ceramic base plate is broken along the dividing groove 7 to produce ceramic substrates.

Abstract: A notch is formed in an inner circumference of a bolt hole formed on each side of a large end of the connecting rod such that the notch extends continuously along the inner circumference. By radially propagating progress of breakage from the notch as a starting point, a connecting rod is broken into a rod portion and a cap portion. In this case, since no confluence of breakage propagation exists, the connecting rod can be broken without generating any breaking surface step.

Abstract: A pane is separated from a moving ribbon of brittle material by restraining the ribbon upstream of a score line prior to separating the pane. The ribbon is restrained by selectively contacting a first side and a second side of the ribbon in one of an opposite, overlapping or offset relation. The ribbon can be restrained prior to, substantially simultaneous with or subsequent to forming the score line. The restrained status of the ribbon is maintained during and immediately after separation of the pane from the ribbon, thereby reducing the introduction of a disturbance or bending moment into the upstream ribbon.

Abstract: A flat display panel cutting apparatus that includes a conveyor for feeding a loaded flat display panel to a cutting area and a spraying area; a cutting tool positioned in the cutting area, for forming primary cracks on the flat display panel, the primary cracks including two or more first cracks spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction and two or more second cracks spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction; and a spraying tool positioned in the spraying area, for growing secondary cracks by spraying high temperature steam onto the first cracks or second cracks of the primary cracks formed on the flat display panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glass body cutting method for cutting a glass body along a planned cutting line, the method including: a groove forming process of forming a groove on one surface of the glass body along the planned cutting line by irradiation of a laser light along the planned cutting line; an attachment process of attaching an adhesive sheet to the one surface to cover at least the groove, after the groove forming process; and a cutting process of cutting the glass body along the planned cutting line by applying a tear stress along the planned cutting line while pressing a cutting blade against the other surface of the glass body in a state where the glass body is disposed on a supporting section through the adhesive sheet, after the attachment process.

Abstract: A substrate cutting apparatus for cutting a large size substrate into smaller unit substrates includes a rotating table and a push plate. The rotating table, on which the large size substrate having formed thereon a plurality of cutting lines is mountable, includes rotating shafts at locations corresponding to the cutting lines. The push plate fixes a position of the large size substrate on the rotating table.

Abstract: Transversal cutting machine comprises feeding means (20) that supply a log of paper (15), for example hygienic paper, to a sawing station at which rolls or stacks (16) are cut off from the log (15) by a blade (25). During the cutting step the log (15) is held by a clamping device (1), divided in two parts (2, 3) arranged respectively upstream from and downstream of a slit (17) through which the blade (25) passes. In particular, the first part (2) and the second part (3) of clamping device (1) are movable relatively so that during the cut the log (15) is locally subject to traction at the same time of the blade (25) driven in the log. This way, during the cutting action of the blade (25) an opening (17) is created on the log (15) having a size at least the same as the thickness of blade (25) same. This makes easier the action of blade (25) since it reduces the friction produced between the blade (25) and the log (15).

Abstract: A process produces web sections from a flexible web material. The flexible web material is provided with tear-off lines at the distance of the length (L) of the web sections to be formed, which tear-off lines weaken the web material but do not bring about a complete separation of the web sections from the web material. The web sections are separated from the web material along the tear-off lines by tearing. The web material comprises a fabric made of small stretched plastic bands, and the tear-off lines are produced by laser beam processing.

Abstract: Layers of material such as glass layers for displays may be cut using scribing and breaking techniques. Scribing-and-breaking equipment may include a scribe tip that forms a loop-shaped scribe line in the surface of a layer of material. The loop-shaped scribe line may have a rectangular shape with four straight sides and four rounded corners. A breaking structure such as a rectangular ring-shaped metal break frame with rounded corners may be configured to match the shape of the scribe line. During breaking operations, the layer of material may be supported on a support structure. The support structure may have a flexible material such as an elastomer and a lower-friction coating layer such as a polytetrafluoroethylene coating. The break frame may be aligned with the scribe line and may be used to press down on the layer of material, thereby breaking the layer of material along the scribe line.

Abstract: There are provided an optical fiber cutting method and a cutting apparatus which can easily cut a coated optical fiber without a step of removing a coating from the optical fiber. It includes a clamp which holds the coated optical fiber, having a glass fiber and the coating, on both sides of a portion-to-be-cut, a disk-shaped blade member which moves at the portion-to-be-cut in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the optical fiber to cut the coating and to provide a slit into the glass fiber, and a support which presses, with a predetermined pressing force, the portion-to-be-cut from an opposite side of the blade member with respect to the portion-to-be-cut when cutting the coating and providing the slit into the glass fiber. A head of the support is formed with a groove along a sliding direction of the blade member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cutting a liquid crystal display panel. A method for cutting a liquid crystal display panel which includes an upper panel and a lower panel includes: forming scribe lines on the upper panel and the lower panel respectively along a cutting direction; and breaking the upper panel and the lower panel by applying an external force at an outside of the scribe lines in a direction to urge the lower panel to be bent toward an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a LCD panel is provided. The apparatus comprises a first scribing unit for forming first scribing lines and second scribing lines for dividing LCD panels on a substrate having a plurality of LCD panels. The apparatus also has a first flipping unit for flipping the substrate, a first breaking unit having a breaking bar for striking the flipped substrate along the first scribing lines to form a crack on the substrate, and a plurality of breaking rollers for pressing the flipped substrate along the second scribing lines to form a crack on the substrate. A breaking process of an LCD panel may be performed without rotating the substrate by using the breaking bar and the breaking rollers. Also, the breaking process may be performed without damaging image display regions of LCD panels where different sized LCD panels are on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods for separating strengthened glass articles from glass substrate sheets and strengthened glass substrate sheets are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of separating a glass article from a glass substrate sheet includes forming at least one groove on at least one surface of the glass substrate sheet. The at least one groove continuously extends around a perimeter of the glass article and extends partially through a thickness of the glass substrate sheet. The method further includes strengthening the glass substrate sheet by a strengthening process and separating the glass article from the glass substrate sheet along the at least one groove such that one or more edges of the glass article are under compressive stress. In another embodiment, a strengthened glass substrate sheet includes an ion exchanged glass having one or more grooves in one or more strengthened surface layers, the one or more grooves defining glass articles.

Abstract: In the method for cutting a continuously moving glass sheet with an inhomogeneous thickness distribution across the glass sheet, a cutting tool is moved across it at an angle to its travel direction to form a fissure and then the glass sheet is broken along the fissure. To avoid premature breakage in thin regions the applied cutting force is controlled by a controller based on control commands so that the cutting force is decreased when the glass sheet thickness decreases and is increased when it increases. In a preferred embodiment cutting force switchover points are based on an initial measurement of the thickness distribution. In another embodiment the thickness is continuously measured and the applied cutting force is automatically adjusted accordingly, so that the cutting force is greater when the thickness is greater, and vice versa.

Abstract: A rear face 1b of an object to be processed 1A and a front face 10a of an object to be processed for separation 10A are bonded to each other by anode bonding, whereby a fracture 17 generated in a thickness direction of the object for separation 10A from a molten processed region 13 acting as a start point reaches a front face 1a of the object 1A continuously without substantially changing its direction. Then, after cutting the objects 1A, 10A, the object 10A is removed from the object 1A, so as to yield chips 19.

Abstract: A method of separating a length of single-strand wire at a notch location includes forming at least one notch in the length of single-strand wire at the notch location. The notch location is subjected to tensile strain until the notch location ruptures at the notch to separate the length of single-strand wire into a first single-strand wire and a second single-strand wire. After separation of the length of single-strand wire, the first and second single-strands each present a generally tapered end that corresponds to the notch location.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for the industrial production of elastically deformable large-surface-area glass plates in high quantities, comprising the following characteristics: a) a device for feeding a glass plate (3), b) a device for providing the surface of the glass plate (3) with initial damage in the region of the desired breaking line, c) a device for the locally limited heating of the glass surface by way of a laser beam moving on a straight line in a fan-shaped pivoting manner, d) a device for cooling the glass surface, wherein a controllable cooling nozzle delivering a fluid is disposed on at least one side of the laser beam, e) a device for transporting a thermally locally pretreated glass plate (3) into the region of a device for breaking the glass pate (3), f) a device for detecting a straight-line crack formation on the surface of a glass plate (3), g) a straight-lined breaking blade on the underside of the glass plate (3), which blade can be lifted on one side and/or

Abstract: An automatic cutting device is described for cutting an assembly. The assembly includes a material having a weakened zone therein that defines a useful layer and being attached to a source substrate. The cutting device includes a cutting mechanism and a holding and positioning mechanism operatively associated with the cutting mechanism. The holding and positioning mechanism positions the material so that the cutting mechanism detaches the layer from the source substrate along the weakened zone. The cutting device also includes a control mechanism for adjusting at least two different portions of the assembly during detachment of the layer to facilitate a more precise detachment.

Abstract: Apparatus and equipment for making glass sheet from a glass ribbon including scoring, bending and separation in vertical state with improved glass ribbon stability provided by edge restrainers located above the score-line that also travel with substantially the same vertical velocity with the elastic ribbon. The edge restrainers on both sides of the glass ribbon serve to limit the motion and perturbation of the ribbon during scoring, bending and separation, advantageously by tensioning the glass ribbon where needed. The invention can reduce disturbance of the glass ribbon in upstream visco-elastic and/or viscous zones due to scoring, bending and separation, therefore enhance forming process stability and product attributes such as thickness variation, stress and stress variation, and the like. The invention can be particularly advantageous for making glass sheet with large width and/or low thickness using the fusion down-draw, slot down-draw, re-draw down-draw, and other down-draw processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dividing a plane-parallel plate made of a brittle material into a plurality of individual plates having a specified edge length, in which break-off cuts are made along specified scored lines that form a lattice-like pattern by introducing thermally induced stresses by means of a laser beam, and in which, after making the break-off cuts along a first working direction, the resultant plate strips are spaced out at intervals in that a framed stretch film to which the plane-parallel plate is bonded is stretched by means of a vacuum device. The invention also relates to a device with a special clamping table for use in carrying out the method.