A glass sheet used in the making of an aircraft windshield is shaped using the cut-to-size method instead of the out-after-bend method. In a preferred aspect of the invention the cut-to-size method is practiced using a bending iron having a sheet shaping rail having a stationary shaping rail portion mounted on a support member and an articulating shaping rail portion pivotally mounted on the support member for movement from a non-shaping position to a shaping position.

A glass sheet used in the making of an aircraft windshield is shaped using the cut-to-size method instead of the out-after-bend method. In a preferred aspect of the invention the cut-to-size method is practiced using a bending iron having a sheet shaping rail having a stationary shaping rail portion mounted on a support member and an articulating shaping rail portion pivotally mounted on the support member for movement from a non-shaping position to a shaping position.

A device for forming a glass includes a housing member, a support member, and an intake member. The housing member includes a first part, at least one suction hole, and a plurality of sidewalls. The first part is substantially parallel to a surface defined by first and second directions. The suction hole is defined in the first part. The sidewalls extend from the first part. The support member is disposed on the first part. The support member includes a first surface configured to support the glass, a second surface overlapping and facing the first surface in a thickness direction, and a plurality of side surfaces configured to connect the first surface to the second surface. Each of first and second side surfaces of the side surfaces face each other and have a curved shape. The intake member is configured to perform an intake operation through the suction hole.

According to one or more embodiments described herein, a three-dimensional laminate glass article may be manufactured by a process which may include heating a glass stack including at least two glass sheets that are unbonded with one another at a first temperature range, fusing the first glass sheet with the second glass sheet by heating the glass stack at a second temperature range, and shaping the glass stack. The first temperature range may be from about 150 C. to about 400 C. for a first period of time of at least about 5 minutes. The second temperature range may be from about 400 C. to about 1200 C.

Disclosed are apparatuses for shaping a glass structure, the apparatuses having a plurality of rib members, each rib member comprising at least one void and at least one shaping edge; and at least one support member. The apparatuses can further comprise a shaping member and/or a guide member and/or a shaping groove. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a glass structure, the methods comprising positioning the glass structure on a shaping apparatus and heating the glass structure to shape the glass structure.

Methods are provided for laser processing arbitrary shapes of molded 3D thin transparent brittle parts from substrates with particular interest in substrates formed from strengthened or non-strengthened Corning Gorilla glass (all codes). The developed laser methods can be tailored for manual separation of the parts from the panel or full laser separation by thermal stressing the desired profile. Methods can be used to form 3D surfaces with small radii of curvature. The method involves the utilization of an ultra-short pulse laser that may be optionally followed by a CO.sub.2 laser for fully automated separation.

Methods are provided for laser processing arbitrary shapes of molded 3D thin transparent brittle parts from substrates with particular interest in substrates formed from strengthened or non-strengthened Corning Gorilla glass (all codes). The developed laser methods can be tailored for manual separation of the parts from the panel or full laser separation by thermal stressing the desired profile. Methods can be used to form 3D surfaces with small radii of curvature. The method involves the utilization of an ultra-short pulse laser that may be optionally followed by a CO.sub.2 laser for fully automated separation.

A frame for supporting a sheet of glass, referred to as a suction frame, includes a contact path for receiving the periphery of the underside face of the sheet of glass, and includes a suction system able to apply suction to the underside face of the sheet in order to enhance the retention of the sheet by the frame. This frame may form part of a device for the hot-bending of the sheet and convey the sheet with high acceleration or deceleration through a heating enclosure for the purposes of the hot-bending of the sheet.

Embodiments of a laminate including a first curved glass substrate comprising a first viscosity (poises) at a temperature of 630? C.; a second curved glass substrate comprising a second viscosity that is greater than the first viscosity at a temperature of 630? C.; and an interlayer disposed between the first curved glass substrate and the second curved glass substrate, are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the first curved glass substrate exhibits a first sag depth that is within 10% of a second sag depth of the second curved glass substrate. In one or more embodiments, the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate exhibit a shape deviation therebetween of about ?5 mm or less as measured by an optical three-dimensional scanner or exhibit minimal optical distortion. Embodiments of vehicles including such laminates and methods for making such laminates are also disclosed.

Embodiments of a laminate including a first curved glass substrate comprising a first viscosity (poises) at a temperature of 630? C.; a second curved glass substrate comprising a second viscosity that is greater than the first viscosity at a temperature of 630? C.; and an interlayer disposed between the first curved glass substrate and the second curved glass substrate, are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the first curved glass substrate exhibits a first sag depth that is within 10% of a second sag depth of the second curved glass substrate. In one or more embodiments, the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate exhibit a shape deviation therebetween of about ?5 mm or less as measured by an optical three-dimensional scanner or exhibit minimal optical distortion. Embodiments of vehicles including such laminates and methods for making such laminates are also disclosed.