Methods and apparatus provide for sourcing a glass web, the glass web having a length and a width transverse to the length; continuously moving the glass web from the source to a destination in a transport direction along the length of the glass web; and cutting the glass web at a cutting zone into at least first and second glass ribbons as the glass web is moved from the source to the destination, the first glass ribbon having a first width and the second glass ribbon having a second width, where the first and second widths are not equal.

A glass cutting line includes automatic remnant storage and retrieval including cutting table with integrated squaring stop and y-break breaking bar facilitating sub-plate cutting. The cutting table is configured for sub-plate cutting mode which provides the ability to cut portions of a stock sheet and release the cut portion in the form of a remnant and or individual workpieces to breakout before the entire sheet is finished scoring without the sub-plate leaving the cutting table.

A glass cutting line includes automatic remnant storage and retrieval including cutting table with integrated squaring stop and y-break breaking bar facilitating sub-plate cutting. The cutting table is configured for sub-plate cutting mode which provides the ability to cut portions of a stock sheet and release the cut portion in the form of a remnant and or individual workpieces to breakout before the entire sheet is finished scoring without the sub-plate leaving the cutting table.

Methods of producing a glass sheet each comprise the step of creating a vacuum to force the entire lateral portion of the glass ribbon to engage an anvil portion of a breaking device in the elastic zone. The vacuum is provided by a plurality of pressure zones that are operated independent from one another, wherein each pressure zone is provided with a set of suction cups. In further examples, glass ribbon breaking devices each include a plurality of pressure zones that are configured to be operated independent from one another with each pressure zone being provided with set of suction cups.

Methods of producing a glass sheet each comprise the step of creating a vacuum to force the entire lateral portion of the glass ribbon to engage an anvil portion of a breaking device in the elastic zone. The vacuum is provided by a plurality of pressure zones that are operated independent from one another, wherein each pressure zone is provided with a set of suction cups. In further examples, glass ribbon breaking devices each include a plurality of pressure zones that are configured to be operated independent from one another with each pressure zone being provided with set of suction cups.

Various aspects of methods and systems are provided, which detail: a method, comprising: depositing a hot, flexible glass-containing ribbon along a plurality of sequentially conveyed molds; rolling a pinch roller over the surface of the glass-containing ribbon, such that at least one pinch region is actuated in the glass ribbon as the glass ribbon is pinched between a pinch edge of the pinch roller and the surface of the mold; and cooling the glass ribbon, separating the glass ribbon along the pinch region into discrete glass parts.

A bend-breaking apparatus 1A includes a supporting device 7 for supporting a glass plate 2 planarly on an upper surface thereof; a pair of bend-breaking heads 5 which are moved in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction within a horizontal plane with respect to the supporting device 7 by being NC controlled above the supporting device 7; a pair of moving devices 27 for respectively moving the pair of bend-breaking heads 5 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction within the horizontal plane; a transporting device 45 for transporting the glass plate 2; a base 14; and a mount 28 which is provided above the base 14.

A bend-breaking apparatus 1A includes a supporting device 7 for supporting a glass plate 2 planarly on an upper surface thereof; a pair of bend-breaking heads 5 which are moved in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction within a horizontal plane with respect to the supporting device 7 by being NC controlled above the supporting device 7; a pair of moving devices 27 for respectively moving the pair of bend-breaking heads 5 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction within the horizontal plane; a transporting device 45 for transporting the glass plate 2; a base 14; and a mount 28 which is provided above the base 14.

A method for processing a brittle plate includes a breaking step in which a pressing member for pressing a surface of the brittle plate and a support member for supporting a back face of the brittle plate are used to bend and deform the brittle plate and break the brittle plate along a score line formed on the surface of the brittle plate. The support member includes a flat portion that is arranged flat against one portion of the brittle plate to support the brittle plate, and a regulating portion that regulates a bending deformation shape of the brittle plate when the pressing member is pressed against a predetermined position of a remaining portion of the brittle plate. The breaking step includes breaking the brittle plate along the score line that is within the remaining portion of the brittle plate.

A method for processing a brittle plate includes a breaking step in which a pressing member for pressing a surface of the brittle plate and a support member for supporting a back face of the brittle plate are used to bend and deform the brittle plate and break the brittle plate along a score line formed on the surface of the brittle plate. The support member includes a flat portion that is arranged flat against one portion of the brittle plate to support the brittle plate, and a regulating portion that regulates a bending deformation shape of the brittle plate when the pressing member is pressed against a predetermined position of a remaining portion of the brittle plate. The breaking step includes breaking the brittle plate along the score line that is within the remaining portion of the brittle plate.