The process relates to the manufacture of a plurality of glazings of complex shape from a rectangular sheet of float glass of large dimensions. The process includes at a first station for cutting the glass sheet, scoring at least one cutting line corresponding to at least one ready-to-shape edge of the glazings; a first breaking operation; at a second cutting station, scoring at least one cutting line corresponding to at least one other ready-to-shape edge of the glazings, and a second breaking operation.

The process relates to the manufacture of a plurality of glazings of complex shape from a rectangular sheet of float glass of large dimensions. The process includes at a first station for cutting the glass sheet, scoring at least one cutting line corresponding to at least one ready-to-shape edge of the glazings; a first breaking operation; at a second cutting station, scoring at least one cutting line corresponding to at least one other ready-to-shape edge of the glazings, and a second breaking operation.

A method is provided for aligning scoring tools and for scoring glass, in particular thin glass, along predetermined scoring lines in preparation for breaking along the score. Glass substrates, in particular thin glass substrates, produced by such method are also provided. The method includes the determination of the actual orientation of the cutting edge of the scoring tool and aligning of the cutting edge to a target orientation of the cutting edge.

A method is provided for aligning scoring tools and for scoring glass, in particular thin glass, along predetermined scoring lines in preparation for breaking along the score. Glass substrates, in particular thin glass substrates, produced by such method are also provided. The method includes the determination of the actual orientation of the cutting edge of the scoring tool and aligning of the cutting edge to a target orientation of the cutting edge.

Apparatus and method for producing a reliable breaking line for the industrial cutting to length of glass sheets by means of a cutting wheel running on a float glass line under pressure imposed from above, with the following features: a) the location of the beginning of a breaking line is determined and a cutting wheel holder (20) with a cutting wheel (2) is brought into position, b) the cutting wheel holder (20) is lowered and the cutting wheel (2) is lowered onto the glass sheet (1) concerned with the desired pressing pressure, wherein the pressing pressure is set by means of a swing arm (3) and is monitored by means of a strain gauge (4) secured thereto, c) a change in the height of the glass sheet (1) prompts a control signal for an actuating motor (12) to be derived from the change in the resistance of the strain gauge (4), and the actuating motor brings about a corresponding change in the pressing pressure of the cutting wheel (2).

Apparatus and method for producing a reliable breaking line for the industrial cutting to length of glass sheets by means of a cutting wheel running on a float glass line under pressure imposed from above, with the following features: a) the location of the beginning of a breaking line is determined and a cutting wheel holder (20) with a cutting wheel (2) is brought into position, b) the cutting wheel holder (20) is lowered and the cutting wheel (2) is lowered onto the glass sheet (1) concerned with the desired pressing pressure, wherein the pressing pressure is set by means of a swing arm (3) and is monitored by means of a strain gauge (4) secured thereto, c) a change in the height of the glass sheet (1) prompts a control signal for an actuating motor (12) to be derived from the change in the resistance of the strain gauge (4), and the actuating motor brings about a corresponding change in the pressing pressure of the cutting wheel (2).

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 method and device for separating a substrate with a laser beam. The duration of the laser beam's effect is extremely short, so the substrate is only modified concentrically about the laser beam axis (Z) without it degrading the substrate material. While the laser beam acts upon the substrate, the substrate moves relative to a laser machining head, producing plural filament-type modifications along a separating surface to be incorporated. The laser beam is initially diverted by a transmission medium having a higher intensity dependent refractive index than air, then reaches the substrate. The non-constant pulsed laser intensity increases to a maximum over the temporal course of the single pulse, then reduces, and the refractive index changes. The laser beam focus point moves between the substrate's outer surfaces along the beam axis (Z), reaching the desired modification along the beam axis (Z) without correcting the laser machining head in the z-axis.

A method and device for separating a substrate with a laser beam. The duration of the laser beam's effect is extremely short, so the substrate is only modified concentrically about the laser beam axis (Z) without it degrading the substrate material. While the laser beam acts upon the substrate, the substrate moves relative to a laser machining head, producing plural filament-type modifications along a separating surface to be incorporated. The laser beam is initially diverted by a transmission medium having a higher intensity dependent refractive index than air, then reaches the substrate. The non-constant pulsed laser intensity increases to a maximum over the temporal course of the single pulse, then reduces, and the refractive index changes. The laser beam focus point moves between the substrate's outer surfaces along the beam axis (Z), reaching the desired modification along the beam axis (Z) without correcting the laser machining head in the z-axis.