A method of cutting a glass sheet is disclosed. The method comprises heating a heating element to a heat temperature, which in turn heats a glass sheet along a desired cutting line, to a separation temperature. The glass sheet is subjected to non-destructive pressure at an edge on the cutting line. The non-destructive pressure may be applied by a tool with opposed sharp edges so long as the edges do not nick or otherwise score the glass sheet. A diagonal cutter may be utilized as the sharp-edged tool. After an adequate amount of heating time, the glass sheet will achieve the separation temperature and spontaneously separate along the heated cutting line.

A method of cutting a glass sheet is disclosed. The method comprises heating a heating element to a heat temperature, which in turn heats a glass sheet along a desired cutting line, to a separation temperature. The glass sheet is subjected to non-destructive pressure at an edge on the cutting line. The non-destructive pressure may be applied by a tool with opposed sharp edges so long as the edges do not nick or otherwise score the glass sheet. A diagonal cutter may be utilized as the sharp-edged tool. After an adequate amount of heating time, the glass sheet will achieve the separation temperature and spontaneously separate along the heated cutting line.

A glass manufacturing system including a scoring assembly. The scoring assembly including a scoring device disposed along a first surface of a glass ribbon and a backing device disposed along a second surface of the glass ribbon directly opposite the scoring device. The scoring assembly is configured to delineate a peripheral region from a central region of the glass ribbon by forming a vertical score line along the first surface as the glass ribbon moves downward in a y-axial direction between the scoring device and the backing device.

A glass manufacturing system including a scoring assembly. The scoring assembly including a scoring device disposed along a first surface of a glass ribbon and a backing device disposed along a second surface of the glass ribbon directly opposite the scoring device. The scoring assembly is configured to delineate a peripheral region from a central region of the glass ribbon by forming a vertical score line along the first surface as the glass ribbon moves downward in a y-axial direction between the scoring device and the backing device.

An internal feature can be laser machined in strengthened glass sheets or panels by first laser machining a first scribe in a first surface proximate to the internal feature to be laser machined. The internal feature can be then laser machined by positioning a beam waist of a laser beam proximate to an opposite second surface by focusing the laser beam through the strengthened glass panel from the first surface. The internal feature is laser machined by repositioning the beam waist from the second surface to the first surface while removing material from a kerf surrounding the internal feature. When the laser beam waist is finally positioned proximate to the first surface material, the internal shape formed by the laser machining is easily and cleanly removed from the surrounding glass.

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 of laser processing a transparent material are disclosed. The method may include positioning the transparent material on a carrier and transmitting a laser beam through the transparent material, where the laser beam may be incident on a side of the transparent material opposite the carrier. The transparent material may be substantially transparent to the laser beam and the carrier may include a support base and a laser disruption element. The laser disruption element may disrupt the laser beam transmitted through the transparent material such that the laser beam may not have sufficient intensity below the laser disruption element to damage the support base.