In a method of manufacturing a glass film, in a cutting step, a crack (CR) formed in a non-product portion (Gc1, Gc2) along a longitudinal direction of a glass film (G2) is guided by a guiding member (17a, 17b) so as to propagate to an outer end portion (Gd) of the non-product portion (Gc1, Gc2) in a width direction.

Methods can include controlling a support device while supporting a ribbon. The method can include controlling the support device to maintain a downward force (F.sub.x) in a direction of an X-axis within a first range of forces. The method can further include controlling the support device to provide a force profile (F.sub.z) in a direction of aZ-axis that reduces a moment (M.sub.x) about the X-axis. The method can further include controlling the support device to reduce a force differential (F.sub.y) in the direction of the Y-axis that reduces a moment (M.sub.z) about the Z-axis.

A glass forming apparatus configured to form a molten glass ribbon is disclosed, the glass forming apparatus including an edge director assembly positioned to immerse at least a portion of a wire immersion tool in an edge portion of the molten glass ribbon to mitigate lateral contraction of the molten glass ribbon and improve stability of the edge portion. A method of forming a glass ribbon using the edge director is also disclosed.

A method of manufacturing glass ribbon can comprise feeding molten material through a minimum width of a first gap defined between a first roller and a second roller of a first pair of rollers. A first pool of molten material can be formed upstream from the minimum width of the first gap. A ribbon of molten material can exit the first gap. The methods can further include passing the ribbon of molten material through a minimum width of a second gap defined between a first roller and a second roller of a second pair of rollers. The minimum width of the first gap can be greater than the minimum width of the second gap. A second pool of molten material can be formed upstream from the minimum width of the second gap.

A method for producing a flat thin glass ribbon is provided. The method includes the steps of drawing melted glass downward away from a tank in a pulling direction while applying tensile forces which act in the pulling direction to form the thin glass ribbon having a thickness of at most 250 m and cooling the thin glass ribbon until a temperature of the thin glass ribbon undershoots a glass transition temperature. The tensile forces are transferred to the thin glass ribbon by at least two pairs of drawing rollers. The at least two pairs of drawing rollers are spaced apart transversely to the pulling direction and contact the thin glass ribbon on longitudinal edges of the thin glass ribbon. The thin glass ribbon only makes contact with the at least two pairs of drawing rollers at a position where the temperature of the thin glass ribbon is at most at or below 500 C.

In some embodiments, apparatus and methods for forming a glass ribbon can comprise a support member to move a draw stack along a support surface. In some embodiments, a housing can define an exterior area positioned outside of the wall of the draw stack and between the downstream portion of the draw stack and the housing. The housing can comprise a vent configured to regulate gas flow through the vent from the exterior area to a location outside of the housing and outside of the draw stack. In some embodiments, the draw stack can comprise first gate and a second gate. Each gate can be provided with a corresponding row of conduits to cool a central edge plate.

A manufacturing method for a glass film includes at least a cutting step of cutting a strip-shaped glass film while conveying the glass film in a predetermined direction by a conveying device. In the cutting step, the glass film is cut in predetermined cutting zones by irradiating the glass film with laser beams. A support conveyance surface of the conveying device for the glass film is separated at the cutting zones for the glass film. Further, a first surface plate capable of supporting the glass film in a contact manner is disposed at a position that is located in a width direction of the glass film with respect to the cutting zones and corresponds to a center of a glass film obtained by the cutting in the width direction.

A fusion draw apparatus includes a housing, a forming member, and at least one door. The housing defines an opening. The forming member includes a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface. A thickness at a first end of the forming member is greater than a thickness at a second end of the forming member. Molten glass flows along the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface toward the second end of the forming member. The second end is positioned proximate to the opening. The at least one door is positioned proximate to the opening. The at least one door defines a cavity therein. The cavity is provided with a plurality of dividers. Adjacent dividers define a chamber. Each chamber receives a fluid conduit.

A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a delivery apparatus positioned at an upstream end of a travel path extending in a travel direction. The delivery apparatus directs a glass ribbon along the travel path. A first guide apparatus is positioned adjacent a first side of the travel path and guides the glass ribbon from a first orientation to a second orientation. A second guide apparatus is positioned adjacent the first side of the travel path downstream from the first guide apparatus. The second guide apparatus extends along an axis and contacts the glass ribbon across a width of the glass ribbon orthogonal to the travel direction. The second guide apparatus moves relative to the first guide apparatus along a plurality of guide paths that are orthogonal to the axis. Methods of manufacturing glass are provided.

A method of forming a glass sheet including flowing molten glass from one or more channels of a glass delivery system as a molten glass body, the molten glass having a viscosity of about 1000 poise or less, and the molten glass body having a length, a width, and a height such that the height extends in a direction from the one or more channels towards the shaping components and the length is perpendicular to the width. A difference between a flow rate of the molten glass body at any point along a distance of 80% or more of the length of the molten glass body and an average flow rate of the molten glass body across the entire length of the molten glass body is about 20.0% or less of the average flow rate of the molten glass across the entire length of the molten glass body.