Apparatus and methods for processing a glass sheet that includes a threading tool movable between an open position and a closed position, a glass sensor, a gripping device sensor and a controller in communication with the glass sensor and the gripping device sensor, and configured to coordinate and control movement of the threading tool between the open position and the closed position based on the detected presence of the glass sheet and the detected presence of the gripping device. A control system is also provided.

A method includes heating a glass preform having a plurality of glass layers and drawing the glass preform in a distal direction to form a drawn glass sheet extending distally from the glass preform and having the plurality of glass layers. The drawn glass sheet is thinner than the glass preform. The drawn glass sheet can be rolled onto a collection spool. At least a portion of a glass layer can be removed from the drawn glass sheet. An exemplary glass sheet includes a first glass layer, a second glass layer adjacent to the first glass layer, and a thickness of at most about 0.1 mm. An exemplary ion exchanged glass sheet includes a thickness of at most about 0.1 mm and a surface layer that is under a compressive stress and extends into an interior of the glass sheet to a depth of layer.

A manufacturing method for a band-shaped glass film (GF) includes use of: a plurality of rollers (10) configured to change a direction of the falling band-shaped glass film (GF) to a horizontal direction; and a first horizontal-conveyance unit (4) configured to convey the band-shaped glass film (GF) in the horizontal direction after the changing of the direction of the band-shaped glass film (GF). After a lower end of the band-shaped glass film (GF) passes through a position between the plurality of rollers (10) being at a retreated position (P2) and the first horizontal-conveyance unit (4), the plurality of rollers (10) are moved from the retreated position (P2) to a regular position (P1) to apply a pressing force to the band-shaped glass film (GF), to thereby cut the band-shaped glass film (GF) along a width direction by bend-breaking.

Methods of separating a glass web that is moving at a glass web velocity. The method includes exposing a separation path on the glass web to at least one laser beam spot that moves with a laser beam spot velocity vector that is equal to a glass web velocity vector in a conveyance direction. The method also includes creating a defect on the separation path while the separation path is under thermal stress from the laser beam spot, whereupon the glass web spontaneously separates along the separation path in response to the defect. In further examples, a glass web separation apparatus includes a first reflector that rotates such that a laser beam spot repeatedly passes along a separation path and a second reflector that rotates such that the laser beam spot moves in a conveyance direction of the glass web.

A method includes heating a glass preform having a plurality of glass layers and drawing the glass preform in a distal direction to form a drawn glass sheet extending distally from the glass preform and having the plurality of glass layers. The drawn glass sheet is thinner than the glass preform. The drawn glass sheet can be rolled onto a collection spool. At least a portion of a glass layer can be removed from the drawn glass sheet. An exemplary glass sheet includes a first glass layer, a second glass layer adjacent to the first glass layer, and a thickness of at most about 0.1 mm. An exemplary ion exchanged glass sheet includes a thickness of at most about 0.1 mm and a surface layer that is under a compressive stress and extends into an interior of the glass sheet to a depth of layer.

Provided is a method of manufacturing a glass sheet, which comprises a conveying step of conveying a glass sheet (G3) by holding an upper part of the glass sheet (G3) in a vertical posture. The conveying step comprises a first conveying step of conveying the glass sheet (G3) in a first direction along a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the glass sheet (G3), and a second conveying step of conveying the glass sheet (G3) in a second direction along a direction parallel to the main surface after the first conveying step. When a conveying direction of the glass sheet is changed from the first direction to the second direction, a lower part of the main surface (G3y) is supported by a roller (41) of a support portion (4) from a forward side in the conveying direction of the glass sheet (G3) conveyed in the first direction.

A glass manufacturing apparatus includes a glass ribbon gripping device including a first column of jaw clamps spaced from one another along a first clamp path extending in a glass ribbon travel direction of the glass manufacturing apparatus. The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a second column of jaw clamps spaced from one another along a second clamp path extending in the glass ribbon travel direction of the glass manufacturing apparatus. The first column of jaw clamps and the second column of jaw clamps are spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the glass ribbon travel direction. Additionally, methods of manufacturing a glass ribbon with the glass manufacturing apparatus are provided.

Methods of separating a glass web that is moving at a glass web velocity. The method includes exposing a separation path on the glass web to at least one laser beam spot that moves with a laser beam spot velocity vector that is equal to a glass web velocity vector in a conveyance direction. The method also includes creating a defect on the separation path while the separation path is under thermal stress from the laser beam spot, whereupon the glass web spontaneously separates along the separation path in response to the defect. In further examples, a glass web separation apparatus includes a first reflector that rotates such that a laser beam spot repeatedly passes along a separation path and a second reflector that rotates such that the laser beam spot moves in a conveyance direction of the glass web.

A glass manufacturing apparatus can include an elongated engagement surface rotatable through a rotation angle between a scoring position and a cleaning position. The glass manufacturing apparatus can further include a scoring device to score the glass substrate when the elongated engagement surface is positioned in the scoring position. The glass manufacturing apparatus can further include a cleaning device to clean the elongated engagement surface when the elongated engagement surface is positioned in the cleaning position. In further embodiments, a method of scoring a glass substrate can include, after producing a score line while the elongated engagement surface is positioned in the scoring position, rotating the elongated engagement surface from the scoring position to a cleaning position. The method can further include cleaning the elongated engagement surface while the elongated engagement surface is positioned in the cleaning position.

A method for forming a glass sheet includes forming a glass ribbon. A robot arm is operated to move an end effector through a preprogrammed cycle. The cycle includes engaging a segment of the glass ribbon with the end effector, separating the engaged segment from the glass ribbon to generate a glass sheet, and moving the glass sheet away from the glass ribbon. The preprogrammed cycle designates predetermined positions of the end effector at predetermined points in time. While the robot arm is operating through the preprogrammed cycle, a parameter indicative of a force being exerted on the glass ribbon by the end effector is sensed. A position of the end effector is altered to differ from the predetermined position at the corresponding point in time when the sensed parameter deviates from a target value. An excessive force applied to the glass ribbon can be reduced in real-time.