Methods and systems are provided for automated shaping of a glass sheet. The methods comprise preheating the glass, bending the glass through selective, and focused beam heating through the use of an ultra-high frequency, high-power electromagnetic wave, and computer implemented processes utilizing thermal and shape (positional) data obtained in real-time, and cooling the glass sheet to produce a glass sheet suitable for use in air and space vehicles.

A method of shaping a glass sheet includes providing a glass sheet. Also, a bending station is provided. The bending station includes a first bending tool. The first bending tool has a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet. The glass sheet is conveyed on a plurality of rollers to a location above the first bending tool. At least a portion of the glass sheet is supported above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet. The glass sheet is deposited on the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

A method of shaping a glass sheet includes providing a glass sheet. Also, a bending station is provided. The bending station includes a first bending tool. The first bending tool has a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet. The glass sheet is conveyed on a plurality of rollers to a location above the first bending tool. At least a portion of the glass sheet is supported above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet. The glass sheet is deposited on the shaping surface of the first bending tool.

A method for producing a glass article includes a forming step (P1) of forming a glass ribbon (2) from a molten glass (6) and a transport step (P2) of transporting the glass ribbon (2) along a transport path. In the transport step (P2), a first roller (9a) and a second roller (9b) configured to transport the glass ribbon (2) while in contact with a first end portion (2s) and a second end portion (2t) of the glass ribbon (2) in the width direction, respectively, are disposed, and a speed difference is provided between the first roller (9a) and the second roller (9b).

Systems, apparatuses and methods for processing a glass ribbon (22). A glass ribbon is supplied to an upstream side of a conveying apparatus (32) comprising a conveyor device and a pulling device (72). The conveyor device establishes a primary plane of travel (P) from the upstream side to a downstream side. The pulling device (72) is located at the downstream side and applies a pulling force on the glass ribbon (22) to convey the glass ribbon along a travel path that includes first, second and third bends (100, 102, 104), and into the primary plane of travel from a location downstream of the third bend and to the pulling device (72). At least one of the first, second, and third bends imparts a stress into a surface of the glass ribbon to flatten the glass ribbon. A viscosity of the glass ribbon at the third bend is greater than a viscosity of the glass ribbon at the first bend.

A manufacturing system is disclosed including a conveying apparatus with a plurality of rollers that form a travel path along which a ribbon is configured to be conveyed in a travel direction. The plurality of rollers including at least a tensioning roller having a shaft and a rotation wheel with a plurality of spokes that extend radially outward from the shaft, the plurality of spokes being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft to cause the ribbon to be conveyed in the travel direction. The manufacturing system further including a flow generator configured to direct a flow of fluid to the plurality of spokes to cause rotation of the plurality of spokes.

Methods and systems are provided for automated shaping of a glass sheet. The methods comprise preheating the glass, bending the glass through selective, and focused beam heating through the use of an ultra-high frequency, high-power electromagnetic wave, and computer implemented processes utilizing thermal and shape (positional) data obtained in real-time, and cooling the glass sheet to produce a glass sheet suitable for use in air and space vehicles.

A glass heating furnace is illustrated. Rollers of the glass heating furnace are pivotally connected to a movable frame, and a roller driver of the glass heating furnace controls the rollers to rotate to a direction of an X axis, and a movable frame driver controls the movable frame to displace reciprocatively along a Y axis, such that the rollers displace along the Y axis at the same time. The glass displaces reciprocatively in multiple directions to be heated up more uniformly, which effectively reduces formation of the thermal stress marks on the glass. Since the rollers displace along the Y axis at the same time, the glass on the rollers does not have the displacement of the Y axis in respect to the rollers, such that friction of the displacement of the glass is reduced, which more effectively reduces formation of the thermal stress marks on the glass.

A glass heating furnace is illustrated. Rollers of the glass heating furnace are pivotally connected to a movable frame, and a roller driver of the glass heating furnace controls the rollers to rotate to a direction of an X axis, and a movable frame driver controls the movable frame to displace reciprocatively along a Y axis, such that the rollers displace along the Y axis at the same time. The glass displaces reciprocatively in multiple directions to be heated up more uniformly, which effectively reduces formation of the thermal stress marks on the glass. Since the rollers displace along the Y axis at the same time, the glass on the rollers does not have the displacement of the Y axis in respect to the rollers, such that friction of the displacement of the glass is reduced, which more effectively reduces formation of the thermal stress marks on the glass.

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.