The invention relates to a method for applying a joint (2, 102) onto a plate (3), in particular a plate having shape defects. An edge of interest is defined on a portion of the plate (3) onto which the joint (2, 102) is intended to be applied. The plate (3) is then placed on a tool (4, 104) comprising a supporting element (5, 105) made of solid material and a supporting element (6, 106) made of flexible material, in such a way that the edge of interest rests on a portion of the supporting element made of flexible material. While the joint is applied onto the edge of interest, the plate is maintained in a predetermined reference position and the element made of flexible material is pushed against the plate, perpendicularly to an outer surface of the element made of flexible material, the outer surface being opposite to the surface on which the edge of interest rests.

A method for manufacturing a boat windshield comprising providing a piece of glass of an arbitrary shape to form a portion of a boat windshield; and providing a mold or cast defining a cavity for molding or casting an appropriate material therein. The cavity defines a shape of a frame to be molded or cast and having a shape complementary to a contour of the corresponding piece of glass having the arbitrary shape, said frame having otherwise an arbitrary frame shape including variable cross-section, width or thickness along a length thereof; or it can longitudinally extend in a curved manner. After molding or casting said frame (alternatively: additive manufacturing), together with functional features, said frame is secured to the corresponding piece of glass or encapsulating the corresponding piece of glass into said frame having been molded or cast, forming a sub-frame assembly being a panel of the boat windshield.

A method for producing a composite pane, includes arranging a functional element in a recess of a thermoplastic frame film, arranging the thermoplastic frame film along with the functional element between a first glass pane and a second glass pane to form a layer stack, and subsequent joining of the layer stack by lamination to form a composite pane. The thermoplastic frame film and the functional element have a different thickness and the different thickness is at least partially compensated by at least one thermoplastic compensating film, whose thickness is less than twice as large as the difference between the thicknesses of the thermoplastic frame film and the functional element such that the maximum offset in the layer stack is less than the difference between the thicknesses of the thermoplastic frame film and the functional element.

A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.

The invention provides automated spacer processing systems and methods. The systems and methods involve at least one robot arm that is configured to process spacers for multiple-pane insulating glazing units. In some embodiments, the systems also include an insulating glazing unit assembly line and a spacer conveyor system. Additionally or alternatively, the systems may include a sealant applicator.

An apparatus for heat-sealing a lidding film (2) to a supporting element (3), comprising a movement track (5), which extends between an infeed zone and an outfeed zone, a conveying unit (8) and a heat-sealing device (6) which is fitted along the movement track (5), the device (6) comprising a supporting unit (10) and a closing unit (11) which are movable between a home position in which they are at a distance from each other and an operating position in which they are coupled to clamp, in use, the lidding film (2) and a supporting element (3); wherein the conveying unit (8) is configured to support the supporting element (3) and to move and is associable with the movement track (5) for moving on it; the conveying unit (8) comprising one or more active portions (12) which are configured to support the supporting element (3) from below and to couple to the supporting unit (10) to define with it a clamping unit for clamping the supporting element (3) against the closing unit (11).

A system for holding a workpiece in position and exposing it to laser radiation, such that: the workpiece includes a bottom surface and a top surface that are electrically insulated from each other. The system includes an electrostatic charge generating device for generating electrostatic charges on the top surface; an electrically conductive support for forming, on the bottom surface, electrostatic charges of opposite sign to those generated on the top surface; and a laser device for machining or welding. The electrostatic charge generating device is arranged to be activated before or during the laser machining or welding, such that the workpiece is held in position relative to the electrically conductive support during the machining or welding thereof.

A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.

A process for room temperature substrate bonding employs a first substrate substantially transparent to a laser wavelength is selected. A second substrate for mating at an interface with the first substrate is then selected. A transmissivity change at the interface is created and the first and second substrates are mated at the interface. The first substrate is then irradiated with a laser of the transparency wavelength substantially focused at the interface and a localized high temperature at the interface from energy supplied by the laser is created. The first and second substrates immediately adjacent the interface are softened with diffusion across the interface to fuse the substrates.

A method of anchoring a connector in a first object, wherein the first object is a lightweight building element having a first outer building layer and an interlining layer, and wherein the connector includes thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes: bringing a coupling surface portion of the connector into contact with an attachment location of the first outer building layer; displacing a portion of the first outer building layer at the attachment location with respect to the interlining layer by applying a first pressing force to the first outer building layer and thereby piercing the first outer building layer; applying a second pressing force to the connector and transferring energy to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material has liquefied and flown to interpenetrate structures of the interlining layer; and stopping the energy transfer and allowing the flow portion to re-solidify.