A method of separating a transparent mother sheet includes contacting a first surface of the transparent mother sheet with an open ended pressure assembly including a pressure vessel shell, thereby forming a shell cavity defined by the first surface of the transparent mother sheet and the pressure vessel shell, where the transparent mother sheet comprises a damage path. The method also includes removing gas from the shell cavity through a fluid removal outlet extending through the pressure vessel shell to reduce a cavity pressure in the shell cavity, thereby applying stress to the damage path to separate a portion of the transparent mother sheet along the damage path.

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 method of manufacturing a glass sheet includes a start point forming step of forming a scribe line on a preset cutting portion of a glass sheet, a setting step of causing, through use of a support member having a groove-shaped recess, the support member to support the glass sheet having the scribe line formed thereon from one surface side so that the preset cutting portion is arranged on the recess, and a cutting step of generating a negative pressure in the recess to bend the preset cutting portion on the recess so that the one surface side protrudes, to thereby cut the glass sheet along the preset cutting portion with the scribe line as the start point. At the time of performing the cutting step, the entire recess is covered with a cover member from another surface side of the glass sheet through intermediation of the glass sheet.

A vacuum cup is described comprising a body portion having an elongate cavity and a contact surface for contacting a glass sheet to form a chamber with the elongate cavity and the glass sheet. An opening in the body portion is in fluid communication with the elongate cavity for connection to a low-pressure source so that the contact surface can form a seal with the glass sheet to attach the vacuum cup to the glass sheet. The periphery of the elongate cavity has major and minor axes orthogonal to one another, the major axis being longer than the minor axis. The periphery of the elongate cavity has first and second end portions at respective ends of the major axis, the first end portion being larger than the second end portion. Methods of using such vacuum cups to support a glass sheet during processing are also described.

The present invention discloses a material integrating device, which comprises a material transferring mechanism, an integrating mechanism and a conveying mechanism that are linked to a control system signal, wherein the material transferring mechanism is used to place the material to be integrated on the integrating mechanism and transfer the integrated material to the conveying mechanism, a vacuum adsorption platform is installed on a manipulator and is used to adsorb materials; the integrating mechanism comprises a vacuum negative pressure worktable, an angle adjusting platform and an electric push rod, the angle adjusting platform is slidably provided on the top surface of the vacuum negative pressure worktable and is located on the side of the material to be integrated, and the electric push rod is used to push the material to be integrated to be level; and the conveying mechanism comprises a conveyor belt for placing the integrated material.

An apparatus, system and method for providing a manufacturing gripping nozzle. The apparatus, system and method for gripping an in-process component during processing may include: a chuck; at least two walls extending from the chuck; at least two peripheral guides having a size and shape correspondent to a periphery of the component and placed atop the at least two walls distal from the chuck, wherein the at least two peripheral guides are capable of positionally maintaining the periphery during the processing; and at least one Bernoulli cup within a cavity bounded by the chuck, the at least two walls, and the component, wherein the at least one Bernoulli cup non-contactedly grips the component.

Provided is a substrate holding device that inhibits drop in holding accuracy of a substrate. A Bernoulli chucking pad suctions and holds a front surface or a back surface of a substrate S. A position determiner 54 is capable of pushing the substrate S in contact with a side surface 82 of the substrate S, and positioning the suctioned substrate S. A pin 66 enables the position determiner 54 to come in contact with the side surface 82 of the substrate S. The pin 66 brings the position determiner 54 into contact with the side surface 82 of the substrate S, and the position determiner 54 thereby positions the substrate S.

In a laser irradiation apparatus 1 according to one embodiment, each of first and second flotation units 30a, 30b includes a base 31, and a porous plate 32 bonded to an upper surface of the base 31 by an adhesive layer 34, the base 31 includes a rising portion 312 protruding upward at an outer periphery facing at least the gap, and the porous plate 32 includes a cutout portion 321 configured to fit to the rising portion 312, and the adhesive layer 34 is formed along an inner wall of the rising portion 312 having fitted to the cutout portion 321.

A control system and method for a vacuum attachment system has a programmable controller that interprets feedback from vacuum level sensors and battery sensors to responsively provide warnings and limit or alter machine functions to reduce risk exposure. Vacuum levels and vacuum level change over time are used to evaluate conditions such as vacuum generator function, excessive altitude, vacuum system condition and leakage due to incompatibility of attachment device and load. Warnings are engaged if parameters or limits are not met. At designated/calculated thresholds and conditions the device can adjust its utilization of resources to ensure the safest condition. If conditions are detected that indicate a reduced ability to maintain the attachment, the programmable controller may limit functions such as preventing the operator from initiating another attachment.

A substrate holding device includes a base body that has a flat plate-like shape and that includes gas passages that open in an upper surface of the base body, and a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the upper surface of the base body. At least an upper part of each of the protrusions has a conical frustum shape having a base angle of 70° or more and 85° or less.