A float glass system includes a float bath having an entrance end and an exit end. At least one machine vision camera is located to view an interior of the float bath. At least one sensor is connected to the float bath to measure an operating parameter of the float bath. At least one operating device is connected to the float bath. The at least one machine vision camera, the at least one sensor, and the at least one operating device are connected to a control system configured to control the operating device based on input from the at least one machine vision camera and/or the at least one sensor.

A float glass system includes a float bath having an entrance end and an exit end. At least one machine vision camera is located to view an interior of the float bath. At least one sensor is connected to the float bath to measure an operating parameter of the float bath. At least one operating device is connected to the float bath. The at least one machine vision camera, the at least one sensor, and the at least one operating device are connected to a control system configured to control the operating device based on input from the at least one machine vision camera and/or the at least one sensor.

A flexible method of controlling the thickness of a material ribbon, in particular a glass ribbon, as well as an apparatus to implement such a method. To this end, a material in a heated and softened state is drawn into a ribbon and is then cooled down. During the forming process during which the ribbon is formed and drawn, the material is heated. During the forming process thermal energy at least partially in the form of thermal radiation that is emitted from a surface of a heated heating element. that is located opposite the material, is supplied to the material. Heating of heating element occurs at least partially through the energy of a laser beam that is directed onto heating element, thereby locally heating the heating element.

A flexible method of controlling the thickness of a material ribbon, in particular a glass ribbon, as well as an apparatus to implement such a method. To this end, a material in a heated and softened state is drawn into a ribbon and is then cooled down. During the forming process during which the ribbon is formed and drawn, the material is heated. During the forming process thermal energy at least partially in the form of thermal radiation that is emitted from a surface of a heated heating element. that is located opposite the material, is supplied to the material. Heating of heating element occurs at least partially through the energy of a laser beam that is directed onto heating element, thereby locally heating the heating element.

Device for manipulating the edge of a ribbon of glass comprising a wheel, and float glass installation comprising such a device. A device for manipulating the edge of a ribbon of pasty glass travelling on a bath of liquid in a float chamber, comprising a wheel (1) positioned at a distal end of a barrel (2), the wheel (1) being turned about its own axis, this axis being concurrent with the longitudinal geometric axis of the barrel and making therewith a permanent fix angle determined by design, the barrel (2) having a possibility for adjustment in rotation about its longitudinal axis, and installation comprising such a device.

Device for manipulating the edge of a ribbon of glass comprising a wheel, and float glass installation comprising such a device. A device for manipulating the edge of a ribbon of pasty glass travelling on a bath of liquid in a float chamber, comprising a wheel (1) positioned at a distal end of a barrel (2), the wheel (1) being turned about its own axis, this axis being concurrent with the longitudinal geometric axis of the barrel and making therewith a permanent fix angle determined by design, the barrel (2) having a possibility for adjustment in rotation about its longitudinal axis, and installation comprising such a device.

A flexible method of controlling the thickness of a material ribbon, in particular a glass ribbon, as well as an apparatus to implement such a method. To this end, a material in a heated and softened state is drawn into a ribbon and is then cooled down. During the forming process during which the ribbon is formed and drawn, the material is heated. During the forming process thermal energy at least partially in the form of thermal radiation that is emitted from a surface of a heated heating element. that is located opposite the material, is supplied to the material. Heating of heating element occurs at least partially through the energy of a laser beam that is directed onto heating element, thereby locally heating the heating element.

Device for manipulating the edge of a ribbon of glass comprising a wheel, and float glass installation comprising such a device. A device for manipulating the edge of a ribbon of pasty glass travelling on a bath of liquid in a float chamber, comprising a wheel (1) positioned at a distal end of a barrel (2), the wheel (1) being turned about its own axis, this axis being concurrent with the longitudinal geometric axis of the barrel and making therewith a permanent fix angle determined by design, the barrel (2) having a possibility for adjustment in rotation about its longitudinal axis, and installation comprising such a device.

Device for manipulating the edge of a ribbon of glass comprising a wheel, and float glass installation comprising such a device. A device for manipulating the edge of a ribbon of pasty glass travelling on a bath of liquid in a float chamber, comprising a wheel (1) positioned at a distal end of a barrel (2), the wheel (1) being turned about its own axis, this axis being concurrent with the longitudinal geometric axis of the barrel and making therewith a permanent fix angle determined by design, the barrel (2) having a possibility for adjustment in rotation about its longitudinal axis, and installation comprising such a device.