A method for supporting a heated glass sheet in connection with a glass processing operation may include adjusting a support structure so that multiple spaced apart support members of the support structure cooperate to define a shape that corresponds to a desired end shape of the glass sheet. The method may further include contacting the glass sheet with the support members until the glass sheet has been sufficiently cooled. Furthermore, the support structure may include a frame and a support assembly associated with the frame, the support assembly including the support members and a support connected to the support members such that at least a portion of each support member is adjustable with respect to the support. The support may further be connected to the frame at two locations on the frame such that the support spans an open area between the two locations on the frame.

Methods of making a laminated glazing having reduced optical distortion when installed in a vehicle are described. The laminated glazing has first and second sheets of glazing material each separately shaped between a pair of shaping members that are then laminated together. The position for bending the first sheet of glazing material may be deliberately offset from the position for bending the second sheet of glazing material. During the lamination step, the first sheet of glazing material may be displaced relative to the second sheet of glazing material by a lateral and/or longitudinal positional displacement. The first and/or second sheet of glazing material may have been cut such that after lamination at least a portion of the peripheral edges thereof are aligned. Apparatus for shaping a sheet of glazing material for carrying out the aforementioned methods is also described, as is a resulting laminated glazing.

A glass sheet used in the making of an aircraft windshield is shaped using the “cut-to-size” method instead of the “cut-after-bend” method. In a preferred aspect of the invention the “cut-to-size” method is practiced using a bending iron having a sheet shaping rail having a stationary shaping rail portion mounted on a support member and an articulating shaping rail portion pivotally mounted on the support member for movement from a non-shaping position to a shaping position.

Methods of making a laminated glazing having reduced optical distortion when installed in a vehicle are described. The laminated glazing has first and second sheets of glazing material each separately shaped between a pair of shaping members that are then laminated together. The position for bending the first sheet of glazing material may be deliberately offset from the position for bending the second sheet of glazing material. During the lamination step, the first sheet of glazing material may be displaced relative to the second sheet of glazing material by a lateral and/or longitudinal positional displacement. The first and/or second sheet of glazing material may have been cut such that after lamination at least a portion of the peripheral edges thereof are aligned. Apparatus for shaping a sheet of glazing material for carrying out the aforementioned methods is also described, as is a resulting laminated glazing.

A method of forming a 3D mirror for a heads-up display (HUD) system includes providing a glass-based preform having a first major surface, a second major surface, and a minor surface connecting the first and second major surfaces, and further includes disposing the glass-based preform on a mold having a concave surface such that the first and second longitudinal side surfaces are adjacent to a longitudinal wall of a housing. The longitudinal wall extends from the concave surface to at least a height of the second major surface of the glass-based preform. The method further includes supplying a vacuum and conforming the second major surface to the concave surface of the mold using the vacuum. The first and second transverse side surfaces have a curved shape corresponding to a curve of the concave surface a remain coincident with the concave surface during the conforming of the second major surface.

A glass processing may include a heating station to heat glass sheets, and a bending station disposed downstream of the heating station to bend the heated glass sheets. The bending station may include first and second independent movement mechanisms configured to independently move first and second molds when the glass processing system is operated in a first mode, and to cooperate to move a third mold when the glass processing system is operated in a second mode. The system further includes a control system to control the movement mechanisms so that they operate independently when the glass processing system is operated in the first mode, and so that they operate simultaneously when the glass processing system is operated in the second mode.

The invention relates to a device for bending sheets of glass, comprising an upper bending form and a bending support, the upper bending form and/or the bending support being laterally mobile relative to one another, the bending support comprising a pre-bending mold for the gravity bending of a sheet of glass and a press-bending mold configured for pressing the sheet of glass against the upper form, of these two molds of the bending support one being surrounded by the other when viewed from above, at least one of these two molds of the bending support being able to be given a relative vertical movement with respect to the other.

Systems and methods for automated, sequential processing of a continuous glass ribbon by conveying the glass ribbon in a ribbon travel direction, forming a score line in the glass ribbon, separating a glass sheet from the glass ribbon at the score line while supporting the glass sheet with a transfer device, lowering the glass sheet onto a conveyor, and conveying the glass sheet in a sheet travel direction differing from the ribbon travel direction. By transferring and then conveying the glass sheet in a direction differing from the ribbon travel direction (e.g., a 90 degree turn) immediately after glass sheet separation, the systems and method of the present disclosure are conducive to streamlined production of glass sheets utilizing a unique production floor footprint.

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.