A method for shaping a coated glass sheet involves conveying the coated glass sheet through a furnace to heat the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping. The coated glass sheet is then deposited on a first bending tool for supporting the coated glass sheet and is at a first position relative to the first bending tool. A first portion of the coated glass sheet is contacted to move the coated glass sheet to a second position relative to the first bending tool. The coated glass sheet is then shaped on the first bending tool. Other aspects include a method for adjusting the position of a hot coated glass sheet on a bending tool and a shaping line for shaping a coated glass sheet comprising a positioning device for contacting a first portion of a coated glass sheet on a bending tool to adjust the position thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method of controlling the flow of fluid, such as air, between a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In embodiments, this involves a particular method and certain mechanical means of applying force at or near the edges and/or corners of a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In other embodiments, this involves creating low pressure regions at or near the edges and/or corners during the co-sagging process. In particular, controlling the flow of fluid between glass sheets is particularly suitable for preventing shape mismatch between two glass sheets having different thicknesses and/or compositions.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method of controlling the flow of fluid, such as air, between a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In embodiments, this involves a particular method and certain mechanical means of applying force at or near the edges and/or corners of a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In other embodiments, this involves creating low pressure regions at or near the edges and/or corners during the co-sagging process. In particular, controlling the flow of fluid between glass sheets is particularly suitable for preventing shape mismatch between two glass sheets having different thicknesses and/or compositions.

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.

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.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method of controlling the flow of fluid, such as air, between a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In embodiments, this involves a particular method and certain mechanical means of applying force at or near the edges and/or corners of a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In other embodiments, this involves creating low pressure regions at or near the edges and/or corners during the co-sagging process. In particular, controlling the flow of fluid between glass sheets is particularly suitable for preventing shape mismatch between two glass sheets having different thicknesses and/or compositions.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a method of controlling the flow of fluid, such as air, between a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In embodiments, this involves a particular method and certain mechanical means of applying force at or near the edges and/or corners of a stack of glass sheets during a co-sagging process. In other embodiments, this involves creating low pressure regions at or near the edges and/or corners during the co-sagging process. In particular, controlling the flow of fluid between glass sheets is particularly suitable for preventing shape mismatch between two glass sheets having different thicknesses and/or compositions.

Foldable apparatus comprise a foldable substrate comprising a substrate thickness. The second major surface of the foldable substrate faces an end portion of a first inner surface area of a first housing member extending along a first plane. The second surface faces an end portion of a second inner surface area of a second housing member extending along a second plane. A support is attached to at least the second housing member. The support contacts the second major surface when an angle between the first plane and the second plane ranges from about 80? to about 135?. The support is spaced from the second major surface when an angle between the first plane and the second plane ranges from about 0? to about 30?. In some embodiments, the foldable substrate comprises a neutral stress configuration at a parallel plate distance ranging from about 20 millimeters to about 200 millimeters.

Foldable apparatus comprise a foldable substrate comprising a substrate thickness. The second major surface of the foldable substrate faces an end portion of a first inner surface area of a first housing member extending along a first plane. The second surface faces an end portion of a second inner surface area of a second housing member extending along a second plane. A support is attached to at least the second housing member. The support contacts the second major surface when an angle between the first plane and the second plane ranges from about 80? to about 135?. The support is spaced from the second major surface when an angle between the first plane and the second plane ranges from about 0? to about 30?. In some embodiments, the foldable substrate comprises a neutral stress configuration at a parallel plate distance ranging from about 20 millimeters to about 200 millimeters.

A sag-assist articulated tooling apparatus is described for complex, non-developable thin glass bending. The tooling apparatus employs a double-axis articulation design which introduces controllable external force in addition to glass gravity itself. The tooling apparatus described an articulated section along the primary bending direction and an articulated section along the cross bending direction. Each articulated section may include a hinge tower, counterweight, swing stopper, and counterweight stopper.