Embodiments of a method of forming a glass article are disclosed. The methods include supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction different from the first direction without contacting the glass ribbon with a solid material. The glass ribbon may exhibit a viscosity of less than about 10.sup.8 Poise and a thickness of about 1 mm or less. Embodiments of a glass or glass-ceramic forming apparatus are also disclosed. The apparatus may include a glass feed device for supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and a redirection system disposed underneath the glass feed device for redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction. In one or more embodiments, the redirection system comprising at least one gas bearing system for supplying a gas film to support the glass ribbon.

A manufacturing system is disclosed including a conveying apparatus with a plurality of rollers that form a travel path along which a ribbon is configured to be conveyed in a travel direction. The plurality of rollers including at least a tensioning roller having a shaft and a rotation wheel with a plurality of spokes that extend radially outward from the shaft, the plurality of spokes being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the shaft to cause the ribbon to be conveyed in the travel direction. The manufacturing system further including a flow generator configured to direct a flow of fluid to the plurality of spokes to cause rotation of the plurality of spokes.

Methods for manufacturing a glass ribbon include moving the glass ribbon along a travel path in a travel direction. Methods include directing a first ribbon portion of the glass ribbon to a winding apparatus to wind the first ribbon portion into a roll. Methods include detaching the first ribbon portion from a second ribbon portion of the glass ribbon. Methods include separating the second ribbon portion into a plurality of separated ribbon portions. Methods include directing a first set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions toward a disposal apparatus to crush the first set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions. Methods include forming a stack with a second set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions. A glass manufacturing apparatus is provided.

Embodiments of a method of forming a glass article are disclosed. The methods include supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction different from the first direction without contacting the glass ribbon with a solid material. The glass ribbon may exhibit a viscosity of less than about 10.sup.8 Poise and a thickness of about 1 mm or less. Embodiments of a glass or glass-ceramic forming apparatus are also disclosed. The apparatus may include a glass feed device for supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and a redirection system disposed underneath the glass feed device for redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction. In one or more embodiments, the redirection system comprising at least one gas bearing system for supplying a gas film to support the glass ribbon.

A lift-up roller arrangement for electronic float glass, including a plurality of lift-up rollers rotatably arranged on the inner wall of an annealing kiln, wherein a plurality of boron nitride rings are fixedly sleeved on the outer side wall of each lift-up roller; a heat-resisting steel tubes is arranged on each of both sides of each lift-up roller; a plurality of exhaust holes are arranged on an outer side wall of the heat-resisting steel tube; the heat-resisting steel tube is in communication with an external hot gas supply case; and a plurality of cleaning assemblies used in cooperation with the lift-up rollers are arranged at the inner bottom of the annealing kiln.

Embodiments of a method of forming a glass article are disclosed. The methods include supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction different from the first direction without contacting the glass ribbon with a solid material. The glass ribbon may exhibit a viscosity of less than about 10.sup.8 Poise and a thickness of about 1 mm or less. Embodiments of a glass or glass-ceramic forming apparatus are also disclosed. The apparatus may include a glass feed device for supplying a glass ribbon in a first direction and a redirection system disposed underneath the glass feed device for redirecting the glass ribbon to a second direction. In one or more embodiments, the redirection system comprising at least one gas bearing system for supplying a gas film to support the glass ribbon.

A lift-up roller arrangement for electronic float glass, including a plurality of lift-up rollers rotatably arranged on the inner wall of an annealing kiln, wherein a plurality of boron nitride rings are fixedly sleeved on the outer side wall of each lift-up roller; a heat-resisting steel tubes is arranged on each of both sides of each lift-up roller; a plurality of exhaust holes are arranged on an outer side wall of the heat-resisting steel tube; the heat-resisting steel tube is in communication with an external hot gas supply case; and a plurality of cleaning assemblies used in cooperation with the lift-up rollers are arranged at the inner bottom of the annealing kiln.

Methods for manufacturing a glass ribbon include moving the glass ribbon along a travel path in a travel direction. Methods include directing a first ribbon portion of the glass ribbon to a winding apparatus to wind the first ribbon portion into a roll. Methods include detaching the first ribbon portion from a second ribbon portion of the glass ribbon. Methods include separating the second ribbon portion into a plurality of separated ribbon portions. Methods include directing a first set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions toward a disposal apparatus to crush the first set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions. Methods include forming a stack with a second set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions. A glass manufacturing apparatus is provided.

Methods for manufacturing a glass ribbon include moving the glass ribbon along a travel path in a travel direction. Methods include directing a first ribbon portion of the glass ribbon to a winding apparatus to wind the first ribbon portion into a roll. Methods include detaching the first ribbon portion from a second ribbon portion of the glass ribbon. Methods include separating the second ribbon portion into a plurality of separated ribbon portions. Methods include directing a first set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions toward a disposal apparatus to crush the first set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions. Methods include forming a stack with a second set of the plurality of separated ribbon portions. A glass manufacturing apparatus is provided.