The invention provides automated spacer processing systems and methods. The systems and methods involve at least one robot arm that is configured to process spacers for multiple-pane insulating glazing units. In some embodiments, the systems also include an insulating glazing unit assembly line and a spacer conveyor system. Additionally or alternatively, the systems may include a sealant applicator.

A system that can travel and rotate and is designed in the manner of an at least one-armed robot is used for handling spacer frames in the course of the production of insulating glass. The system grasps a spacer frame with a gripper system provided to rotate at the free end of the robot arm. A spacer frame is moved by the system to stations of a line for producing insulating glass. For example, a spacer frame is held in a station for producing spacer frames, moved to a station for filling the spacer frame, when the spacer frame is to be filled with hygroscopic material, then further moved to a station, in which the lateral surfaces of the spacer frame are coated with sealing and adhesive agents, and finally moved to a station for assembling insulating glass, in which the spacer frame is mounted on a glass panel.

An insulating glass unit cooling assembly and method of cooling an insulating glass unit is provided. The cooling assembly includes a cooling unit that directs air at insulating glass units and a conveyor that transports insulating glass units along a path of travel defining an axis of travel for the insulating glass units. The conveyor has a conveyor planar surface that supports a corresponding planar glass surface of the insulating glass units as the insulating glass units are conveyed along the axis of travel such that the planar surface of the insulating glass units are substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the conveyor planar surface. The air from the cooling unit is directed in a path substantially parallel with the conveyor planar surface and the planar glass surface of the insulating glass units as the insulating glass units travel along the conveyor.

A method and device for assembling an insulating glass panel includes: a TPS station for applying a paste-like TPS strand onto a standing glass sheet edge which includes a horizontal conveyor; a rotation station with a horizontal conveyor rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation; a pressing station for joining two glass sheets that have each been provided with a TPS strand to form the insulating glass panel including two horizontal conveyors running parallel to one another; and a controller for directing two glass sheets that are supplied to the rotation station one after another and each provided with a TPS strand into the pressing station by rotating one of the glass sheets and for joining same in said pressing station to form the insulating glass panel.

A method and device for assembling an insulating glass panel includes: a horizontal conveyor and primer station for applying a strip-like primer along a standing glass sheet edge; a horizontal conveyor and TPS station for applying a paste-like TPS strand, that subsequently solidifies, onto a standing glass sheet edge; a rotation station for rotating glass sheets arranged downstream of the TPS station having a horizontal conveyor rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation; a pressing station for joining the glass sheets together including two parallel horizontal conveyors; and a controller for directing two glass sheets supplied to the rotation station one after another into the pressing station by rotating one of the glass sheets and for joining same in said pressing station to form the insulating glass panel. One glass sheet has a primer strip and TPS strand and the other has a primer strip.

Various embodiments provide a method for applying a spacer to a planar substrate, comprising supplying the spacer to be adhered to the planar substrate; defining a first notch, a second notch, and a third notch in the spacer; applying an adhesive to the spacer; translating the spacer in a longitudinal direction; aligning a first end of the spacer with a first corner of the planar substrate; feeding the spacer and the planar substrate between a front carriage and a rear carriage along a longitudinal axis of an unadhered portion of the spacer while pressing the spacer against the planar substrate to adhere a portion of the spacer being pressed by the front carriage to the planar substrate, and rotating, with a six-axis robot, the planar sheet and adhered portion of spacer.

A foam spacer applicator may include: a conveyer unit configured to automatically transfer a glass panel; a foam head unit disposed at a predetermined distance from the front side of the conveyer unit, and configured to automatically supply and bond a spacer to the glass panel transferred from the conveyer unit through a combination of an X-axis horizontal operation and a Y-axis elevation operation through an elevation guide plate disposed with a vertical structure; and a magazine unit disposed at a predetermined distance from the rear side of the foam head unit, and configured to inject and apply a sealant to both surfaces of the spacer while adjusting tension of the spacer, and automatically supply the spacer to the foam head unit.

The invention provides automated spacer processing systems and methods. The systems and methods involve at least one robot arm that is configured to process spacers for multiple-pane insulating glazing units. In some embodiments, the systems also include an insulating glazing unit assembly line and a spacer conveyor system. Additionally or alternatively, the systems may include a sealant applicator.

A robotic work cell to manufacture insulated glass units including a robotic gripper supported by a robot positioned and structured to lift a first glass lite from a first workstation by applying a robotic gripper to a first surface of the first glass lite; a second workstation including a spacer material applicator structured to apply spacer material to a perimeter of the supported first glass lite presented to the second workstation while supported by the robotic gripper; a third workstation reachable by the robot including a second conveyor; and the third workstation further including an edge sealant applicator; wherein the first workstation, the second workstation and the third workstation are within reach of the robotic gripper as manipulated by the robot

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) unit and the method for producing such. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a window comprising a VIG unit enclosed in a frame.