Method and system for generating cutting plan for composite glass products

Abstract

The method according to the invention allows to generate a cutting plan for a composite glass product (VF) comprising at least one glass sheet (FV) and at least one layer (FI) other than the glass sheet. It comprises: - obtaining a map (C FV ) step (E20); ‑ obtaining a map of at least one other defect (C FI ,C DF ), the defect of at least one other figure is not a defect of the glass sheet; for each defect thereof, each of said figures (C FV ,C FI ,C DF ) including the location of the defect, the size of the defect and the criticality level of the defect; using at least the diagram (C FV ,C FI ,C DF ) and taking into account the critical level usage procedure (CDC) to generate a cutting plan (PDD) for the composite glass product (VF) (E110), the cutting plan (PDD) comprising at least one cutting line and making it so that none of the cutting lines passes through the defect exclusion zone of the at least one glass sheet (FV), the method being characterized in that it allows at least one of the cutting lines to pass through the other diagrams (C FI ,C DF )’s defect exclusion area.

Description

Background of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of glass product cutting.In this document, any product comprising at least one glass sheet is referred to as a "glass product".

[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of generating a cutting plan for a glass article taking into account potential defects present on a glass sheet.

[0004] Document WO 2014 / 083371 of the applicant describes such a method. In summary, this method describes a method for generating a cutting plan for a glass sheet, wherein:

[0005] -Detect defects in the glass ribbon before cutting it into sheets;

[0006] - Each glass pane is identified by a unique identifier, for example in the form of a barcode;

[0007] -determine the severity criteria for each defect;

[0008] - generating a property map for each glass sheet, the properties of the glass sheet including the location and severity criteria of defects;

[0009] -Property maps of various glass panels are stored in the database;

[0010] - Allows the user to look up all or part of the property map for a given glass panel;

[0011] - generating an optimized cutting plan for the glass sheet using the map of at least some of the properties of the glass sheet.

[0012] This method is very advantageous, but it does not allow for optimization of cutting plans for complex glazing products such as laminated glass.

[0013] In particular, in current methods for cutting composite glazings, the defects considered for the cutting plan are considered to be generated after the glazing is assembled, and there is no distinction between defects generated by the glass sheet and defects generated by other constituent elements of the composite glazing. Therefore, all defects are treated in the same way as the glass sheet: no cutting line can pass through these defects, nor through their exclusion zones. Therefore, unnecessary losses are caused during cutting.

[0014] It should be recalled that the exclusion zone of a defect in a glass sheet is the area around the defect such that if the cutting line passes through this area, the cut will be unstable or result in the glass fragments in question.

[0015] By treating all defects in the same way, the cutting methods of the prior art implicitly define exclusion zones around defects in other constituent elements of the composite glazing, particularly in the case of laminated glazing, around defects in the interlayer.

[0016] For example, even assuming a defect map of each glass sheet used to manufacture the laminated glass and a defect map of the interlayer sheet made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), the Applicant has observed that the method for generating a cutting plan having as input a map of defects of the laminated glass obtained by simple superposition of these maps generates many unnecessary losses.

[0017] The present invention relates to a method for producing an improved cutting plan for a composite glass article. Summary of the invention

[0018] More precisely, the invention relates to a method for generating a cutting plan for a composite glazing comprising at least one glass sheet and at least one layer other than the glass sheet, the method comprising:

[0019] - a step of obtaining a defect map of said at least one glass sheet;

[0020] - a step of obtaining a map of at least one other defect, the defects of said at least one other map not being defects of the glass sheet;

[0021] Each of these graphs includes, for each defect, the location of the defect, the size of the defect and the critical level of the defect;

[0022] - a step of generating a cutting plan of the composite glazing using at least these maps and using a procedure taking into account said critical levels of defects, the cutting plan comprising at least one cutting line and such that no cutting line passes through an exclusion zone of defects of the glass sheet,

[0023] The method is characterized in that it allows at least one of the cutting lines to pass through the exclusion zone of defects of other figures.

[0024] Relatedly, the present invention relates to a system for generating a cutting plan for a composite glass product, the composite glass product comprising: at least one glass sheet and at least one layer other than the glass sheet. The system comprises:

[0025] - means for obtaining a defect map of said at least one glass sheet;

[0026] - means for obtaining a map of at least one other defect, the defects of said at least one other map not being defects of the glass sheet;

[0027] Each of these diagrams includes, for each defect, the location of said defect, the size of said defect and the critical level of said defect;

[0028] - a module for generating a cutting plan for a composite glazing comprising at least one cutting line and such that no cutting line passes through an exclusion zone of said at least one glass sheet defect, using at least said map and using a procedure that takes into account said criticality level,

[0029] The system is characterized in that the generation module allows at least one of the cutting lines to pass through an exclusion area of ​​defects of the other images.

[0030] Therefore, and in general, the method and system for generating a cutting plan according to the present invention proposes to relax certain cutting restrictions by allowing the cutting line to pass through the exclusion zone of defects other than the glass sheet.

[0031] Therefore, the present invention proposes to consider that, in addition to the defects of the glass sheet, some defects may not be critical for the positioning of the cutting line. In a specific embodiment, the present invention accepts that all defects marked on the diagram other than the glass sheet diagram can be passed through by the cutting line, regardless of their criticality level.

[0032] The layer in addition to the glass sheet can be, for example, a coating formed by one or more thin layers. In particular, as is known, it is customary to equip the glass sheet with one or more coatings which provide it with specific properties, in particular specific optical properties (e.g. with respect to the reflection or absorption of radiation in a given wavelength domain), specific properties with respect to the electrical conductivity, or even specific properties with respect to the ease of cleaning or the ability of the substrate to be self-cleaning. These coatings are generally based on a stack of thin layers of inorganic compounds, in particular metals, oxides, nitrides or carbides. In the context of the present invention, a thin layer is understood to mean a layer whose thickness is less than one micrometer and generally varies between a few tens of nanometers and a few hundred nanometers (hence the qualitative "thin").

[0033] The method according to the invention for generating a cutting plan therefore allows the cutting line to pass through defects detected in such thin layers.

[0034] In a particular embodiment, the composite glazing comprises at least two glass sheets, and the at least one layer is an interlayer between the two glass layers, for example made of the plastic, polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

[0035] The method according to the invention for generating a cutting plan therefore allows the cutting line to pass through defects detected in such an intermediate layer.

[0036] In a particular embodiment, the defects of the other figures are defects that occur during the manufacturing process of the composite glass article.

[0037] Thus, the method for generating a cutting plan according to the invention allows cutting lines to pass through defects detected during assembly of the composite glazing.

[0038] In a particular embodiment, a cutting plan is generated using a map of the composite glazing obtained by combining said map of defects of said at least one glass sheet with said other maps.

[0039] In a particular embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises the step of storing the image of the composite glazing in a memory on a network, for example in the cloud.

[0040] In one embodiment, when the layer is an intermediate layer, for example made of plastic, such as PVB, the method comprises the step of cutting the coil to obtain the intermediate layer, and the defect map of the intermediate layer is obtained using the defect map of the coil.

[0041] In one embodiment, the method comprises:

[0042] - a step of reading the unique identifier of the coil; and

[0043] - A step of downloading a coil defect map from a database indexed by the identifier.

[0044] In one embodiment, the method comprises:

[0045] - a step of reading the unique identifier of said at least one glass sheet; and

[0046] - A step of downloading said map of defects of said at least one glass sheet from a database indexed by said identifier.

[0047] In one embodiment, the web comprises positioning means capable of determining the length of the intermediate layer unwound from the web, and the method comprises:

[0048] - a step of reading the positioning means to unwind the coil in order to cut the intermediate layer into defined lengths;

[0049] The defect map of the coil is used and a positioning device is used to obtain a defect map of the intermediate layer.

[0050] Such positioning devices are known to those skilled in the art of speed measurement. They allow the length and the unwinding rate or the running speed of the material strip to be determined accurately. Optical speedometers, such as laser surface speedometers, are particularly known.

[0051] In one embodiment, these positioning means consist of code wheels.

[0052] In one embodiment, the web includes indicia along a descending edge of the web, and the method comprises:

[0053] - read the steps for this tag;

[0054] - A step of calibrating the coordinate systems of the defect map of the at least one glass sheet and of the defect map of the interlayer using the marking.

[0055] In a particular embodiment, the individual steps of the method for generating a cutting plan according to the invention are defined by computer program instructions.

[0056] Therefore, the invention also relates to a computer program on a data medium, which program contains instructions suitable for implementing the steps of the method according to the invention for generating a cutting plan.

[0057] The program may use any programming language and be in the form of source code, object code or a code intermediate between source code and object code, such as partially compiled form or any other desired form of code.

[0058] The invention also relates to a storage medium readable by a computer and containing instructions of a computer program as described above.

[0059] The data medium may be any entity or system capable of storing a program. For example, the medium may comprise storage means, such as a ROM, such as a CD-ROM or a ROM of a microelectronic circuit, or even magnetic storage means, such as a hard disk.

[0060] Furthermore, the data medium may be a transmissible medium, such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be routed via electrical or optical cables, by radio or by other means. The program according to the invention may in particular be downloaded via the Internet.

[0061] Alternatively, the data medium may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being suitable for carrying out or for use in the performance of the method in question. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which show exemplary embodiments of the invention, without any limiting character. In the drawings:

[0063] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 Composite glass products are shown;

[0064] [ Figures 2A to 2D ] Figures 2A to 2D shows diagrams that can be used in certain embodiments of the present invention;

[0065] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3A roll of plastic PVB that can be used in one particular embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0066] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 The main steps of a method for generating a cutting plan according to a specific embodiment of the present invention are shown in the form of a flow chart; and

[0067] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 A system for generating a cutting plan according to the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] Figure 1 A composite glass product according to the context of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 In the example of the composite glazing, the composite glazing is a laminated glazing VF comprising two glass sheets FV i , FV j And an intermediate layer FI made of plastic PVB.

[0069] FV per glass panel i Includes a unique ID stamped on the glass FVi .

[0070] Figure 2A The identifier is shown as ID FV Figure C of the defect of the glass plate FV For each defect in the glass sheet, the graph C FV It includes the position POS of the defect in the coordinate system unique to the glass sheet, the size TAILLE of the defect and the critical level NC of the defect.

[0071] In the exemplary embodiment described here, these glass sheet defect maps are stored in a database BD indexed by the identifiers of the glass sheets. CFV middle.

[0072] Figure 3 A roll R of plastic PVB is shown. The roll includes a unique identifier ID R and code wheel RC.

[0073] Figure 2B Shows the identifier ID R Figure C of coil defects R This figure C R It includes, for each defect of the coil, the position POS of the defect in a coordinate system specific to the coil, the size TAILLE of the defect and the critical level NC of the defect.

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment described here, these coil defect maps are stored in a database BD indexed by the coil identifier. R middle.

[0075] Figure 4 The main steps of a method for generating a cutting plan for a composite glazing VF are shown in the form of a flow chart.

[0076] In this embodiment, for generating Figure 1 The method is described by an optimized cutting plan for laminated glass VF.

[0077] In the embodiment described here, the method comprises a step E10 of reading the two glass plates FV i , FV j Unique identifier ID for each glass pane in FVi , ID FVj ; and step E20, from the database BD using its identifier CFV Download the image C of the defect of each of these glass sheets FVi , C FVj .

[0078] In the embodiment described here, the method according to the invention comprises reading a unique identifier ID of the coil R R Step E30 and from database BD CR Download the defect image C of the coil R Step E40.

[0079] In the embodiment described here, in order to cut (step E60) the intermediate layer made of plastic PVB to a thickness substantially equal to that of the glass plate FV i , FV j The coil R is unrolled, which has the effect of driving the encoder wheel RC.

[0080] In the embodiment described here, in step E70, the defect image C of the coil is used. R and the information read from the encoder wheel RC to obtain the diagram C of the defects in the middle layer FI (Step E50).

[0081] The glass sheets and the interlayer are assembled in step E75 to form the laminated glass VF.

[0082] At the end of this assembly step, the laminated glass is analyzed and, optionally, a map C of the defects that occurred during the manufacturing process is created in a step E80. DF .

[0083] For each defect that occurs during assembly, the graph C DFIt includes the position of the defect in the coordinate system specific to the laminated glass VF, the size of the defect and the critical level of the defect. Figure 2C An example of such a diagram is given in Figure 2. For each defect that occurs during assembly, the diagram C DF It includes the defect position POS in the coordinate system unique to the glass sheet, the size TAILLE of the defect and the critical level NC of the defect.

[0084] In the embodiment described here, the method according to the invention comprises a step E90 of combining the graphs C of the defects of each glass sheet. FVi , C FVj , PVB interlayer defect Figure C FI Figure C shows defects that occur during assembly R To generate the laminated glass VF diagram C VF As is known, this step requires the operation of calibrating the coordinate system associated with each graph.

[0085] In the embodiment described here, the method according to the invention comprises a step E100 of transmitting, through a network, the image C of the composite glazing (here a laminated glass VF) VF Stored in database BF VF An example of such a graph is Figure 2D For each defect of the glass product, the graph C VF It includes the position POS of the defect in the coordinate system specific to the glass product, the size TAILLE of the defect and the critical level NC of the defect. It is worth noting that for each defect, it also includes an attribute ATT indicating whether the defect is a defect of the glass sheet, a defect of the PVB interlayer or a defect that occurred during the assembly process.

[0086] In the embodiment described here, the method according to the invention comprises a step E110 using the composite glass product of FIG. VF The procedure CDC is used to generate a cutting plan PDD for the composite glass product VF.

[0087] The procedure takes into account the critical level of each defect in order to cut the laminated glass sheets, thereby minimizing losses due to poor quality.

[0088] According to the invention, the cutting line of the cutting plan does not pass through the exclusion zones of the defect of the glass sheet. In the embodiment described here, these exclusion zones are circles with a radius of 1 cm around the defect.

[0089] The method according to the invention is noteworthy because it allows at least one cutting line of the cutting plan to pass through an exclusion zone of defects of the PVB interlayer or through an exclusion zone of defects occurring during assembly.

[0090] Figure 5 A system SGPD for generating cutting plans according to the invention is shown. The system comprises a computer ORD, which comprises a processor 10, a random access memory 11, a read-only memory 12 and a communication module COM for communicating via a network NET.

[0091] The read-only memory 12 is a medium according to the invention. It stores a computer program PG according to the invention, which, when its instructions are executed by the processor 10, performs the above-referenced Figure 4 The steps of a method for generating a cutting plan are described.

[0092] The computer is connected to a scanner SC configured to read the identifiers of the glass sheets and coils. It is also connected to a camera CAM for detecting any defects that occur during the manufacturing process of the composite glass product.

[0093] The communication module COM allows the computer to access the database BD VF Download various defect maps from .

[0094] The communication module COM also allows the composite glass product to be VF Stored in database BD VF in the memory in .

Claims

1. A method for generating a cutting plan for a composite glazing VF comprising at least one glass sheet FV and at least one layer other than the glass sheet, the method comprising: - obtaining a map C of defects of said at least one glass sheet FV FV Steps; - Obtain at least one other defect map C FI , C DF Step C of at least one other defect FI , C DF The defect is not a defect of the glass plate; For each of its defects, each of the Figures C FV , C FI , C DF including the location of the defect, the size of the defect and the critical level of the defect; - At least use the diagram C FV , C FI , C DF and a step of generating a cutting plan PDD of said composite glazing VF using a procedure CDC taking into account said criticality level, said cutting plan PDD comprising at least one cutting line and such that none of said cutting lines passes through said defect exclusion zone of said at least one glass sheet FV, The method is characterized in that it allows at least one of the cutting lines to pass through the other defective image C FI , C DF The defect exclusion area.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Figure C of the at least one other defect FI , C DF The defects are: a defect in said at least one layer; or Defects that occur during the manufacturing process of the composite glass article.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Figure C of using the composite glass product VF Generate the cutting plan, Figure C VF By combining said diagram C of defects of said at least one glass sheet FV and other defects as shown in Figure C FI , C DF And obtain, for each defect, the graph C VF Included are attributes indicating whether the defect is a defect of the glass sheet, a defect of the at least one layer, or a defect arising during the assembly process.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method comprises the steps of: VF Stored in storage on the network.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least one layer is a thin layer.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Said composite glazing VF comprises at least two glass sheets FV and said at least one layer is an intermediate layer FI between said two glass sheets.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method comprises: - a step of cutting the coil to obtain said intermediate layer; - Use of the defective figure C of the coil R Obtain the image C of the defects of the intermediate layer FI .

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method comprises: - Read the unique ID of the coil R steps; and - from the identifier ID R Download the diagram C of the coil defect from the indexed database FI steps.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: - reading the unique identifier ID of said at least one glass plate FV FV steps; and - from the identifier ID FV Downloading said map C of defects of said at least one glass sheet from a database of indexes FV steps.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The coil comprises positioning means RC capable of determining the length of the intermediate layer FI unrolled from the coil and comprising: - a step of reading the positioning means in order to unwind the coil in order to cut the intermediate layer FI into defined lengths; - Use of the defective figure C of the coil R and using the positioning device RC to obtain the image C of the defect of the intermediate layer FI FI .

11. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The web includes indicia along a descending edge of the web and includes: - a step of reading said marking; - A step of calibrating the coordinate systems of said map of defects of said at least one glass sheet and of said map of defects of said at least one layer using said markings.

12. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The intermediate layer FI is made of plastic.

13. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The intermediate layer FI is made of polyvinyl butyral.

14. A system SGPD for generating a cutting plan for a composite glass product comprising at least one glass sheet and at least one layer other than the glass sheet, the system comprising: - means for obtaining a map of defects of said at least one glass sheet; - means for obtaining a map of at least one other defect, the defects of which are not defects of the glass sheet; - for each defect of said maps, each said map comprises the location of said defect, the size of said defect and the criticality level of said defect; a module for generating a cutting plan for said composite glazing using at least said map and using a procedure that takes into account said criticality level, said cutting plan comprising at least one cutting line and such that none of said cutting lines passes through an exclusion zone of said defects of said at least one glass sheet, The system is characterized in that the module for generating a cutting plan for the composite glazing allows at least one of the cutting lines to pass through an exclusion zone of defects of the map of other defects.

15. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program comprising instructions for executing the steps of the method for generating a cutting plan according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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