Folding system and folding processing method

Abstract

To provide a splitting and cutting system smoothly and reliably splitting and cutting the edge part of a glass plate to be machined in a splitting and cutting machining: and to provide a splitting and cutting method.SOLUTION: A splitting and cutting system 10a comprises the following process: a splitting and cutting cutter wheel and first and second pressing force members are rotated in a shaft rotation direction by a rotation mechanism after the splitting and cutting cutter wheel forms an end cut line on the edge part of a glass plate; a second pressing force member is lowered in a vertical direction by a third elevation mechanism and the second pressing force member and first and second support members sandwich the body part and the edge part of the glass plate after the first pressing force member is located on the edge part of the glass plate; the second support member is lowered in a vertical direction by a fourth elevation mechanism after the second pressing force member and the first and second support members sandwich the body part and the edge part therebetween; the first pressing force member is lowered in the vertical direction by a second elevation mechanism and the edge part of the glass plate extending to the outside of an outer shape cut out line is pressed downward while maintaining the body part to be sandwiched by the second pressing force member and the first support member; and the edge part is split and cut.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a breaking system for breaking the edge of a glass plate to be processed, such as a glass plate for an automobile window or a glass plate for a liquid crystal, and also relates to a breaking method for breaking the edge of a glass plate to be processed.

Background Art

[0002] A glass plate processing system is disclosed which includes a loading conveyor for loading a glass plate, a cutting area located in front of the loading conveyor, a breaking area located in front of the cutting area, a grinding area located in front of the breaking area, an unloading conveyor located in front of the grinding area, and a conveying mechanism for conveying the glass plate from the loading conveyor to each processing area (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The cutting area of this glass plate processing system has a cutting table having a first moving mechanism that moves in the width direction while the positioned glass plate is placed thereon, and a cutting device that can move in the front-rear direction. In the cutting area, after the cutting device moves rearward in the front-rear direction toward the outer side in the width direction of the edge of the glass plate placed on the cutting table, the cutting table moves in the width direction toward the cutting device by the first moving mechanism, and an outer shape cutting line is formed on the glass plate placed on the cutting table using the cutting device. The breaking area has a breaking table for placing the positioned glass plate after cutting, and a breaking device that can move in the front-rear direction. In the breaking area, after the breaking device moves rearward in the front-rear direction toward the breaking table, an end cutting line (scribe) is formed on the edge of the glass plate placed on the breaking table using the breaking device and the edge of the glass plate is broken.

[0004] The grinding area includes a grinding table with a second movement mechanism that moves in the width direction with the positioned main body of the glass plate, after the folding and cutting process, placed on it, and a grinding device that can move in the front-rear direction. In the grinding area, the grinding device moves in the front-rear direction backward in the width direction toward the edge of the main body of the glass plate placed on the grinding table, and then the grinding table moves in the width direction toward the grinding device by the second movement mechanism, and the edge of the main body of the glass plate placed on the grinding table is ground using the grinding device. Note that the cutting and grinding processes are performed synchronously. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-040877 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The glass plate processing system folding device 140 disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in Figure 27, is formed from a folding jig 141, a first lifting mechanism 142 (air cylinder), a pressing roller 143, and a second lifting mechanism 144 (air cylinder). 141 The glass plate is formed from a scribing cutter wheel 145 that forms a scribe line on the edge of the glass plate, and a scribing cutter holder 146 that is located above the scribing cutter wheel 145 and supports it. The scribing cutter holder 146 has a holder body with a connecting part and a holder head attached to the tip of the holder body. The scribing cutter holder 146 rotates around the cutter holder's central axis, which extends in the vertical direction, by the rotation of the θ-axis servo motor 147. Although not shown in the figures, a support device is arranged on the side of the glass plate's lower surface to support the lower surface of the glass plate. The support device comprises a first support member having a circular first support surface and a second support member extending around the first support member and having an annular second support surface.

[0007] The folding and cutting process in the glass plate processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is as follows: The folding and cutting jig 141 and the pressing roller 143 of the folding and cutting device 140 move in the forward / backward direction (X direction) and the width direction (Y direction) by the X-axis actuator and the Y-axis actuator, the folding and cutting cutter wheel 145 of the folding and cutting jig 141 is positioned near the outside of the outer edge cutting line of the glass plate, and the pressing roller 143 The glass plate is positioned at the outer edge of the outer shape cutting line. Furthermore, a support device is positioned directly below the folding device 140, sandwiching the glass plate. Next, the first lifting mechanism 142 lowers the folding jig 141 toward the upper surface of the glass plate, causing the folding cutter wheel 145 to contact the upper surface of the glass plate. After the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 145 becomes the same as the movement direction of the folding jig 141, the folding device 140 moves toward the edge of the glass plate, thereby forming an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate with the folding cutter wheel 145.

[0008] After forming a cut line on the edge of the glass plate, the folding jig 141 of the folding device 140 moves to a predetermined position on the edge of the glass plate, and the first and second support members of the support device rise vertically so that the first and second support surfaces contact the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate, straddling the outer cut line. Next, the second support member of the support device descends vertically, and the second lifting mechanism 144 causes the pressing roller 143 to descend toward the upper surface of the glass plate. The pressing roller 143, now in contact with the upper surface of the glass plate, presses the edge of the glass plate downward, thereby folding the edge of the glass plate away from the main body. In the glass plate processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the pressing roller 143 presses the edge of the glass plate downward, the edge of the glass plate extending near the outer shape cutting line and the edge cutting line undergoes elastic deformation, causing the edge to curve upward. This can prevent the edge of the glass plate from being folded along the outer shape cutting line and the edge cutting line, making it impossible to fold the edge of the glass plate smoothly and reliably.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a folding system and a folding method that can smoothly and reliably fold the edges of a glass plate to be processed during the folding process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The first premise of the present invention for solving the aforementioned problems is a folding and splitting system for folding and splitting the edge of a glass plate to be processed.

[0011] The features of the glass plate cutting system in the first premise described above are that the glass plate cutting system comprises a cutting device located on the upper surface side of the glass plate for cutting the edge of the glass plate, and a support device located on the lower surface side of the glass plate for supporting the glass plate, wherein the cutting device comprises a cutting cutter wheel that forms an edge cut line outside the outer shape cut line formed on the edge of the glass plate, a first pressing member located near the radially outward side of the cutting cutter wheel for pressing the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line downward, and a first pressing member located near the radially outward side of the first pressing member for pressing the main body of the glass plate extending inside the outer shape cut line downward The system includes a second pressing member that presses against the glass plate, a first lifting mechanism that moves the folding cutter wheel up and down, a second lifting mechanism that moves the first pressing member up and down, a third lifting mechanism that moves the second pressing member up and down, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members around an axis. The support device includes a first support member that supports the main body of the glass plate, a second support member that supports the edge of the glass plate, and a fourth lifting mechanism that moves the second support member up and down. The folding system includes a folding cutter wheel that has been lowered vertically by the first lifting mechanism. After the cutting wheel forms an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate, a cutter wheel lifting means is provided by a first lifting mechanism to raise the cutting cutter wheel vertically, and after the cutting cutter wheel has been raised by the cutter wheel lifting means, a rotating means is provided by a rotating mechanism to rotate the cutting cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members in an axial direction so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cut line, and the rotating means rotates the cutting cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cut line. After placement, the glass plate clamping means is configured such that the second pressing member descends vertically by the third lifting mechanism so that the second pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate, and after the glass plate clamping means has clamped the main body and edge of the glass plate between the second pressing member and the first and second support members, the second support member descends vertically by the fourth lifting mechanism, and while maintaining the clamping of the main body by the second pressing member and the first support member, the first pressing member descends vertically by the second lifting mechanism so that the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cut line is pressed downwards.It has an edge-breaking mechanism for breaking the edges.

[0012] As an example of the folding system of the present invention, in the folding device, a folding cutter wheel is positioned radially outward from the first pressing member, with the first pressing member as the center, and a second pressing member is positioned radially outward from the first pressing member and on the opposite side of the folding cutter wheel, with the first pressing member as the center.

[0013] As another example of the folding system of the present invention, in a folding device, a folding cutter wheel, a first pressing member, and a second pressing member are arranged in a line with equal spacing in the radial direction, the first pressing member rotates on its own axis by a rotation mechanism, and the folding cutter wheel and the second pressing member revolve around the first pressing member.

[0014] Another example of the folding system of the present invention is a second support member located near the outside of the first support member and extending in the axial direction of the first support member, wherein in the glass plate clamping means, when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the second support member supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0015] Another example of the folding system of the present invention is a second support member having a second support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the second support surface of the second support member being formed into an annular shape that surrounds the first support member in the axial direction, and in the glass plate clamping means, when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the annularly formed second support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0016] Another example of the folding system of the present invention is a first support member having a first support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the first support surface of the first support member being formed into a circular shape, and in the glass plate clamping means, the circularly formed first support surface supports the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cutting line, and the vicinity of the outer edge of the first support surface supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer cutting line.

[0017] As another example of the glass plate folding system of the present invention, the folding system includes a folding device moving means for the folding device to move horizontally on the upper surface side of the glass plate after the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are raised by the first to third lifting mechanisms, and a support device moving means for the support device to move horizontally in synchronization with the folding device on the lower surface side of the glass plate, and after the folding device and the support device have moved in synchronization by the folding device moving means and the support device moving means, the folding device and the support device work together to perform glass plate clamping means and edge folding means.

[0018] As another example of the folding system of the present invention, the folding system includes edge cutting means in which a folding cutter wheel forms an edge cutting line on the edge of a glass plate, with the folding device and the support device moving synchronously, and the first and second support members supporting the lower surface of the edge portion extending outside the outer shape cutting line of the glass plate.

[0019] A second premise of the present invention for solving the aforementioned problems is a method for breaking the edge of a glass plate to be processed.

[0020] The features of the glass cutting method of the present invention in the second premise described above are that the glass cutting method utilizes a glass cutting device located on the upper surface side of the glass plate for cutting the edge of the glass plate, and a support device located on the lower surface side of the glass plate for supporting the glass plate, wherein the glass cutting device includes a glass cutting cutter wheel that forms an edge cut line outside the outer shape cut line formed on the edge of the glass plate, a first pressing member located near the radially outward side of the glass cutting cutter wheel that presses downward the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line, and a support device located near the radially outward side of the first pressing member that presses downward the main body of the glass plate extending inside the outer shape cut line. The glass cutting method includes a second pressing member that presses in one direction, a first lifting mechanism that moves the cutting cutter wheel up and down in the vertical direction, a second lifting mechanism that moves the first pressing member up and down in the vertical direction, a third lifting mechanism that moves the second pressing member up and down in the vertical direction, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the cutting cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members around an axis, and the support device includes a first support member that supports the main body of the glass plate, a second support member that supports the edge of the glass plate, and a fourth lifting mechanism that moves the second support member up and down in the vertical direction, and the cutting method is to move the cutting cutter wheel that has been lowered in the vertical direction by the first lifting mechanism After the wheel forms an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate, a cutter wheel raising step is performed in which the folding cutter wheel is raised vertically by the first lifting mechanism; after the folding cutter wheel has been raised by the cutter wheel raising step, a rotation step is performed in which the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are rotated around the axis by the rotation mechanism so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line; and the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are rotated by the rotation step so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line. After placement, the glass plate clamping step is performed in which the second pressing member descends vertically by the third lifting mechanism so that the second pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate; after the glass plate clamping step the second pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge, the second support member descends vertically by the fourth lifting mechanism in a second support member descent step; and while maintaining the clamping of the main body by the second pressing member and the first support member, the first pressing member descends vertically by the second lifting mechanism so that the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cut line is pressed downwards.It is to have an edge folding step of folding the edge portion.

[0021] As an example of the cutting method of the present invention, in the cutting device, the cutting cutter wheel is located radially outward of the first pressing member around the first pressing member, and the second pressing member is located radially outward of the first pressing member around the first pressing member and on the opposite side of the cutting cutter wheel.

[0022] As another example of the cutting method of the present invention, in the cutting device, the cutting cutter wheel, the first pressing member, and the second pressing member are arranged in a row at equal intervals in the radial direction, and the first pressing member rotates on its own while the cutting cutter wheel and the second pressing member revolve around the first pressing member by a rotating mechanism.

[0023] As another example of the cutting method of the present invention, the second support member is located near the outside of the first support member and extends in the axial rotation direction of the first support member. In the glass plate clamping step, when the second support member is lifted by the fourth lifting mechanism, the second support member supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cutting line and straddling the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0024] As another example of the cutting method of the present invention, the second support member has a second support surface with a predetermined area for supporting the lower surface of the glass plate, and the second support surface of the second support member is formed in an annular shape surrounding the first support member in the axial rotation direction. In the glass plate clamping step, when the second support member is lifted by the fourth lifting mechanism, the annularly formed second support surface supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cutting line and straddling the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0025] As another example of the folding method of the present invention, the first support member has a first support surface with a predetermined area for supporting the lower surface of the glass plate, and the first support surface of the first support member is formed in a perfect circle. In the glass plate sandwiching step, the first support surface formed in a perfect circle supports the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the first support surface supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0026] As another example of the folding method of the present invention, after the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are lifted by the first to third elevating mechanisms, the folding device moves horizontally on the upper surface side of the glass plate in the folding device moving step, and the support device moves horizontally in synchronization with the folding device on the lower surface side of the glass plate in the support device moving step. After the folding device and the support device move synchronously by the folding device moving step and the support device moving step, the folding device and the support device cooperate to perform the glass plate sandwiching step and the edge folding step.

[0027] As another example of the folding method of the present invention, the folding method includes an end cutting line forming step in which the folding cutter wheel forms an end cutting line at the edge of the glass plate while the folding device and the support device move synchronously and the first and second support members support the lower surface of the edge portion extending outside the outer shape cutting line of the glass plate.

Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to the folding system and folding method of the present invention, the folding cutter wheel, which has been lowered vertically by the first lifting mechanism, forms an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate, and after the edge cut line has been formed on the edge of the glass plate, the folding cutter wheel is raised vertically by the first lifting mechanism, and after the folding cutter wheel has been raised, the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are rotated around the axis by the rotation mechanism so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate that extends outside the outer shape cutting line, and after the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are rotated so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate that extends outside the outer shape cutting line, the second pressing member is lowered vertically by the third lifting mechanism so that the second pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate, and after the second pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge, 4. The lifting mechanism causes the second support member to descend vertically, maintaining the clamping of the main body by the second pressing member and the first support member. The second lifting mechanism then causes the first pressing member to descend vertically, pressing downwards the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cut line and breaking the edge. As a result, the main body of the glass plate is clamped between the second pressing member and the first support member, and the main body of the glass plate is fixed between the second pressing member and the first support member. Therefore, even if the pressing force of the first pressing member acts on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cut line, elastic deformation of the main body and edge of the glass plate extending near the outer cut line can be prevented. The main body and edge do not curve upward, and the pressing force of the first pressing member causes the edge of the glass plate to break at the outer cut line and edge cut line, allowing the edge of the glass plate to break smoothly and reliably.

[0029] In a folding system and folding method in which a folding cutter wheel is positioned radially outward of the first pressing member with the first pressing member as the center, and a second pressing member is positioned radially outward of the first pressing member with the first pressing member as the center, on the opposite side of the folding cutter wheel, a rotation mechanism rotates the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members in the axial direction, thereby positioning the folding cutter wheel and the first pressing member at the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cutting line, and thereby positioning the second pressing member at the main body of the glass plate extending outside the outer cutting line. The folding system and folding method secure the main body of the glass plate by sandwiching it between a second pressing member and a first support member located on the main body of the glass plate. This reliably prevents elastic deformation of the main body and edges of the glass plate extending near the outer cutting line, and allows the edges of the glass plate to be folded smoothly and reliably along the outer cutting line and edge cutting line.

[0030] In a folding cutter wheel, a first pressing member, and a second pressing member arranged in a line with equal spacing in the radial direction, and in a folding cutter system and folding cutter system and folding cutter system in which the first pressing member rotates on its own axis and the folding cutter wheel and second pressing member revolve around the first pressing member, the folding cutter wheel and second pressing member revolve around the first pressing member as the center when the first pressing member rotates on its own axis. Therefore, by revolving the folding cutter wheel and second pressing member in the direction of the axis of the first pressing member using the rotating mechanism, the folding cutter wheel and first pressing member can be positioned at the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cutting line, thereby allowing the second pressing member to be positioned at the main body of the glass plate extending outside the outer cutting line. The folding system and folding method involve a second pressing member that revolves around the axis of the first pressing member and is positioned on the main body of the glass plate, and a first support member that sandwiches the main body of the glass plate between them. This allows the main body of the glass plate to be fixed by the second pressing member and the first support member, reliably preventing elastic deformation of the main body and edges of the glass plate extending near the outer cutting line, and enabling smooth and reliable folding of the edges of the glass plate along the outer cutting line and edge cutting line.

[0031] A folding system and folding method wherein the second support member is located near the outside of the first support member and extends in the axial direction of the first support member, and when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the second support member supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that crosses the outer cutting line and extends near the outside of the outer cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer cutting line, wherein the second support member, which extends in the circumferential direction of the first support member, supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that crosses the outer cutting line and extends near the outside of the outer cutting line By supporting the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cutout line, when the second pressing member presses the main body and edge of the glass plate downward, the downward curving of the edge of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer cutout line and the main body of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cutout line, which are supported by the second support member, can be prevented, and inadvertent cracking or damage to the main body and edge of the glass plate can be prevented when the second pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate.

[0032] The folding system and folding method wherein the second support member has a second support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the second support surface of the second support member is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the first support member in the axial direction, and when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the annularly formed second support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line. By supporting the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate extending in the vicinity and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cutout line, when the second pressing member presses the main body and edge of the glass plate downward, it is possible to prevent the edge of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer cutout line and the main body of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cutout line, which are supported by the second support surface of the second support member, from bending downward, and it is possible to prevent accidental cracking or damage to the main body and edge of the glass plate when the second pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate.

[0033] A folding system and folding method wherein the first support member has a first support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of a glass plate, the first support surface of the first support member is formed into a circular shape, the circularly formed first support surface supports the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer cutting line, and the vicinity of the outer edge of the first support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer cutting line, wherein the circularly formed first support surface of a predetermined area supports the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer cutting line, and the vicinity of the outer edge of the first support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer cutting line By supporting the lower surface of the edge of the lath plate, the main body of the glass plate extending near the outer cut line can be securely clamped between the second pressing member and the first support surface of the first support member. Since the main body extending near the outer cut line is fixed by the second pressing member and the first support surface of the first support member, elastic deformation of the main body of the glass plate extending near the outer cut line can be prevented. The main body and edge do not curve upward, and the edge of the glass plate breaks at the outer cut line and edge cut line due to the pressing force of the first pressing member, allowing the edge of the glass plate to break smoothly and reliably.

[0034] In this glass cutting system and method, after the first to third lifting mechanisms raise the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members, the folding device moves horizontally on the upper side of the glass plate, the support device moves horizontally in sync with the folding device on the lower side of the glass plate, and after the folding device and the support device move in sync, the folding device and the support device work together to perform the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process) and the edge folding means (edge ​​folding process). After the folding device and the support device move horizontally in sync to form multiple edge cutting lines on the edge of the glass plate, the first pressing member descends vertically by the third lifting mechanism while maintaining the clamping of the main body by the second pressing member and the first support member, pressing downwards the edge extending outside the outer shape cutting line formed on the edge of the glass plate, thereby folding the edge. Thus, all of the edge extending around the perimeter of the glass plate can be folded smoothly and reliably.

[0035] In a glass cutting system and cutting method in which a cutting device and a support device move in synchronously, and the first and second support members support the lower surface of the edge extending outside the outer shape cutting line of the glass plate, the cutting cutter wheel forms an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate. This prevents elastic deformation of the edge by supporting the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate with the first and second support members, and ensures that an edge cut line is reliably formed on the edge of the glass plate while holding the edge of the glass plate horizontally. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] Side view of a glass plate processing system using a folding and splitting device. [Figure 2] Top view of a glass plate processing system using a folding and splitting device. [Figure 3] A top view showing an example of a glass plate to be processed by a glass plate processing system. [Figure 4] Side view of the delivery area. [Figure 5] Top view of the delivery area. [Figure 6] Front view of the loading area. [Figure 7] Top view of the cutting table and grinding table. [Figure 8] Side view of the cutting table and grinding table. [Figure 9] A diagram illustrating the movement of the cutting table and the grinding table. [Figure 10] A side view of a cutting device, shown as an example, installed in the cutting area. [Figure 11] Front view of the cutting device. [Figure 12] Top view of the cutting device. [Figure 13] Top view of the folding / splitting table. [Figure 14] Side view of the folding / splitting table. [Figure 15] Side view of the folding device. [Figure 16] Front view of the folding device. [Figure 17] Top view of the folding device. [Figure 18] Enlarged front view of the folding / splitting device. [Figure 19] Enlarged side view of the folding device. [Figure 20] Top view of a folding / splitting table with its support device exposed. [Figure 21] Front view of the folding / splitting table, with the support device viewed from the front. [Figure 22] A front view of a grinding machine, shown as an example, installed in the grinding area. [Figure 23] Side view of the grinding machine. [Figure 24] Top view of the grinding machine. [Figure 25] A diagram showing an example of the procedure for forming the end cut line in the folding process. [Figure 26] A diagram showing an example of the folding procedure in folding processing. [Figure 27] Side view of a conventional folding device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Referring to the attached drawings, such as Figure 1, which is a side view of the glass plate processing system 10 employing the folding system 10a, the details of the folding system 10a and the folding processing method according to the present invention will be explained as follows. Figure 2 is a top view of the glass plate processing system 10 using the folding device 75, and Figure 3 is a top view showing an example of glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed by the glass plate processing system 10. In Figure 3, the glass plates 11a and 11b are shown positioned in the loading area 19. In Figures 1 and 2, the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) is indicated by arrow X, the width direction (Y-axis direction) by arrow Y, and the up-and-down direction (Z-axis direction) by arrow Z.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed in the glass plate processing system 10 (glass plates 11a and 11b before processing) have a predetermined upper surface 12 and a predetermined lower surface 13, a predetermined thickness, and are formed into a rectangular (quadrilateral) shape that is long in the width direction. The glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed have a first side edge 14 (one side edge) and a second side edge 15 (the other side edge) that are spaced apart in the width direction and extend in the front-to-back direction, a front edge 16 and a rear edge 17 that are spaced apart in the front-to-back direction and extend in the width direction, and first to fourth corners 18a to 18d. In addition, the planar shape of the glass plate to be processed may be formed into a polygon other than a rectangle (quadrilateral), and each edge of the glass plate may be formed to form a curved shape, so the shape of the glass plate can include any shape.

[0039] The glass plate processing system 10 performs cutting, folding, and grinding on glass plates 11a and 11b (flat glass) of different sizes, ranging from large-sized glass plates 11a with large upper and lower surface areas to small-sized glass plates 11b with small upper and lower surface areas. The glass plate processing system 10 is controlled by a controller (control device) (not shown).

[0040] The controller is a computer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU or MPU) and memory (main memory and cache memory), operating on an independent operating system (virtual OS), and has a built-in large-capacity hard disk (large-capacity storage area). Input devices such as keyboards and numeric keypads (not shown) and output devices such as monitors, displays, and touch panels (not shown) are connected to the controller.

[0041] The controller's large-capacity hard disk (large-capacity storage area) stores (stores) information such as the name and part number of each glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed, multiple coordinate data for each glass plate 11a, 11b (coordinates of the side edges, front and rear edges, the first to fourth corners 18a to 18d, the center coordinates of the glass plates 11a, 11b, etc.), which vary depending on the size (area) and shape of each glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed, and image data of the glass plates 11a, 11b to be processed (planar images (6-sided images) and stereoscopic images (3D images)), all associated with glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifiers) that identify the glass plates 11a, 11b. The glass plate identification information can be the manufacturing number or serial number of the glass plates 11a, 11b, or the controller can generate a unique identifier to identify the glass plates 11a, 11b, and this generated identifier can be used as the glass plate identification information.

[0042] The controller uses the coordinate data of the glass plates 11a and 11b stored on a large-capacity hard disk to perform cutting in the cutting area 20, folding in the folding area 21, and grinding in the grinding area 22, as described below, to control the cutting device 55, folding device 75, and grinding device. 118 The system is controlled by NC. In NC control, the controller quantifies the starting position of coordinate machining (XY plane coordinates) and the position where the machining direction changes, and quantifies the direction of movement, distance, and speed of the two axes, the X axis (forward / backward direction) and the Y axis (width direction). The signals, which quantify the command coordinates and axes, are sent to the cutting device 55, the splitting device 75, and the grinding device. 118 It is sent (input) to the system. In NC control, the shape to be machined is accurately represented by repeating the process of "coordinates → axes → commands".

[0043] The glass plate processing system 10 includes a loading area 19 (processing start area) for loading the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed (before processing), an unloading area 23 (processing end area) for unloading the processed glass plates 11a and 11b, processing areas 20 to 22 located between the loading area 19 and the unloading area 23 for processing the glass plates 11a and 11b, and a cutting device 55 and a grinding device. 118 It has a transport mechanism 24 that moves it in the front-to-back direction. Each processing area 20 to 22 is arranged in the front-to-back direction, separated from each other in the front-to-back direction, between the loading area 19 and the unloading area 23.

[0044] These processing areas 20-22 are formed from a cutting area 20 located in front of (downstream of) the loading area 19 in the front-to-back direction and a predetermined distance forward from the loading area 19, a folding / splitting area 21 located in front of (downstream of) the cutting area 20 in the front-to-back direction and a predetermined distance forward from the cutting area 20, and a grinding area 22 located in front of (downstream of) the folding / splitting area 21 in the front-to-back direction and a predetermined distance forward from the folding / splitting area 21. The cutting area 20, folding / splitting area 21, and grinding area 22 are made on a system table 25 (machine table) which is formed into a long rectangle in the front-to-back direction.

[0045] The transport mechanism 24 includes a pair of first pillars 26a located at the rear of the system base 25 and extending vertically, a pair of second pillars 26b located at the front of the system base 25 and extending vertically, a fixed frame 27 located between the first and second pillars 26a, 26b and extending in the front-rear direction, a first moving unit 28 (first moving means) installed on one side of the fixed frame 27, and a second moving unit 29 (second moving means) installed at the bottom of the fixed frame 27.

[0046] The first moving unit 28 includes a cutting device 55 and a grinding device. 118The first moving unit 28 is formed from a first guide frame 30, a pair of first guide rails 31, a first feed screw (ball screw) (not shown), a first travel frame 32, a plurality of first slide blocks (housing nuts) (not shown), a pair of first guide shoes 33, and a first servo motor 34 (see Figure 11).

[0047] The first guide frame 30 is mounted on the fixed frame 27 and extends in the front-rear direction. The first guide rails 31 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction and are fixed to one side of the first guide frame 30 by predetermined fixing means and extend in the front-rear direction. The first feed screw (ball screw) is located between the first guide rails 31 and is rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings (not shown) fixed to one side of the first guide frame 30 and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The first travel frame 32 is located on one side of the first guide frame 30 and extends in the front-rear direction. The first slide blocks (housing nuts) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction and are fixed to the opposing surface of the first travel frame 32 facing the first guide frame 30 by predetermined fixing means. The first guide shoes 33 are spaced apart in the vertical direction and are fixed to the opposing surface of the first travel frame 32 facing the first guide frame 30 by predetermined fixing means, and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0049] The first servo motor 34 is located at the front end of the first guide frame 30 and is connected to the second pillar 26b via a bracket. The shaft of the first servo motor 34 is connected and fixed to the other end of the first feed screw. The rotation of the first servo motor 34 rotates the first feed screw, and the rotation of the first feed screw rotates the cutting device 55 and the grinding device. 118 It moves forward and backward (linearly) in the forward and backward direction (X-axis direction).

[0050] When the shaft of the first servo motor 34 rotates counterclockwise, the first lead screw rotates counterclockwise, and this counterclockwise rotation of the first lead screw causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30, and the movement of the first slide block moves the first travel frame 32 This is the first guide frame 30 It moves in the forward and backward direction from the front to the back. Conversely, when the shaft of the first servo motor 34 rotates clockwise, the first lead screw rotates clockwise, and the clockwise rotation of the first lead screw causes the first slide block to move against the first guide frame. 30 It moves in the front-to-back direction from the rear to the front, and the movement of the first slide block moves the first travel frame 32 This is the first guide frame 30 It moves in a forward-backward direction, from the rear to the front.

[0051] The second moving unit 29 moves the glass plate holders 40a to 40d, described later, forward and backward (linearly) in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The second moving unit 29 is made up of a second guide frame 35, a pair of second guide rails 36, a second feed screw (ball screw) (not shown), a second running frame 37, a plurality of second slide blocks (housing nuts) (not shown), a pair of second guide shoes 38, a second servo motor 39, and glass plate holders 40a to 40d (glass plate lifters).

[0052] The second guide frame 35 is installed on the fixed frame 27 and extends in the front-rear direction. 36 These are spaced apart in the width direction and fixed to the lower part of the second guide frame 35 by predetermined fixing means, extending in the front-rear direction. The second feed screw (ball screw) is connected to these second guide rails 36 It is located between the two and extends in the front-rear direction, rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings (not shown) fixed to the lower part of the second guide frame 35.

[0053] The second travel frame 37 is located below the second guide frame 35 and extends in the front-rear direction. These second slide blocks (housing nuts) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction and are fixed to the opposing surface of the second travel frame 37 facing the second guide frame 35 by predetermined fixing means. These second guide shoes 38 are spaced apart in the width direction and are fixed to the opposing surface of the second travel frame 37 facing the second guide frame 35 by predetermined fixing means, and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0054] The second servo motor 39 is located at the rear end of the second guide frame 35 and is fixed to the fixed frame 27. The shaft of the second servo motor 39 is connected and fixed to one end of the second lead screw via a timing belt (and / or gear). The rotation of the second servo motor 39 rotates the second lead screw, and the rotation of the second lead screw causes the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d to move forward and backward (linearly) in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction).

[0055] When the shaft of the second servo motor 39 rotates clockwise, the second lead screw rotates clockwise, and this clockwise rotation of the second lead screw causes the second slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the rear to the front of the second guide frame 35, and this movement of the second slide block causes the second travel frame 37 (glass plate holders 1 to 4 40a to 40d) to move in the front-to-back direction from the rear to the front of the second guide frame 35. Conversely, when the shaft of the second servo motor 39 rotates counterclockwise, the second lead screw rotates counterclockwise, and this counterclockwise rotation of the second lead screw causes the second slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the second guide frame 35, and this movement of the second slide block causes the second travel frame 37 (glass plate holders 1 to 4 40a to 40d) to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the second guide frame 35.

[0056] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the first and second servo motors 34 and 39 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the first servo motor 34 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the first servo motor 34 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the first servo motor 34. When the control unit of the second servo motor 39 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the second servo motor 39 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the second servo motor 39.

[0057] The first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d are attached to the lower part of the second travel frame 37. 2nd The glass plate holders 1 to 4, 40a to 40d, extend downward from the travel frame 37 and are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction. Each holder has a pad mounting plate 41 extending in the front-rear direction, suction pads 42 installed on the pad mounting plate 41 to hold the glass plates 11a and 11b by suction, a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) (air vacuum pump) (not shown), and a pad lifting mechanism (not shown). An air cylinder is used in the pad lifting mechanism. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the vacuum mechanism and the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown).

[0058] The first glass plate holder 40a reciprocates in the front-rear direction between the loading area 19 and the cutting area 20, moving forward from the loading area 19 towards the cutting area 20 and backward from the cutting area 20 towards the loading area 19. The second glass plate holder 40b reciprocates in the front-rear direction between the cutting area 20 and the folding area 21, moving forward from the cutting area 20 towards the folding area 21 and backward from the folding area 21 towards the cutting area 20. The third glass plate holder 40c reciprocates in the front-rear direction between the folding area 21 and the grinding area 22, moving forward from the folding area 21 towards the grinding area 22 and backward from the grinding area 22 towards the folding area 21. The fourth glass plate holder 40d reciprocates in the front-rear direction between the grinding area 22 and the discharge area 23, moving forward from the grinding area 22 towards the discharge area 23 and backward from the discharge area 23 towards the grinding area 22.

[0059] Figure 4 is a side view of the loading area 19, and Figure 5 is a top view of the loading area 19. Figure 6 is a front view of the loading area 19. The loading area 19 includes a loading conveyor 43, a stopper 44 and rollers 45, a pair of roller lifting mechanisms 46, and a moving mechanism 47. The loading area 19 is supported by legs extending upward from the floor surface of the system stand 25. In the loading area 19, a first positioning means (first positioning process) and a second positioning means (second positioning process) are performed to position the glass plates 11a and 11b toward each processing area 20 to 22.

[0060] A first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) extending in the front-to-back direction is set on one side edge 48a of the loading area 19, and a second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) extending in the width direction is set. The first positioning reference L1 is the first side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side in the width direction of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a (the glass plate 11a to be processed first). (One side edge)This is a hypothetical line that extends straight in the front-to-back direction, based on the outermost edge that is located furthest outward in the width direction. The outermost edge is, for example, the vertex of the curve that is located furthest outward in the width direction when the first side edge 14 (one side edge) of the glass plates 11a and 11b forms a curved shape. Also, when the first side edge 14 (one side edge) of the glass plates 11a and 11b extends straight in the front-to-back direction, 1 side edge 14 (One side edge) This is the outermost edge.

[0061] The first positioning reference L1 is positioned at the outermost edge of the first side edge 14 (one side edge) that extends in the front-rear direction on one of the width directions of the glass plates 11a, 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction. Here, positioning the outermost edge at the first positioning reference L1 includes not only the case where the outermost edge perfectly coincides with the first positioning reference L1, but also the case where the outermost edge is located near the inward (immediately adjacent) side of the first positioning reference L1 in the width direction, or the case where the outermost edge is located near the outward (immediately adjacent) side of the first positioning reference L1 in the width direction.

[0062] The second positioning reference L2 is positioned at the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 (one side edge) that extends in the front-rear direction on one of the widthwise sides of the glass plates 11a and 11b (the center line L2 that extends in the widthwise direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a and 11b in half). Here, positioning the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) at the second positioning reference L2 includes not only the case where the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) perfectly coincides with the second positioning reference L2, but also the case where the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) is located near the front-rear front of the second positioning reference L2 (immediately adjacent), or the case where the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) is located near the rear-rear front of the second positioning reference L2 (immediately adjacent).

[0063] The controller (glass plate processing system 10) uses the coordinate data of each glass plate 11a, 11b stored in a large-capacity hard disk to calculate the widthwise dimension of each glass plate 11a, 11b. Based on the difference in the widthwise (Y-axis direction) dimensions of the calculated glass plates 11a, 11b, the controller determines the first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the widthwise direction to position the first side edge 14 (one side edge) of the glass plates 11a, 11b on the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line). Based on the determined first movement dimension, the controller also determines the rotational speed of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 (described later) (the number of rotations of the shaft to move the glass plates 11a, 11b by the first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the widthwise direction). The controller (glass plate processing system 10) stores (stores) the determined first movement dimension and the determined rotational speed of the third servo motor 51 axis in a large-capacity hard disk, associating them with the glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifier) ​​of each glass plate 11a, 11b.

[0064] The controller (glass plate processing system 10) uses the coordinate data of each glass plate 11a, 11b stored in a large-capacity hard disk to calculate the dimensions of each glass plate 11a, 11b in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), and determines a second rearward movement dimension of the input conveyor 43 in the front-to-back direction to position the front-to-back center O1 of one side edge 14 of the glass plates 11a, 11b on the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) according to the calculated difference in the front-to-back dimensions of each glass plate 11a, 11b. The controller (glass plate processing system 10) stores (stores) the determined second movement dimension in a large-capacity hard disk while associating it with the glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifier) ​​of each glass plate 11a, 11b.

[0065] The controller (glass plate processing system 10) controls the cutting device 55 and grinding device based on the calculated dimensions of each glass plate 11a, 11b in the front-to-back direction. 118 The forward and backward movement dimension (travel distance) is calculated, and the rotational speed of the shaft of the first servo motor 34 (cutting device 55 and grinding device) is determined based on the calculated movement dimension. 118The controller (glass plate processing system 10) determines the number of rotations of the axis that moves the glass plate by a certain distance in the forward and backward direction. The controller stores the determined distance and the determined number of rotations of the axis of the first servo motor 34 in a large-capacity hard disk, associating them with the glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifier) ​​of each glass plate 11a, 11b. The distances of the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d in the forward and backward direction are also stored in the large-capacity hard disk, associating them with the glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifier) ​​of each glass plate 11a, 11b.

[0066] As shown in Figures 4-6, the input conveyor 43 consists of multiple continuous tracks extending in the front-to-back direction (X direction) and arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction (Y direction). A control unit that controls the starting, stopping, and transport distance of these input conveyors 43 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). These input conveyors 43 transport the glass plates 11a and 1b from the rear end (inlet) to the front end (outlet) of the input area 19, from rear to front in the front-to-back direction. The stoppers 44 are installed at the front end of the input area 19 and are arranged at intervals in the width direction. 43 The front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which move forward from the rear end to the front end of the loading area 19, come into contact with the stopper 44. A contact sensor (not shown) is installed on the stopper 44. The contact sensor is connected to a controller and detects when the front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b come into contact with the stopper 44. When the front edges 16 come into contact with the stopper 44, the contact sensor transmits a contact signal to the controller.

[0067] The rollers 45 are multiple rollers that extend in the front-to-back direction along an axis. 49The rollers 45 are rotatably mounted and installed between the input conveyors 43 together with their shafts 49. The rollers 45 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction and at predetermined intervals in the width direction. The rollers 45 rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in the width direction and contact the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, holding the glass plates 11a and 11b so that they can move in the width direction. The shafts 49 are mounted to a base located below them via bearings.

[0068] Between roller 45a of the rollers 45 and the shaft 49, a resistance plate (rubber ring) (not shown) is attached to increase the rotational resistance of roller 45a. 49 The resistance increases, and unless a rotational force exceeding the rotational resistance is applied to the roller 45a, the roller 45a will not rotate, and the free rotation of the roller 45a is prevented by the resistance plate. When glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on these rollers 45, the free movement of the glass plates 11a and 11b in the width direction is prevented by the roller 45a with high rotational resistance. It is sufficient that a resistance plate (rubber ring) is attached between at least one of the rollers 45 and the shaft 49.

[0069] These roller lifting mechanisms 46 are installed below the base to which the shaft 49 is attached, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction. Air cylinders are used in these roller lifting mechanisms 46, and the shaft 49 and the rollers 45, along with the base, are raised and lowered by the roller lifting mechanisms 46 (air cylinders). The raising and lowering dimensions of the roller lifting mechanisms 46 (air cylinders) are set in advance. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the roller lifting mechanisms 46 (air cylinders) is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinders) receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the roller lifting mechanism 46 to raise and lower the rollers 45 (base and shaft 49).

[0070] Furthermore, while the input conveyor 43 is transporting the glass plates 11a and 11b, the rollers 45 (base and shaft 49) are lowered below the input conveyor 43 by the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder), and the rollers 45 do not come into contact with the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b. When the rollers 45 (base and shaft 49) are raised by the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder), a portion of the peripheral edge of the rollers 45 is exposed above the input conveyor 43, and the glass plates 11a and 11b are lifted above the input conveyor 43 by the rollers 45.

[0071] The moving mechanism 47 includes a rod 50 located above the input conveyor 43 and the rollers 45, a third servo motor 51 installed (built into) the rod 50, a feed screw (feed screw mechanism) (not shown) installed (built into) the rod 50 and connected to the shaft of the third servo motor 51, a moving arm 52 extending downward from the rod 50, and a contact member 53 installed at the lower end of the moving arm 52.

[0072] Rod 50 is attached to the rear surface of the first pillar 26a and extends in the width direction. The movable arm 52 is movably mounted on the lead screw and moves linearly along rod 50 in one direction and the other in the width direction by the rotation of the lead screw caused by the rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51. The contact member 53 moves linearly along with the movable arm 52 in one direction and the other in the width direction as the movable arm 52 moves in the width direction. The contact member 53 is in contact with the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b when the roller 45 raised by the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder) is in contact with the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b. Second lateral edge (the other lateral edge) 15 The glass plates 11a and 11b are pressed in the width direction so that they come into contact with the surface and move in the width direction.

[0073] The control unit that controls the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the third servo motor 51 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the third servo motor 51 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the third servo motor 51 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the third servo motor 51.

[0074] Figure 7 shows the cutting table 54 and the grinding table. 117 Figure 8 is a top view of the cutting table 54 and the grinding table. 117 This is a side view. Figure 9 shows the cutting table 54 and the grinding table. 117 These diagrams illustrate the movement of the cutting device. Figure 10 is a side view of a cutting device 55, shown as an example installed in the cutting area 20. Figure 11 is a front view of the cutting device 55, and Figure 12 is a top view of the cutting device 55. In Figures 7 and 8, the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) is indicated by arrow X, the width direction (Y-axis direction) by arrow Y, and the up-and-down direction (Z-axis direction) by arrow Z.

[0075] The cutting area 20 includes a cutting table 54 (cutting table) on which the glass plates 11a and 11b positioned in the loading area 19 are placed, and a cutting device 55 (cutting device) that makes an outer shape cutting line K1 (cut line) on the edge 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the cutting table 54.

[0076] The cutting table 54 is installed on a base rail 57a that is long in the width direction and fixed to the floor surface of the system base 25. The cutting table 54 moves in the width direction with the positioned glass plates 11a and 11b placed on it using a first moving mechanism 58a. The first moving mechanism 58a is made up of a travel guide rail 59a, a feed screw 60a (ball screw), a fourth servo motor 61, a guide shoe 62a, and a slide block 63a (housing nut).

[0077] The running guide rails 59a are installed on the upper surface of the base lane 57a and extend in the width direction. The feed screw 60a (ball screw) is installed on the upper surface of the base lane 57a, to the side of the running guide rails 59a, and extends in the width direction. The fourth servo motor 61 is installed on the base lane 57a and reciprocates the cutting table 54 in the width direction. The other end of the feed screw 60a is connected to the shaft of the fourth servo motor 61.

[0078] The feed screw 60a is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) fixed to the base lane 57a. The guide shoe 62a is mounted on the underside of the cutting table 54 and extends in the width direction. The guide shoe 62a is connected to the travel guide rail 59a It is slidably fitted to the slide block 63a (housing nut). The slide block 63a is mounted on the underside of the cutting table 54 between the guide shoes 62a. The slide block 63a is rotatably screwed onto the feed screw 60a.

[0079] When the shaft of the fourth servo motor 61 rotates clockwise, the feed screw 60a rotates clockwise, and the clockwise rotation of the feed screw 60a causes the slide block 63a to move the feed screw 60a in the width direction from the second side edge 48b (the other side edge) to the first side edge 48a (the one side edge) of the cutting area 20, and the movement of the slide block 63a causes the cutting table 54 to move in the width direction from the second side edge 48b to the first side edge 48a of the cutting area 20. Conversely, when the shaft of the fourth servo motor 61 rotates counterclockwise, the feed screw 60a rotates counterclockwise, and the counterclockwise rotation of the feed screw 60a causes the slide block 63a to move the feed screw 60a in the width direction from the first side edge 48a (one side edge) to the second side edge 48b (the other side edge) of the cutting area 20, and the movement of the slide block 63a causes the cutting table 54 to move in the width direction from the first side edge 48a to the second side edge 48b of the cutting area 20.

[0080] The cutting device 55 comprises a cutting jig 64, an air cylinder 65, and a fifth servo motor 66. The cutting jig 64 is formed from a cutting cutter wheel 67, a cutting cutter holder 68 (cutting holder), a cutter lifting shaft 69, and a cutter lifting guide 70. The cutting cutter wheel 67 is connected to the cutting cutter holder 68 via a bearing (not shown) and rotates freely along the axis of the interposed bearing. The cutting cutter wheel 67 forms an outer cutting line K1 on the edge 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0081] The cutting cutter holder 68 is located directly above the cutting cutter wheel 67, connected to the cutter wheel 67, and supports the cutter wheel 67. The cutter lifting shaft 69 is located directly above the cutting cutter holder 68, connected to the cutter holder 68, and supports the cutter holder 68. The cutter lifting guide 70 is located directly above the cutter lifting shaft 69, connected to the cutter lifting shaft 69, and supports the cutter lifting shaft 69. The cutting jig 64 (including the air cylinder 65) is located directly above the air cylinder 65 and connected to a support shaft 71 that rotatably supports the cutting jig 64. The support shaft 71 is attached to a bracket 72 located directly above it. The bracket 72 (cutting device 55) is connected to the first moving unit 28 of the aforementioned transport mechanism 24, which moves forward and backward (linearly) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0082] The air cylinder 65 is installed directly above the cutter lifting shaft 69. The air cylinder 65 moves the cutting cutter wheel 67 (cutting cutter holder 68) up and down (up and down movement in the Z-axis direction), and when forming the outer cut line K1 (cut line) on the edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, it lowers the cutter wheel 67 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, applying cutting pressure (downward pressing force) to the cutter wheel 67. The fifth servo motor 66 has its shaft connected to the support shaft 71 via a timing belt 73. The fifth servo motor 66 adjusts the cutting direction orientation (angle around an axis perpendicular to the XY plane) of the cutting jig 64 (cutting cutter wheel 67).

[0083] In the cutting device 55, the control unit of the fifth servo motor 66 rotates the shaft of the motor 66 based on the NC control signal transmitted from the controller, and NC controls the cutting jig 64 (cutting cutter wheel 67). In accordance with the NC control, the cutting jig 64 (cutting cutter wheel 67) forms (inserts) the outer shape cutting line K1 on the edge 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a and 11b according to the desired shape.

[0084] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the fourth and fifth servo motors 61 and 66 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the fourth servo motor 61 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the fourth servo motor 61. When the control unit of the fifth servo motor 66 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the fifth servo motor 66 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the fifth servo motor 66.

[0085] Figure 13 is a top view of the folding and cutting table 74, and Figure 14 is a side view of the folding and cutting table 74. The folding and cutting area 21 includes a folding and cutting table 74 (folding and cutting table) on which the glass plates 11a and 11b, which are positioned in the loading area 19 and have been cut in the cutting area 20, a folding and cutting device 75 that folds the edges 56b (periphery) located outside the outer cutting line K1 (cut line) of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the folding and cutting table 74, and a support device 76 (see Figures 15 to 21) that supports the glass plates.

[0086] The folding and splitting table 74 is formed from a belt conveyor 77 that travels in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and a conveyor drive motor 78 that drives the belt conveyor 77, and is installed on a base plate fixed to the floor surface of the system table 25. The belt conveyor 77 is formed from a belt 79 that extends in the width direction, a plurality of pulleys 80 and carrier rollers 81 that support the belt 79, and a conveyor frame 82 that supports the belt 79, pulleys 80 and carrier rollers 81. The glass plates 11a and 11b after cutting are placed on the belt conveyor 77. The belt conveyor 77 transports the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that have been folded and split by the folding and splitting device 75 to the other side in the width direction (from the first side edge 48a to the second side edge 48b), and discards the folded edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b into a dust box (not shown).

[0087] The conveyor drive motor 78 has its shaft connected to a pulley 80 by a timing belt. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the conveyor drive motor 78 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). The rotational speed of the shaft of the conveyor drive motor 78 (belt travel speed) is preset and stored in the controller's large-capacity hard disk, with the rotational speed (belt travel speed) associated with specific information of the conveyor drive motor 78. When the control unit of the conveyor drive motor 78 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the drive motor 78 at a predetermined rotational speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the drive motor 78. When the shaft of the conveyor drive motor 78 rotates clockwise, that rotation is transmitted to the pulley 80 via the timing belt, causing the pulley 80 to rotate clockwise, and the rotation of the pulley 80 causes the belt 79 to travel in the other direction in the width direction.

[0088] Figure 15 is a side view of the folding device 75, and Figure 16 is a front view of the folding device 75. Figure 17 is a top view of the folding device 75, and Figures 18 and 19 are enlarged front views of the folding device 75. Figure 18 shows the state in which the folding cutter wheel 93 is lowered and the first and second pressing members 95a and 95b are raised. Figure 19 shows the state in which the folding cutter wheel 93 is raised and the first and second pressing members 95a and 95b are lowered.

[0089] The folding device 75 is formed from two folding devices, a first folding device 75a and a second folding device 75b, spaced apart in the width direction. The first folding device 75a is connected to the first guide frame 30, and the second folding device 75b is connected to the suspension frame 83. The suspension frame 83 is connected to the side of the second guide frame 35. The first folding device 75a includes a first folding jig 84a (folding jig), a sixth servo motor 85 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis first actuator 86a, a seventh servo motor 87 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis first actuator 88a, and an X-axis first actuator frame 89a and a Y-axis first actuator frame 89c. The X-axis first actuator frame 89a and the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c are connected in series at one end.

[0090] The second folding device 75b includes a second folding jig 84b (folding jig), an eighth servo motor 90 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis second actuator 86b, a ninth servo motor 91 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis second actuator 88b, and an X-axis second actuator frame 89b and a Y-axis second actuator frame 89d. The X-axis second actuator frame 89b and the Y-axis second actuator frame 89d are connected in series at one end.

[0091] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the folding jigs 84a and 84b of the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b are formed from a folding cutter holder 92, a folding cutter wheel 93, a holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism), a first pressing member 95a, a second pressing member 95b, a first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), a second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (second lifting mechanism), and a rotating mechanism 97.

[0092] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the folding cutter holder 92 has a holder body 98 with a connecting part and a holder head 99 attached to the tip of the holder body 98, and extends in the vertical direction. The folding cutter wheel 93 is connected to the holder head 99 (folding cutter holder 92) via a bearing (not shown) and rotates along the axis of the interposed bearing. The rotation angle of the folding cutter wheel 93 is limited to 10°. The folding cutter wheel 93 is rotatably (rolls) attached to the tip of the holder head 99 via a rolling mechanism, and its periphery rolls around the rolling axis. The folding cutter wheel 93 forms (makes) an edge cutting line K2 on the edge 56 of the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed (the edge 56 of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends outside the outer cutting line K1).

[0093] The holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) is installed directly above the holder body 98 and is connected to the connecting portion 100 of the folding cutter holder 92 (holder body 98). The holder lifting mechanism 94 is fixed to the bracket 101 by a fixing member. An air cylinder is used in the holder lifting mechanism 94. The holder lifting mechanism 94 (air cylinder) moves the folding cutter holders 92 (folding cutter wheels 93) of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b up and down (up and down movement) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0094] As shown in Figure 18, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (air cylinder) lowers the cutter wheel 93 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b when the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b are folded, applying edge cutting pressure (downward pressing force) to the cutter wheel 93. The lifting and lowering dimensions of the holder lifting mechanism are set in advance.

[0095] The first pressing member 95a is made of rubber or synthetic resin having rubber elasticity, is located near the radially outward side of the folding cutter wheel 93, and extends in the vertical direction. The first pressing member 95a has a circular first pressing surface 102a of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 1b. The first pressing member 95a presses downward the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (glass plates 11a and 11b extending outside the outer shape cutting line K1) on which the outer shape cutting line K1 (cut line) and edge cutting line K2 are formed.

[0096] The second pressing member 95b is made of rubber or synthetic resin having rubber elasticity, is located near the radially outward side of the folding cutter wheel 93, and extends in the vertical direction. The second pressing member 95b has a semicircular second pressing surface 102b of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a, 1b. The second pressing member 95b presses downward the main body portion 56a (glass plates 11a, 11b extending inward from the outer shape cutting line K1) of the glass plates 11a, 11b, on which the outer shape cutting line K1 (cut line) and edge cutting line K2 are formed.

[0097] In the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b, the folding jigs 84a and 84b are positioned radially outward from the first pressing member 95a, with the first pressing member 95a as the center, and the second pressing member 95b is positioned radially outward from the first pressing member 95a, on the opposite side of the folding cutter wheel 93. The folding cutter wheel 93, the first pressing member 95a, and the second pressing member 95b are arranged in a line with equal spacing in the radial direction.

[0098] The first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism) is installed directly above the first pressing member 95a, connected to the top of the first pressing member 95a, and fixed to the bracket 101 by a fixing member. An air cylinder is used in the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a. The first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (air cylinder) moves the first pressing member 95a of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b up and down (up and down movement) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). As shown in Figure 19, the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism) lowers the first pressing member 95a toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b when folding the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, applying a downward pressing force to the first pressing member 95a. The upward and downward dimensions of the first pressing member 95a are set in advance. One of the brackets 101 is slidably attached to the X-axis first actuator frame 89a and the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c.

[0099] The second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism) is installed directly above the second pressing member 95b, connected to the top of the second pressing member 95b, and fixed to the bracket 101 by a fixing member. An air cylinder is used in the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b. The second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (air cylinder) moves the second pressing member 95b of the first and second folding jigs 84a, 84b up and down (up and down movement) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). As shown in Figure 19, the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism) lowers the second pressing member 95b toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a, 11b when folding the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and applies a downward pressing force to the second pressing member 95b. The upward and downward dimensions of the second pressing member 95b are set in advance. The other bracket 101 is slidably mounted to the X-axis second actuator frame 89b and the Y-axis second actuator frame 89d.

[0100] The rotating mechanism 97 is formed from a tenth servo motor 103 (Z-axis servo motor), a timing belt 104, and a rotating shaft 105. The tenth servo motor 103 is mounted on a bracket 101, and its shaft is wrapped around the timing belt 104. The rotating shaft 105 is located directly above the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (first pressing member 95a) and is connected to the top of the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a. The axis of the rotating shaft 105 coincides with the axis of the first pressing member 95a. The rotating shaft 105 is wrapped around the timing belt 104. The rotating mechanism 97 rotates the splitting cutter wheel 93 and the first and second pressing members 95a and 95b in the axial direction. When the shaft of the 10th servo motor 103 rotates clockwise, the rotating shaft 105 rotates clockwise, and the first pressing member 95a (first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a) rotates clockwise (rotates on its own axis), and the splitting cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) and the second pressing member 95b (second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b) revolve clockwise around the first pressing member 95a (around its axis). When the shaft of the 10th servo motor 103 rotates counterclockwise, the rotating shaft 105 rotates counterclockwise, and the first pressing member 95a (first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a) rotates counterclockwise (rotates on its own axis), and the splitting cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) and the second pressing member 95b (second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b) revolve around the first pressing member 95a (around its axis) in a counterclockwise direction.

[0101] The control unit that controls the start and stop of the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism), the control unit that controls the start and stop of the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), the control unit that controls the start and stop of the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism), and the control unit that controls the start and stop, rotation speed, and rotation speed of the rotation mechanism 97 (10th servo motor 103) are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the holder lifting mechanism 94 receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the holder lifting mechanism 94 (air cylinder) to lift and lower the folding cutter holder 92 (folding cutter wheel 93). When the control unit of the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (air cylinder) to lift and lower the first pressing member 95a. When the control unit of the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (air cylinder) to lift and lower the second pressing member 95b. When the control unit of the rotation mechanism 97 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the tenth servo motor 103, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the tenth servo motor 103.

[0102] The sixth servo motor 85 (X-axis servo motor) is installed on the X-axis first actuator frame 89a, and its shaft is connected to the X-axis first actuator 86a. The X-axis first actuator 86a has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the sixth servo motor 85 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis first actuator 86a rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a moves forward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis first actuator frame 89a together with the bracket 101. When the shaft of the sixth servo motor 85 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis first actuator 86a rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a moves backward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis first actuator frame 89a together with the bracket 101.

[0103] The seventh servo motor 87 (Y-axis servo motor) is mounted on the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c, and its axis is connected to the Y-axis first actuator 88a. The Y-axis first actuator 88a has a screw portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the seventh servo motor 87 rotates clockwise, the screw portion of the Y-axis first actuator 88a rotates clockwise, and when the screw portion rotates counterclockwise, the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a moves along the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c toward one side in the width direction together with the bracket 101. When the shaft of the seventh servo motor 87 rotates counterclockwise, the screw portion of the Y-axis first actuator 88a rotates counterclockwise, and when the screw portion rotates counterclockwise, the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a moves along the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c toward the other side in the width direction together with the bracket 101.

[0104] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the sixth and seventh servo motors 85 and 87 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the sixth servo motor 85 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the sixth servo motor 85 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the sixth servo motor 85. When the control unit of the seventh servo motor 87 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the seventh servo motor 87 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the seventh servo motor 87.

[0105] The eighth servo motor 90 (X-axis servo motor) is mounted on the X-axis second actuator frame 89b, and its shaft is connected to the X-axis second actuator 86b. The X-axis second actuator 86b has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the eighth servo motor 90 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis second actuator 86b rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b moves forward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis second actuator frame 89b together with the bracket 101. When the shaft of the eighth servo motor 90 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis second actuator 86b rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b moves backward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis second actuator frame 89b together with the bracket 101.

[0106] The ninth servo motor 91 (Y-axis servo motor) is mounted on the Y-axis second actuator frame 89d, and its shaft is connected to the Y-axis second actuator 88b. The Y-axis second actuator 88b has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the ninth servo motor 91 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis second actuator 88b rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b moves along the second actuator frame 89d toward one side in the width direction together with the bracket 101. When the shaft of the ninth servo motor 91 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis second actuator 88b rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b moves along the second actuator frame 89d toward the other side in the width direction together with the bracket 101.

[0107] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the 8th and 9th servo motors 90 and 91 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 8th servo motor 90 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 8th servo motor 90 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 8th servo motor 90. When the control unit of the 9th servo motor 91 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 9th servo motor 91 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 9th servo motor 91.

[0108] Figure 20 is a top view of the folding table 74 with the support device 76 exposed, and Figure 21 is a front view of the folding table 74 with the support device 76 viewed from the front. The support device 76 is formed from two first support devices 76a and second support devices 76b that are spaced apart in the width direction. The first and second support devices 76a and 76b are connected to the guide frame 106.

[0109] The first support device 76a includes a first support member 107a and a second support member 107b, a second support member lifting mechanism 108 (fourth lifting mechanism) for raising and lowering the second support member 107b in the vertical direction, an eleventh servo motor 109 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis third actuator 110a, a twelfth servo motor 111 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis third actuator 112a, and an X-axis third actuator frame 113a and a Y-axis third actuator frame 113c.

[0110] The second support device 76b includes a first support member 107a and a second support member 107b, a second support member lifting mechanism 108 (fourth lifting mechanism) for raising and lowering the second support member 107b in the vertical direction, a 13th servo motor 114 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis fourth actuator 117b, a 14th servo motor 115 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis fourth actuator 112b, and an X-axis fourth actuator frame 113b and a Y-axis fourth actuator frame 113d.

[0111] The first support member 107a is located radially inward of the second support member 107b and has a first support surface 116a of a predetermined area that supports the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a, 11b. The first support surface 116a is formed into a flat, circular shape. The second support member 107b is located radially outward of the first support member 107a and has a second support surface 116b of a predetermined area that supports the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a, 11b. The second support surface 116b is formed into a flat, annular shape that surrounds the first support member 107a (first support surface 116a).

[0112] The second support member lifting mechanism 108 (fourth lifting mechanism) is located directly below the second support member 107b and is fixed to the guide frame 106 by a fixing member. An air cylinder is used in the second support member lifting mechanism 108. The second support member lifting mechanism 108 (air cylinder) moves the second support member 107b of the first and second support devices 76a and 76b up and down (up and down movement) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The second support member lifting mechanism 108 (fourth lifting mechanism) lowers the second support member 107b from the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b when the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b are folded, creating a gap (a step between the first support surface 116a and the second support surface 116b) between the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b and the second support surface 116b. The lowering dimension of the second support member 107b is set in advance.

[0113] The control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the second support member lifting mechanism 108 (fourth lifting mechanism) is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the second support member lifting mechanism 108 receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the second support member lifting mechanism 108 (air cylinder) to raise and lower the second support member 107b.

[0114] The 11th servo motor 109 (X-axis servo motor) is mounted on the X-axis third actuator frame 113a, and its shaft is connected to the X-axis third actuator 110a. The X-axis third actuator 110a has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the 11th servo motor 109 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis third actuator 110a rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first support device 76a moves forward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis third actuator frame 113a together with the guide frame 106. When the shaft of the 11th servo motor 109 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis third actuator 110a rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first support device 76a moves backward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis third actuator frame 113a together with the guide frame 106.

[0115] The 12th servo motor 111 (Y-axis servo motor) is installed on the Y-axis third actuator frame 113c, and its shaft is connected to the Y-axis third actuator 112a. The Y-axis third actuator 112a has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the 12th servo motor 111 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis third actuator 112a rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first support device 76a moves along the Y-axis third actuator frame 113c together with the guide frame 106 toward one side in the width direction. When the shaft of the 12th servo motor 111 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis third actuator 112a rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first support device 76a moves along the Y-axis third actuator frame 113c together with the guide frame 106 toward the other side in the width direction. Furthermore, the first support device 76a moves in the front-to-back direction and the width direction (horizontal direction) in synchronization with the first folding device 75a (first folding jig 84a).

[0116] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the 11th and 12th servo motors 109 and 111 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 11th servo motor 109 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 11th servo motor 109 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 11th servo motor 109. When the control unit of the 12th servo motor 111 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 12th servo motor 111 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 12th servo motor 111.

[0117] The 13th servo motor 114 (X-axis servo motor) is mounted on the X-axis 4th actuator frame 113b, and its shaft is connected to the X-axis 4th actuator 110b. The X-axis 4th actuator 110b has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the 13th servo motor 114 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis 4th actuator 110b rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second support device 76b moves forward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis 4th actuator frame 113b together with the guide frame 106. When the shaft of the 13th servo motor 114 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis 4th actuator 110b rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second support device 76b moves backward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis 4th actuator frame 113b together with the guide frame 106.

[0118] The 14th servo motor 115 (Y-axis servo motor) is mounted on the Y-axis 4th actuator frame 113d, and its shaft is connected to the Y-axis 4th actuator 112b. The Y-axis 4th actuator 112b has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the 14th servo motor 115 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis 4th actuator 112b rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second support device 76b moves along the Y-axis 4th actuator frame 113d together with the guide frame 106 toward one side in the width direction. When the shaft of the 14th servo motor 115 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis 4th actuator 112b rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second support device 76b moves along the Y-axis 4th actuator frame 113d together with the guide frame 106 toward the other side in the width direction. Furthermore, the second support device 76b moves in the front-to-back direction and the width direction (horizontal direction) in synchronization with the second folding device 75b (second folding jig 84b).

[0119] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the 13th and 14th servo motors 114 and 115 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 13th servo motor 114 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 13th servo motor 114 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 13th servo motor 114. When the control unit of the 14th servo motor 115 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 14th servo motor 115 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 14th servo motor 115.

[0120] Figure 22 is a front view of a grinding device 118 as an example installed in the grinding area 22, and Figure 23 is a side view of the grinding device 118. Figure 24 is a top view of the grinding device 118. The grinding area 22 is equipped with a grinding table 117 (grinding platform) on which glass plates 11a and 11b are placed after being positioned in the loading area 19, cut in the cutting area 20, and folded in the folding area 21, and a grinding device 118 that grinds the edges (periphery) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the grinding table 117.

[0121] The grinding table 117 is installed on a base lane 57b that is long in the width direction and fixed to the floor surface of the system base 25 (see Figure 7). The grinding table 117 includes a plurality of suction pads 119 for adsorbing and holding glass plates 11a and 11b, and a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) (air vacuum pump) (not shown) that applies suction force to the suction pads 119 by creating negative pressure. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the vacuum mechanism is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown).

[0122] The grinding table 117 moves in the width direction with the positioned glass plates 11a and 11b placed on it, using the second moving mechanism 58b. The second moving mechanism 58b is formed from a travel guide rail 59b, a feed screw 60b (ball screw), a 15th servo motor 120, a guide shoe 62b, and a slide block 63b (housing nut). The travel guide rail 59b is installed on the upper surface of the base lane 57b and extends in the width direction. The feed screw 60b (ball screw) is installed on the upper surface of the base lane 57b and to the side of the travel guide rail 59b and extends in the width direction. The 15th servo motor 120 is installed on the base lane 57b and reciprocates the grinding table 117 in the width direction. The other end of the feed screw 60b is connected to the shaft of the 15th servo motor 120.

[0123] The control unit that controls the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the 15th servo motor 120 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 15th servo motor 120 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 15th servo motor 120 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 15th servo motor 120.

[0124] The feed screw 60b is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) fixed to the base lane 57b. The guide shoe 62b is mounted on the underside of the grinding table 117 and extends in the width direction. The guide shoe 62b is slidably fitted to the travel guide rail 59b. The slide block 63b (housing nut) is mounted on the underside of the grinding table 117 and between the guide shoes 62b. The slide block 63b is rotatably screwed onto the feed screw 60b.

[0125] When the shaft of the 15th servo motor 120 rotates clockwise, the feed screw 60b rotates clockwise, and the clockwise rotation of the feed screw 60b causes the slide block 63b to move the feed screw 60b in the width direction from the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22 toward the one side edge 48a, and the movement of the slide block 63b causes the grinding table 117 to move in the width direction from the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22 toward the one side edge 48a. When the shaft of the 15th servo motor 120 rotates counterclockwise, the feed screw 60b rotates counterclockwise, and the counterclockwise rotation of the feed screw 60b causes the slide block 63b to move the feed screw 60b in the width direction from one side edge 48a to the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22, and the movement of the slide block 63b causes the grinding table 117 to move in the width direction from one side edge 48a to the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22.

[0126] Furthermore, the 15th servo motor 120 is driven in sync with the 4th servo motor 61 of the cutting area 20, and the grinding table 117 moves from the other side edge 48b to the one side edge 48a of the grinding area 22 in sync with the movement of the cutting table 54 from the other side edge 48b to the one side edge 48a of the cutting area 20, or the grinding table 117 moves from the one side edge 48a to the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22 in sync with the movement of the cutting table 54 from the one side edge 48a to the other side edge 48b of the cutting area 20. The control unit of the 15th servo motor 120 drives the 15th servo motor 120 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational rate when it receives a drive signal from the controller, and stops driving the 15th servo motor 120 when it receives a stop signal from the controller.

[0127] The grinding device 118 comprises a grinding jig 121, a 16th servo motor 122 (grinding Z-axis servo motor), a 17th servo motor 123 (lifting servo motor), a 18th servo motor 124 (cutting servo motor), a grinding wheel lifting screw 125, and a grinding wheel cutting screw 126. The grinding jig 121 is formed from a grinding wheel 127, a grinding holder 128, a cover 129, and a spindle motor 130. The grinding wheel 127 is formed into a disc shape with a predetermined diameter, and its outer surface grinds the edges (periphery) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 1b.

[0128] The grinding holder 128 is located directly above the grinding wheel 127 and rotatably supports the grinding wheel 127. The cover 129 is located directly below the grinding wheel 127 and encloses the entire grinding wheel 127. The cover 129 is detachably attached to the grinding holder 128. The cover 129 has a slit 131 into which the edges (periphery) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b are inserted. The spindle motor 130 is located directly above the grinding wheel 127 (grinding holder 128) and is installed and housed in the motor housing 132. The shaft of the spindle motor 130 is connected to the center of the grinding wheel 127. The rotation of the shaft of the spindle motor 130 causes the grinding wheel 127 to rotate.

[0129] The motor housing 132 is connected via the bracket 133 1 It is fixed to the travel frame 32. The control unit that controls the starting and stopping, rotation speed, and rotational speed of the spindle motor 130 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the spindle motor 130 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the spindle motor 130 at a predetermined rotation speed and rotational speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the spindle motor 130.

[0130] The 16th servo motor 122 (grinding Z-axis servo motor) is located near the rear of the grinding jig 121 and is connected via a bracket 133. 1 It is connected and fixed to the running frame 32. The 16th servo motor 122 has its shaft connected to the support shaft of the motor housing 132. 15th servo motor 120 The axial orientation (angle around the axis) of the grinding wheel 127 is finely adjusted so that the outer surface of the grinding wheel 127 contacts the edge (periphery) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b in parallel.

[0131] The 17th servo motor 123 (lifting servo motor) is located near the outer width direction of the motor housing 132 (spindle motor 130) and is connected to and fixed to the motor housing 132. The shaft of the 17th servo motor 123 is connected to the grinding wheel lifting screw 125 and rotates the grinding wheel lifting screw 125. The 17th servo motor 123 moves the grinding wheel 127 (motor housing 132) up and down according to the thickness dimensions of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and finely adjusts the height of the grinding wheel 127 so that its height matches the height of the edge of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b and the outer surface of the grinding wheel 127 contacts the edge of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0132] Furthermore, in the initial setup for starting the processing of glass plates 11a and 11b, the distance from the mounting reference surface of the grinding wheel 127 to the center of the groove is input to the controller. Based on the input distance, the controller calculates the rotational speed of the shaft of the 17th servo motor 123 and transmits the calculated rotational speed to the control unit of the 17th servo motor 123. The control unit of the 17th servo motor 123 rotates the shaft of the 17th servo motor 123 at the rotational speed received from the controller. When the shaft of the 17th servo motor 123 rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotational speed, the grinding wheel lifting screw 125 rotates clockwise and the screw 125 descends, thereby lowering the grinding wheel 127 (motor housing 132). When the shaft of the 17th servo motor 123 rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined rotational speed, the grinding wheel lifting screw 125 rotates counterclockwise and the screw 125 rises, thereby raising the grinding wheel 127 (motor housing 132). As long as the thickness dimensions of the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed are the same, once the fine adjustment of the height of the grinding wheel 127 is set, no further adjustments are required.

[0133] The 18th servo motor 124 (cutting servo motor) is located directly below the 17th servo motor 123 (lifting servo motor) and near the outer width direction of the motor housing 132 (spindle motor 130), and is connected to and fixed to the motor housing 132. The shaft of the 18th servo motor 124 is connected to the grinding wheel cutting screw 126, and rotates the grinding wheel cutting screw 126. The 18th servo motor 124 moves the grinding wheel 127 (motor housing 132) in the width direction according to the width dimension (size) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and finely adjusts the front-rear position of the grinding wheel 127 so that the outer surface of the grinding wheel 127 contacts the edge (periphery) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0134] Servo motors 16-18 122~124 The control unit that controls the starting / stopping, rotation speed, and rotational speed of the servo motors is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 16th servo motor 122 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 16th servo motor 122 at a predetermined rotation speed and rotational speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 16th servo motor 122. When the control unit of the 17th servo motor 123 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 17th servo motor 123 at a predetermined rotation speed and rotational speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 17th servo motor 123. When the control unit of the 18th servo motor 124 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 18th servo motor 124 at a predetermined rotation speed and rotational speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 18th servo motor 124.

[0135] Furthermore, in the initial setup to begin processing the glass plates 11a and 11b, the diameter of the grinding wheel 127 is input to the controller. The controller calculates the rotational speed of the shaft of the 18th servo motor 124 based on the input diameter of the grinding wheel 127 and transmits the calculated rotational speed to the control unit of the 18th servo motor 124. The control unit of the 18th servo motor 124 rotates the shaft of the 18th servo motor 124 at the rotational speed received from the controller. When the shaft of the 18th servo motor 124 rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotational speed, the grinding wheel cutting screw 126 rotates clockwise and moves backward in the front-rear direction, causing the grinding wheel 127 (motor housing 132) to move backward in the front-rear direction. When the shaft of the 18th servo motor 124 rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined speed, the grinding wheel cutting screw 126 rotates counterclockwise and moves forward in the front-to-back direction, causing the grinding wheel 127 (motor housing 132) to move forward in the front-to-back direction. As long as the diameter of the grinding wheel 127 remains the same, once the fine adjustment of the front-to-back position of the grinding wheel 127 is set, no further adjustments are required.

[0136] A discharge conveyor 134 is installed in the discharge area 23. The discharge area 23 is supported by legs extending upward from the floor surface of the system base 25. The discharge conveyor 134 consists of multiple continuous tracks extending in the front-to-back direction (X direction) and arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction (Y direction). A control unit that controls the starting, stopping, and transport distance of these discharge conveyors 134 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). These discharge conveyors 134 transport glass plates 11a and 11b to the discharge area 23 It is transported from the rear end (inlet) to the front end (outlet) in the front-to-back direction.

[0137] The following describes an example of processing (cutting, folding, and grinding) of glass plates 11a and 11b. At the start of processing, the first glass plate holder 40a is waiting above the loading area 19, the second glass plate holder 40b is waiting above the cutting area 20, the third glass plate holder 40c is waiting above the folding area 21, and the fourth glass plate holder 40d is waiting above the grinding area 22.

[0138] Multiple images of various glass plates are output (displayed) to a monitor, display, or touch panel (output device) connected to the controller. From the multiple images of various glass plates output (displayed) to the output device, the user clicks (tap) (selects) a specific glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed. Once the specific glass plates 11a, 11b are selected, the controller selects an NC control program for processing those glass plates 11a, 11b. The controller outputs (displays) to the output device an input area for the distance from the mounting reference surface of the grinding wheel 127 to the center of the groove, an input area for the front-to-back dimensions of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and an input area for the diameter of the grinding wheel 127.

[0139] Enter the distance from the mounting reference surface of the grinding wheel 127 to the center of the groove in the input area, and enter the diameter of the grinding wheel 127 in the input area, then click (tap) the input button displayed on the output device. Once the distance and diameter are entered, the controller drives the 17th servo motor 123 to move the grinding wheel 127 (motor housing 132) up and down to fine-tune the height of the grinding wheel 127, and drives the 18th servo motor 124 to move the grinding wheel 127 (motor housing 132) in the width direction to fine-tune the front-to-back position of the grinding wheel 127. After these fine-tuning adjustments are complete, the controller outputs (displays) a processing start button on the output device. Clicking (tapping) the processing start button starts the processing of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0140] The selected glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed (before processing) are brought into the loading area 19. In the loading area 19, a first positioning means (first positioning process) and a second positioning means (second positioning process) are performed. The glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed are automatically supplied to the loading conveyor 43 in the loading area 19 by an automatic supply device (not shown). Multiple glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed, each with the same area of ​​the top surface 12 and bottom surface 13 (same size), are stacked vertically in the automatic supply device, and the glass plates 11a and 11b are supplied one by one from the automatic supply device to the loading conveyor 43.

[0141] An example of the positioning procedure for glass plates 11a and 11b in the loading area 19 is as follows: The controller transmits a transport signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43, and the control unit of the loading conveyor 43, upon receiving the forward signal (ON signal), drives the loading conveyor 43. The glass plates 11a and 11b, loaded into the loading area 19, are placed on the loading conveyor 43 with their lower surfaces 13 in contact with the loading conveyor 43. The first side edge 14 (one side edge 14) (including cases where the side edge 14 is curved) of the glass plates 11a and 11b is parallel to one side edge 48a of the loading area 19, and Second lateral edge (the other lateral edge) 15 It runs parallel to the other side edge 48b of the loading area 19.

[0142] The glass plates 11a and 11b, placed on the loading conveyor 43, are gradually moved forward in the front-rear direction from the rear to the front of the loading area 19 by the loading conveyor 43. As the glass plates 11a and 11b move from the rear to the front of the loading area 19, and their front edges 16 come into contact with the stopper 44, a contact sensor installed on the stopper 44 detects the contact of the front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with the stopper 44 and transmits a contact signal to the controller.

[0143] Upon receiving the contact signal, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the input conveyor 43. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the input conveyor 43 stops the drive of the input conveyor 43. Next, the controller controls the front-rear center of the first side edge 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b. O1 The second rearward movement dimension of the loading conveyor 43 in the front-to-back direction is transmitted to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43 in order to position the center line L2 (a center line extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-back dimensions of the glass plates 11a and 11b in the front-to-back direction) at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) of the loading area 19, and a retraction signal (ON signal) is transmitted to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43.

[0144] Upon receiving the second movement dimension and the retraction signal (ON signal), the control unit of the loading conveyor 43 drives the loading conveyor 43 to move the glass plates 11a and 11b backward by the second movement dimension in the front-rear direction. When the loading conveyor 43 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b backward by the second movement dimension, the front-rear center O1 of one side edge in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b (center line L2 of the glass plates 11a and 11b) is positioned at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) in the loading area 19 (second positioning means (second positioning step)).

[0145] After moving the glass plates 11a and 11b a second distance backward in the front-rear direction, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the input conveyor 43. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the input conveyor 43 stops the drive of the input conveyor 43. Next, the controller sends an up signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). Upon receiving the up signal (ON signal), the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 raises the rollers 45 (air cylinder). As the roller lifting mechanism 46 rises, the rollers 45 rise, and a portion of the peripheral edge of the rollers 45 is exposed above the input conveyor 43. With the raised rollers 45 in contact with the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the rollers 45 lift the glass plates 11a and 11b above the input conveyor 43.

[0146] After the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder) has finished raising, the controller transmits to the control unit of the third servo motor 51 the rotation speed of the third servo motor 51, which is calculated from the first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the width direction of the moving mechanism 47 for positioning the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b to the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line), and also transmits a forward rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the rotation speed of the third servo motor 51 and the forward rotation signal (ON signal), the control unit drives the third servo motor 51 and rotates the shaft of the third servo motor 51 clockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0147] The rotation of the lead screw caused by the clockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 causes the contact member 53 to gradually move from its starting point toward one side in the width direction along with the moving arm 52. The contact member 53, moving toward one side in the width direction, comes into contact with the second side edge 15 (the other side edge) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the contact member 53 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b from one side to the other in the width direction. Second lateral edge (the other lateral edge) 15 Pressing in the width direction. The glass plates 11a and 11b pressed by the contact member 53 Roller 45The glass plates are moved in the width direction from one side to the other, and the outermost edge of the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b that is located furthest outward in the width direction is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) in the loading area 19 (first positioning means (first positioning step)).

[0148] When the contact member 53 has finished moving in one direction in the width direction, and the outermost edge of the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the loading area 19, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 stops driving the third servo motor 51. After the driving of the third servo motor 51 stops, the controller sends a reverse rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the reverse rotation signal (ON signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 drives the third servo motor 51, rotating the shaft of the third servo motor 51 counterclockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0149] The rotation of the lead screw caused by the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 causes the contact member 53 to gradually move to the other side in the width direction together with the moving arm 52, and the contact member 53 returns to the starting point of movement. After the contact member 53 returns to the starting point of movement, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51 and a descent signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 stops driving the third servo motor 51, and upon receiving the descent signal (ON signal), the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 lowers the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). When the roller lifting mechanism 46 is lowered, the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which were positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), 43 loading conveyor belts It comes into contact with.

[0150] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) move the glass plates 11a and 11b from the rear to the front of the loading area 19 by the loading conveyor 43, and after the front edge 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b comes into contact with the stopper 44, the loading conveyor 43 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b backward in the front-rear direction, so that the front-rear center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plates 11a and 11b) of the first side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b is positioned at the second positioning reference L2 in the loading area 19. After the front-rear center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plates 11a and 11b) of one side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b is positioned at the second positioning reference L2 by the second positioning means (second positioning step), the glass plates 11a and 11b are moved together with the rollers 45 by the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). By raising a and 11b, and pressing the second side edges 15 of the raised glass plates 11a and 11b in the width direction by the moving mechanism 47, the outermost edge of the first side edges 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the loading area 19. Therefore, the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plate 11a) of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate 11a which is processed first, and the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plate 11a) of the upper and lower surfaces 12 and 13 which are processed later, can be accurately positioned (coincided) with the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plate 11b) of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate 11a which is processed first, and the upper and lower surfaces 12 and 13 which are processed later 13 The outermost edge of the first side edge 14, which extends in the front-to-back direction on one of the width directions of glass plates 11b of different sizes and with different areas, can be precisely positioned (aligned).

[0151] Another example of the positioning procedure for the glass plates 11a and 11b in the loading area 19 is as follows: The controller transmits a forward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43, and the control unit of the loading conveyor 43, upon receiving the forward signal (ON signal), drives the loading conveyor 43. The glass plates 11a and 11b, loaded into the loading area 19, are placed on the loading conveyor 43 with their lower surfaces 13 in contact with the loading conveyor 43. The glass plates 11a and 11b, placed on the loading conveyor 43, are gradually moved forward in the front-rear direction from the rear (start position) to the front of the loading area 19 by the loading conveyor 43. As the glass plates 11a and 11b move from the rear to the front of the loading area 19, and the front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b come into contact with the stopper 44, a contact sensor installed on the stopper 44 detects the contact of the front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with the stopper 44 and transmits a contact signal to the controller.

[0152] Upon receiving the contact signal, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the input conveyor 43. The control unit of the input conveyor 43, upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), then... 43 The drive of the rollers is stopped. Next, the controller sends an upward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). Upon receiving the upward signal (ON signal), the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 raises the rollers 45 (air cylinder). As the roller lifting mechanism 46 rises, the rollers 45 rise, and a portion of the peripheral edge of the rollers 45 is exposed above the input conveyor 43. With the raised rollers 45 in contact with the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the rollers 45 lift the glass plates 11a and 11b above the input conveyor 43.

[0153] After the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder) has finished raising, the controller transmits to the control unit of the third servo motor 51 the rotation speed of the third servo motor 51, which is calculated from the first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the width direction of the moving mechanism 47 for positioning the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b to the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line), and also transmits a forward rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the rotation speed and the forward rotation signal (ON signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 drives the third servo motor 51 and rotates the shaft of the third servo motor 51 clockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0154] The rotation of the lead screw caused by the clockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 causes the contact member 53 to move together with the moving arm 52 from its starting point in one direction in the width direction (in the loading area 19) Side edge 48a The contact member 53 moves gradually towards the second side edge 15 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the contact member 53 presses the second side edge 15 of the glass plates 11a and 11b in the width direction so that the glass plates 11a and 11b move from the other side to the other side in the width direction. The glass plates 11a and 11b pressed by the contact member 53 Roller 45 The glass plates are moved in the width direction from one side to the other, and the outermost edge of the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b that is located furthest outward in the width direction is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) in the loading area 19 (first positioning means (first positioning step)).

[0155] When the contact member 53 has finished moving to one side in the width direction and the first side edges 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b are positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the loading area 19, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 stops driving the third servo motor 51. After the driving of the third servo motor 51 stops, the controller sends a reverse rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the reverse rotation signal (ON signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 drives the third servo motor 51 and rotates the shaft of the third servo motor 51 counterclockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0156] The rotation of the lead screw caused by the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 causes the contact member 53 to move together with the moving arm 52 in the other direction in the width direction (in the loading area 19) Side edge 48b The contact member 53 gradually moves to the starting point and returns to the starting point. After the contact member 53 returns to the starting point, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51 and a descent signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 stops driving the third servo motor 51, and upon receiving the descent signal (ON signal), the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 lowers the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). When the roller lifting mechanism 46 is lowered, the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b 43 loading conveyor belts It comes into contact with.

[0157] The lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b 43 loading conveyor belts After contacting the glass plates 11a and 11b, the controller transmits a second rearward movement dimension of the loading conveyor 43 to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43, which is used to position the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b on the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) of the loading area 19, and also transmits a transport signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43.

[0158] Upon receiving the second movement dimension and the transport signal (ON signal), the control unit of the loading conveyor 43 drives the loading conveyor 43 to move the glass plates 11a and 11b backward by the second movement dimension in the front-rear direction. When the loading conveyor 43 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b backward by the second movement dimension, the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a and 11b in half) is positioned at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) in the loading area 19 (second positioning means (second positioning tool)). After moving the glass plates 11a and 11b a second distance backward in the front-rear direction, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the input conveyor 43. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the input conveyor 43 stops driving the input conveyor 43. The glass plates 11a and 11b are positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning operator) and the second positioning means (second positioning operator).

[0159] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) move the glass plates 11a and 11b from the rear to the front of the loading area 19 by the loading conveyor 43, and after the front edge 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b comes into contact with the stopper 44, the glass plates 11a and 11b are raised together with the rollers 45 by the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder), and the second side edge 15 of the raised glass plates 11a and 11b is pressed and moved in the width direction by the moving mechanism 47, thereby moving the first side edge of the glass plates 11a and 11b in the width direction The outermost edge of the 14 that is located furthest outward in the width direction is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the loading area 19, and after the first positioning means (first positioning step) positions the outermost edge of the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b that is located furthest outward in the width direction at the first positioning reference L1, the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder) lowers the glass plates 11a and 11b together with the rollers 45, and the loading conveyor 43 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b from the rear to the front of the loading area 19. After the front edges 16 of the lath plates 11a and 11b come into contact with the stopper 44, the glass plates 11a and 11b are moved backward in the front-rear direction by the loading conveyor 43, thereby positioning the front-rear center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plates 11a and 11b) of the first side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b at the second positioning reference L2 in the loading area 19. As a result, the outermost edge of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate 11a to be processed first will be positioned at the location of the upper surface 12 and lower surface 13, which will be processed later, with different area sizes. The outermost edge of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the staggered glass plates 11b can be precisely positioned (coincided), and the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plate 11a) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate 11a, which is processed first, can be precisely (positioned) to coincide with the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plate 11b) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the staggered glass plates 11b, which have different upper and lower surface areas 12 and 13 and are processed later.

[0160] In the folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10), when a large glass plate 11a with a large area of ​​upper and lower surfaces 12, 13 and a small glass plate 11b with a smaller area of ​​upper and lower surfaces 12, 13 than the large glass plate 11a are positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), as shown in Figure 3, the first side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction of the large glass plate 11a The first side edge 14 (one side edge) of the small glass plate 11b, which extends in the front-rear direction, is located at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) of the loading area 19, and the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 of the large glass plate 11a, which extends in the front-rear direction, and the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 of the small glass plate 11b, which extends in the front-rear direction, are located at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) of the loading area 19.

[0161] The large glass plate 11a and the small glass plate 11b, positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), have their outermost edges (first side edges 14 in the illustrated glass plates 11a and 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction coincide at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line), and their front-rear center O1 (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a and 11b in half) coincide at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line).

[0162] After the positioning of the glass plates 11a and 11b is completed by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), the controller transmits a descent signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the lifting mechanism (air cylinder) of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the descent signal (ON signal), the control unit of the lifting mechanism (air cylinder) lowers the suction pad 42 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b using the lifting mechanism. After the suction pad 42 of the first glass plate holder 40a comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the controller transmits a suction signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the suction signal (ON signal), the control unit of the vacuum mechanism activates the vacuum mechanism.

[0163] When the vacuum mechanism is activated, the glass plates 11a and 11b located in the loading area 19 are sucked into the suction pad 42. After activating the vacuum mechanism, the controller transmits an upward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the upward signal (ON signal), the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) raises the suction pad 42 using the pad lifting mechanism. The glass plates 11a and 11b, positioned in the loading area 19 by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), are sucked into the suction pad 42 and rise together with the suction pad 42.

[0164] After the suction pads 42 (glass plates 11a, 11b) rise, the controller sends a forward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the second servo motor 39. Upon receiving the forward signal (ON signal), the control unit of the second servo motor 39 drives the second servo motor 39. The rotation of the shaft of the second servo motor 39 causes the slide block to move in the front-rear direction from the rear to the front of the second guide frame 35, thereby moving the first glass plate holder 40a (glass plates 11a, 11b held by the suction pads 42) from the loading area 19 to the cutting area 20 (glass plate moving means (glass plate moving process)). As the slide block moves, the second to fourth glass plate holders 40b to 40d move forward in the front-rear direction together with the first glass plate holder 40a.

[0165] After the first glass plate holder 40a moves to the cutting area 20, the controller sends a descent signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the descent signal (ON signal), the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) lowers the suction pads 42 (glass plates 11a, 11b) onto the cutting table 54 in the cutting area 20 using the pad lifting mechanism. After the glass plates 11a, 11b, which are held in place by the suction pads 42 of the first glass plate holder 40a, come into contact with the cutting table 54, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the vacuum mechanism stops the operation of the vacuum mechanism. When the vacuum mechanism stops, the suction pads on the glass plates 11a, 11b 42 The suction is released, and the positioned glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the cutting table 54.

[0166] Next, the controller sends an upward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) of the first glass plate holder 40a, and the upward signal causes the first glass plate holder 40a (pad lifting mechanism) to move to the cutting table. 54It rises upward. After the first glass plate holder 40a rises, a retraction signal (ON signal) is sent from the controller to the control unit of the second servo motor 39, and the rotation of the shaft of the second servo motor 39 moves the first glass plate holder 40a from the cutting area 20 to the loading area 19, and the first glass plate holder 40a waits above the loading area 19. Along with the first glass plate holder 40a, the second to fourth glass plate holders 40b to 40d also move backward in the front-rear direction, with the second glass plate holder 40b waiting above the cutting area 20, the third glass plate holder 40c waiting above the folding area 21, and the fourth glass plate holder 40d waiting above the grinding area 22.

[0167] Procedure for transporting glass plates 11a and 11b after cutting from the cutting area 20 to the folding area 21 by the second glass plate holder 40b (glass plate moving means (glass plate moving process)), and transporting glass plates 11a and 11b after folding from the folding area 21 to the grinding area by the third glass plate holder 40c 22 The transport procedure to the loading area (glass plate moving means (glass plate moving process)) and the transport procedure of the glass plates 11a and 11b after grinding by the fourth glass plate holder 40d from the grinding area 22 to the loading area 23 (glass plate moving means (glass plate moving process)) are the same as those of the first glass plate holder 40a transporting the glass plates 11a and 11b from the loading area 19 to the cutting area 20, so the explanation of the transport procedure by the second to fourth glass plate holders 40b to 40d is omitted.

[0168] After the glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the cutting table 54, the controller sends a retraction signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. Upon receiving the retraction signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34. The rotation of the shaft of the first servo motor 34 causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30, and as a result, the cutting device 55 moves backward in the front-to-back direction in the cutting area 20 together with the first travel frame 32, and the cutting device 55 is positioned outward in the width direction of the first corner 18a (front edge 16) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting start position).

[0169] In addition, although not shown in the diagram, during the cutting process, the second glass plate holder 40b, which has moved (returned) from the folding area 21 to the cutting area 20, is lowered onto the cutting table 54 in the cutting area 20 by the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder), and the suction pad of the second glass plate holder 40b 42 The suction pad comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the cutting table 54, and the vacuum mechanism is activated. 42 The glass plates 11a and 11b are held in place by the suction pad of the second glass plate holder 40b. 42 The glass plates 11a and 11b are pressed downwards. During the cutting process, the glass plates 11a and 11b are pressed against the suction pads of the second glass plate holder 40b. 42 It is supported under pressure.

[0170] After the cutting device 55 is positioned outward in the width direction of the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting start position), the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34 and a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 stops the first servo motor 34, and upon receiving the drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61. The rotation of the shaft of the fourth servo motor 61 causes the slide block 63a to move the feed screw 60a in the width direction from the other side edge 48b of the cutting area 20 toward the one side edge 48a, thereby causing the cutting table 54 to move in the width direction from the other side edge 48b toward the one side edge 48a of the cutting area 20, and the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 to be positioned at the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a, 11b.

[0171] After the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 is positioned at the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the controller transmits a drive signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control units of the air cylinder 65 and the fifth servo motor 66 of the cutting device 55, a retraction signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control unit of the first servo motor 34, and an NC control signal to the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61. Upon receiving a drive signal (ON signal) or NC control signal, the control unit of the air cylinder 65, the control unit of the fifth servo motor 66, the control unit of the first servo motor 34, and the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 of the cutting device 55 drive the air cylinder 65, the fifth servo motor 66, the first servo motor 34, and the fourth servo motor 61 to perform contour control motion by NC control on the vicinity of the first side edge 14 (first side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, causing the cutting cutter wheel 67 to cut the vicinity of the first side edge 14 (first side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting means (cutting process)).

[0172] Upon receiving a retraction signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during the cutting process to move the cutting device 55 backward in the front-rear direction within the cutting area 20, and the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61 during the cutting process to reciprocate the cutting device 55 in the width direction within the cutting area 20. The cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 moves from the first corner 18a to the second corner 18b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, forming an outer shape cutting line K1 near the first side edge 14 (first side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0173] After the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 completes the cutting process near the first side edge 14 (first side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the cutting cutter wheel 67 is positioned at the second corner portion 18b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cutting table 54 moves in the width direction from one side edge portion 48a to the other side edge portion 48b of the cutting area 20, and as the cutting table 54 moves in the width direction, the cutting cutter wheel 67 cuts near the rear end edge 17 (rear end edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting means (cutting process)).

[0174] The control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61 during cutting to move the cutting table 54 in the width direction within the cutting area 20, and the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during cutting to reciprocate the cutting device 55 in the front-rear direction within the cutting area 20. The cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 moves from the second corner 18b to the third corner 18c of the glass plates 11a and 11b, forming an outer shape cutting line K1 near the rear edge 17 (rear edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0175] After the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 completes the cutting process near the rear edge 17 (rear edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the cutting cutter wheel 67 is positioned at the third corner portion 18c of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cutting device 55 moves forward in the front-rear direction, and as the cutting device 55 moves forward in the front-rear direction, the cutting cutter wheel 67 cuts near the second side edge 15 (second side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting means (cutting process)).

[0176] The control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during cutting to move the cutting device 55 forward in the front-rear direction within the cutting area 20, and the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61 during cutting to reciprocate the cutting table 54 in the width direction within the cutting area 20. The cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 moves from the third corner 18c to the fourth corner 18d of the glass plates 11a and 11b, forming an outer shape cutting line K1 near the second side edge 15 (second side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0177] After the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 completes the cutting process near the second side edge (second side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the cutting cutter wheel 67 is positioned at the fourth corner portion 18d of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cutting table 54 moves in the width direction from the other side edge portion 48b of the cutting area 20 toward the one side edge portion 48a, and as the cutting table 54 moves in the width direction, the cutting cutter wheel 67 cuts near the front edge 16 (front edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting means (cutting process)).

[0178] The control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61 to move the cutting table 54 in the width direction within the cutting area 20 during the cutting process, and the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 to reciprocate the cutting device 55 in the front-rear direction within the cutting area 20 during the cutting process. The cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 moves from the fourth corner 18d toward the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, forming an outer shape cutting line K1 near the front edge 16 (front edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b. When the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 completes the cutting process near the front edge 16 (front edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cutting device 55 moves outward in the width direction of the first corner 18a (front edge 16) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting start position) and waits.

[0179] Cutting area 20For example, the first positioning means (first positioning step) can be used to position the outermost edge (first side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) that is located furthest outward in the width direction of the first side edge 14 that extends in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a with a large upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 which will be processed first, at the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line)) of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b with a small upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 which will be processed later, in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction The outermost edge of the first side edge 14 extending in the direction (the first side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) is positioned (aligned) to position the glass plates 11a and 11b of different sizes with different areas of the upper surface 12 and lower surface 13, and the position of the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 extending in the width direction, dividing the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate 11a in half) of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the larger glass plate 11a which is processed first by the second positioning means (second positioning step) When cutting a glass plate 11b with a different area to be processed later, after positioning the glass plates 11a and 11b with different areas on the top surface 12 and bottom surface 11a, the cutting device reaches the side edge 14 of the large glass plate 11a. The distance traveled by the cutting device 55 (the distance traveled in the width direction by the cutting table 54) becomes equal to the distance traveled by the cutting device 55 until it reaches the side edge 14 of the small glass plate 11b (the distance traveled in the width direction by the cutting table 54). At the same time, the distance traveled by the cutting device 55 from the outermost edge (first side edge 14) of the large glass plate 11a to return outward in the width direction of the glass plate 11a becomes equal to the distance traveled by the cutting device 55 from the outermost edge (first side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to return outward in the width direction of the glass plate 11b.The distance the cutting device 55 travels to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b is shortened, and the distance the cutting device 55 travels back from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the widthwise outward direction of the glass is also shortened. This shortens the time (non-processing time) for the cutting device 55 to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b, and also shortens the time it takes for the cutting device 55 to return from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the widthwise outward direction of the glass plate 11b.

[0180] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) first position the outermost edge (one of the side edges 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a, which is the outermost edge in the width direction of one of the side edges 14 that extends in the front-rear direction on one of the width directions of a large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a with a large area of ​​upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 that is processed first by the first positioning means (first positioning step) (first positioning reference L1 (virtual positioning first reference line)), and later The position of the outermost edge (one of the side edges 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b, which is the widest part of the front-to-back side edge 14 that extends in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized glass plate 11b with a small upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 to be processed (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) is aligned with the position of the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) and the glass plates 11a and 11b of different sizes with different upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 areas, and the second positioning means (Second positioning step) The position of the front-to-back center O1 of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the large glass plate 11a to be processed first (center line L2 that divides the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate 11a in half and extends in the width direction) (second positioning reference (virtual second positioning reference line)) and the front-to-back center O1 of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the small glass plate 11b to be processed later (dividing the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate 11b in half The position of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which are of different sizes and have different upper and lower surface areas, is aligned with the position of the center line L2) extending in the width direction (second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line)), and then the cutting process is performed on the smaller glass plate 11b (glass plate 11b with a different area) which will be processed later. The cutting device reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the larger glass plate 11a, which has a larger upper and lower surface area. 55 Travel distance (cutting table) 54 A cutting device that reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of a small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b, which has a small area of ​​the upper surface 12 and lower surface 13, and travels a certain distance in the width direction. 55 Travel distance (cutting table) 54 The cutting device (the distance traveled in the width direction) becomes equal to the cutting device 55The distance traveled from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the large glass plate 11a to the outermost edge of the glass plate 11a in the width direction (cutting table) 54 (Distance traveled in the width direction) and the distance traveled from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b back outward in the width direction (cutting table) 54 The cutting device (movement distance in the width direction) becomes equal to the cutting device (movement distance in the width direction) compared to conventional glass plate processing systems, and reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b. 55 This allows for a shorter travel distance, and also enables the cutting device to return from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the widthwise outward direction of the glass plate 11b. 55 The travel distance can be shortened, cutting device 55 The time it takes for the cutting device to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b (non-processing time) can be shortened, and the cutting device 55 This reduces the return time from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the outward direction in the width direction of the glass plate 11b.

[0181] Figure 25 shows an example of the procedure for forming edge cut lines in the folding process, and Figure 26 shows an example of the folding procedure in the folding process. After the cutting process (outer shape cutting line K1) is completed on the edges 56b (peripheral edges) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cut glass plates 11a and 11b are transported from the cutting area 20 to the folding area 21 by the second glass plate holder 40b. In the folding area 21, edge cut lines K2 are made on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1, and the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b surrounded by the outer shape cutting line K1 and the edge cut line K2 are folded.

[0182] In addition, although not shown in the diagram, during the folding process, the glass plate third holder 40c, which has moved (returned) from the grinding area 22 to the folding area 21, is moved to the folding area by the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder). 21 The glass plate third holder 40c is lowered onto the folding and cutting table 74 and the suction pad is lowered onto the folding and cutting table 74.42 The suction pad comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the folding table 74, and the vacuum mechanism is activated. 42 The glass plates 11a and 11b are held in place by the suction pad of the third glass plate holder 40c. 42 The glass plates 11a and 11b are pressed downwards. During the folding process, the glass plates 11a and 11b are pressed against the suction pads of the third glass plate holder 40c. 42 It is supported under pressure.

[0183] After the cut glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the folding table 74, the controller sends drive signals (ON signals) to the control units of the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism), the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism), the sixth servo motor 85 (X-axis servo motor), the seventh servo motor 87 (Y-axis servo motor), the eighth servo motor 90 (X-axis servo motor), the ninth servo motor 91 (Y-axis servo motor), and the tenth servo motor 103 of the first folding device 75a and the second folding device 75b. The control unit of the holder lifting mechanism 94, the control units of the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the control units of the 6th to 10th servo motors 85, 87, 90, 91, and 103, upon receiving a drive signal (ON signal), drive the holder lifting mechanism 94, the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the 6th to 10th servo motors 85, 87, 90, 91, and 103. Commands (signals) are sent from the controller to the holder lifting mechanism 94, the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the 6th to 10th servo motors 85, 87, 90, 91, and 103 so that the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b travel (move) along a preset travel trajectory (folding trajectory) on the upper surface of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0184] The first folding device 75a, driven by the holder lifting mechanism 94, the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the sixth, seventh and tenth servo motors 85, 87 and 103, has its first folding jig 84a (folding jig) moved in the front-rear direction and width direction (diagonal direction) by the X-axis first actuator 86a and the Y-axis first actuator 88a, so that the first folding jig 84a is positioned at the folding start position in the first (initial) edge cutting line formation area on the widthwise outward side of the first corner portion 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0185] The second folding device 75b, driven by the holder lifting mechanism 94, the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the eighth, ninth, and tenth servo motors 90, 91, and 103, has its second folding jig 84b (folding jig) move in the front-rear direction and width direction (diagonal direction) by the second X-axis actuator 86b and the second Y-axis actuator 88b, so that the second folding jig 84b is positioned at the folding start position in the first (initial) edge cutting line formation area on the widthward side of the fourth corner 18d of the glass plates 11a, 11b. In addition, the first and second support devices 76a and 76b move to the folding start position in the first (initial) edge cutting line formation area in synchronization with the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b.

[0186] After the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a is positioned at the folding start position (outward in the width direction) of the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, it moves in the front-back direction and width direction (diagonal direction) by the X-axis first actuator 86a and the Y-axis first actuator 88a, as shown by the arrows in Figure 25, to the edge cutting line formation position near (immediately adjacent to) the outer shape cutting line K1 among the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1.

[0187] After the first folding jig 84a moves to a position for forming an end cut line near the outer cutting line K1, the tenth servo motor 103 is driven, causing the first pressing member 95a (first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a) to rotate (spin on its own axis) clockwise or counterclockwise, and the folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) and the second pressing member 95b (second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b) to revolve around the first pressing member 95a (around its axis) clockwise or counterclockwise. As the folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) revolves, the direction of rolling (movement) of the periphery of the folding cutter wheel 93 is directed in the direction in which the virtual end cut line extends. The folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) revolves, and after the direction of rolling (movement) of the periphery of the folding cutter wheel 93 is directed toward the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) operates and the folding cutter holder 92 descends toward the upper surface 12 of the edge portions 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lowering means (holder lowering process)). The folding cutter wheel 93 contacts the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with a predetermined pressing force at the edge cutting line formation position.

[0188] After the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b is positioned at the folding start position (outward in the width direction) of the fourth corner 18d of the glass plates 11a, 11b, it moves in the front-back direction and width direction (diagonal direction) by the X-axis second actuator 86b and the Y-axis second actuator 88b, as shown by the arrows in Figure 25, to the edge cutting line formation position near (immediately adjacent to) the outer shape cutting line K1 among the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1. Note that the edge cutting line formation position may be near the periphery of the glass plates 11a, 11b, rather than near the outer shape cutting line K1.

[0189] After the second folding jig 84b moves to a position for forming an end cut line near the outer cutting line K1, the tenth servo motor 103 is driven, causing the first pressing member 95a (first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a) to rotate (spin on its own axis) clockwise or counterclockwise, and the folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) and the second pressing member 95b (second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b) to revolve around the first pressing member 95a (axis) clockwise or counterclockwise. As the folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) revolves, the direction of rolling (movement) of the periphery of the folding cutter wheel 93 is directed toward the direction in which the virtual end cut line extends. After the folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) has revolved, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) operates and the folding cutter holder 92 descends toward the upper surface 12 of the edge portions 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lowering means (holder lowering process)). The folding cutter wheel 93 comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with a predetermined pressing force at the edge cutting line formation position.

[0190] After the direction of rotation (movement) of the periphery of the folding cutter wheel 93 is directed toward the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends, the first folding jig 84a travels linearly from the vicinity of the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a, 11b toward the edges of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the folding cutter wheel 93 forms an edge cutting line K2 (scribe) in the first (initial) edge cutting line formation area (predetermined area) of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b along the direction of travel of the first folding jig 84a (edge ​​cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process)). In the edge cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process), the first support device 76a moves in synchronization with the first folding device 75a, while the first and second support members 107a,107b First and second support surfaces 116a, 116b With the first folding jig 84a supporting the lower surface 13 of the edge portion 56b that extends outside the outer edge cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the folding cutter wheel 93 of the first folding jig 84a forms an edge cutting line K2 on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0191] Furthermore, the second folding jig 84b travels in a straight line from the vicinity of the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a, 11b toward the edges of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the folding cutter wheel 93 forms an edge cut line K2 (scribe) in the first (initial) edge cut line formation area (predetermined area) of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b along the direction of travel of the second folding jig 84b (edge ​​cut line forming means (edge ​​cut line forming process)). In the edge cut line forming means, the second support device 76b moves in synchronization with the second folding device 75b, while the first and second support members 107a,107b First and second support surfaces 116a, 116b With the second folding jig 84b supporting the lower surface 13 of the edge portion 56b that extends outside the outer edge cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the folding cutter wheel 93 of the second folding jig 84b forms an edge cutting line K2 on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0192] Furthermore, the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b and the first and second support devices 76a, 76b travel (move) at the same speed. In the edge cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process), the first and second folding jigs 84a, 84b travel in a straight line from the edges of the glass plates 11a, 11b toward the vicinity of the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the folding cutter wheel 93 may form an edge cutting line K2 (scribe) on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b. The folding and cutting system 10a and folding and cutting method (glass plate processing system 10) prevents elastic deformation of the edges 56b by having the first and second support surfaces 116a and 116b of the first and second support members 107a and 107b support the lower surface 13 of the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and while holding the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b horizontally, the edge cutting line is cut on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b. K2 It can be reliably formed.

[0193] After the first (initial) edge cutting line K2 is formed on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) is activated and the folding cutter holder 92 is raised from the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lifting means (holder lifting process)). After the folding cutter holder 92 is raised by the holder lifting means (holder lifting process), the first and second X-axis actuators 86a and 86b and the first and second Y-axis actuators 88a and 88b are activated to move the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b (first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b) to the first (initial) pressing area (folding device moving means (folding device moving process)).

[0194] After the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b are moved to the first (initial) pressing area by the folding device moving means (folding device moving process), as shown in Figure 26, the tenth servo motor 103 is activated, causing the first pressing member 95a (first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a) to rotate (rotate) in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) and the second pressing member 95b (second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b) to revolve around the first pressing member 95a (around the axis) in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The rotating mechanism 97 rotates the folding cutter wheel 93 and the first and second pressing members 95a and 95b around their axes so that the first pressing member 95a is positioned at the edge 56b (first pressing area) of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1 (rotating means (rotating process)). When the first pressing member 95a is positioned at the edge 56b (pressing area) of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1, the operation of the tenth servo motor 103 stops.

[0195] After the first pressing member 95a is positioned on the edge portion 56b (first (initial) pressing area) of the glass plates 11a, 11b extending outside the outer shape cutting line K1 by the rotating means (rotating process), the second pressing member 95b of the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b is lowered vertically by the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism), and the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first and second support surfaces 116a, 116b of the first and second support members 107a, 107b clamp the main body portion 56a and the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b (glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process)). In the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process), when the second pressing member 95b of the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b is lowered by the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism), the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1.

[0196] In the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process), when the first and second support members 107a and 107b are raised by the second support member lifting mechanism 108 (fourth lifting mechanism), the annularly shaped second support surface 116b of the second support member 107b supports the lower surface 13 of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1 and the lower surface 13 of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1, and the circularly shaped first support surface 116a of the first support member 107a supports the lower surface 13 of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1, and the first support surface 116a A portion of the outer edge supports the lower surface 13 of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends near the outside of the outer cutting line K1.

[0197] After the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process) clamps the main body portion 56a and edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b between the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first and second support surfaces 116a and 116b of the first and second support members 107a and 107b, the second support member 107b is lowered vertically in the first (initial) pressing area by the second support member lifting mechanism 108 (fourth lifting mechanism) (second support member lowering means (second support member lowering process)). When the second support member 107b is lowered, a gap (a step between the first support surface 116a and the second support surface 116b) is formed between the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b and the second support surface 116b. Furthermore, the clamping of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b by the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first supporting surface 116a of the first supporting member 107a is maintained.

[0198] After the second support member 107b is lowered by the second support member lowering means (second support member lowering process), the first pressing member 95a is lowered vertically by the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism) while maintaining the clamping of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b by the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first support surface 116a of the first support member 107a. The first pressing surface 102a of the first pressing member 95a then contacts the upper surface 12 of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1, and in the first (initial) pressing area, the first pressing surface 102a of the first pressing member 95a presses downward the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extends outside the outer shape cutting line K1. The first pressing surface 102a presses the edge 56b downward, causing the edge 56b to break in the first (initial) pressing area (edge ​​breaking means (edge ​​breaking process)). In the edge breaking means (edge ​​breaking process), the main body 56a and the edge 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b are separated. The broken (separated) edges 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a, 11b are then carried on a belt conveyor. 77 It remains on top of it.

[0199] After the edge 56b is folded in the first (initial) pressing area by the edge folding means (edge ​​folding process), the second support member lifting mechanism 108The second support member 107b is raised vertically by the (fourth lifting mechanism), the first pressing member 95a is raised vertically by the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), and the second pressing member 95b is raised vertically by the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism).

[0200] After the first and second pressing members 95a, 95b and the second support member 107b are raised, the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b are moved to the second (next) edge cutting line formation area of ​​the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b (device moving means (device moving process)). The first folding jig 84a is positioned at the edge cutting line formation position in the second (next) edge cutting line formation area located outward in the width direction of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the second folding jig 84b is positioned at the edge cutting line formation position in the second (next) edge cutting line formation area located outward in the width direction of the glass plates 11a, 11b. In addition, the first and second support devices 76a, 76b move to the edge cutting line formation position in the second (next) edge cutting line formation area in synchronization with the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b.

[0201] After the first folding jig 84a moves to the edge cutting line formation position in the second (next) edge cutting line formation area near the outer cutting line K1, the tenth servo motor 103 is driven, causing the first pressing member 95a (first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a) to rotate (spin on its own axis) clockwise or counterclockwise, and the folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) and the second pressing member 95b (second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b) to revolve around the first pressing member 95a (around its axis) clockwise or counterclockwise, so that the direction of rolling (movement) of the periphery of the folding cutter wheel 93 is in the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends. The folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) revolves, and after the direction of rolling (movement) of the periphery of the folding cutter wheel 93 is directed toward the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) operates and the folding cutter holder 92 descends toward the upper surface 12 of the edge portions 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lowering means (holder lowering process)). The folding cutter wheel 93 contacts the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with a predetermined pressing force at the edge cutting line formation position.

[0202] After the second folding jig 84b moves to the edge cutting line formation position in the second (next) edge cutting line formation area near the outer cutting line K1, the tenth servo motor 103 is driven, causing the first pressing member 95a (first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a) to rotate (spin) clockwise or counterclockwise, and the folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) and the second pressing member 95b (second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b) to revolve around the first pressing member 95a (around the axis) clockwise or counterclockwise, so that the direction of rolling (movement) of the periphery of the folding cutter wheel 93 is in the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends. The folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) revolves, and after the direction of rolling (movement) of the periphery of the folding cutter wheel 93 is directed toward the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) operates and the folding cutter holder 92 descends toward the upper surface 12 of the edge portions 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lowering means (holder lowering process)). The folding cutter wheel 93 contacts the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with a predetermined pressing force at the edge cutting line formation position.

[0203] After the direction of rotation (movement) of the periphery of the folding cutter wheel 93 is directed toward the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends, the first folding jig 84a travels in a straight line from the vicinity of the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a, 11b toward the edges of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the folding cutter wheel 93 forms an edge cutting line K2 (scribe) in the second (next) edge cutting line formation area (predetermined area) of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b along the direction of travel of the first folding jig 84a (edge ​​cutting line formation means (edge ​​cutting line formation process)). Furthermore, the second folding jig 84b travels in a straight line from the vicinity of the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a, 11b toward the edges of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the folding cutter wheel 93 forms an edge cut line K2 (scribe) in the second (next) edge cut line formation area (predetermined area) of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b along the direction of travel of the second folding jig 84b (edge ​​cut line formation means (edge ​​cut line formation process)).

[0204] In the edge cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process), the first and second support devices 76a and 76b move in synchronously with the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b, while the first and second support members 107a,107b First and second support surfaces 116a, 116b With the lower surface 13 of the edge portion 56b extending outside the outer edge cut line K1 of the glass plates 11a and 11b supported, the folding cutter wheels 93 of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b form an edge cut line K2 on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0205] After forming the second (next) edge cutting line K2 on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) operates so that the folding cutter holder 92 rises from the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lifting means (holder lifting process)). After the folding cutter holder 92 is raised by the holder lifting means (holder lifting process), the first and second X-axis actuators 86a and 86b and the first and second Y-axis actuators 88a and 88b operate to move the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b (first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b) to the second (next) pressing area (folding device moving means (folding device moving process)).

[0206] After the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b are moved to the second (next) pressing area by the folding device moving means (folding device moving process), the tenth servo motor 103 is activated, causing the first pressing member 95a (first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a) to rotate (rotate) in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the folding cutter wheel 93 (holder lifting mechanism 94) and the second pressing member 95b (second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b) to revolve around the first pressing member 95a (around the axis) in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The rotating mechanism 97 rotates the folding cutter wheel 93 and the first and second pressing members 95a and 95b in the axial direction so that the first pressing member 95a is positioned on the edge 56b (pressing area) of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1 (rotating means (rotating process)). When the first pressing member 95a is positioned on the edge 56b (pressing area) of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1, the operation of the tenth servo motor 103 stops.

[0207] After the first pressing member 95a is positioned on the edge portion 56b (second (next) pressing area) of the glass plates 11a, 11b extending outside the outer shape cutting line K1 by the rotating means (rotating process), the second pressing member 95b of the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b is lowered vertically by the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism), and the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first and second support surfaces 116a, 116b of the first and second support members 107a, 107b clamp the main body portion 56a and the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b (glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process)).

[0208] After the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process) clamps the main body portion 56a and edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b between the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first and second support surfaces 116a and 116b of the first and second support members 107a and 107b, the second support member 107b is lowered vertically in the second (next) pressing area by the second support member lifting mechanism 108 (fourth lifting mechanism) (second support member lowering means (second support member lowering process)). When the second support member 107b is lowered, a gap (a step between the first support surface 116a and the second support surface 116b) is formed between the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b and the second support surface 116b. Furthermore, the clamping of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b by the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first supporting surface 116a of the first supporting member 107a is maintained.

[0209] After the second support member 107b is lowered by the second support member lowering means (second support member lowering process), the first pressing member 95a is lowered vertically by the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism) while maintaining the clamping of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b by the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first support surface 116a of the first support member 107a. The first pressing surface 102a of the first pressing member 95a then contacts the upper surface 12 of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1, and in the second (next) pressing area, the first pressing surface 102a of the first pressing member 95a presses downwards against the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extends outside the outer shape cutting line K1. The first pressing surface 102a presses the edge 56b downward, causing the edge 56b to break in the second (next) pressing area (edge ​​breaking means (edge ​​breaking process)). In the edge breaking means (edge ​​breaking process), the main body 56a and the edge 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b are separated. The broken (separated) edges 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a, 11b are then carried by a belt conveyor. 77 It remains on top of it.

[0210] The folding system 10a and folding processing method (glass plate processing system 10) involves a holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) and first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a, 96b (second and third lifting mechanisms) which raise the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members 95a, 95b. After this, the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b move in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) and width direction (horizontal direction) on the upper surface side of the glass plates 11a, 11b (folding device moving means (folding device moving process)), and the second support member lifting mechanism... 108 (Fourth lifting mechanism) lifts the second support member 107b After rising, the first and second support devices 76a and 76b move in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) and width direction (horizontal direction) in synchronization with the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b on the side of the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b (support device moving means (support device moving process)). After the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b and the first and second support devices 76a and 76b move in synchronization by the folding device moving means (folding device moving process) and the support device moving means (support device moving process), the first folding device 75a and the first support device 76a work together, and the second folding device 75b and the second support device 76b work together to perform the edge cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process), the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process), and the edge folding means (edge ​​folding process).

[0211] Repeating the procedure described above, all edges 56 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, on which the edge cutting line K2 is formed, are broken. Note that the first breaking jig is attached to the glass plates 11a and 11b shown in Figure 25. 84a The first to third end cutting lines K2 are formed by the second folding jig. 84b The first to third edge cutting lines K2 are formed by this, but there is no particular limit to the number of edge cutting lines K2. The number of edge cutting lines K2 is determined by the size (area) and thickness dimensions of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the shape of the main body of the glass plates 11a and 11b created by the outer cutting line K1.

[0212] After the folding process is complete and the folded glass plates 11a and 11b are lifted upward by the third glass plate holder 40c, the controller activates the conveyor drive motor. 78A drive signal (ON signal) is sent to the control unit. The conveyor drive motor receives the drive signal (ON signal). 78 The control unit is the belt conveyor 77 Drives the belt conveyor. 77 It moves from one side in the width direction to the other. Belt conveyor 77 The belt conveyor moves in the width direction. 77 The broken edges 56b (periphery) of the remaining glass plates 11a and 11b gradually move from one side in the width direction to the other, and the edges 56b move along the belt conveyor. 77 It falls from the bin (not shown) and is collected (discarded).

[0213] After the folding and cutting of the glass plates 11a and 11b is completed, the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b after folding and cutting is transported from the folding and cutting area 21 to the grinding area 22 by the glass plate third holder 40c, and the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b is placed on the grinding table 117. After the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b is placed on the grinding table 117, the controller sends a drive signal to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the grinding table 117 and also sends a retraction signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. The control unit of the vacuum mechanism, having received the drive signal, drives the vacuum mechanism. The drive of the vacuum mechanism causes the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b to be pressed against the suction pads. 119 It is held in place by suction on the grinding table 117.

[0214] Upon receiving a reversal signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34. The rotation of the shaft of the first servo motor 34 causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30, thereby moving the grinding device together with the first travel frame 32. 118The cutting device moves backward in the front-rear direction within the grinding area 22, and the grinding device 118 is positioned outward in the width direction (grinding start position) of the first corner 18a (front edge) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b. The grinding device 118 moves along the periphery (side edge, front and rear edge) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b in synchronization with the cutting device 55.

[0215] After the grinding device 118 is positioned outward in the width direction of the first corner 18a of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding start position), the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34 and a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the 15th servo motor 120. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 stops the first servo motor 34, and upon receiving the drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the 15th servo motor 120 drives the 15th servo motor 120. The rotation of the shaft of the 15th servo motor 120 causes the slide block 63b to move the feed screw 60b in the width direction from the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22 toward the one side edge 48a, thereby moving the grinding table 117 in the width direction from the other side edge 48b toward the one side edge 48a of the grinding area 22, and the grinding wheel 127 of the grinding device 118 is positioned at the first corner 18a of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b. The first corner 18a of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b enters the slit 131 of the cover 129 of the grinding jig 121.

[0216] After the grinding wheel 127 of the grinding device 118 is positioned at the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the controller controls the 16th to 18th servo motors of the grinding device 118. 122~124 The control unit of the motor and the control unit of the spindle motor 130 transmit a drive signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal, the control unit of the first servo motor 34 transmits a reverse signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal, and the control unit of the 15th servo motor 120 transmits an NC control signal. The 16th to 18th servo motors that have received the drive signal (ON signal) and NC control signal 122~124The control unit of the spindle motor 130, the control unit of the first servo motor 34, and the control unit of the 15th servo motor 120 control the 16th to 18th servo motors 122~124 The spindle motor 130, the first servo motor 34, and the 15th servo motor 120 are driven to perform contour control motion by NC control on the vicinity of one side edge (one side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the grinding wheel 127 grinds the vicinity of one side edge (one side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding means (grinding process)).

[0217] Upon receiving a reversal signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during grinding (cutting) to move the grinding device 118 backward in the front-rear direction within the grinding area 22. The control unit of the 15th servo motor 120 drives the 15th servo motor 120 during grinding (cutting) to reciprocate the grinding device 118 in the width direction within the grinding area 22. The grinding wheel 127 of the grinding device 118 moves from the first corner 18a to the second corner 18b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, grinding the vicinity of one side edge (one side edge) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the edge (outer shape cutting line K1) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0218] After the grinding wheel 127 of the grinding device 118 has finished grinding the vicinity of one side edge (one side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the grinding wheel 127 is positioned at the second corner portion 18b of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the grinding table 117 moves in the width direction from the side of one side edge portion 48a to the side of the other side edge portion 48b of the grinding area 22, and as the grinding table 117 moves in the width direction, the grinding wheel 127 grinds the vicinity of the rear end edge (rear end edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding means (grinding process)).

[0219] The control unit of the 15th servo motor 120 drives the 15th servo motor 120 during grinding (cutting) to move the grinding table 117 in the width direction within the grinding area 22, and the control unit of the 1st servo motor 34 drives the 1st servo motor 34 during grinding (cutting) to control the grinding device 118 The grinding device is moved back and forth in the grinding area 22. 118 The grinding wheel 127 moves from the second corner 18b to the third corner 18c of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, while grinding the area near the rear end edge (rear end edge) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the edge (outer cutout line K1) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0220] Grinding device 118 The grinding wheel 127 completes the grinding process near the rear edge (rear edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and after the grinding wheel 127 is positioned at the third corner portion 18c of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the grinding device 118 The grinding device moves forward in the front-rear direction. 118 As the grinding wheel 127 moves forward in the front-rear direction, it grinds the area near the second side edge (second side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding means (grinding process)).

[0221] The control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during grinding (cutting) to the grinding device. 118 The grinding table 117 is moved forward in the front-rear direction within the grinding area 22, and the control unit of the 15th servo motor 120 drives the 15th servo motor 120 during grinding (cutting) to reciprocate the grinding table 117 in the width direction within the grinding area 22. Grinding device 118 The grinding wheel 127 moves from the third corner 18c to the fourth corner 18d of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, while grinding the area near the second side edge (second side edge) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the edge (outer cutout line K1) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0222] Grinding device118 The grinding wheel 127 completes the grinding of the area near the second side edge (second side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b. After the grinding wheel 127 is positioned at the fourth corner portion 18d of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the grinding table 117 moves in the width direction from the other side edge portion 48b to the side of the first side edge portion 48a of the grinding area 22. As the grinding table 117 moves in the width direction, the grinding wheel 127 grinds the area near the front edge (front edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding means (grinding process)).

[0223] The control unit of the 15th servo motor 120 drives the 15th servo motor 120 during grinding (cutting) to move the grinding table 117 in the width direction within the grinding area 22, and the control unit of the 1st servo motor 34 drives the 1st servo motor 34 during grinding (cutting) to control the grinding device 118 The grinding device is moved back and forth in the grinding area 22. 118 The grinding wheel 127 moves from the fourth corner 18d toward the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, while grinding the area near the front edge (front edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the edge (outer shape cutting line K1) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b. 118 When the grinding of the front edge vicinity (front edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b is completed by the grinding wheel 127, the grinding device 118 moves outward in the width direction of the first corner portion 18a (front edge) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding start position) and waits.

[0224] In the grinding area 22, for example, the first positioning means (first positioning step) positions (first reference line (virtual positioning first reference line)) the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) that is located furthest outward in the width direction of one side edge 14 that extends in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a, which has a large upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 area to be processed first, with the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) that is located furthest outward in the width direction of one side edge 14 that extends in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b, which has a small upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 area to be processed later, with the first positioning means (first positioning step) position (first reference line (virtual positioning first reference line)) with the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) that is located furthest outward in the width direction of the one side edge 14 that extends in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b, which has a small upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 area to be processed later, and positions the glass plates 11a and 11b, which have different upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 areas. In both cases, the second positioning means (second positioning step) positions (second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line)) the front-to-back center O1 of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the large glass plate 11a to be processed first (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate 11a in half), and the center line O1 of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the small glass plate 11b to be processed later (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate 11b in half), and after positioning the glass plates 11a and 11b which have different areas of the upper surface 12 and lower surface 13, grinding is performed on the glass plate 11b which has a different area to be processed later, until the grinding device reaches the side edge 14 of the large glass plate 11a. 118 The distance traveled by the grinding device 118 (the distance traveled in the width direction of the grinding table 117) becomes equal to the distance traveled by the grinding device 118 until it reaches the side edge 14 of the small glass plate 11b (the distance traveled in the width direction of the grinding table 117). At the same time, the distance traveled by the grinding device 118 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the large glass plate 11a to return outward in the width direction of that glass plate 11a becomes equal to the distance traveled by the grinding device 118 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to return outward in the width direction of that glass plate 11b.

[0225] The distance the grinding device 118 travels to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b is shortened, and the distance the grinding device 118 travels to return from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the glass in the width direction is also shortened, thereby shortening the arrival time (non-processing time) for the grinding device 118 to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b, and shortening the return time for the grinding device 118 to return from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the glass in the width direction.

[0226] After the grinding of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b is completed, the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b after grinding is transported from the grinding area 22 to the discharge area 23 by the fourth glass plate holder 40d. In the discharge area 23, the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after the cutting, folding, and grinding processes have been completed, is moved forward from the rear end to the front end of the discharge area 23 by the discharge conveyor 134, and the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after each processing is completed, is discharged from the discharge area 23.

[0227] Furthermore, when the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after each processing is completed, is located on the discharge conveyor 134 in the discharge area 23, the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after grinding is completed, is located on the grinding table 117 in the grinding area 22, the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after folding is completed, is located on the folding table 74 in the folding area 21, and the glass plates 11a and 11b, after cutting is completed, are located on the cutting table in the cutting area 20. 54 The glass plates 11a and 11b, which are located and positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step) before processing, are placed on the input conveyor 43 in the input area 19. In this way, in the folding and cutting system 10a and folding and cutting method (glass plate processing system 10), multiple glass plates are transported sequentially from the input area 19 to the output area 23, and the processing of multiple glass plates 11a and 11b is carried out continuously.

[0228] The folding system 10a and folding processing method (glass plate processing system 10) are configured such that the folding cutter wheel 93, which is lowered vertically by the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism), forms an edge cut line K2 on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b. After the edge cut line K2 is formed on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the folding cutter wheel 93 is raised vertically by the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism). After the folding cutter wheel 93 has risen, the first pressing member 95a is positioned on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends outside the outer edge cut line K1. Then, the rotating mechanism 97 rotates the splitting cutter wheel 93 and the first and second pressing members 95a, 95b around their axes, causing the first pressing member 95a to rotate on its own axis and the splitting cutter wheel 93 and the second pressing member 95b to revolve (rotate) so that the first pressing member 95a is positioned at the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extend outside the outer cutting line K1. After that, the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism) lowers the second pressing member 95b vertically, causing the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first and second supporting members 107a, 107b to press against each other. The second support surfaces 116a and 116b clamp the main body portion 56a and edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first and second support surfaces 116a and 116b of the first and second support members 107a and 107b clamp the main body portion 56a and edge portion 56b. Then, the second support member 107b is lowered vertically by the second support member lifting mechanism 108 (fourth lifting mechanism), maintaining the clamping of the main body portion 56a by the second pressing member 95b and the first support member 107a, while the first pressing part is lowered by the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism). As the material 95a descends vertically, it presses downwards against the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1, causing the edges 56b to break. The second pressing surface 102b of the second pressing member 95b and the first supporting surface 116a of the first supporting member 107a sandwich the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the first supporting surface 116a, which is formed into a perfect circle and has a predetermined area, supports the lower surface 13 of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend near the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1, and the vicinity of the outer edge of the first supporting surface 116a supports the glass plate 11a that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1.The lower surface 13 of the edge 56b of 11b is supported, and the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b is firmly fixed by the second pressing member 95b and the first support member 107a, so that even if the pressing force of the first pressing member 95a acts on the edge 56b, the pressing surface 102a of the first pressing member 95a presses downward on the edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends outside the outer shape cutting line K1, the outer shape cutting line K 1. Elastic deformation of the main body 56a and edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b extending in the vicinity can be prevented, and the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b can be broken at the outer cutting line K1 and edge cutting line K2 by the pressing force of the first pressing member 95a without the main body 56a and edge 56b bending upward, thereby allowing the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b to be broken smoothly and reliably.

[0229] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) support the lower surface 13 of the edge portions 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extend near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1 and the lower surface 13 of the main body portions 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extend near the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1, with the annularly formed second support surface 116b of the second support member 107b supporting both. When the main body portion 56a and edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b are pressed downward, the downward curving of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b extending near the outside of the outer shape cut line K1 and the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b extending near the inside of the outer shape cut line K1, which are supported by the second support surface 116b of the second support member 107b, can be prevented, and the second pressing member 95b and the first and second support members 107a,107b This prevents accidental cracking or damage to the main body portion 56a and the edge portion 56n near the outer cutting line K1 when the main body portion 56a and the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b are sandwiched together. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0230] 10 Glass Plate Processing System 10a Folding and Splitting System 11a Large glass plate 11b Small glass plate 12 Top side 13 Below 14 First lateral edge (one lateral edge) 15 Second lateral edge (the other lateral edge) 16 Front edge 17 Rear edge 18a - 18d First - fourth corner parts 19 Loading area 20 Cutting area 21 Folding area 22 Grinding area 23 Unloading area 24 Conveying mechanism 25 System base 26a, 26b First and second pillars 27 Fixed frame 28 First moving means 29 Second moving means 30 First guide frame 31 First guide rail 32 First running frame 33 First guide shoe 34 First servo motor 35 Second guide frame 36 Second guide rail 37 Second running frame​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​54 Cutting table 55 Cutting device 56a Main body 56b Edge (periphery) 57a, 57b Baselane 58a 1st movement mechanism 58b Second movement mechanism 59a, 59b Running guide rails 60a, 60b Lead screw 61. Fourth servo motor 62a, 62b Guide shoe 63a, 63b Slide block (housing nut) 64 Cutting jig 65 Air Cylinder 66. Fifth servo motor 67 Cutting Wheel 68 Cutting cutter holder 69 Cutter lifting shaft 70 Cutter Lifting Guide 71 Support shaft 72 brackets 73 Timing belt 74 Folding and Splitting Table 75 Folding device 75a 1st folding device 75b 2nd folding device 76 Support device 76a First support device 76b Second support device 77 Belt conveyor 78 Conveyor drive motor 79 belts 80 Pulley 81 Carrier Roller 82 Conveyor Frame 83 Pull-up frame 84a First folding jig 84b Second folding jig 85. 6th servo motor (X-axis servo motor) 86a X-axis first actuator 86b X-axis second actuator 87 The 7th servo motor (Y-axis servo motor) 88a The 1st Y-axis actuator 88b The 2nd Y-axis actuator 89a The 1st X-axis actuator frame 89b The 2nd X-axis actuator frame 89c The 1st Y-axis actuator frame 89d The 2nd Y-axis actuator frame 90 The 8th servo motor (X-axis servo motor) 91 The 9th servo motor (Y-axis servo motor) 92 The folding cutter holder 93 The folding cutter wheel 94 The holder lifting mechanism (the 1st lifting mechanism) 95a The 1st pressing member 95b The 2nd pressing member 96a The 1st pressing member lifting mechanism (the 2nd lifting mechanism) 96b The 2nd pressing member lifting mechanism (the 3rd lifting mechanism) 97 The rotating mechanism 98 The holder body 99 The holder head 100 The connecting part 101 The bracket 102a The 1st pressing surface 102b The 2nd pressing surface 103 The 10th servo motor (Z-axis servo motor) 104 The timing belt 105 The rotating shaft[[ID=5D]] 106 The guide frame 107a The 1st supporting member 107b The 2nd supporting member 108 The 2nd supporting member lifting mechanism (the 4th lifting mechanism) 109 The 11th servo motor (X-axis servo motor) 110a The 3rd X-axis actuator 110b The 4th X-axis actuator 111 The 12th servo motor (Y-axis servo motor)<D 112a The 3rd Y-axis actuator 112b Y-axis fourth actuator 113a X-axis third actuator frame 113b X-axis 4th actuator frame 113c Y-axis third actuator frame 113d Y-axis 4th actuator frame 114. 13th Servo Motor (X-axis Servo Motor) 115. 14th Servo Motor (Y-axis Servo Motor) 116a 1st support surface 116b Second support surface 117 Grinding Table 118 Grinding equipment 119 Adhesive pads 120 15th Servo Motor 121 Grinding Jig 122 16th Servo Motor 123 17th Servo Motor 124 18th Servo Motor 125 Grinding Wheel Lifting Screw 126 Grinding Wheel Cutting Screw 127 Grinding Wheel 128 Grinding Holder 129 Cover 130 Spindle Motor 131 Slits 132 Motor Housing 133 Bracket 134 Discharge conveyor 140 Folding device 141 Folding and splitting jig 142 First lifting mechanism (air cylinder) 143 Pressure roller 144 Second lifting mechanism (air cylinder) 145 Folding Cutter Wheel 146 Folding cutter holder 147 θ-axis servo motor K1 External cutting line (cutting line) K2 edge cutting line L1 Positioning reference line 1 (virtual positioning reference line 1) L2 Positioning second reference (virtual positioning second reference line) (center line) O1 Anterior-posterior center of the lateral edge

Claims

1. In a folding and splitting system for breaking the edges of a glass plate to be processed, The aforementioned folding system comprises a folding device located on the upper side of the glass plate for folding the edge of the glass plate, and a support device located on the lower side of the glass plate for supporting the glass plate. The glass cutting device comprises a glass cutting cutter wheel that forms an edge cut line outside the outer shape cut line formed on the edge of the glass plate, a first pressing member located near the radially outward side of the glass cutting cutter wheel and pressing downward the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line, a second pressing member located near the radially outward side of the first pressing member and pressing downward the main body of the glass plate extending inside the outer shape cut line, a first lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the glass cutting cutter wheel in the vertical direction, a second lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the first pressing member in the vertical direction, a third lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the second pressing member in the vertical direction, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the glass cutting cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members in the axial direction, and the support device comprises a first support member that supports the main body of the glass plate, a second support member that supports the edge of the glass plate, and a fourth lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the second support member in the vertical direction. The folding system includes a cutter wheel lifting means that raises the folding cutter wheel vertically by the first lifting mechanism after the folding cutter wheel has been lowered vertically by the first lifting mechanism and formed an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate; a rotating means that rotates the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members axially by the rotating mechanism so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line after the folding cutter wheel has been raised by the cutter wheel lifting means; and a rotating means that rotates the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line. A glass plate clamping means comprising: a glass plate clamping means wherein the second pressing member descends vertically by the third lifting mechanism so that the second pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate; a second support member descending means wherein the second supporting member descends vertically by the fourth lifting mechanism after the second pressing member and the first and second support members have clamped the main body and edge of the glass plate clamping means; and an edge breaking means wherein the first pressing member descends vertically by the second lifting mechanism while maintaining the clamping of the main body by the second pressing member and the first support member so that the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cutting line is pressed downward and the edge is broken.

2. The folding system according to claim 1, wherein the folding cutter wheel is positioned radially outward of the first pressing member with respect to the first pressing member, and the second pressing member is positioned radially outward of the first pressing member with respect to the first pressing member and on the opposite side of the folding cutter wheel.

3. The folding device is the folding cutter wheel, the first pressing member and the second pressing member arranged in a line with equal spacing in the radial direction, the first pressing member rotates on its own axis by the rotation mechanism, and the folding cutter wheel and the second pressing member revolve around the first pressing member, as described in claim 2.

4. The folding system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second support member is located near the outside of the first support member and extends in the axial direction of the first support member, and the glass plate clamping means supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism.

5. The folding system according to claim 4, wherein the second support member has a second support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the second support surface of the second support member is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the first support member in the axial direction, and the glass plate clamping means supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism.

6. The folding and cutting system according to claim 5, wherein the first support member has a first support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the first support surface of the first support member is formed in a circular shape, and the glass plate clamping means supports the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line with the first support surface, and supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line with the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the first support surface.

7. The folding system includes, after the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are raised by the first to third lifting mechanisms, a folding device moving means for the folding device to move horizontally on the upper surface side of the glass plate, and a support device moving means for the support device to move horizontally in synchronization with the folding device on the lower surface side of the glass plate, wherein after the folding device and the support device are moved in synchronization by the folding device moving means and the support device moving means, the folding device and the support device work together to perform the glass plate clamping means and the edge folding means, as described in claim 6.

8. The folding system according to claim 7, wherein the folding system includes a cutting line forming means in which the folding cutter wheel forms a cutting line on the edge of the glass plate, with the first and second support members supporting the lower surface of the edge extending outside the outer shape cutting line of the glass plate while the folding device and the support device move in synchronous motion.

9. In a method for breaking the edges of a glass plate to be processed, The aforementioned folding and splitting method utilizes a folding and splitting device located on the upper side of the glass plate for folding the edge of the glass plate, and a support device located on the lower side of the glass plate for supporting the glass plate. The glass cutting device comprises a glass cutting cutter wheel that forms an edge cut line outside the outer shape cut line formed on the edge of the glass plate, a first pressing member located near the radially outward side of the glass cutting cutter wheel and pressing downward the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line, a second pressing member located near the radially outward side of the first pressing member and pressing downward the main body of the glass plate extending inside the outer shape cut line, a first lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the glass cutting cutter wheel in the vertical direction, a second lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the first pressing member in the vertical direction, a third lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the second pressing member in the vertical direction, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the glass cutting cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members in the axial direction, and the support device comprises a first support member that supports the main body of the glass plate, a second support member that supports the edge of the glass plate, and a fourth lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the second support member in the vertical direction. The folding cutting method includes a cutter wheel raising step in which the folding cutter wheel, which has been lowered vertically by the first lifting mechanism, forms an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate, and then the folding cutter wheel is raised vertically by the first lifting mechanism; a rotation step in which the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are rotated around an axis by the rotation mechanism so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line; and the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are rotated by the rotation step so that the first pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line. A glass plate clamping step comprising: a glass plate clamping step in which the second pressing member descends vertically by the third lifting mechanism so that the second pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate; a second support member descending step in which, after the second pressing member and the first and second support members have clamped the main body and edge of the glass plate by the glass plate clamping step, the second support member descends vertically by the fourth lifting mechanism; and an edge breaking step in which, while maintaining the clamping of the main body by the second pressing member and the first support member, the first pressing member descends vertically by the second lifting mechanism so that the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cutting line is pressed downward and the edge is broken.

10. The folding method according to claim 9, wherein in the folding device, the folding cutter wheel is positioned radially outward of the first pressing member with respect to the first pressing member, and the second pressing member is positioned radially outward of the first pressing member with respect to the first pressing member and on the opposite side of the folding cutter wheel.

11. The folding method according to claim 10, wherein the folding cutter wheel, the first pressing member, and the second pressing member are arranged in a line with equal spacing in the radial direction, the first pressing member rotates on its own axis by the rotation mechanism, and the folding cutter wheel and the second pressing member revolve around the first pressing member.

12. The folding and cutting method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the second support member is located near the outside of the first support member and extends in the axial direction of the first support member, and in the glass plate clamping step, when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the second support member supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that straddles the outer shape cutting line and extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

13. The folding and cutting method according to claim 12, wherein the second support member has a second support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the second support surface of the second support member is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the first support member in the axial direction, and in the glass plate clamping step, when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the annularly formed second support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

14. The folding and cutting method according to claim 13, wherein the first support member has a first support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the first support surface of the first support member is formed into a circular shape, and in the glass plate clamping step, the first support surface formed into a circular shape supports the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the first support surface supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

15. The folding and cutting method according to claim 14, wherein the folding and cutting method includes a folding and cutting device moving step in which the folding and cutting device moves horizontally on the upper surface side of the glass plate after the folding and cutting cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are raised by the first to third lifting mechanisms, and a support device moving step in which the support device moves horizontally in synchronization with the folding and cutting device on the lower surface side of the glass plate, and after the folding and cutting device and the support device move in synchronization by the folding and cutting device moving step and the support device moving step, the folding and cutting device and the support device work together to perform the glass plate clamping step and the edge folding step.

16. The folding and cutting method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of forming an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate, while the folding and cutting device and the support device move in synchronously, and the first and second support members support the lower surface of the edge portion extending outside the outer shape cut line of the glass plate.

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