Laser Glass Cleaving Support Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The laser cleaving method for glass sheets faces challenges in preventing scratches or fractures during the separation of cleaved pieces due to collisions and sliding between opposing cleaved surfaces, which degrades the quality of the glass sheets.
Innovation Solution
A method involving support members placed in segmented regions along preset cleaving lines, where the glass sheet is cleaved using a laser and then the support members are separated to avoid direct contact between cleaved surfaces, utilizing suction means to minimize slipping and enhance movement, and optionally tilting support surfaces to discard unusable pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the glass sheet is cleaved by laser cleaving method with opposing cleaved surfaces held in proximity, then the positional accuracy of cleaving is enhanced and cleaving speed is increased, but collision and sliding between cleaved surfaces occur during transfer causing scratches and fractures
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary between the glass sheet and the external environment during transfer. This support member carries the glass sheet and maintains separation between opposing cleaved surfaces, preventing direct contact that would cause scratches and fractures while allowing the glass sheet to be moved from the cleaving position to the transfer position.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is divided into multiple segments that can move independently. This segmentation allows the support member to adapt to the glass sheet's position and maintain proper spacing between cleaved surfaces during transfer, while still providing stable support for the entire glass sheet.
2Productivity
If the glass sheet is cleaved by laser cleaving method with opposing cleaved surfaces held in proximity, then the cleaving speed is increased, but collision and sliding between cleaved surfaces occur during transfer causing scratches and fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as a mediator that enables rapid transfer of the glass sheet without compromising the integrity of cleaved surfaces. By providing continuous support and maintaining surface separation during transfer, the support member allows high-speed operation without the risk of collision-induced damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member incorporates movable segments that can dynamically adjust their positions during transfer. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain optimal spacing between cleaved surfaces throughout the transfer process, enabling high-speed operation while preventing contact between opposing surfaces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If support members are used to separate adjacent pieces of cleaved glass sheet, then collision and sliding between cleaved surfaces are avoided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is segmented into multiple independent sections that can move separately. This segmentation simplifies the overall system design by allowing each segment to be controlled independently, reducing the complexity of coordination required while still achieving the goal of preventing contact between cleaved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed to automatically maintain proper spacing between glass sheets through its own structural characteristics and movement capabilities, without requiring complex external control systems. The segmented design allows the support member to self-adjust during transfer, reducing the need for additional control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively prevents scratches and fractures on cleaved surfaces, maintaining the quality of the glass sheets by avoiding collisions and sliding between cleaved surfaces during separation, and enhances the workability and efficiency of the glass sheet separation process.
Implementation Method 1
an initial crack formed in an end surface of the glass sheet propagates due to a thermal stress in the range of the overall thickness of the glass sheet
Implementation Method 2
the laser beam is caused to pass through a material in a range of the overall thickness thereof
Implementation Method 3
utilizing suction means to minimize slipping and enhance movement
Data Source
AI summary
A method of cleaving and separating a glass sheet includes a cleaving step of cleaving a glass sheet along preset cleaving lines by a laser cleaving method, and a separation step of separating adjacent pieces of the cleaved glass sheet from each other. The cleaving step is performed under a state in which the glass sheet is placed on support members provided respectively in segment regions, which are segmented by the preset cleaving lines. The separation step is performed by separating the support members from each other in adjacent segment regions.