Glass Edge Decoating via Grinding and Laser Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current edge stripping processes for glass panes, particularly for stepped glass production, are inefficient and costly due to the use of adhesive tapes for masking and the need for mechanical removal of functional coatings, which results in residue issues and surface damage.
Innovation Solution
A decoating process combining mechanical grinding to remove functional and protective coatings, followed by laser ablation to ensure complete removal of residues, integrated into a cutting and stripping station for efficient and high-quality surface preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical grinding is used to remove functional coatings, then coating removal is achieved, but surface damage and residues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The coating removal process is divided into two distinct stages: mechanical grinding for bulk coating removal followed by laser ablation for residue elimination. This segmentation allows each method to perform its optimal function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the final mechanical polishing step with laser ablation technology. The laser system precisely removes grinding residues and smooths the surface without mechanical contact, eliminating surface damage associated with traditional mechanical finishing.
2Manufacturing precision
If adhesive tapes are used for masking during coating removal, then edge definition is improved, but production cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The glass edge itself serves as the masking boundary. By positioning the grinding and laser systems to operate only on the edge regions, the process eliminates the need for external adhesive tapes or masking materials. The glass geometry defines the treatment zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the masking step from the coating removal process entirely. By using the glass edge geometry to naturally define the treatment boundary, the complex masking operation is removed from the process flow.
3Manufacturing precision
If complete laser ablation is used to remove coatings, then surface quality is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coating removal task is segmented into two phases: mechanical grinding handles the majority of material removal (bulk removal), while laser ablation handles only the final residue elimination and surface smoothing. This segmentation allows the faster mechanical process to do the heavy lifting while the precise laser process completes the job.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using laser ablation for complete coating removal, the patent applies laser only partially - specifically for removing grinding residues and smoothing the surface after mechanical grinding has already removed the bulk of the coating. This partial application of laser significantly reduces processing time while maintaining surface quality.
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 method allows for rapid, cost-effective, and high-quality edge stripping, enabling flexible production of stepped glass without long delivery times and ensuring smooth surfaces for subsequent coating and bonding.
Implementation Method 1
subsequent laser decoating (laser ablation)... the coating residues are subsequently removed by laser ablation
Implementation Method 2
the functional coating and, if present, a protective coating arranged over it are mechanically ground off using a grinding wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a coating-removal device and to a coating-removal method for removing coatings at the edge of glass panes and to a method for producing glass panes for stepped-edge glass, to stepped-edge glass and to a stepped-edge glass window with such stepped-edge glass.