Glass Edge Deletion Using Laser-Segmented Protective Film Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for edge decoating of glass panels, particularly laminated glass, are inefficient, as they often result in tool wear, uneven stripping, and generate dust or debris, especially when removing protective films or functional coatings, which can be hazardous and slow down the process.
Innovation Solution
A decoating process utilizing a device with a laser beam generating unit and a grinding head, where the laser cuts the protective film into sections and the grinding wheel removes both the film and functional coatings, ensuring precise and efficient edge stripping with reduced tool wear and debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical grinding tools are used for edge decoating, then the functional coating can be removed, but severe and asymmetrical tool wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical grinding tools with a laser beam system for removing the functional coating. The laser beam ablates the coating material without mechanical contact, eliminating tool wear while maintaining high decoating efficiency. This substitution of mechanical action with optical energy directly resolves the contradiction between productivity and tool reliability.
2Productivity
If mechanical grinding is used to remove protective films, then coatings are removed, but dust and debris are generated which are hazardous and slow down the process
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam system replaces mechanical grinding, vaporizing or ablating the protective film and functional coating through thermal energy rather than mechanical abrasion. This eliminates the generation of dust and debris, removing the harmful factors while enabling faster processing speeds without the slowdown caused by debris accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam induces phase transitions in the coating materials, transforming them from solid state to vapor or plasma state through rapid heating and ablation. This phase change process removes the coatings cleanly without producing particulate debris, directly addressing the harmful factors generated by mechanical methods.
3Productivity
If higher feed speeds are used in mechanical decoating, then productivity increases, but tool wear and uneven stripping worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam system eliminates the mechanical contact that causes uneven stripping at high speeds. The optical energy distribution can be precisely controlled and maintained regardless of feed speed, allowing high productivity while maintaining uniform coating removal through consistent energy delivery rather than mechanical force.
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, clean, and safe decoating of glass panels by preventing tool wear and debris, enabling higher feed speeds and easier residue removal, thus improving the efficiency and safety of the edge stripping process.
Implementation Method 1
the protective film (10) is vaporized or burned through by the laser beam (15) in order to cut out the film strip (18) in this way individual film strip sections (19) are obtained
Implementation Method 2
the grinding wheel (17) serves for removing the protective film (10) and/or the functional coating (8)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coating removal method for the edge deletion of sheets of glass (3), wherein the sheets of glass (3) have at least on one of their two glass surfaces (3a;b) a protective coating (9) in the form of a peel-off protective film (10) and preferably a functional coating (8) arranged under the protective coating (9), wherein, for the edge deletion, the protective film (10) is mechanically removed in certain regions in the form of at least one film strip (18), in particular is ground away, wherein, before the mechanical removal of the film strip (18), laser traces (20a;b) are introduced into the protective film (10), and wherein the laser traces (20a;b) are introduced in such a way that the film strip (18) is removed in the form of individual film strip pieces (19) that are separated from one another by the laser traces (20a). The invention also relates to a coating removal device (7) for the edge deletion of sheets of glass (3), in particular for carrying out the method.