Digitally Controlled Glass Grinder Corner Angle Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grinders for glass sheets with straight sides cannot alter the corner angles and dimensions of the glass after grinding, limiting the final geometry to the initial shape, and are not economically competitive.
Innovation Solution
A digitally controlled grinder with a supporting structure, measurement means, and processing and control systems that allow for combined rotary and translational motion of the loading surface relative to the grinding surface, enabling precise adjustment of corner angles and dimensions through motorized conveyance guides and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the loading surface is lowered with respect to the grinding surface by an amount equal to the quantity of material to be removed, then the material removal quantity is controlled, but the final geometry of the glass sheet retains the same corner angles as the initial geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The loading surface is made movable relative to the grinding surface through motorized conveyance guides that enable both translational and rotary motions. This dynamic adjustment allows the loading surface to change position and orientation during the grinding process, enabling transformation of corner angles from initial values (e.g., rhomboid) to final values (e.g., square 90° angles) while maintaining precise material removal control.
2Device complexity
If conventional grinders use a fixed loading surface relative to the grinding surface, then the device structure is simple, but the glass sheet corner angles cannot be changed during grinding
Solution Approach 1:
The loading surface is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic one equipped with motorized conveyance guides that enable controlled translational and rotary motions. This allows the system to achieve corner angle transformation (e.g., converting rhomboid sheets to square sheets with 90° angles) while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through automated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual measurement and adjustment operations are replaced by an integrated control system that combines measurement means (sensors) with processing and control units. This automated system calculates and executes the precise motions needed for corner angle transformation, eliminating the need for complex manual operations and reducing device complexity in terms of operator intervention.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual measurement and adjustment operations are required for each glass sheet, then processing costs increase, but precise geometry control is achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The grinder is equipped with measurement means (sensors) that automatically measure the dimensions and corner angles of each glass sheet. The processing and control units then automatically calculate the required adjustments and execute the precise motions needed for geometry transformation. This self-service capability eliminates manual measurement and adjustment operations, reducing processing costs and increasing productivity while maintaining high geometry control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates measurement means that provide real-time feedback on the glass sheet geometry. The control system uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the loading surface position and orientation, ensuring precise corner angle transformation without manual intervention. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains manufacturing precision while improving productivity by eliminating repetitive manual operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Digitally controlled grinder (1), particularly for glass sheets with straight sides, comprising at least one first conveyance guide (8) which defines a loading surface (9) for at least one glass sheet (10) to be ground and is adapted to convey it into a grinding station (7b), which defines a grinding surface (14) that is adjacent to the loading surface (9), with the glass sheet (10) to be ground resting, at one of its sides to be ground (10a), on the loading surface (9), measurement means (18) being further comprised which are adapted to measure either or both of the shape and the dimensions of the glass sheet (10) to be ground arranged on the loading surface (9), combined rotary and translational motion means (19) adapted for the combined rotary and translational motion of the loading surface (9) with respect to the grinding surface (14) for the combined rotary and translational motion of the glass sheet (10) to be ground with respect to the grinding surface (14), and processing and control means (20) which are functionally connected both to the measurement means (18) and to the combined rotary and translational motion means (19) and are adapted to actuate the latter means as a function of the measurements made by the measurement means (18) and of the final geometry to be obtained of the glass sheet (10).