Glass Ribbon Separation Using Elongated Anvil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass ribbon separation techniques often result in excessive and uneven bending stress, leading to vibrations, warping, and twisting, which can cause defects that are frozen into the glass ribbon as it forms, particularly in the viscous and setting zones.
Innovation Solution
A glass manufacturing apparatus that uses an elongated anvil to concentrate uniform stress along a score line, allowing for separation of the glass ribbon without the need for extensive bending, thereby minimizing excessive stress and associated defects. The apparatus includes an engagement device with rotatable members and an elongated anvil member, which can be moved relative to each other to achieve separation along the score line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a typical bending operation is used to separate the glass ribbon, then separation is achieved, but excessive and uneven bending stress is generated causing vibrations, warping, and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the glass ribbon separation process into two distinct stages: first, a scoring element creates a score line along the desired separation path, and second, an elongated anvil member applies controlled stress along this pre-defined score line. This segmentation allows the glass to separate along the weakened score line rather than requiring bending of the entire glass ribbon, thereby avoiding excessive stress and deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The scoring operation is performed as a preliminary action before the actual separation. By pre-creating the score line that defines the separation path, the glass ribbon is prepared to separate cleanly when stress is applied along this predetermined line, eliminating the need for bending operations that cause vibrations and warping.
2Manufacturing precision
If bending stress is applied to separate the glass ribbon, then separation occurs, but stress propagates up the ribbon to the viscous zone and setting zone causing defects to be frozen into the glass
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated anvil member is designed to apply stress locally and uniformly along the score line rather than applying bending stress to the entire glass ribbon. This localized stress concentration at the separation line prevents stress propagation to the viscous zone and setting zone, ensuring that no defects are frozen into the glass ribbon while achieving clean separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The score line acts as an intermediary that facilitates separation. By creating this pre-weakened path, the glass ribbon can separate cleanly when minimal stress is applied along the score line, without requiring the bending operations that would propagate harmful stress to other zones of the glass.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If uniform stress is concentrated along the score line using an elongated anvil, then separation is achieved with minimal bending, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated anvil member serves multiple functions: it provides a support surface for the glass ribbon during scoring, acts as a stress application device during separation, and defines the separation path through its alignment with the score line. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in apparatus complexity despite the advanced separation capability.
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 effectively separates the glass ribbon with controlled stress, reducing the likelihood of defects such as vibrations, warping, and twisting, ensuring a higher quality glass product by avoiding the propagation of stress-related issues into the elastic zone.
Implementation Method 1
achieve separation by concentrating uniform stress along a score line with an elongated anvil
Implementation Method 2
rotating the first elongated member about the first rotation axis and the second elongated member about the second rotation axis while at least partially flattening the glass ribbon
Data Source
AI summary
A glass manufacturing apparatus can include a first elongated member, a second elongated member, and an elongated anvil member aligned with a space disposed between the first elongated member and the second elongated member. Methods can include rotating the first elongated member and the second elongated member while the elongated anvil member contacts a first major surface of the glass ribbon. In another embodiment, a glass manufacturing apparatus can include a first and second row of suction cups, and an elongated anvil member. The elongated anvil member can be engaged with a first major surface of the glass ribbon between the first and second row of suction cups that are attached to the first major surface of the glass ribbon. The glass manufacturing apparatus is configured to produce a score line on the second major surface of the glass ribbon along the elongated anvil member.