Glass Sheet Cutting Device with 3D Defect Inspection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass sheet cutting devices are inefficient in handling large, thin glass substrates, leading to high defect rates and increased manufacturing costs due to physical contact and time-consuming inspection processes, which hinder the production of high-quality flat panel displays.
Innovation Solution
A glass sheet cutting device equipped with multiple cutters and a defect inspector that scans the glass sheet three-dimensionally to identify defect positions, allowing for precise cutter placement to minimize defects and optimize cutting processes, thereby improving yield and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional separate inspection stations with handlers are used to inspect glass substrates, then defect detection is performed, but physical contact and shock during loading and unloading cause scratches and cracks, increasing defect rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inspection function directly into the cutting device, merging the defect detection system with the cutting process. The inspection unit is integrated into the cutting device body, allowing simultaneous inspection and cutting without separate handling operations, thereby eliminating handling-induced defects while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a non-contact inspection mechanism as an intermediary between the glass substrate and the cutting process. The inspection unit uses optical or other non-contact methods to detect defects before cutting, avoiding direct physical contact that causes scratches and cracks
2Measurement precision
If traditional separate inspection stations are used, then defect detection is performed, but the process requires unloading and loading glass substrates, consuming significant time and reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection function is merged with the cutting process into a single integrated device. The glass substrate undergoes both inspection and cutting in one continuous operation without removal, eliminating the time-consuming loading and unloading cycles of separate inspection stations while maintaining comprehensive defect detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous inspection and cutting operations without interruption. The glass substrate moves continuously through the integrated device, undergoing defect detection and cutting in sequence without stopping for loading or unloading, thereby maximizing productivity while maintaining measurement precision
3Length of moving object
If traditional handling methods are used for large and thin glass substrates, then glass substrates can be transported, but the increase in size and decrease in thickness makes handling increasingly difficult, requiring much time and manpower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual handling mechanisms with an automated cutting device that performs both inspection and cutting in one operation. The integrated device uses automated positioning and cutting mechanisms that are specifically designed to handle large, thin glass substrates efficiently, reducing the time and manpower required compared to traditional separate handling and inspection processes
4Measurement precision
If glass substrates are inspected after cutting, then defect detection is performed, but defects are discovered too late, leading to destruction of good substrates and increased manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs defect inspection before the cutting operation using an integrated inspection unit. By detecting defects in advance during the same operational cycle, the system can identify problematic areas and adjust cutting paths or parameters accordingly, preventing the waste of good glass substrates that would occur if inspection happened after cutting
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a device for cutting a glass sheet, continuously supplied after a melting and solidification process, into quadrangular glass substrates. The glass sheet cutting device includes two or more cutters for cutting a glass sheet into quadrangular glass substrates, a defect inspector for scanning the glass sheet to three-dimensionally check defect positions in a length direction, a width direction and a thickness direction of the glass sheet, a position adjuster for moving at least one of the cutters to a portion of the glass sheet at which few defects are distributed, and a controller for informing the position adjuster of positions of the cutters based on the scanned results received from the defect inspector.