Glass Substrate Corner Contouring via Synchronized Tool Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for corner contouring of flat glass substrates in continuous feed-through processes lack precision and flexibility, leading to visible and tactile drawbacks, especially at high production speeds, and require slower, more expensive stationary grinding machines for high accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method that synchronizes the movement of a contouring tool with the continuous feed-through movement of the glass substrate, coupling the relative movement to the actual position of the corner, allowing for precise correction and eliminating starting point offsets, using mechanical, electrical, optical, or acoustic coupling to ensure accurate corner contouring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a continuous feed-through process is used for corner contouring, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously detecting the actual position of the corner using sensors (optical, acoustic, or mechanical) and using this information to dynamically adjust the contouring tool's position and movement. This closed-loop control system compensates for position deviations and maintains high precision despite the continuous feed-through process, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms where the contouring tool's position and speed are continuously adapted based on real-time corner position detection. The system transitions from static, pre-programmed paths to dynamic, adaptive trajectories that respond to actual corner locations, enabling high-precision contouring while maintaining continuous production flow.
2Productivity
If high feed speeds are used in continuous feed-through process, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
At high feed speeds, the feedback mechanism becomes even more critical. The system detects corner positions in real-time and dynamically adjusts the tool's position and speed, compensating for the reduced time available for precision work. This allows maintaining high feed speeds while ensuring accurate corner contouring through continuous position correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning systems with sensor-based detection and electronically controlled adjustment mechanisms. This substitution enables faster response times and more precise positioning at high feed speeds, overcoming the limitations of purely mechanical systems that cannot adapt quickly enough to maintain precision at high velocities.
3Manufacturing precision
If stationary grinding machines are used for high precision corner contouring, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static stationary grinding machine concept into a dynamic continuous feed-through system. Instead of stopping the glass substrate for precision work, the system maintains continuous motion while dynamically adjusting the tool position and speed to achieve high-precision contouring, thereby preserving both precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates interruptions in the production flow by maintaining continuous feed-through motion during corner contouring. The useful action of grinding continues uninterrupted, with the tool adapting its parameters in real-time to ensure precision, thus avoiding the productivity loss associated with stopping and starting the production line.
4Device complexity
If simple mechanical corner breaking is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds feedback-based position detection and adjustment to the corner working mechanism. Sensors detect the actual corner position, and this information feeds back to control the tool's movement, ensuring accurate contouring. This moderate increase in complexity dramatically improves precision compared to simple mechanical breaking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces simple mechanical corner breaking with a controlled grinding process guided by sensor detection and electronic control. This substitution uses optical, acoustic, or electromagnetic fields for position detection instead of relying solely on mechanical impact, significantly improving precision while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for corner contouring of flat glass substrates in a continuous feed-through process by a contouring tool. The method includes the steps of: synchronization of the movement of the contouring tool to the continuous feed-through movement of the flat glass substrate, contouring of a corner of the flat glass substrate, wherein a relative movement between the contouring tool and the flat glass substrate is performed so as to overlap the continuous feed-through movement.