Laser Glass Ribbon Separation Reducing Debris Contamination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The fast production of glass articles is limited due to contamination from glass debris generated during mechanical processing, which can contaminate housed materials like foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using laser processing to separate glass articles from a glass ribbon, where a focal line of a laser beam, perpendicular to the ribbon, perforates the attachment region, reducing debris size and amount, and allowing for low-temperature glass fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical fracturing is used to separate glass articles from the ribbon, then high production speed is achieved, but glass debris is generated that contaminates housed materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fracturing system with a laser-based separation system. The laser beam melts and separates the glass article from the ribbon without mechanical contact, eliminating glass debris generation while maintaining high production speeds of 500+ articles per minute
Solution Approach 2:
The laser separation process utilizes phase transition of glass from solid to liquid state through localized heating. The laser beam melts the glass at the separation line, allowing clean separation without mechanical force, thereby preventing debris generation while preserving production efficiency
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional laser processing is used on transparent glass, then the glass absorbs laser energy, but the glass is damaged by excessive heat and melting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing the laser beam only on the specific separation line where glass articles meet the ribbon, rather than heating the entire glass surface. This localized energy application melts only the minimal necessary material for separation, preventing excessive heat damage and melting of the glass articles themselves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second laser beam from the opposite side of the glass ribbon to create counteracting thermal fields. This dimensional approach balances the thermal stress and prevents unilateral heating damage, allowing controlled separation without melting or deforming the glass articles
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
The laser separation method significantly reduces glass debris, enhancing the durability of glass articles and preventing contamination of stored materials, while enabling rapid and debris-free glass fabrication.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the attachment region with a focal line of a laser beam and separating the glass article from the glass ribbon at the attachment region
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of fabricating formed glass articles are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a formed glass article may include forming a glass ribbon, forming a parison, and shaping the parison to form a glass article. The glass article may be attached to the glass ribbon at an attachment region defining an edge of the glass article. The process may also include contacting the attachment region with a focal line of a laser beam and separating the glass article from the glass ribbon at the attachment region. The attachment region may be perforated by the laser beam and the focal line may be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the glass ribbon.