Positioning Device for Coated Glass Sheet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in shaping coated glass sheets lies in the difficulty of maintaining precise alignment and position due to the thermal gradients caused by low emissivity coatings, which lead to curvature and rotation during heating, resulting in suboptimal positioning for subsequent bending processes, leading to waste and poor product quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a positioning device with movable segments that adjust the coated glass sheet's position on the bending tool shortly before shaping, ensuring minimal deviation from the target position, using a combination of rollers and vacuum systems to support and align the glass sheet accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a coated glass sheet with low emissivity coating is heated in a furnace, then the glass sheet reaches bending temperature, but thermal gradients cause curvature and rotation leading to positional shift
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device adjusts the glass sheet position preliminarily before the bending operation starts. By detecting the actual position after heating and making corrective adjustments before the glass sheet is placed on the bending tool, the system compensates for thermal deformation without affecting the bending quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical sensors to detect the actual position and orientation of the glass sheet after heating, then feeds this information back to the positioning device which makes real-time adjustments. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate positioning despite thermal gradients causing curvature and rotation
2Manufacturing precision
If the glass sheet position is adjusted after heating, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the shaping process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning adjustment is performed as a preliminary step immediately after heating and before the actual bending operation. By completing the positioning correction in advance, the subsequent bending process can proceed without delays, minimizing the overall time impact
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device is designed with movable components that can quickly adjust the glass sheet position in real-time. The dynamic adjustment mechanism allows for rapid repositioning without requiring lengthy setup or adjustment periods, thus minimizing time loss while achieving accurate positioning
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 corrects the positional shift of coated glass sheets after heating, ensuring accurate alignment and shaping, thereby reducing waste and improving the quality of the final product by maintaining the glass sheet's position relative to the bending tool.
Implementation Method 1
conveying the coated glass sheet through the heating furnace to heat the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping
Implementation Method 2
conveying the coated glass sheet through the heating furnace to heat the coated glass sheet
Implementation Method 3
the middle area of the heated glass sheet is held against the moulding face using a vacuum to perform further shaping
Data Source
AI summary
A method for shaping a coated glass sheet involves conveying the coated glass sheet through a furnace to heat the coated glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping. The coated glass sheet is then deposited on a first bending tool for supporting the coated glass sheet and is at a first position relative to the first bending tool. A first portion of the coated glass sheet is contacted to move the coated glass sheet to a second position relative to the first bending tool. The coated glass sheet is then shaped on the first bending tool. Other aspects include a method for adjusting the position of a hot coated glass sheet on a bending tool and a shaping line for shaping a coated glass sheet comprising a positioning device for contacting a first portion of a coated glass sheet on a bending tool to adjust the position thereof.