Efficient assembly of multiple pane windows

摘要

This invention describes a process flow and method to assemble triple IG units without contaminating the center glass lite. A non-contact vacuum pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.

主权项

1. A method of assembling multiple pane insulating glass units (IGUs) comprising:
a) providing a number of conveyors for moving glass lites along controlled travel paths to at least two different registration stations where glass lites are brought into registration with each other; b) fabricating a triple pane insulating glass unit comprising:
i) moving a first outer glass lite and a first spacer frame registered with the first outer glass lite on a conveyor to a first registration station as a unit and registering a middle glass lite with the first spacer frame and first outer glass lite to form an intermediate IGU layer;ii) moving the intermediate IGU layer to a different registration station other than the first registration station, andiii) at the different registration station moving a second outer glass lite and second spacer frame into registration with the intermediate IGU layer to form the triple pane insulating glass unit; and c) fabricating a double pane insulating glass unit comprising moving one outer glass lite and a single spacer frame registered with the one outer glass lite to a selected one of the two registration stations bringing an additional outer glass lite into registration with the one spacer frame to form the double pane insulating glass unit.