Process and system for precision glass sheet bending

摘要

An apparatus and method for precision bending a glass sheet that includes an oven for heating the glass sheet to a temperature near the softening temperature of the glass sheet. A stage for supporting the glass sheet. A pair of reference surfaces on the stage for precisely locating the glass sheet on the stage. At least one bending mechanism on a pair of arms inside the oven for bending an edge portion of the glass sheet. Inward facing first stop surfaces on the arms that contact reference surfaces on the stage for precisely locating the bending mechanism on the arms relative to the stage and the glass sheet.

主权项

1. An apparatus for precisely bending a glass sheet, comprising:
an oven for heating the glass sheet to a processing temperature between the annealing temperature and the softening temperature of the glass sheet; a substantially planar stage having a top support surface for supporting a sheet of glass, a first edge, an opposing second edge, and a pair of outward facing first reference surfaces on the first edge of the stage adjacent to ends of the first edge of the stage; a third edge extending between the first edge of the stage and the second edge of the stage; a clamp mounted adjacent to the third edge of the stage and located midway between the first and second edges, the clamp having a clamp surface for clamping a glass sheet in place on the support surface; a first registration element extending upward from the support surface of the stage adjacent to the third edge of the stage; and a second registration element extending upward from the support surface of the stage adjacent to the third edge of the stage; the first registration element and the second registration element being formed as posts or rollers and located on the stage to define a reference line oriented at a desired orientation with respect to the first edge of the stage, whereby when a glass sheet having a first edge portion to be bent is located on the support surface with a reference edge of the glass sheet extending from the first edge in contact with both the first registration element and the second registration element, the first edge portion of the glass sheet is aligned with the first edge of the stage, whereby when the glass sheet is located on the support surface with the reference edge of the glass sheet in contact with both the first registration element and the second registration element and a reference point on the glass sheet is aligned with and clamped in place on the stage by the clamp surface, the glass sheet is precisely located and secured in place on the stage with the first edge portion of the glass sheet aligned with and extending a first desired distance beyond the first edge of the stage.