sistema e método para conformar chapas de vidro.

摘要

A method for forming glass sheets is performed by a system (10) that includes a furnace (12) having a heating chamber (14) in which a topside transfer device (20) has a downwardly facing surface (22) to which vacuum and pressurized air are supplied to receive and support a heated glass sheet from a conveyor (16) without any direct contact. A forming station (24) located externally of the furnace has a vertically movable upper mold (28) whose temperature is not greater than 500° C. The upper mold (28) cooperates with a horizontally movable lower ring (34) that transfers the heated glass sheet from the topside transfer device (20) to the forming station under the control of a first actuator (40). A second actuator (42) moves the upper mold (28) downwardly to cooperate with the lower ring (34) in forming the glass sheet. The external forming station (24) includes heat loss reducing apparatus (43) for reducing heat loss of the hot glass sheet during the forming. A vacuum impulse is provided to the upper mold (28) to assist in the forming. A cooling station (32) cools the formed glass sheet.