Method and apparatus for cutting a glass sheet and method for manufacturing a PDP

摘要

A linear groove is formed in a glass sheet along a programmed cut line that is set for the glass sheet, and pressure is applied locally to an end of the groove. The pressure is not applied equally uniformly to the whole groove but applied locally to the end of the groove, where an initial crack is induced by the pressure applied thereto. The initial crack is guided by the groove so that the cracking force is propagated inductively along the groove. Distribution of stress in the glass corresponding to the cracking force thus propagated is concentrated locally to a face intersecting orthogonally to the surface of the glass sheet. The face to which the stress is concentrated intersects substantially orthogonally with the surface of the glass sheet. The glass sheet manufactured in this manner can be utilized effectively as a material of a PDP.