Process and apparatus for splitting flat pieces of brittle material, particularly of glass

摘要

The method involves a relative motion of the workpiece material (1) and a symmetric heat radiation spot (3) along a separation line (2), with subsequent cooling of the heated separation line section. The heat radiation spot has a higher radiation intensity on its edge zone and a maximum temperature at its back end. The spot with higher heat radiation on a V or U shaped curve (4) has a maximum temperature which is below the melting point of the workpiece material at the vertex (16). The apparatus includes a heat radiation source, particularly a laser, and an optical system for producing a radiation spot with the required characteristics. It further includes means for producing a relative motion of the workpiece and the heat radiation spot, as well as means for subsequent cooling the radiated separation line.