GLASS PLATE PROCESSING SYSTEM

A glass plate processing system includes a first aligning means. When first and second glass plates different upper and lower surface areas are processed, the first aligning means aligns a first side edge extending in a front-rear direction on one side in a width direction of a first glass plate to be processed first with a first side edge extending in the front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction of a second glass plate to be processed later. The glass plate processing system causes the first aligning means to align the first side edge of the second glass plate at a position of the first side edge of the first glass plate to perform processing on the second glass plate. The glass plate processing system shortens a moving distance and arrival time for a processing device and shortens cycle time of processing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a glass plate processing system for processing a glass plate such as a window glass plate of an automobile or a liquid crystal glass plate, and more particularly to a glass plate processing system for sequentially feeding a glass plate to a cutting area, a breaking area, and a grinding area to perform cutting, breaking, and grinding on the glass plate.

BACKGROUND ART

There is disclosed a glass plate processing system including: a loading conveyor that carries in a glass plate; a cutting area located in front of the loading conveyor; a breaking area located in front of the cutting area; a grinding area located in front of the breaking area; an unloading conveyor located in front of the grinding area; and a conveyance mechanism that conveys the glass plate from the loading conveyor to each processing area (see Patent Literature 1).

The cutting area of the glass plate processing system includes a cutting table having a first moving mechanism that is moved in a width direction with the glass plate positioned and placed thereon, and a cutting device that is movable in a front-rear direction. In the cutting area, after the cutting device is moved backward in the front-rear direction and outward in the width direction of an edge of the glass plate placed on the cutting table, the cutting table is moved in the width direction toward the cutting device by the first moving mechanism, and then the edge of the glass plate placed on the cutting table is cut in using the cutting device. The breaking area includes a breaking table for placing the glass plate positioned after the cutting thereon, and a breaking device movable in the front-rear direction. In the breaking area, after the breaking device is moved backward in the front-rear direction toward the breaking table, the edge with a cut of the glass plate placed on the breaking table is broken using the breaking device.

The grinding area includes a grinding table having a second moving mechanism and being moved in the width direction while the glass plate positioned after the breaking is placed thereon, and a grinding device that is movable in the front-rear direction. In the grinding area, after the grinding device is moved backward in the front-rear direction and outward in the width direction of the edge of the glass plate placed on the grinding table, the grinding table is moved in the width direction toward the grinding device by the second moving mechanism, and then the edge of the glass plate placed on the grinding table is ground using the grinding device. The cutting and the grinding are performed in synchronization with each other.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2020-040877 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

For example, a conventional glass plate processing system is performed such that when cutting, breaking, and grinding are performed on a glass plate11aof a large size (large area) having an upper surface12and a lower surface13that are large in area, and then processing is performed on a glass plate11bof a small size (small area) having an upper surface12and a lower surface13that are smaller in area than those of the glass plate11aof a large size, the glass plate11bof a small size is positioned by aligning a center point O2of the glass plate11bof a small size with a center point O2of the glass plate11aof a large size in the loading conveyor, and then the cutting, the breaking, and the grinding are performed on the glass plate11bof a small size as illustrated inFIG.23that is a top view of the glass plates11aand11bpositioned according to a conventional positioning standard.

As can be seen fromFIG.23, when the cutting is performed on the glass plate11bof a small size by aligning the center point O2of the glass plate11bof a small size with the center point O2of the glass plate11aof a large size to position the glass plate11bof a small size after the cutting, the breaking, and the grinding are performed on the glass plate11aof a large size, the cutting device is moved outward in the width direction of first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bplaced on the cutting table, and the cutting table is moved in the width direction toward the cutting device located outward in the width direction of the glass plates11aand11bto perform the cutting. Then, a moving distance until the cutting device reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size (moving distance in the width direction of the cutting table) increases by L3more than a moving distance until the cutting device reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size (moving distance in the width direction of the cutting table). Additionally, a moving distance until the cutting device returns from the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11b(moving distance in the width direction of the cutting table) increases by L3. Thus, arrival time until the cutting device reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size and return time until the cutting device returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bfrom the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size increase, so that the cutting for the glass plate11bof a small size cannot be performed quickly.

Additionally, when the grinding is performed on the glass plate11bof a small size by aligning the center point O2of the glass plate11bof a small size with the center point O2of the glass plate11aof a large size to position the glass plate11bof a small size after the cutting, the breaking, and the grinding are performed on the glass plate11aof a large size, the grinding device is moved outward in the width direction of the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bplaced on the grinding table, and the grinding table is moved in the width direction toward the grinding device located outward in the width direction of the glass plates11aand11bto perform the grinding. Then, a moving distance until the grinding device reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size (moving distance in the width direction of the grinding table) increases by L3more than a moving distance until the grinding device reaches the first side edge14of the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size (moving distance in the width direction of the grinding table). Additionally, a moving distance until the grinding device returns from the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11b(moving distance in the width direction of the grinding table) increases by L3. Thus, arrival time until the grinding device reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size and return time until the grinding device returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bfrom the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size increase, so that the grinding for the glass plate11bof a small size cannot be performed quickly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a glass plate processing system capable of shortening a moving distance of a processing device until reaching a side edge of a glass plate of a small size having an upper surface and a lower surface of a small area, and a moving distance of the processing device until the processing device returns from the side edge of the glass plate of a small size to the outside in a width direction of the glass plate, shortening arrival time (non-processing time) until the processing device reaches the side edge of the glass plate of a small size and return time (non-processing time) until the processing device returns from the side edge of the glass plate of a small size to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate, and shortening a cycle time of processing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a glass plate processing system capable of shortening a moving distance of a cutting device until reaching a side edge of a glass plate of a small size having an upper surface and a lower surface of a small area, and a moving distance of the cutting device until the cutting device returns from the side edge of the glass plate of a small size to the outside in a width direction of the glass plate, shortening arrival time (non-processing time) until the cutting device reaches the side edge of the glass plate of a small size and return time (non-processing time) until the cutting device returns from the side edge of the glass plate of a small size to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate, and shortening a cycle time of cutting. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a glass plate processing system capable of shortening a moving distance of a grinding device until reaching a side edge of a glass plate of a small size having an upper surface and a lower surface of a small area, and a moving distance of the grinding device until returning from the side edge of the glass plate of a small size to the outside in a width direction of the glass plate, shortening arrival time (non-processing time) until the grinding device reaches the side edge of the glass plate of a small size and return time (non-processing time) until the grinding device returns from the side edge of the glass plate of a small size to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate, and shortening a cycle time of grinding.

Solution to Problem

A premise of the present invention for solving the above problems is a glass plate processing system including: a loading area into which a glass plate to be processed is loaded; a processing area located in front of the loading area and configured to perform processing on the glass plate; an unloading area located in front of the processing area and configured to unload the glass plate processed; and a conveyance mechanism configured to sequentially convey the glass plate to the areas from backward to forward in a front-rear direction.

The present invention in the above premise has a feature of a glass plate processing system including a first positioning means. When first and second glass plates different in size and in area of an upper surface from each other are processed, the first positioning means locates an outermost edge located outermost in a width direction of a first side edge extending in a front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the second glass plate to be processed later on a virtual line extending in the front-rear direction and being imagined based on an outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of a first side edge extending in the front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction of the first glass plate to be processed first. The glass plate processing system performs processing on the second glass plate after the second glass plate is positioned by locating the outermost edge of the second glass plate on the virtual line using the first positioning means.

As an example of the present invention, a glass plate processing system includes a second positioning means. When first and second glass plates different in size and in area of an upper surface from each other are processed, the second positioning means locates a second center line extending in the width direction, while dividing the second glass plate different in size and in area from the first glass plate in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, on a first center line extending in the width direction, while dividing the first glass plate in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction. The glass plate processing system performs the processing on the second glass plate after positioning the second glass plate by locating the second center line of the second glass plate on the first center line of the first glass plate.

As another example of the present invention, the first positioning means and the second positioning means operate in the loading area.

As yet another example of the present invention, the processing area includes a cutting area located in front of the loading area, a breaking area located in front of the cutting area, and a grinding area located in front of the breaking area. The cutting area includes a cutting table that is provided with a first moving mechanism and that is moved in the width direction while the glass plate positioned is placed on the cutting table, and a cutting device that is movable in the front-rear direction and that cuts in an edge of the glass plate placed on the cutting table. The breaking area includes a breaking table for placing the glass plate positioned after the cutting on the breaking table, and a breaking device that is movable in the front-rear direction and breaks the edge of the glass plate placed on the breaking table. The grinding area includes a grinding table that is provided with a second moving mechanism and that is moved in the width direction while the glass plate positioned after the breaking is placed on the grinding table, and a grinding device that is movable in the front-rear direction and grinds the edge of the glass plate placed on the grinding table. The glass plate processing system causes the first positioning means to position the second glass plate by locating the outermost edge of the second glass plates on the virtual line, and the second positioning means to position the second center line of the second glass plate on the first center line of the first glass plate, and then performs the cutting, the breaking, and the grinding on the second glass plate.

As yet another example of the present invention, the loading area includes a loading conveyor that conveys a glass plate from backward to forward in the front-rear direction of the loading area, a stopper with which a front end edge of the glass plate comes into contact when the glass plate is moved forward using the loading conveyor, a plurality of rollers that is in contact with a lower surface of the glass plate and holds the glass plate movably in the width direction, a first lifting mechanism that lifts the plurality of rollers in an up-down direction, and a third moving mechanism that presses a second side edge of the glass plate raised together with the plurality of rollers by the first lifting mechanism in the width direction to move the glass plate in the width direction from the second side edge toward the first side edge. The first positioning means then locates an outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge in the width direction of the glass plate on a first positioning reference extending in the front-rear direction as a virtual line in the loading area by pressing the second side edge of the glass plate lifted together with the plurality of rollers by the first lifting mechanism in the width direction using the third moving mechanism to move the glass plate in the width direction.

As yet another example of the present invention, the plurality of rollers includes at least one roller that has large rotation resistance, and the roller having the large rotation resistance prevents a glass plate located on the plurality of rollers from freely moving in the width direction.

As yet another example of the present invention, the third moving mechanism includes a contact member that comes into contact with the second side edge of the glass plate, and a servomotor that moves the contact member in the width direction. The glass plate processing system determines a first moving dimension in the width direction for locating the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge of the glass plate on the first positioning reference in accordance with a difference in dimension in the width direction of the glass plate, and determines the number of revolutions of a shaft of the servomotor based on the first moving dimension determined.

As yet another example of the present invention, the second positioning means locates the center line of the glass plate on a second positioning reference in the loading area by moving the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction using the loading conveyor after the glass plate is moved from backward to forward in the loading area by the loading conveyor and a front end edge of the glass plate comes into contact with the stopper, and the first positioning means locates the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge of the glass plate on the first positioning reference in the loading area by raising the glass plate together with the plurality of rollers using the first lifting mechanism and pressing the second side edge of the raised glass plate to move the raised glass plate in the width direction using the third moving mechanism after the second positioning means locates the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference.

As yet another example of the present invention, the glass plate processing system determines a second moving dimension of the loading conveyor backward in the front-rear direction for locating the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference in accordance with a difference in dimension of the glass plate in the front-rear direction, and the second positioning means causes the loading conveyor to move the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction by the determined second moving dimension after the front end edge of the glass plate comes into contact with the stopper.

As yet another example of the present invention, the second positioning means locates the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference in the loading area by lowering the glass plate raised by the first lifting mechanism and moving the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction using the loading conveyor after the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge in the width direction of the glass plate is located on the first positioning reference in the loading area.

As yet another example of the present invention, the glass plate processing system determines the second moving dimension of the loading conveyor backward in the front-rear direction for locating the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference in accordance with a difference in dimension of the glass plate in the front-rear direction, and the second positioning means causes the loading conveyor to move the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction by the determined second moving dimension after the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge in the width direction of the glass plate is located on the first positioning reference.

As yet another example of the present invention, the conveyance mechanism includes a suction pad that is located in each of the loading area, the cutting area, the breaking area, and the grinding area, and that sucks and holds the glass plate, a vacuum mechanism that applies a suction force to the suction pad, the suction force causing the suction pad to be attached to the glass plate, and a second lifting device that lowers the suction pad toward the areas above and raises the suction pad from the areas, and the glass plate processing system allows the suction pad to be changeable in mounting position in the front-rear direction or the width direction in accordance with an area of each of upper and lower surfaces of the glass plate.

As yet another example of the present invention, the conveyance mechanism includes a pad mounting plate extending in the front-rear direction or the width direction. The conveyance mechanism includes at least two suction pads disposed side by side in the front-rear direction or the width direction that are disposed on the pad mounting plate, and the at least two suction pads are changeable in mounting position in the front-rear direction or the width direction in the pad mounting plate.

As yet another example of the present invention, the at least two suction pads located in the cutting area includes an inner suction pad that sucks and holds the glass plate extending inside the cut and an outer suction pad that sucks and holds an edge of the glass plate extending outside the cut. The inner suction pad is installed on the pad mounting plate, and the outer suction pad is installed on a pad mounting arm that obliquely extends in the front-rear direction or the width direction from front and rear ends or both ends of the pad mounting plate.

As yet another example of the present invention, the pad mounting arm includes first and second arms that obliquely extend forward in the front-rear direction or outward in the width direction from the front end or one end of the pad mounting plate and turn in the width direction or the front-rear direction, and third and fourth arms that obliquely extend backward in the front-rear direction or outward in the width direction from the rear end or another end of the pad mounting plate and turn in the width direction or the front-rear direction. The conveyance mechanism allows the first to fourth arms to be changeable in turning angle with respect to the pad mounting plate, and allows the first to fourth arms to be changeable in mounting position of the outer suction pad.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The glass plate processing system according to the present invention causes the first positioning means to position the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge extending in the front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction of the second glass plate to be processed later and different in size and in area on the virtual line extending in the front-rear direction and being imagined based on the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge extending in the front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction of the first glass plate to be processed first, and then the second glass plate is processed. Thus, a moving distance until the processing device reaches the outermost edge (side edge) of the first glass plate of a large size (large area) with upper and lower surfaces of a large area equals to a moving distance until the processing device reaches the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size (small area) with upper and lower surfaces of a smaller area than that of the first glass plate of a large size (large area), and a moving distance until the processing device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the first glass plate of a large size to the outside in the width direction of the first glass plate equals to a moving distance until the processing device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size to the outside in the width direction of the second glass plate. This configuration enables shortening not only the moving distance until the processing device reaches the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size and a moving distance until the processing device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size to the outside in the width direction of the second glass plate, but also arrival time (non-processing time) until the processing device reaches the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size and return time until the processing device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size to the outside in the width direction of the second glass plate. The glass plate processing system can quickly perform processing on a glass plate of a small size, and can shorten a cycle time of the processing.

The glass plate processing system includes the second positioning means to process the first and second glass plates different in size and in area of an upper surface, the second positioning means positioning the second center line extending in a width direction, while dividing the second glass plate to be processed later and different in size and in area from the first glass plate to be processed first in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, on the first center line extending in the width direction, while dividing the first glass plate in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, and the glass plate processing system performs processing on the second glass plate after the second positioning means positions the second glass plate by locating the second center line of the second glass plate on the first center line of the first glass plate. The glass plate processing system causes not only the first positioning means to position the second glass plate by locating the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge extending in the front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction of the second glass plate on the virtual line extending in the front-rear direction and being imagined based on the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the first glass plate, but also the second positioning means to position the second center line extending in the width direction, while dividing the second glass plate in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, on the first center line extending in the width direction, while dividing the first glass plate in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, to position the second glass plate, and thus enabling glass plates different in size and in area of upper and lower surfaces to be easily positioned to reduce time for the positioning. Then, processing can be quickly performed on the glass plates different in size and in area of upper and lower surfaces, and cycle time of the processing can be reliably shortened.

The glass plate processing system includes the first positioning means and the second positioning means that operate in the loading area. The first positioning means and the second positioning means operate in the loading area, so that a glass plate positioned in advance is placed in a processing area located in front (downstream) of the loading area. Thus, the glass plate can be accurately processed, and processing on a glass plate of a small size can be quickly processed, and thus enabling cycle time of the processing to be shortened.

The glass plate processing system has processing areas including the cutting area located in front of the loading area, the breaking area located in front of the cutting area, and the grinding area located in front of the breaking area. The cutting area is provided with the cutting device including: the cutting table with the first moving mechanism that is moved in the width direction while a glass plate positioned is placed; and the cutting device that is movable in the front-rear direction and cuts in an edge of the glass plate placed on the cutting table. The breaking area includes the breaking table for placing the glass plate positioned after the cutting thereon, and the breaking device that is movable in the front-rear direction and breaks the edge of the glass plate placed on the breaking table. The grinding area includes the grinding table with the second moving mechanism that is moved in the width direction while the glass plate positioned after the breaking is placed, and the grinding device that is movable in the front-rear direction and grinds the edge of the glass plate placed on the grinding table. The first positioning means locates the outermost edge of the second glass plate to be processed later different in size and in area from the first glass plate to be processed first on the virtual line to position the second glass plate, and the second positioning means positions a center line of the second glass plate on the center line of the first glass plate to position the second glass plate. Then, the cutting, the breaking, and the grinding are performed on the second glass plate. The cutting is performed on the second glass plate after the first positioning means locates the outermost edge of the second glass plate different in area of an upper surface on the virtual line to position the second glass plate, and the second positioning means locates the center line of the second glass plate on the center line of the first glass plate to position the second glass plate. Thus, a moving distance of the cutting device (moving distance in the width direction of the cutting table) until the cutting device reaches a side edge of the first glass plate of a large size (large area) with upper and lower surface of a large area equals to a moving distance of the cutting device (moving distance in the width direction of the cutting table) until the cutting device reaches a side edge of the second glass plate of a small size (small area) with upper and lower surfaces of a smaller area than that of the first glass plate. Then a moving distance until the cutting device returns from an outermost edge (side edge) of the first glass plate to the outside in the width direction of the first glass plate equals to a moving distance until the cutting device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate to the outside in the width direction of the second glass plate. Thus, the moving distance until the cutting device reaches the side edge of the second glass plate and the moving distance until the cutting device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate to the outside in the width direction of the second glass plate can be shortened. Then, arrival time (non-processing time) until the cutting device reaches the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate and return time until the cutting device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate to the outside in the width direction of the second glass plate can be shortened. The glass plate processing system causes the first positioning means to locate the outermost edge of the second glass plate to be processed later and different in size and in area of an upper surface from the first glass plate to be processed first on the virtual line to position the second glass plate, and the second positioning means to locate the center line of the second glass plate on the center line of the first glass plate to position the second glass plate, and then the grinding is performed on the second glass plate. Thus, a moving distance until the grinding device (moving distance in the width direction of the grinding table) reaches the outermost edge (side edge) of the first glass plate of a large size (large area) with upper and lower surfaces of a large area equals to a moving distance until the grinding device (moving distance in the width direction of the grinding table) reaches the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size (small area) with upper and lower surfaces of a smaller area than that of the first glass plate of a large size (large area), and a moving distance until the grinding device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the first glass plate of a large size to the outside in the width direction of the first glass plate equals to a moving distance until the grinding device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size to the outside in the width direction of the second glass plate. This configuration enables shortening not only the moving distance until the grinding device reaches the side edge of the second glass plate of a small size and a moving distance until the grinding device returns from the side edge of the second glass plate of a small size to the outside in the width direction of the second glass plate, but also arrival time (non-processing time) until the grinding device reaches the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size and return time until the grinding device returns from the outermost edge (side edge) of the second glass plate of a small size to the outside in the width direction of the second glass plate. The glass plate processing system can quickly perform cutting and grinding on a glass plate of a small size, and can shorten cycle time of the cutting and the grinding.

The glass plate processing system has the loading area including: the loading conveyor that conveys a glass plate from backward to forward in the front-rear direction of the loading area; the stopper with which a front end edge of the glass plate comes into contact when the glass plate is moved forward using the loading conveyor; the plurality of rollers that is in contact with a lower surface of the glass plate and holds the glass plate movably in the width direction; the first lifting mechanism that lifts the plurality of rollers in the up-down direction; and the third moving mechanism that presses the second side edge of the glass plate raised together with the plurality of rollers in the width direction by the first lifting mechanism to move the glass plate in the width direction from the second side edge toward the first side edge. The first positioning means causes the third moving mechanism to press the second side edge of the glass plate raised together with the plurality of rollers to move the glass plate in the width direction to locate the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge of the glass plate in the width direction on the first positioning reference extending in the front-rear direction as the virtual line in the loading area. Thus, the glass plate processing system causes the second side edge of the glass plate raised together with the plurality of rollers to be pressed, thereby moving the glass plate raised in the width direction to locate the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge of the glass plate on the first positioning reference extending in the front-rear direction as the virtual line in the loading area. This configuration enables the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction in the side edge extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the second glass plate to be processed later and different in size and in area from the first glass plate to be processed first to be accurately located on the virtual line imagined based on the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction in the side edge extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the first glass plate. Thus, the glass plates different in size and in area of upper and lower surfaces can be reliably positioned, and the first positioning means can be automatically performed by using the loading conveyor, the stopper, the plurality of rollers, the first lifting mechanism, and the third moving mechanism, without manual operation.

The glass plate processing system includes the plurality of rollers in which at least one of the rollers has large rotation resistance and the at least one roller has the large rotation resistance prevents the glass plate located on the plurality of rollers from freely moving in the width direction. Thus, when second side edge of the glass plate raised together with the plurality of rollers is pressed in the width direction by the third moving mechanism, the glass plate does not move by inertia in the width direction due to rotation of the plurality of rollers, and thus inadvertent movement of the glass plate in the width direction can be prevented. As a result, the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction in the side edge extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the glass plate can be accurately located on the first positioning reference in the loading area.

The third moving mechanism includes: the contact member in contact with second side edge of the glass plate; and the servomotor that moves the contact member in the width direction, and the glass plate processing system that determines the first moving dimension in the width direction for locating the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge in the width direction of the glass plate on the first positioning reference in accordance with a difference in dimension in the width direction of the glass plate, and determines the number of revolutions of the shaft of the servomotor based on the determined first moving dimension, determines the first moving dimension in the width direction for locating the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge in the width direction of the glass plate on the first positioning reference in accordance with a difference in dimension in the width direction of the glass plate, and determines the number of revolutions of the shaft of the servomotor based on the determined first moving dimension. Thus, the third moving mechanism can accurately move the glass plate in the width direction by the first moving dimension, and can accurately locate the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the glass plate on the first positioning reference in the loading area.

The glass plate processing system includes the second positioning means that locates the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference in the loading area by moving the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction using the loading conveyor after the glass plate is moved from backward to forward in the loading area by the loading conveyor and the front end edge of the glass plate comes into contact with the stopper, and the first positioning means that locates the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge in the width direction of the glass plate on the first positioning reference in the loading area by raising the glass plate together with the plurality of rollers using the first lifting mechanism, and pressing the second side edge of the raised glass plate to move the raised glass plate in the width direction using the third moving mechanism after the second positioning means locates the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference. The glass plate processing system moves the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction using the loading conveyor to locate the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference in the loading area, and moves the second side edge of the raised glass plate in the width direction using the third moving mechanism to locate the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge on one side in the width direction of the glass plate on the first positioning reference in the loading area. Thus, the second center line extending in the width direction, while dividing the second glass plate to be processed later and different in size and in area from the first glass plate to be processed first in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, can be located on the first center line extending in the width direction, while dividing the first glass plate in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, and the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the second glass plate can be accurately located on the virtual line extending in the front-rear direction and being imagined based on the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the first glass plate. The glass plate processing system can reliably perform positioning of glass plates different in size and in area of upper and lower surfaces, can automatically operate the second positioning means using the loading conveyor without manual operation, and can automatically operate the first positioning means using the first lifting mechanism and the third moving mechanism without manual operation.

The glass plate processing system determines the second moving dimension of the loading conveyor backward in the front-rear direction for locating the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference in accordance with a difference in dimension of the glass plate in the front-rear direction, and the second positioning means causes the loading conveyor to move the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction by the determined second moving dimension after the front end edge of the glass plate comes into contact with the stopper. Then, the glass plate processing system determines the second moving dimension of the loading conveyor backward in the front-rear direction for locating the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference in accordance with the difference in dimension in the front-rear direction of the glass plate, and after the front end edge of the glass plate comes into contact with the stopper, the loading conveyor moves the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction based on the determined second moving dimension. Thus, the loading conveyor can accurately move the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction by the second moving dimension, and thus the center line extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, can be accurately located on the second positioning reference in the loading area.

The glass plate processing system includes the second positioning means that locates the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference in the loading area by lowering the glass plate raised by the first lifting mechanism and moving the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction using the loading conveyor after the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge in the width direction of the glass plate is located on the first positioning reference in the loading area. Then, the glass plate processing system causes loading conveyor to move a glass plate backward in the front-rear direction to locate the center line extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate in dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, on the second positioning reference in the loading area, so that the center line of the first glass plate to be processed first can be accurately aligned with a center line of a second glass plate to be processed later and different in size and in area of upper and lower surfaces from the first glass plate. As a result, positioning of the second glass plate can be accurately performed, and the second positioning means can be automatically operated using the loading conveyor without manual operation.

The glass plate processing system determines the second moving dimension of the loading conveyor backward in the front-rear direction for locating the center line of the glass plate on the second positioning reference in accordance with a difference in dimension of the glass plate in the front-rear direction, and the second positioning means causes the loading conveyor to move the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction by the determined second moving dimension after the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge in the width direction of the glass plate is located on the first positioning reference. Then, the glass plate processing system determines the second moving dimension of the loading conveyor backward in the front-rear direction for locating the center line of the glass plate, the center line extending in the width direction while dividing the glass plate in dimension in the front-rear direction into two regions, on the second positioning reference in accordance with the difference in dimension in the front-rear direction of the glass plate, and after the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge of the glass plate in the width direction is located on the first positioning reference, the loading conveyor moves the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction based on the determined second moving dimension. Thus, the loading conveyor can accurately move the glass plate backward in the front-rear direction by the second moving dimension, and thus the center line of the glass plate can be accurately located on the second positioning reference in the loading area.

The glass plate processing system is provided with the conveyance mechanism that includes the suction pad that is located in each of the loading area, the cutting area, the breaking area, and the grinding area, and that sucks and holds the glass plate, the vacuum mechanism that applies a suction force to the suction pad, the suction force causing the suction pad to be attached to the glass plate, and the second lifting device that lowers the suction pad toward the areas above and raises the suction pad from the areas, and the glass plate processing system allows the suction pad to be changed in mounting position in the front-rear direction or the width direction in accordance with an area of each of upper and lower surfaces of the glass plate. Then, for a glass plate of a large size (large area) with upper and lower surfaces of a large area, the suction pad can be located at an optimum place of the glass plate by moving the suction pad outward in the front-rear direction or outward in the width direction. Conversely, for a glass plate of a small size (small area) with upper and lower surfaces of a small area, the suction pad can be located at an optimum place of the glass plate by moving the suction pad inward in the front-rear direction or inward in the width direction. As a result, glass plates different in area of upper and lower surfaces can be reliably conveyed to each processing area by the conveyance mechanism.

The glass plate processing system is provided with the conveyance mechanism that includes the pad mounting plate extending in the front-rear direction or the width direction, and at least two suction pads disposed side by side in the front-rear direction or the width direction that are disposed on the pad mounting plate, so that mounting positions of the suction pads in the front-rear direction or the width direction in the pad mounting plate can be changed. Then, the glass plate is sucked and held by the at least two suction pads disposed side by side in the front-rear direction or the width direction on the pad mounting plate, so that the glass plate can be reliably held by the suction pads. The glass plate processing system changes mounting positions of the suction pads in the front-rear direction or the width direction in the pad mounting plate in accordance with areas of upper and lower surfaces of a glass plate, so that the suction pads can be disposed at optimal positions on glass plates different in area of upper and lower surfaces. As a result, the glass plates different in area of upper and lower surfaces can be reliably conveyed to each processing area by the conveyance mechanism.

The glass plate processing system is provided with the suction pad located in the cutting area, the suction pad including: an inner suction pad that sucks and holds a glass plate extending inside a cut; and an outer suction pad that sucks and holds an edge of the glass plate extending outside the cut. The inner suction pad is installed on the pad mounting plate, and the outer suction pad is installed on the pad mounting arm that obliquely extends in the front-rear direction or the width direction from front and rear ends or both ends of the pad mounting plate. Then, the inner suction pad sucks and holds the glass plate extending inside the cut, and the outer suction pad sucks and holds an edge of the glass plate, the edge extending outside the cut. As a result, the edge of the glass plate, extending outside the cut, does not inadvertently fall off during conveyance of the glass plate, and thus the glass plate after the cutting can be safely conveyed to the breaking area.

The glass plate processing system is provided with the pad mounting arm including: the first and second arms that obliquely extend forward in the front-rear direction or outward in the width direction from a front end or one end of the pad mounting plate and turn in the width direction or the front-rear direction; and third and fourth arms that obliquely extend backward in the front-rear direction or outward in the width direction from a rear end or another end of the pad mounting plate and turn in the width direction or the front-rear direction. The conveyance mechanism allows the first to fourth arms to be changed in turning angle with respect to the pad mounting plate, and allows the first to fourth arms to be changed in mounting position of the outer suction pad. Then, the glass plate processing system changes a turning angle of each of the first to fourth arms with respect to the pad mounting plate in accordance with areas of upper and lower surfaces of a glass plate to change a mounting position of the outer suction pad in each of the first to fourth arms, so that the outer suction pad can be disposed at an optimum position on the edge extending to the outside of the cut in the glass plate and area of upper and lower surfaces. As a result, the glass plate after the cutting can be safely conveyed to the breaking area by preventing the edge of the glass plate, extending to the outside of the cut, from falling off during conveyance of the glass plate.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying drawings such asFIG.1that is a side view of a glass plate processing system10illustrated as an example, a glass plate processing system according to the present invention will be described in detail below.FIG.2is a top view of the glass plate processing system10, andFIG.3is a side view of a loading area19.FIG.4is a top view of the loading area19, andFIG.5is a front view of the loading area19.FIGS.6(a)to6(d) are respectively top views of first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40dincluding corresponding suction pads41,41a, and41billustrated as an example.FIGS.1and2each designate a front-rear direction (X-axis direction) indicated by an arrow X, a width direction (Y-axis direction) indicated by an arrow Y, and an up-down direction (Z-axis direction) indicated by an arrow Z.

The glass plate processing system10processes glass plates11aand11bthat each have an upper surface12with a predetermined area and a lower surface13with a predetermined area, and that each have a predetermined thickness, while being formed into a rectangle (quadrangle) with a planar shape long in the width direction (seeFIG.22). The glass plates11aand11beach have a first side edge14and a second side edge15that face each other at an interval in the width direction and extend in the front-rear direction, and a front end edge16and a rear end edge17that face each other at an interval in the front-rear direction and extend in the width direction. The glass plates11aand11beach have four corners (first to fourth corners18ato18d) that are chamfered. The glass plate may have a planar shape formed into a polygon other than a rectangle (quadrangle) or may be formed with each edge in a curved shape.

The glass plate processing system10performs cutting, breaking, and grinding on the glass plates11aand11b(plate-shaped glasses) to be processed and different in size and in area of the upper and lower surfaces12and13, the glass plates to be processed ranging from the glass plate11aof a large size (large area) with the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a large area to the glass plate11bof a small size (small area) with the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a small area. The glass plate processing system10is controlled by a controller (control device) that is not illustrated. The controller is a computer that includes a central processing unit (CPU or MPU) and a memory (a main memory and a cache memory) and is operated by an independent operating system (virtual OS), and includes a built-in large-capacity hard disk (mass storage area). The controller is connected to an input device (not illustrated) such as a keyboard or a numeric keypad unit, and an output device (not illustrated) such as a monitor, a display, or a touch panel.

The large-capacity hard disk (large-capacity storage area) of the controller stores a plurality of pieces of coordinate data (coordinates of the side edges14and15of the glass plates11aand11b, coordinates of the front and rear end edges16and17, coordinates of the first to fourth corners18ato18d, coordinates of centers of the glass plates11aand11b, and the like) on each of the glass plates11aand11b, which is different depending on a name and a product number of each of the glass plates11aand11bto be processed, and a size (area) and a shape of each of the glass plates11aand11bto be processed, and image data (planar images (six-sided images) and stereoscopic images (3D images)) on each of the glass plates11aand11bto be processed, while associating them with glass plate specific information (glass plate specific identifiers) for specifying the glass plates11aand11b. As the glass plate specific information, production numbers, serial numbers, and the like of the glass plates11aand11bare used. Alternatively, the controller may generate a unique identifier for specifying the glass plates11aand11b, and the generated identifier can be used as the glass plate specific information.

The controller controls a cutting device60and a breaking device79to be described later by NC control using the coordinate data on each of the glass plates11aand11bstored in the large-capacity hard disk in cutting in (cutting) in a cutting in (cutting) area20and grinding in a grinding area22to be described later. The controller in the NC control converts a position where coordinate processing (XY plane coordinates) is started and a change position of a processing direction into numbers with coordinates, and converts operation direction, distance, and speed in two axes of an X-axis (front-rear direction) and a Y-axis (width direction) into numbers. Signals obtained by converting command coordinates and the axes into numbers are transmitted (input) to the cutting device60and the breaking device79. The NC control accurately represents a shape to be processed by repeating “coordinate→axis→command”.

The glass plate processing system10includes: a loading area19(processing start area) in which the glass plates11aand11bbefore processing are loaded; an unloading area23(processing end area) from which the glass plates11aand11bafter the processing are unloaded; a plurality of processing areas20to22that are disposed (provided) between the loading area19and the unloading area23to process the glass plates11aand11b; and a conveyance mechanism24that sequentially conveys the glass plates11aand11bfrom the loading area19to the processing areas20to22, and the unloading area23in order from backward (upstream) to forward (downstream) in the front-rear direction, and that also moves the cutting device60and a grinding device108in the front-rear direction. The processing areas20to22are disposed side by side at an interval between the loading area19and the unloading area23in the front-rear direction while facing each other in the front-rear direction.

The processing areas20to22include a cutting area20located forward (downstream) the loading area19in the front-rear direction and separated forward from the loading area19by a predetermined dimension, a breaking area21located forward (downstream) the cutting area20in the front-rear direction and separated forward from the cutting area20by a predetermined dimension, and a grinding area22located forward (downstream) the breaking area21in the front-rear direction and separated forward from the breaking area21by a predetermined dimension. The cutting area20, the breaking area21, and the grinding area22are formed on a system base25(machine base) formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction.

The conveyance mechanism24includes a pair of first pillars26alocated on a rear part of the system base25and extending in the up-down direction, a pair of second pillars26blocated on a front part of the system base25and extending in the up-down direction, a fixed frame27located between the first and second pillars26aand26band extending in the front-rear direction, a first moving means28formed in one side part of the fixed frame27, and a second moving means29formed below the fixed frame27.

The first moving means28moves the cutting device60and the grinding device108forward and backward (linearly) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The first moving means28includes a first guide frame30, a pair of first guide rails31, a first feed screw (ball screw) that is not illustrated, a first traveling frame32, a plurality of first slide blocks (housing nuts) that is not illustrated, a pair of first guide shoes33, and a first servomotor34(seeFIG.11). The first guide frame30is installed on the fixed frame27while extending in the front-rear direction. The first guide rails31face each other at an interval in the up-down direction, and are fixed to one side part of the first guide frame30with a predetermined fixing means while extending in the front-rear direction. The first feed screw (ball screw) is located between the first guide rails30, and is rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings (not illustrated) fixed to the one side part of the first guide frame30while extending in the front-rear direction.

The first traveling frame32is located in the one side part of the first guide frame30while extending in the front-rear direction. The first slide blocks (housing nuts) are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction, and are fixed to the facing surface of the first traveling frame32facing the first guide frame30with a predetermined fixing means. The first guide shoes33face each other at an interval in the up-down direction, and are fixed to the facing surface of the first traveling frame32, the facing surface facing the first guide frame30, with a predetermined fixing means while extending in the front-rear direction.

The first servomotor34is located at a front end of the first guide frame30and is connected to the second pillar26bwith a bracket. The first servomotor34includes a shaft that is connected and fixed to the other end of the first feed screw. Start and stop, and the number of revolutions of the first servomotor34are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the first servomotor34drives the first servomotor34at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the first servomotor34when receiving a stop signal from the controller. The first feed screw is rotated by the rotation of the first servomotor34, and the cutting device60and the grinding device108are moved forward and backward (linearly moved) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) by the rotation of the first feed screw.

When the shaft of the first servomotor34rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the first feed screw rotates in the counterclockwise direction. The rotation of the first feed screw in the counterclockwise direction causes the first slide block to move from forward to backward in the front-rear direction on the first guide frame30. The movement of the first slide block causes the first traveling frame32to move from forward to backward in the front-rear direction on the first guide frame30.

Conversely, when the shaft of the first servomotor34rotates in a clockwise direction, the first feed screw rotates in the clockwise direction. The rotation of the first feed screw in the clockwise direction causes the first slide block to move from backward to forward in the front-rear direction on the first guide frame30. The movement of the first slide block causes the first traveling frame32to move from backward to forward in the front-rear direction on the first guide frame30.

The second moving means29moves the first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40ddescribed later forward and backward (linearly) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The second moving means29includes a second guide frame35, a pair of second guide rails36, a second feed screw (ball screw) that is not illustrated, a second traveling frame37, a plurality of second slide blocks (housing nuts) that is not illustrated, a pair of second guide shoes38, a second servomotor39, and first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40d(first to fourth glass plate lifters) (seeFIG.16). The second guide frame35is installed on the fixed frame27while extending in the front-rear direction. The second guide rails36face each other at an interval in the width direction, are fixed to a lower part of the second guide frame35with a predetermined fixing means while extending in the front-rear direction. The second feed screw (ball screw) is located between the second guide rails36, and is rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings (not illustrated) fixed to a lower part of the second guide frame35while extending in the front-rear direction.

The second traveling frame37is located below the second guide frame35while extending in the front-rear direction. The second slide blocks (housing nuts) are disposed side by side at a predetermined interval in the width direction, and are fixed to a facing surface of the second traveling frame37, the facing surface facing the second guide frame35, with a predetermined fixing means. The second guide shoes38face each other at an interval in the width direction, and are fixed to the facing surface of the second traveling frame37, facing the second guide frame35, with a predetermined fixing means while extending in the front-rear direction.

The second servomotor39is located at a rear end of the second guide frame35and is fixed to the fixed frame27. The second servomotor39includes a shaft that is connected and fixed to one end of the second feed screw with a timing belt (and/or a gear). Start and stop, and the number of revolutions of the second servomotor39are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the second servomotor39drives the second servomotor39at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the second servomotor39when receiving a stop signal from the controller. The second feed screw is rotated by the rotation of the second servomotor39, and the first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40dare moved forward and backward (linearly moved) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) by the rotation of the second feed screw.

When the shaft of the second servomotor39rotates in the clockwise direction, the second feed screw rotates in the clockwise direction. The rotation of the second feed screw in the clockwise direction causes the second slide block to move from forward to backward in the front-rear direction on the second guide frame35. The movement of the second slide block causes the second traveling frame37(first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40d) to move from backward to forward in the front-rear direction on the second guide frame35. Conversely, when the shaft of the second servomotor39rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the second feed screw rotates in the counterclockwise direction. The rotation of the second feed screw in the counterclockwise direction causes the second slide block to move from forward to backward in the front-rear direction on the second guide frame35. The movement of the second slide block causes the second traveling frame37(first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40d) to move from forward to backward in the front-rear direction on the second guide frame35.

The first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40dare attached to a lower part of the second traveling frame37and extend downward from the traveling frame37. The first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40dare disposed at equal intervals in the front-rear direction. The first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40deach include a suction pad41that sucks and holds the glass plates11aand11b, a pad mounting plate42extending in the front-rear direction, a first arm43ato a fourth arm43d(only second holder40b), a vacuum mechanism (air suction device, or air vacuum pump) that is not illustrated, and an air cylinder (second lifting device) that is not illustrated. Start and stop of the vacuum mechanism and the air cylinder are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated.

The first glass plate holder40a, the third glass plate holder40c, and the fourth glass plate holder40deach include two suction pads41attached to the pad mounting plate42as illustrated in the corresponding one ofFIGS.5(a),5(c), and5(d). Three or more suction pads41may be attached to the pad mounting plate42. The pad mounting plate42is provided with first and second slits44extending in the front-rear direction or the width direction, and the suction pads41are fixed using the corresponding first and second slits44and respective handle screws45.

The suction pads41can be changed in mounting position in the front-rear direction or the width direction in the corresponding first and second slits44(pad mounting plate42) in each of the first glass plate holder40a, the third glass plate holder40c, and the fourth glass plate holder40d. To change the mounting position of the suction pad41, the handle screw45is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to release the suction pad41fixed in the corresponding one of the first and second slits44. Then, the suction pad41is moved (mounting position is changed) in the front-rear direction or the width direction. and the handle screw45is rotated in the clockwise direction to fix the suction pad41to the corresponding one of the first and second slits44(pad mounting plate42).

The suction pads41of the second glass plate holder40binclude an inner suction pad41aand an outer suction pad41bas illustrated inFIG.5(b). The inner suction pad41asucks and holds a part of each of the glass plates11aand11b, the part extending inward of a cut formed in an edge e (peripheral part) of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bby the cutting device60(cutter wheel71). The outer suction pad41bsucks and holds the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b, the edge e extending outward of the cut formed in the edge e (peripheral part) of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bby the cutting device60(cutter wheel71).

Two inner suction pads41aare attached to the pad mounting plate42. Three or more inner suction pads41amay be attached to the pad mounting plate42. The pad mounting plate42is provided with the first and second slits44extending in the front-rear direction or the width direction, and the inner suction pads41aare fixed in the corresponding first and second slits44using respective handle screws45.

The inner suction pads41acan be changed in mounting position in the front-rear direction or the width direction in the corresponding first and second slits44(pad mounting plate42) in the second glass plate holder40b. To change the mounting position of the inner suction pad41a, the handle screw45is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to release the inner suction pad41afixed in the corresponding one of the first and second slits44. Then, the inner suction pad41ais moved (mounting position is changed) in the front-rear direction or the width direction, and the handle screw45is rotated in the clockwise direction to fix the inner suction pad41ato the corresponding one of the first and second slits44(pad mounting plate42).

Each of the first and second arms43aand43bof the second glass plate holder40bhas a base end that is rotatably attached to a front end or one end of the pad mounting plate42, and extends in the front-rear direction or the width direction while being inclined at a predetermined angle toward corresponding one of one side and the other side (with respect to the axis of the pad mounting plate42) in the width direction or the front-rear direction. The first and second arms43aand43bare each fixed to the front end or the one end of the pad mounting plate42with the handle screw45. The first and second arms43aand43bcan be changed in turn angle with respect to the axis of the pad mounting plate42. To change the turn angle of each of the first and second arms43aand43b, the handle screw45is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to release the corresponding one of the first and second arms43aand43bfixed at the front end or the one end of the pad mounting plate42. Then, each of the first and second arms43aand43bis turned, and the handle screw45is rotated in the clockwise direction to fix each of the first and second arms43aand43bto the front end or the one end of the pad mounting plate42.

The first and second arms43aand43bare each provided with one outer suction pad41battached with an attachment plate46. Two or more outer suction pads41bmay be attached to each of the first and second arms43aand43b. The first and second arms43aand43bare each provided with a slit47extending in the front-rear direction or the width direction, and the outer suction pad41bis fixed in the slit47using the handle screw45. The outer suction pad41bcan be changed in mounting position in the front-rear direction or the width direction in the slit47in each of the first and second arms43aand43b, and can be turned in the horizontal direction in the slit47in each of the first and second arms43aand43b. To change the mounting position of the outer suction pad41band turn the outer suction pad41b, the handle screw45is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to release the outer suction pad41bfixed in the slit47in each of the first and second arms43aand43b. Then, the outer suction pad41bis moved (the mounting position is changed) in the front-rear direction or the width direction, and the outer suction pad41bis turned together with the attachment plate46about the axis of the handle screw45. The handle screw45is then rotated in the clockwise direction to fix the outer suction pad41bin the slit47in each of the first and second arms43aand43b.

Each of the third and fourth arms43cand43dof the second glass plate holder40bhas a base end that is rotatably attached to a rear end or the other end of the pad mounting plate42, and extends in the front-rear direction or the width direction while being inclined at a predetermined angle toward corresponding one of one side and the other side (with respect to the axis of the pad mounting plate42) in the width direction or the front-rear direction. The third and fourth arms43cand43dare each fixed to the rear end or the other end of the pad mounting plate42with the handle screw45. The third and fourth arms43cand43dcan be changed in turn angle with respect to the axis of the pad mounting plate42. To change the turn angle of each of the third and fourth arms43cand43d, the handle screw45is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to release the corresponding one of the third and fourth arms43cand43dfixed at the rear end or the other end of the pad mounting plate42. Then, each of the third and fourth arms43cand43dis turned, and the handle screw45is rotated in the clockwise direction to fix each of the third and fourth arms43cand43dto the rear end or the other end of the pad mounting plate42.

The third and fourth arms43cand43dare each provided with one outer suction pad41battached with an attachment plate46. Two or more outer suction pads41bmay be attached to each of the third and fourth arms43cand43d. The third and fourth arms43cand43dare each provided with a slit47extending in the front-rear direction or the width direction, and the outer suction pad41bis fixed in the slit47using the handle screw45. The outer suction pad41bcan be changed in mounting position in the front-rear direction or the width direction in the slit47in each of the third and fourth arms43cand43d, and can be turned in the horizontal direction in the slit47in each of the third and fourth arms43cand43d. To change the mounting position of the outer suction pad41band turn the outer suction pad41b, the handle screw45is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to release the outer suction pad41bfixed in the slit47in each of the third and fourth arms43cand43d. Then, the outer suction pad41bis moved (the mounting position is changed) in the front-rear direction or the width direction, and the outer suction pad41bis turned together with the attachment plate46about the axis of the handle screw45. The handle screw45is then rotated in the clockwise direction to fix the outer suction pad41bin the slit47in each of the third and fourth arms43cand43d.

The glass plate processing system10causes the glass plates11aand11bto be sucked and held by the two suction pads41disposed side by side in the front-rear direction or the width direction on the pad mounting plate42, so that the glass plates11aand11bcan be reliably held by the suction pads41. The glass plate processing system10moves the suction pads41outward in the front-rear direction or outward in the width direction on the pad mounting plate42to increase a distance between the suction pads41in the front-rear direction or the width direction for the glass plate11aof a large size (large area) with the upper and lower surfaces12and13of a large area, and moves the suction pads41inward in the front-rear direction or inward in the width direction to reduce the distance between the suction pads41in the front-rear direction or the width direction for the glass plate11bof a small size (small area) with the upper and lower surfaces12and13of a small area, and thus changing the suction pads41in mounting position in the front-rear direction or the width direction on the pad mounting plate42in accordance with the areas of the upper and lower surfaces12and13of each of the glass plates11aand11b. This configuration enables the suction pads41to be disposed at respective optimal positions on the glass plates11aand11bdifferent in area of the upper and lower surfaces12and13, and thus enabling the glass plates11aand11bdifferent in area of the upper and lower surfaces12and13can be reliably conveyed to each of the processing areas20to22by the conveyance mechanism24.

The glass plate processing system10causes the inner suction pads41aprovided on the pad mounting plate42to suck and hold a part of each of the glass plates11aand11b, the part extending inward of the cut, and causes the outer suction pad41bprovided on each of the first to fourth arms43ato43dto suck and hold the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b, the edge e extending outward of the cut. Thus, the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b, extending outward of the cut, is prevented from inadvertently falling off during conveyance of the glass plates11aand11b, so that the glass plates11aand11bafter the cutting can be safely conveyed to the breaking area21.

The glass plate processing system10changes the turn angles of the first to fourth arms43ato43dwith respect to the pad mounting plate42in accordance with the areas of the upper and lower surfaces12and13of the glass plates11aand11bto change the mounting positions of the outer suction pads41bin the first to fourth arms43ato43d. Then, the outer suction pads41bare turned in the horizontal direction with respect to the corresponding first to fourth arms43ato43d, so that the outer suction pads41bcan be disposed at optimal positions on the edge e extending outward of the cut of each of the glass plates11aand11bdifferent in area of the upper and lower surfaces12and13. As a result, the glass plates11aand11bafter the cutting can be safely conveyed to the breaking area21while the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b, extending outward of the cut thereof, is prevented from falling off during conveyance of the glass plates11aand11b.

The first glass plate holder40aof the first to fourth glass plate holders40ato40dreciprocates in the front-rear direction between the loading area19and the cutting area20to advance from the loading area19toward the cutting area20and retreat from the cutting area20toward the loading area19. The second glass plate holder40breciprocates in the front-rear direction between the cutting area20and the breaking area21to advance from the cutting area20toward the breaking area21and retreat from the breaking area21toward the cutting area20. The third glass plate holder40creciprocates in the front-rear direction between the breaking area21and the grinding area22to advance from the breaking area21toward the grinding area22and retreat from the grinding area22toward the breaking area21. The fourth glass plate holder40dreciprocates in the front-rear direction between the grinding area22and the unloading area23to advances from the grinding area22toward the unloading area23and retreat from the unloading area23toward the grinding area22.

The loading area19includes a loading conveyor48, a stopper49, a roller50, a pair of lifting mechanisms51(first lifting mechanism), and a moving mechanism52(third moving mechanism). The loading area19is supported by legs extending upward from a floor surface of the system base25. The loading area19is configured such that the first positioning means and the second positioning means are performed to position the glass plates11aand11bthat advance toward each of the processing areas20to22.

The loading area19includes a first side edge part53aon one side in which a first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line) extending in the front-rear direction and a second positioning reference L2(second virtual positioning reference line) extending in the width direction are set (seeFIG.22). The first positioning reference L1is a virtual line extending straight in the front-rear direction and being imagined based on an outermost edge located outermost in the width direction in the first side edge14of the glass plate11a(glass plate to be processed first) of a large size (large area), the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction. For example, when the first side edge14on the one side of each of the glass plates11aand11bis formed in a curved shape, the outermost edge is a vertex of the curve, located outermost in the width direction. When the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bextends straight in the front-rear direction, the first side edge14is the outermost edge.

On the first positioning reference L1, the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on the first side in the width direction of each of the glass plates11aand11bis located. Here, positioning the outermost edge on the first positioning reference L1includes not only a case where the outermost edge completely coincides with the first positioning reference L1, but also a case where the outermost edge is located near (nearest) the first positioning reference L1inward in the width direction, and a case where the outermost edge is located near (nearest) the first positioning reference L1outward in the width direction.

On the second positioning reference L2, a center O1(center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing each of the glass plates11aand11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) in the front-rear direction of the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on the first side in the width direction of each of the glass plates11aand11bis located. Here, positioning the center O1in the front-rear direction (center line L2) on the second positioning reference L2includes not only a case where the center O1in the front-rear direction (center line L2) completely coincides with the second positioning reference L2, but also a case where the center O1in the front-rear direction (center line L2) is located near (nearest) the second positioning reference L2forward in the front-rear direction, and a case where the center O1in the front-rear direction (center line L2) is located near (nearest) the second positioning reference L2backward in the front-rear direction.

The controller (glass plate processing system10) calculates a dimension in the width direction of each of the glass plates11aand11busing the coordinate data on each of the glass plates11aand11bstored in the large-capacity hard disk to determine not only the first moving dimension (first moving distance) in the width direction for positioning the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bon the first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line) in accordance with a difference in the calculated dimension in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of each of the glass plates11aand11b, but also the number of revolutions of a shaft of a third servomotor56(number of revolutions of a shaft for moving the glass plates11aand11bby the first moving dimension (first moving distance) in the width direction) based on the determined first moving dimension. The controller (glass plate processing system10) stores the determined first moving dimension and the determined number of revolutions of the shaft of the third servomotor56in the large-capacity hard disk while associating them with the glass plate specific information (glass plate specific identifier) on each of the glass plates11aand11b.

The controller (glass plate processing system10) calculates a dimension in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of each of the glass plates11aand11busing the coordinate data on each of the glass plates11aand11bstored in the large-capacity hard disk to determine a second moving dimension of the loading conveyor48backward in the front-rear direction of the second moving dimension for locating the center O1in the front-rear direction of the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bon the second positioning reference L2(second virtual positioning reference line) in accordance with a difference in the calculated dimension in the front-rear direction of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The controller (glass plate processing system10) stores the determined second moving dimension in the large-capacity hard disk while associating it with the glass plate specific information (glass plate specific identifier) on each of the glass plates11aand11b.

The controller (glass plate processing system10) calculates a moving dimension (moving distance) of the cutting device60and the grinding device108in the front-rear direction based on the calculated dimension of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the front-rear direction to determine the number of revolutions of the shaft of the first servomotor34(the number of revolutions of the shaft for moving the cutting device60and the grinding device108in the front-rear direction by the moving dimension (moving distance)) based on the calculated moving dimension. The controller (glass plate processing system10) stores the determined moving dimension and the determined number of revolutions of the shaft of the first servomotor34in the large-capacity hard disk while associating them with the glass plate specific information (glass plate specific identifier) on each of the glass plates11aand11b. The moving dimension (moving distance) of each of the first glass plate holder40ato the fourth glass plate holder40din the front-rear direction is stored in the large-capacity hard disk while associating it with the glass plate specific information (glass plate specific identifier) on each of the glass plates11aand11b.

As illustrated inFIGS.3to5, the loading conveyor48is one of loading conveyors48of multiple endless tracks that extend in the front-rear direction (X-direction), and that are disposed side by side at predetermined intervals in the width direction (Y-direction). Start and stop, and a conveyance distance of each of the loading conveyors48are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The loading conveyors48convey the glass plate11aand11bfrom backward to forward in the front-rear direction from a rear end (loading port) toward a front end (unloading port) of the loading area19. Stoppers49are provided at the front end of the loading area19and are disposed side by side at intervals in the width direction. The stoppers49come into contact with the front end edge16of each of the glass plates11aand11bmoving forward from the rear end toward the front end of the loading area19using the loading conveyors48. The stoppers49are each provided with a contact sensor (not illustrated). The contact sensor is connected to the controller and detects the contact of the front end edge16of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bwith the stopper49. The contact sensor transmits a contact signal to the controller when detecting the contact of the front end edge16with the stopper49.

The roller50is one of rollers50that are rotatably attached to respective shafts54extending in the front-rear direction, and are installed between the corresponding loading conveyors48together with the respective shafts54. The rollers50are disposed side by side at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction and are disposed side by side at predetermined intervals in the width direction. The rollers50rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in the width direction, and come into contact with the lower surface13of corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bto hold the glass plates11aand11bin a movable manner in the width direction. The shafts54are attached to a pedestal located below the shafts with bearings.

The rollers50includes a roller50aand a resistance plate (rubber ring) that is not illustrated and increases rotation resistance of the roller50a, the resistance plate being attached between the roller50aand the corresponding one of the shafts54. The resistance plate (rubber ring) increases resistance of the roller50ato the shaft54, so that the roller50adoes not rotate unless a rotational force exceeding the rotation resistance is applied to the roller50a, and thus free rotation of the roller50ais prevented by the resistance plate. When the glass plates11aand11bare placed on the rollers50, free movement of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction is prevented by the roller50ahaving a large rotation resistance. The resistance plate (rubber ring) may be attached between at least one of the rollers50and the shaft54.

Lifting mechanisms51(first lifting mechanisms) are installed below the pedestal to which the shafts54are attached, and are disposed side by side at a predetermined interval in the width direction. The lifting mechanisms51are formed using respective air cylinders, and the shafts54and the rollers50are raised and lowered in the vertical direction together with the pedestal by the air cylinders. The air cylinders each have a raising dimension and a lowering dimension that are set in advance. Start and stop of the air cylinders (lifting mechanisms51) are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. When receiving a lifting signal from the controller, the control unit of the air cylinders (lifting mechanisms51) raises and lowers the air cylinders.

While the loading conveyors54convey the glass plates11aand11b, the rollers50(the pedestal and the shafts54) are lowered below the loading conveyors54by the air cylinders (lifting mechanisms51), and thus the rollers50are not in contact with the lower surfaces13of the glass plates11aand11b. When the rollers50(the pedestal and the shafts54) are raised by the air cylinders (the lifting mechanisms51), a part of a peripheral part of each of the rollers54is exposed to above the loading conveyors48, and then the glass plates11aand11bare raised to above the loading conveyors48by the rollers50.

The moving mechanism52(third moving mechanism) includes a rod55located above the loading conveyors48and the rollers50, a third servomotor56(servomotor) installed (built in) to the rod55, a feed screw (feed screw mechanism) that is not illustrated and is installed (built in) to the rod55while being connected to a shaft of the third servomotor56, a moving arm57extending downward from the rod55, and a contact member58installed at a lower end of the moving arm57. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the third servomotor56(moving mechanism) are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the third servomotor56drives the third servomotor56at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the third servomotor56when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The rod55is attached to a rear surface of a first pillar26awhile extending in the width direction. The moving arm57is movably installed on the feed screw, and is linearly moved to one side and the other side in the width direction along the rod55by rotation of the feed screw caused by rotation of the shaft of the third servomotor56. The contact member58is linearly moved to the one side and the other side in the width direction together with the moving arm57along with the movement of the moving arm57in the width direction. The contact member58comes into contact with the second side edge15of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bwhile the rollers50raised by the air cylinders (lifting mechanisms51) are in contact with the lower surface13of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, and presses the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction to move the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction.

Besides the third servomotor56, a linear motor (linear motion motor) may be used, and the linear motor (moving mechanism) may be installed to the rod55. When the linear motor is installed to the rod55, the linear motor moves along the rod55to one side and the other side in the width direction, and the moving arm57and the contact member58are accordingly moved to the one side and the other side in the width direction. Start and stop, and a moving distance of the linear motor (moving mechanism) are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated.

FIG.7is a top view of a cutting table59and a grinding table107, andFIG.8is a side view of the cutting table59and the grinding table107.FIG.9is a diagram illustrating movement of the cutting table59and the grinding table107, andFIG.10is a side view of the cutting device60as an example installed in the cutting area20.FIG.11is a front view of the cutting device60, andFIG.12is a top view of the cutting device60.

The cutting area20includes the cutting table59(cutting table) placing the glass plates11aand11bpositioned in the loading area19thereon, and the cutting device60(cutting device) that cuts the edge e (peripheral part) of each of the glass plates11aand11bplaced on the cutting table59.FIGS.7and8each designate the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) indicated by the arrow X, the width direction (Y-axis direction) indicated by the arrow Y, and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) indicated by the arrow Z.

The cutting table59is installed on a base lane61along in the width direction fixed to the floor surface of the system base25. The cutting table59is moved in the width direction using the first moving mechanism62while the glass plates11aand11bpositioned are placed thereon. The first moving mechanism62includes traveling guide rails63a, a feed screw64a(ball screw), a fourth servomotor65, guide shoes66a, and a slide block67a(housing nut). The traveling guide rails63aare installed on the upper surface of the base lane61awhile extending in the width direction. The feed screw64a(ball screw) is installed on an upper surface of the base lane61aand laterally to the traveling guide rails63awhile extending in the width direction. The fourth servomotor65is installed in the base lane61ato reciprocate the cutting table59in the width direction.

The fourth servomotor65includes a shaft that is connected to the other end of the feed screw64a. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the fourth servomotor65are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the fourth servomotor65drives the fourth servomotor65at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the fourth servomotor65when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The feed screw64ais rotatably supported by a bearing (not illustrated) fixed to the base lane61a. The guide shoes66aare attached to a lower surface of the cutting table59and extend in the width direction. The guide shoes66aare slidably fitted to the respective traveling guide rails63a. The slide block67a(housing nut) is attached to the lower surface of the cutting table59and between the guide shoes66a. The slide block67ais rotatably screwed to the feed screw64a.

When the shaft of the fourth servomotor65rotates in the clockwise direction, the feed screw64ais rotated in the clockwise direction, and then the rotation of the feed screw64ain the clockwise direction causes the slide block67ato move the feed screw64afrom a second side edge part53btoward a first side edge part53aof the cutting area20in the width direction. The movement of the slide block67acauses the cutting table59to move from the second side edge part53btoward the first side edge part53aof the cutting area20in the width direction. Conversely, when the shaft of the fourth servomotor65rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the feed screw64ais rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and then the rotation of the feed screw64ain the counterclockwise direction causes the slide block67ato move the feed screw64afrom the first side edge part53atoward the second side edge part53bof the cutting area in the width direction. The movement of the slide block67acauses the cutting table59to move from the first side edge part53atoward the second side edge part53bof the cutting area20in the width direction.

The cutting device60includes a cutting tool68, an air cylinder69, and a fifth servomotor70. The cutting tool68includes a cutter wheel71, a cutter holder72(cutting holder), a cutter lifting shaft73, and a cutter lifting guide74. The cutter wheel71is connected to the cutter holder72with a bearing (not illustrated), and freely rotates about an axis of the bearing provided. The cutter wheel71operates three-dimensionally with respect to the cutter holder72. The cutter wheel71forms a cut in the edge e (peripheral part) of each of the glass plates11aand11b.

The cutter holder72is located immediately above the cutter wheel71and connected to the cutter wheel71to support the cutter wheel71. The cutter lifting shaft73is located directly above the cutter holder72and connected to the cutter holder72to support the cutter holder72. The cutter lifting guide74is located immediately above the cutter lifting shaft73and connected to the cutter lifting shaft73to support the cutter lifting shaft73. The cutting tool68(including the air cylinder69) is connected to a support shaft75that is located immediately above the air cylinder69to rotatably support the cutting tool68. The support shaft75is attached to a bracket76located immediately above the support shaft. The bracket76(cutting device60) is connected to the first moving means28of the conveyance mechanism24that advances and retreats (linearly moves) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

The air cylinder69is installed immediately above the cutter lifting shaft73. The air cylinder69vertically moves the cutter wheel71(cutter holder72) in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and lowers the cutter wheel71toward the upper surfaces12of the glass plates11aand11bto add (apply) cutting pressure (downward pressing force) to the cutter wheel71at the time of forming a cutting line (cut line) to the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The fifth servomotor70includes a shaft connected to the support shaft75with a timing belt77. The fifth servomotor70finely adjusts a cutting direction, or an angle around an axis orthogonal to an XY plane, of the cutting tool68(cutter wheel71).

Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the fifth servomotor70are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the fifth servomotor70drives the fifth servomotor70at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the fifth servomotor70when receiving a stop signal from the controller. The cutting device60is configured such that the control unit of the fifth servomotor70rotates the shaft of the motor70based on an NC control signal transmitted from the controller to control the cutting tool68(cutter wheel71) by NC control, and the cutting tool68(cutter wheel71) forms a cut in a shape as desired in the edge e (peripheral part) of each of the glass plates11aand11baccording to the NC control.

FIG.13is a top view of a breaking table78, andFIG.14is a side view of the breaking table78.FIG.15is a side view of the breaking device79, andFIG.16is a front view79of the breaking device.FIG.17is a top view of the breaking device79, andFIG.18is an enlarged side view of the breaking device79. The breaking area21includes the breaking table78(breaking base) for placing the glass plates11aand11bpositioned in the loading area19and subjected to the cutting in the cutting area20thereon, and the breaking device79that breaks the edge e (peripheral part) located outside the cuts of the glass plates11aand11bplaced on the breaking table78.

The breaking table78includes a belt conveyor80that travels in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and a conveyor drive motor81that causes the belt conveyor80to travel, the breaking table78being installed on a base board fixed to the floor surface of the system base25. The belt conveyor80includes a belt82extending in the width direction, a plurality of pulleys83and carrier rollers84that support the belt82, and a conveyor frame85that supports the belt82, the pulleys83, and the carrier rollers84. On the belt conveyor80, the glass plates11aand11bafter the cutting are placed. The belt conveyor80conveys the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11bbroken by the breaking device79to the other side (from the first side edge part53ato the second side edge part53b) in the width direction, and discards the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11binto a dust box (not illustrated).

The conveyor drive motor81includes a shaft connected to a pulley83with a timing belt. Start and stop of the conveyor drive motor81are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. Rotation speed (traveling speed of the belt) of the shaft of the conveyor drive motor81is set in advance, and is stored in the large-capacity hard disk of the controller while the rotation speed (traveling speed of the belt) is associated with specific information on the conveyor drive motor81. The control unit of the conveyor drive motor81drives the drive motor81at a predetermined rotation speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the drive motor81when receiving a stop signal from the controller. When the shaft of the conveyor drive motor81rotates in the clockwise direction, the rotation is transmitted to the pulley83with the timing belt to rotate the pulley83in the clockwise direction, and then the rotation of the pulley83cause the belt82to travel toward the other side in the width direction.

The breaking device79includes two devices of a first breaking device79aand a second breaking device79bthat are apart from each other in the width direction. The first and second breaking devices79aand79bare connected to a suspension frame86. The suspension frame86is connected to a side part of the second guide frame35. The first breaking device79aincludes a breaking tool87a, a first air cylinder88aand a second air cylinder89a, a sixth servomotor90(Z-axis servomotor), a seventh servomotor91(X-axis servomotor) and a first X-axis actuator92a, an eighth servomotor93(Y-axis servomotor) and a first Y-axis actuator94a, and a first actuator frame95a.

The second breaking device79bincludes a breaking tool87b, a third air cylinder88b, a fourth air cylinder89b, a ninth servomotor96(Z-axis servomotor), a tenth servomotor97(X-axis servomotor) and a second X-axis actuator92b, an eleventh servomotor98(Y-axis servomotor) and a second Y-axis actuator94b, and a second actuator frame95b. The first actuator frame95aand the second actuator frame95bare connected in series at their front ends.

As illustrated inFIG.18, the breaking tools87aand87bof the corresponding first and second breaking devices79aand79beach include a breaking cutter wheel99, a breaking cutter holder100, a cutter lifting shaft101, a pressing roller102, and a roller lifting shaft103. The breaking cutter wheel99is connected to the breaking cutter holder100with a bearing (not illustrated), and freely rotates about an axis of the bearing provided. The breaking cutter wheel99cuts (end-cuts) the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11balong the cut in the edge e (peripheral part) of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b. The cutter lifting shaft101is located directly above the breaking cutter holder100and connected to the cutter holder100to support the cutter holder100. The pressing roller102is located near the breaking cutter wheel99and outside the cutter wheel99in the width direction, and presses the edge e (peripheral part) of each of the glass plates1aand11bdownward. The roller lifting shaft103is located immediately above the pressing roller102, and is connected to the pressing roller102to support the pressing roller102.

The first air cylinder88ais installed immediately above the cutter lifting shaft101and is connected to the cutter lifting shaft101. The first air cylinder88ais connected to a support shaft104that is located immediately above the first air cylinder to rotatably support the breaking tool87a. The support shaft104is attached to a bracket105located immediately above the support shaft. The bracket105is slidably attached to the first actuator frame95a.

The first air cylinder88avertically moves the breaking cutter wheel99(breaking cutter holder100) of the first breaking device79ain the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and lowers the cutter wheel99toward the upper surfaces12of the glass plates11aand11bto add (apply) a downward pressing force to the cutter wheel99at the time of breaking the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The first air cylinder88ahas a raising dimension and a lowering dimension that are set in advance. Start and stop of the first air cylinder88a(lifting mechanism) are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. When receiving a lifting signal from the controller, the control unit of the first air cylinder88araises and lowers the air cylinder88a.

The second air cylinder89ais installed immediately above the roller lifting shaft103of the first breaking device79a, and near and outside the first air cylinder88ain the width direction, and is connected to the roller lifting shaft103. The second air cylinder89avertically moves the pressing roller102of the first breaking device79ain the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and lowers the roller102toward the upper surfaces12of the glass plates11aand11bto add (apply) a downward pressing force to the roller102at the time of breaking of the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The second air cylinder89ahas a raising dimension and a lowering dimension that are set in advance. Start and stop of the second air cylinder89a(lifting mechanism) are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. When receiving a lifting signal from the controller, the control unit of the second air cylinder89araises and lowers the air cylinder89a.

The sixth servomotor90(Z-axis servomotor) is located near and inside the first air cylinder88ain the width direction, and is connected and fixed to a lower surface of the bracket105. The sixth servomotor90includes a shaft connected to the support shaft104with a timing belt106. The sixth servomotor90finely adjusts a breaking direction, or an angle around the axis orthogonal to the XY plane, of the breaking tool87a(breaking cutter wheel99) of the first breaking device79a. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the sixth servomotor90are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the sixth servomotor90drives the sixth servomotor90at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the sixth servomotor90when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The seventh servomotor91(X-axis servomotor) is installed on the first actuator frame95a, and includes a shaft connected to the first X-axis actuator92a. The first X-axis actuator92aincludes a screw part and a guide part, which are not illustrated. When the shaft of the seventh servomotor91rotates in the clockwise direction, the screw part of the first X-axis actuator92ais rotated in the clockwise direction. When the screw part is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the breaking tool87aof the first breaking device79ais moved forward in the front-rear direction together with the bracket105along the first actuator frame95a. When the shaft of the seventh servomotor91rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the screw part of the first X-axis actuator92ais rotated in the counterclockwise direction. When the screw part is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the breaking tool87aof the first breaking device79ais moved backward in the front-rear direction together with the bracket105along the first actuator frame95a. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the seventh servomotor91are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the seventh servomotor91drives the seventh servomotor91at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the seventh servomotor91when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The eighth servomotor93(Y-axis servomotor) is installed on the first actuator frame95ain the Y-axis, and includes a shaft connected to the first Y-axis actuator94aThe first Y-axis actuator94aincludes a screw part and a guide part, which are not illustrated. When the shaft of the eighth servomotor93rotates in the clockwise direction, the screw part of the first Y-axis actuator94arotates in the clockwise direction. When the screw part rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the breaking tool87aof the first breaking device79amoves toward one side in the width direction together with the bracket105along the first actuator frame95a. When the shaft of the eighth servomotor93rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the screw part of the first Y-axis actuator94arotates in the counterclockwise direction. When the screw part rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the breaking tool87aof the first breaking device79amoves toward the other side in the width direction together with the bracket105along the first actuator frame95a. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the eighth servomotor93are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the eighth servomotor93drives the eighth servomotor93at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the eighth servomotor93when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The third air cylinder88bis installed immediately above the cutter lifting shaft101and is connected to the cutter lifting shaft101. The third air cylinder88bis connected to a support shaft104that is located immediately above the first air cylinder to rotatably support the breaking tool87b. The support shaft104is attached to a bracket105located immediately above the support shaft. The bracket105is slidably attached to the second actuator frame95b.

The third air cylinder88bvertically moves the breaking cutter wheel99(breaking cutter holder100) of the second breaking device79bin the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and lowers the cutter wheel99toward the upper surfaces12of the glass plates11aand11bto add (apply) a downward pressing force to the cutter wheel99at the time of breaking the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The third air cylinder88bhas a raising dimension and a lowering dimension that are set in advance. Start and stop of the third air cylinder88b(lifting mechanism) are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. When receiving a lifting signal from the controller, the control unit of the third air cylinder88braises and lowers the air cylinder88b.

The fourth air cylinder89bis installed immediately above the roller lifting shaft103of the second breaking device79b, and near and outside the third air cylinder88bin the width direction, and is connected to the roller lifting shaft103. The fourth air cylinder89bvertically moves the pressing roller102of the second breaking device79bin the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and lowers the roller102toward the upper surfaces12of the glass plates11aand11bto add (apply) a downward pressing force to the roller102at the time of breaking of the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The fourth air cylinder89bhas a raising dimension and a lowering dimension that are set in advance. Start and stop of the fourth air cylinder89b(lifting mechanism) are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. When receiving a lifting signal from the controller, the control unit of the fourth air cylinder89braises and lowers the air cylinder89b.

The ninth servomotor96(Z-axis servomotor) is located near and inside the third air cylinder88bin the width direction, and is connected and fixed to a lower surface of the bracket105. The ninth servomotor96includes a shaft connected to the support shaft104with the timing belt106. The ninth servomotor96finely adjusts a breaking direction, or an angle around the axis orthogonal to the XY plane, of the breaking tool87b(breaking cutter wheel99) of the second breaking device79b. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the ninth servomotor96are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the ninth servomotor96drives the ninth servomotor96at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the ninth servomotor96when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The tenth servomotor97(X-axis servomotor) is installed on the second actuator frame95b, and includes a shaft connected to the second X-axis actuator92b. The second X-axis actuator92bincludes a screw part and a guide part, which are not illustrated. When the shaft of the tenth servomotor97rotates in the clockwise direction, the screw part of the second x-axis actuator92bis rotated in the clockwise direction. When the screw part is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the breaking tool87bof the second breaking device79bis moved forward in the front-rear direction together with the bracket105along the second actuator frame95b. When the shaft of the tenth servomotor97rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the screw part of the second X-axis actuator92bis rotated in the counterclockwise direction. When the screw part is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the breaking tool87bof the second breaking device79bis moved backward in the front-rear direction together with the bracket105along the second actuator frame95b. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the tenth servomotor97are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the tenth servomotor97drives the tenth servomotor97at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the tenth servomotor97when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The eleventh servomotor98(Y-axis servomotor) is installed on the second actuator frame95b, and includes a shaft connected to the second Y-axis actuator94b. The second Y-axis actuator94bincludes a screw part and a guide part, which are not illustrated. When the shaft of the eleventh servomotor98rotates in the clockwise direction, the screw part of the second Y-axis actuator94brotates in the clockwise direction. When the screw part rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the breaking tool87bof the second breaking device79bmoves toward one side in the width direction together with the bracket105along the second actuator frame95b. When the shaft of the eleventh servomotor98rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the screw part of the second Y-axis actuator94brotates in the counterclockwise direction. When the screw part rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the breaking tool87bof the second breaking device79bmoves toward the other side in the width direction together with the bracket105along the second actuator frame95b. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the eleventh servomotor98are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the eleventh servomotor98drives the eleventh servomotor98at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the eleventh servomotor98when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

FIG.19is a side view of the grinding device108illustrated as an example installed in the grinding area22, andFIG.20is a front view of the grinding device108.FIG.21is a top view of the grinding device108. The grinding area22includes the grinding table107(grinding base) for placing the glass plates11aand11bpositioned in the loading area19, and subjected to the cutting in the cutting area20and the breaking in the breaking area21, thereon, and the grinding device108that grinds the edge e (peripheral part) of each of the glass plates11aand11bplaced on the grinding table107.

The grinding table107is installed on a base lane61blong in the width direction fixed to the floor surface of the system base25(seeFIG.7). The grinding table107includes multiple suction pads124that suck and hold the glass plates11aand11b, and a vacuum mechanism (an air suction device, or an air vacuum pump that is not illustrated and that applies a suction force to the suction pads124by applying negative pressure to the suction pads124. Start and stop of the vacuum mechanism are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated.

The grinding table107is moved in the width direction using the second moving mechanism62bwhile the glass plates11aand11bpositioned are placed thereon. The second moving mechanism62bincludes traveling guide rails63b, a feed screw64b(ball screw), a twelfth servomotor109, guide shoes66b, and a slide block67b(housing nut). The traveling guide rails63bare installed on the upper surface of the base lane61bwhile extending in the width direction. The feed screw64b(ball screw) is installed on an upper surface of the base lane61band laterally to the traveling guide rails63bwhile extending in the width direction. The twelfth servomotor109is installed in the base lane61bto reciprocate the grinding table107in the width direction.

The twelfth servomotor109includes a shaft that is connected to the other end of the feed screw64b. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the twelfth servomotor109are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the twelfth servomotor109drives the twelfth servomotor109at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the twelfth servomotor109when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The feed screw64bis rotatably supported by a bearing (not illustrated) fixed to the base lane61b. The guide shoes66bare attached to a lower surface of the grinding table107and extend in the width direction. The guide shoes66bare slidably fitted to the respective traveling guide rails63b. The slide block67b(housing nut) is attached to the lower surface of the grinding table107and between the guide shoes66b. The slide block67bis rotatably screwed to the feed screw64b.

When the shaft of the twelfth servomotor109rotates in the clockwise direction, the feed screw64bis rotated in the clockwise direction, and then the rotation of the feed screw64bin the clockwise direction causes the slide block67bto move the feed screw64bfrom a second side edge part53btoward a first side edge part53aof the grinding area22in the width direction. The movement of the slide block67bcauses the grinding table107to move from the second side edge part53btoward the first side edge part53aof the grinding area22in the width direction. When the shaft of the twelfth servomotor109rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the feed screw64bis rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and then the rotation of the feed screw64bin the counterclockwise direction causes the slide block67bto move the feed screw64bfrom the first side edge part53atoward the second side edge part53bof the grinding area22in the width direction. The movement of the slide block67bcauses the grinding table107to move from the first side edge part53atoward the second side edge part53bof the grinding area22in the width direction.

The twelfth servomotor109is driven in synchronization with the fourth servomotor65in the cutting area20. Then, the grinding table107is moved from the second side edge part53btoward the first side edge part53aof the grinding area22in synchronization with movement of the cutting table59from the second side edge part53bto the first side edge part53aof the cutting area20, or the grinding table107is moved from the first side edge part53atoward the second side edge part53bof the grinding area22in synchronization with movement of the cutting table59from the first side edge part53ato the second side edge part53bof the cutting area20.

The grinding device108includes a grinding tool110, a thirteenth servomotor111(Z-axis grinding servomotor), a fourteenth servomotor112(lifting servomotor), a fifteenth servomotor113(cutting servomotor), a grinding wheel lifting screw114, and a grinding wheel cutting screw115. The grinding tool110includes a grinding wheel116, a grinding holder117, a cover118, and a spindle motor119. The grinding wheel116is formed in a disk shape having a predetermined diameter, and has an outer peripheral surface that is used for grinding the edge e (peripheral part) of each of the glass plates11aand1b.

The grinding holder117is located immediately above the grinding wheel116and rotatably supports the grinding wheel116. The cover118is located immediately below the grinding wheel116to cover the entire grinding wheel116. The cover118is detachably attached to the grinding holder117. The cover118is provided with a slit120into which the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11bis to be inserted. The spindle motor119is located immediately above the grinding wheel116(grinding holder117), and is installed and housed in the motor housing121. The spindle motor119includes a shaft connected to the center of the grinding wheel116.

Rotation of the shaft of the spindle motor119rotates the grinding wheel116. The motor housing121is fixed to the traveling frame32with a bracket122. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the spindle motor119are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the spindle motor119drives the spindle motor119at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the spindle motor119when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The thirteenth servomotor111(2-axis grinding servomotor) is located near and behind the grinding tool110, and is connected and fixed to the traveling frame32with the bracket122. The thirteenth servomotor111includes a shaft connected to a support shaft of the motor housing121. The thirteenth servomotor111finely adjusts a position (angle around the axis) of the grinding wheel116in the axial direction to allow the outer peripheral surface of the grinding wheel116to come into contact with the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11bin a parallel manner. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the thirteenth servomotor111are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the thirteenth servomotor111drives the thirteenth servomotor111at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the thirteenth servomotor111when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The fourteenth servomotor112(lifting servomotor) is located near and outside the motor housing121(spindle motor119) in the width direction, and is connected and fixed to the motor housing121. The fourteenth servomotor112includes a shaft that is connected to the grinding wheel lifting screw114to rotate the grinding wheel lifting screw114. The fourteenth servomotor112vertically moves the grinding wheel116(motor housing121) in accordance with a thickness dimension of each of the glass plates11aand11bto finely adjust a height of the grinding wheel116to allow the outer peripheral surface of the grinding wheel116to come into contact with the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11bwhile the grinding wheel116and the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11bare aligned in height. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the fourteenth servomotor112are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the fourteenth servomotor112drives the fourteenth servomotor112at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the fourteenth servomotor112when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

Initial setting for starting processing of the glass plates11aand11bincludes a distance from an attachment reference surface of the grinding wheel116to the center of a groove, the distance being is input to the controller. The controller calculates the number of revolutions of the shaft of the fourteenth servomotor112based on the distance received, and transmits the number of revolutions calculated to the control unit of the fourteenth servomotor112. The control unit of the fourteenth servomotor112rotates the shaft of the fourteenth servomotor112at the number of revolutions received from the controller. When the shaft of the fourteenth servomotor112rotates in the clockwise direction at the number of revolutions predetermined, the grinding wheel lifting screw114is rotated in the clockwise direction to lower the screw114, thereby lowering the grinding wheel116(motor housing120). When the shaft of the fourteenth servomotor112rotates in the counterclockwise direction at the number of revolutions predetermined, the grinding wheel lifting screw114is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to raise the screw114, thereby raising the grinding wheel116(motor housing120). As long as the glass plates11aand11bto be processed are not changed in thickness, the height of the grinding wheel116is finely adjusted once, and is not subsequently adjusted.

The fifteenth servomotor113(cutting servomotor) is located immediately below the fourteenth servomotor112(lifting servomotor) and near and outside the motor housing120(spindle motor119) in the width direction, and is connected and fixed to the motor housing120. The fifteenth servomotor113includes a shaft that is connected to the grinding wheel cutting screw115to rotate the grinding wheel cutting screw115. The fifteenth servomotor113moves the grinding wheel116(motor housing120) in the width direction in accordance with a width dimension (size) of each of the glass plates11aand11bto finely adjust a position of the grinding wheel116in the front-rear direction such that the outer peripheral surface of the grinding wheel116comes into contact with the edge e of each of the glass plates11aand11b. Start and stop, the number of revolutions, and a rotation speed of the fifteenth servomotor113are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The control unit of the fifteenth servomotor113drives the fifteenth servomotor113at a predetermined number of revolutions and rotational speed when receiving a drive signal from the controller, and stops the drive of the fifteenth servomotor113when receiving a stop signal from the controller.

The initial setting for starting processing of the glass plates11aand11bincludes a diameter of the grinding wheel116to the center of a groove, the diameter being is input to the controller. The controller calculates the number of revolutions of the shaft of the fifteenth servomotor113based on the diameter of the grinding wheel116received, and transmits the number of revolutions calculated to the control unit of the fifteenth servomotor113. The control unit of the fifteenth servomotor113rotates the shaft of the fifteenth servomotor113at the number of revolutions received from the controller. When the shaft of the fifteenth servomotor113rotates in the clockwise direction at the number of revolutions predetermined, the grinding wheel cutting screw115is rotated in the clockwise direction to move the screw115backward in the front-rear direction, thereby moving the grinding wheel116(motor housing120) backward in the front-rear direction. When the shaft of the fifteenth servomotor113rotates in the counterclockwise direction at the number of revolutions predetermined, the grinding wheel cutting screw115is rotated in the counterclockwise direction to move the screw115forward in the front-rear direction, thereby moving the grinding wheel116(motor housing120) forward in the front-rear direction. As long as the grinding wheel116is not changed in diameter, the position of the grinding wheel116in the front-rear direction is finely adjusted once, and is not subsequently adjusted.

In the unloading area23, an unloading conveyor113is installed. The unloading area23is supported by legs extending upward from the floor surface of the system base25. The unloading conveyor23is one of unloading conveyors23of multiple endless tracks that extend in the front-rear direction (X-direction), and that are disposed side by side at predetermined intervals in the width direction (Y-direction). Start and stop, and a conveyance distance of each of the unloading conveyors23are controlled by a control unit connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) that is not illustrated. The unloading conveyors23convey the glass plate11aand11bfrom backward to forward in the front-rear direction from a rear end (loading port) toward a front end (unloading port) of the unloading area23.

Hereinafter, an example of processing (cutting, breaking, grinding) of the glass plates11aand11bwill be described. Mounting positions are adjusted for the following suction pads: the suction pads41in the pad mounting plate42of the first glass plate holder40a; the inner suction pads41ain the pad mounting plate42of the second glass plate holder40b; the suction pads41in the pad mounting plate42of the third glass plate holder40c; and the suction pads41in the pad mounting plate42of the fourth glass plate holder40d. Then, turning angles of the first to fourth arms43ato43dwith respect to the axis of the pad mounting plate42are adjusted, and mounting positions of the outer suction pads41bfor the first to fourth arms43ato43dare adjusted. At a start of the processing, the first glass plate holder40astands by above the loading area19, the second glass plate holder40bstands by above the cutting area20, the third glass plate holder40cstands by above the breaking area21, and the fourth glass plate holder40dstands by above the grinding area22.

The controller is connected to an output device such as a monitor, a display, or a touch panel, on which various glass plate images are output (displayed). From among the various glass plate images output (displayed) on the output device, the specific glass plates11aand11bto be processed are clicked (tapped, or selected). When the specific glass plates11aand11bare selected, the controller selects an NC control program for processing to be performed on the glass plates11aand11b. The controller outputs (displays) input areas on the output device for the following: a distance from the attachment reference surface of the grinding wheel116to the center of the groove; dimensions of the glass plates11aand11bin the front-rear direction; and a diameter of the grinding wheel116.

After a distance is input to the input area for a distance from the attachment reference surface of the grinding wheel116to the center of the groove and a diameter is input to the input area for a diameter of the grinding wheel116, an input button output (displayed) on the output device is clicked (tapped). When the distance and the diameter are input, the controller drives not only the fourteenth servomotor112to vertically move the grinding wheel116(motor housing120) to finely adjust a height of the grinding wheel116, but also the fifteenth servomotor113to move the grinding wheel116(motor housing120) in the width direction to finely adjust a position of the grinding wheel116in the front-rear direction. After the fine adjustments are finished, the controller outputs (displays) a processing start button on the output device. When the processing start button is clicked (tapped), the processing of the glass plates11aand11bis started.

The selected glass plates11aand11bto be processed (before processing) are loaded onto the loading area19. In the loading area19, the first positioning means and the second positioning means are performed. The glass plates11aand11bto be processed are automatically fed to the loading conveyor48in the loading area19by an automatic feeding device (not illustrated). The automatic feeding device contains multiple glass plates11aand11bto be processed and identical in area (in size) of the upper surface12and the lower surface13, the glass plates being stacked in the up-down direction, and feeds the glass plates11aand11bto the loading conveyor48one by one.

An example of a procedure of positioning the glass plates11aand11bin the loading area19is as follows. The controller transmits a conveyance signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor48, and the control unit of the loading conveyor48having received an advance signal (ON signal) drives the loading conveyors48. The glass plates11aand11bloaded onto the loading area19are placed on the loading conveyor48while the lower surface13of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bis in contact with the loading conveyor48. The glass plates11aand11beach have the first side edge14(including the first side edge14that is curved, or in a curved shape) that is parallel to the first side edge part53aof the loading area19, and the second side edge15that is parallel to the second side edge part53bof the loading area19.

The glass plates11aand11bplaced on the loading conveyor48are gradually moved forward in the front-rear direction from backward to forward in the loading area19by the loading conveyor48. When the glass plates11aand11bare moved from backward to forward in the loading area19and the front end edge16of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bcome into contact with the stoppers49, the contact sensor installed in each of the stoppers49detects the contact of the front end edge16of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bwith the corresponding one of the stoppers49, and transmits a contact signal to the controller.

The controller having received the contact signal transmits a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor48, and the control unit of the loading conveyor48having received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving of the loading conveyors48. Next, the controller transmits not only the second moving dimension of the loading conveyor48backward in the front-rear direction to the control unit of the loading conveyor48, the second moving dimension being set for locating the center O of the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the front-rear direction, the center O aligning with the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plates11aand11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction, on the second positioning reference L2(second virtual positioning reference line) of the loading area19, but also a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor48.

The control unit of the loading conveyor48having received the second moving dimension and the retreat signal (ON signal) drives the loading conveyor48to move the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction by the second moving dimension with the loading conveyor48. When the loading conveyor48moves the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction by the second moving dimension, the center O1in the front-rear direction (center line L2of the glass plates11aand11b) of the first side edge of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction is located on the second positioning reference L2(second virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19(second positioning means).

After moving the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction by the second moving dimension, the controller transmits a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor48, and the control unit of the loading conveyor48having received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving of the loading conveyors48. Next, the controller transmits a raising signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51). The control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51) having received the raising signal (ON signal) raises the air cylinder. When the air cylinder is raised to raise the rollers50, a peripheral part of each of the rollers50is partially exposed above the loading conveyor48. Then, the raised rollers50lift the glass plates11aand11babove the loading conveyor48while being in contact with the lower surface13of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b.

After the raising of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51) is finished, the controller transmits not only the number of revolutions of the third servomotor56to the control unit of the third servomotor56, the number of revolutions being calculated from the first moving dimension (first moving distance) in the width direction of the moving mechanism (third moving mechanism52) for positioning the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bon the first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line), but also a positive rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servomotor56. The control unit of the third servomotor56, having received the number of revolutions of the third servomotor56and the positive rotation signal (ON signal), drives the third servomotor56to rotate the shaft of the third servomotor56in the clockwise direction by the number of revolutions predetermined.

When the shaft of the third servomotor56rotates in the clockwise direction to rotate the feed screw, the rotation of the feed screw causes the contact member58to gradually move together with the moving arm57from a movement start point toward one side in the width direction. The contact member58moving toward the one side in the width direction comes into contact with the second side edge15of each of the glass plates11aand11b, and the contact member58presses the second side part15of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction to move the glass plates11aand11bfrom the other side toward the one side in the width direction. The glass plates11aand11bpressed by the contact member58are moved on the rollers50in the width direction from the other side toward the one side in the width direction, and an outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction is located on the first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19(first positioning means).

When the movement of the contact member58toward the one side in the width direction is finished and the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction is located on the first positioning reference L1in the loading area19, the controller transmits a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servomotor56. The control unit of the third servomotor56having received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving of the third servomotor56. After the driving of the third servomotor56is stopped, the controller transmits a negative rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servomotor56. The control unit of the third servomotor56, having received the negative rotation signal (ON signal), drives the third servomotor56to rotate the shaft of the third servomotor56in the counterclockwise direction by the number of revolutions predetermined.

When the shaft of the third servomotor56rotates in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the feed screw, the rotation of the feed screw causes the contact member58to gradually move together with the moving arm57toward the other side in the width direction, and then the contact member58returns to the movement start point. After the contact member58returns to the movement start point, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servomotor56, but also a lowering signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51). The control unit of the third servomotor56having received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops the driving of the third servomotor56, and the control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51), having received the lowering signal (ON signal), lowers the air cylinder. When the air cylinder is lowered, the lower surface13of corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bpositioned by the first positioning means and the second positioning means comes into contact with the conveyance conveyor48.

The glass plate processing system10is configured as follows: the loading conveyor48moves the glass plates11aand11bfrom backward to forward in the loading area19to bring the front end edge16of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11binto contact with the stopper49; the loading conveyor48then moves the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction to locate the center O1(center line L2of the glass plates11aand11b) of the first side edge14in the width direction of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the front-rear direction on the second positioning reference L2in the loading area19; the second positioning means then moves the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bto locate the center O1(center line L2of the glass plates11aand11b) of the first side edge14in the width direction of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the front-rear direction on the second positioning reference L2; the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51) then raises the glass plates11aand11btogether with the rollers50; the third moving mechanism52then presses and moves the corresponding one of the raised glass plates11aand11bto displace the second side edge14of the corresponding one of the raised glass plates11aand11bin the width direction; and then the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction is located on the first positioning reference L1in the loading area19. Thus, the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2of the glass plate11b) of the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the glass plate11bto be processed latter and different in area of upper and lower surfaces12and13can be accurately located (aligned) at a position of the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2of the glass plate11a) of the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction of the glass plate11ato be processed first. As a result, the outermost edge of the first side edge14of the glass plate11bthat is to be processed later and that is different in size and in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface12from the glass plate11ato be processed first can be accurately located (aligned) at a position of the outermost edge of the first side edge14of the glass plate11a.

Another example of the procedure of positioning the glass plates11aand11bin the loading area19is as follows. The controller transmits an advance signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor48, and the control unit of the loading conveyor48having received an advance signal (ON signal) drives the loading conveyors48. The glass plates11aand11bloaded onto the loading area19are placed on the loading conveyor48while the lower surface13of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bis in contact with the loading conveyor48. The glass plates11aand11bplaced on the loading conveyor48are gradually moved forward in the front-rear direction from backward (start position) to forward in the loading area19by the loading conveyor48. When the glass plates11aand11bare moved from backward to forward in the loading area19and the front end edge16of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bcome into contact with the stoppers49, the contact sensor installed in each of the stoppers49detects the contact of the front end edge16of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bwith the corresponding one of the stoppers49, and transmits a contact signal to the controller.

The controller having received the contact signal transmits a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor48, and the control unit of the loading conveyor48having received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving of the loading conveyors48. Next, the controller transmits a raising signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51). The control unit of the air cylinder having received the raising signal (ON signal) raises the air cylinder. When the air cylinder is raised to raise the rollers50, a peripheral part of each of the rollers50is partially exposed above the loading conveyor48. Then, the raised rollers50lift the glass plates11aand11babove the loading conveyor48while being in contact with the lower surface13of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b.

After the raising of the air cylinder is finished, the controller transmits not only the number of revolutions of the third servomotor56to the control unit of the third servomotor56, the number of revolutions being calculated from the first moving dimension (first moving distance) in the width direction of the moving mechanism (third moving mechanism52) for locating the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bon the first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line), but also a positive rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servomotor56. The control unit of the third servomotor56, having received the number of revolutions and the positive rotation signal (ON signal), drives the third servomotor56to rotate the shaft of the third servomotor56in the clockwise direction by the number of revolutions predetermined.

When the shaft of the third servomotor56rotates in the clockwise direction to rotate the feed screw, the rotation of the feed screw causes the contact member58to gradually move together with the moving arm57from a movement start point toward one side in the width direction (side part53aof the loading area19). The contact member58moving toward the one side in the width direction comes into contact with the second side edge15of each of the glass plates11aand11b, and the contact member58presses the second side edge15of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction to move the glass plates11aand11bfrom the other side toward the one side in the width direction. The glass plates11aand11bpressed by the contact member58are moved on the rollers59in the width direction from the other side toward the one side in the width direction, and an outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction is located on the first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19(first positioning means).

When the movement of the contact member58toward the one side in the width direction is finished and the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction is located on the first positioning reference L1in the loading area19, the controller transmits a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servomotor56. The control unit of the third servomotor56having received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving of the third servomotor56. After the driving of the third servomotor56is stopped, the controller transmits a negative rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servomotor56. The control unit of the third servomotor56, having received the negative rotation signal (ON signal), drives the third servomotor56to rotate the shaft of the third servomotor56in the counterclockwise direction by the number of revolutions predetermined.

When the shaft of the third servomotor56rotates in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the feed screw, the rotation of the feed screw causes the contact member58to gradually move together with the moving arm57toward the other side in the width direction (side part53bof the loading area19), and then the contact member58returns to the movement start point. After the contact member58returns to the movement start point, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servomotor56, but also a lowering signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51). The control unit of the third servomotor56having received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops the driving of the third servomotor56, and the control unit of the air cylinder, having received the lowering signal (ON signal), lowers the air cylinder. When the air cylinder is lowered, the lower surface13of corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bcomes into contact with the conveyance conveyor48.

After the lower surface13of corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bcomes into contact with the conveyance conveyor48, the controller transmits not only the second moving dimension of the loading conveyor48backward in the front-rear direction to the control unit of the loading conveyor48, the second moving dimension being set for locating the center O1of the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the front-rear direction on the second positioning reference L2(second virtual positioning reference line) of the loading area19, but also a conveyance signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor48.

The control unit of the loading conveyor48having received the second moving dimension and the conveyance signal (ON signal) drives the loading conveyor48to move the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction by the second moving dimension with the loading conveyor48. When the loading conveyor48moves the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction by the second moving dimension, the center O2in the front-rear direction (center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing each of the glass plates11aand11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) of the first side edge14of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction is located on the second positioning reference L2(second virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19(second positioning means). After moving the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction by the second moving dimension, the controller transmits a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor48, and the control unit of the loading conveyor48having received the stop signal (OFF signal) stops driving of the loading conveyors48. The glass plates11aand11bare positioned by using the first positioning means and the second positioning means.

The glass plate processing system10is configured as follows: the loading conveyor48moves the glass plates11aand11bfrom backward to forward in the loading area19to bring the front end edge16of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11binto contact with the stopper49; the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51) then raises the glass plates11aand11btogether with the rollers50; the third moving mechanism52then presses the second side edge14of the corresponding one of the raised glass plates11aand11bto move the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction, thereby locating the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction on the first positioning reference L1in the loading area19; the first positioning means locates the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction on the first positioning reference L1in the loading area19; the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51) then lowers the glass plates11aand11btogether with the rollers50, and the loading conveyor moves the glass plates from backward to forward in the loading area to bring the front end edge of the corresponding one of the glass plates into contact with the stopper; and the loading conveyor48then moves the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction to locate the center O1in front-rear direction of the first side edge14of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction (the center line L2of each of the glass plates11aand11b) on the second positioning reference L2in the loading area19. Thus, the outermost edge of the first side edge14of the glass plate11bto be processed later and different in size and in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13from the glass plate11a, the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction, can be accurately located (aligned) at a position of the outermost edge of the first side edge14of the glass plate11ato be processed first. As a result, the center O1(the center line L2of the glass plate11b) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11bto be processed later and different in size and in area of the upper and lower surfaces12and13from the glass plate11acan be accurately aligned (located) at a position of the center O1(the center line L2of the glass plate11a) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11ato be processed first.

FIG.22is a top view of the glass plates11aand11bpositioned in the loading area19. The glass plate processing system10positions the glass plate11aof a large size, having the upper and lower surfaces12and13with large areas, and the glass plate11bof a small size, having the upper and lower surfaces12and13smaller in area than the glass plate11aof a large size, by using a first aligning means and a second aligning means. In this case, the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size, extending in the front-rear direction, and the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size, extending in the front-rear direction are located on the first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19, as illustrated inFIG.22. Then, the center O1in front-rear direction of the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size, and the center O1in front-rear direction of the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size, are located on the second positioning reference L2(second virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19.

As illustrated inFIG.22, the glass plate11aof a large size and the glass plate11bof a small size are positioned by using the first positioning means and the second positioning means such that the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11b(the first side edge14in each of the glass plates11aand11billustrated) is aligned on the first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line). Then, the center O1in the front-rear direction of the first side edge14of each of the glass plates11aand11b(the center line L2dividing the glass plates11aand11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction and extending in the width direction) is aligned on the second positioning reference L2(second virtual positioning reference line).

After the positioning of the glass plates11aand11bis finished by using the first positioning means and the second positioning means, the controller transmits a lowering signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder of the first glass plate holder40a. The control unit of the air cylinder, having received the lowering signal (ON signal), lowers the suction pads41toward the upper surfaces12of the glass plates11aand11bwith the air cylinder. After the suction pads41of the first glass plate holder40acomes into contact with the corresponding upper surfaces12of the glass plates11aand11b, the controller transmits a suction signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the first glass plate holder40a. The control unit of the vacuum mechanism having received the suction signal (ON signal) activates the vacuum mechanism.

When the vacuum mechanism is activated, the glass plates11aand11blocated in the loading area19are sucked by the corresponding suction pads41. After the vacuum mechanism is activated, the controller transmits a raising signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder of the first glass plate holder40a. The control unit of the air cylinder having received the raising signal (ON signal) raises the suction pads41with the air cylinder. The glass plates11aand11bpositioned by the first aligning means and the second aligning means in the loading area19are raised together with the suction pads41while being sucked by the corresponding suction pads41.

After the suction pads41(the glass plates11aand11b) are raised, the controller transmits an advance signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the second servomotor39. The control unit of the second servomotor39having received the advance signal (ON signal) drives the second servomotor39. The shaft of the second servomotor39rotates to move the slide block from backward to forward in the front-rear direction along the second guide frame, thereby moving the first glass plate holder40a(the glass plates11aand11bsucked by the corresponding suction pads41) from the loading area19to the cutting area20. When the slide block is moved, the first glass plate holder40ais moved forward in the front-rear direction together with the second to fourth glass plate holders40bto40d.

After the first glass plate holder40ais moved to the cutting area20, the controller transmits a lowering signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder of the first glass plate holder40a. The control unit of the air cylinder, having received the lowering signal (ON signal), lowers the suction pads41(the glass plates11aand11b) onto the cutting table59in the cutting area20with the air cylinder. After the glass plates11aand11bsucked by the corresponding suction pads41of the first glass plate holder40acome into contact with the cutting table59, the controller transmits a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the first glass plate holder40a. The control unit of the vacuum mechanism, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops operation of the vacuum mechanism. When the vacuum mechanism is stopped, suction with the suction pads41for the glass plates11aand11bis released, and then the glass plates11aand11bpositioned are placed on the cutting table59.

Next, the controller transmits a raising signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the air cylinder of the first glass plate holder40a, and the first glass plate holder40a(air cylinder) is raised above the cutting table59in response to the raising signal. After the first glass plate holder40ais raised, the controller transmits a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the second servomotor39. Then, the shaft of the second servomotor39rotates to move the first glass plate holder40afrom the cutting area20to the loading area19, and the first glass plate holder40astands by above the loading area19. The second to fourth glass plate holders40bto40dmove backward in the front-rear direction together with the first glass plate holder40a. Then, the second glass plate holder40bstands by above the cutting area20, the third glass plate holder40cstands by above the breaking area21, and the fourth glass plate holder40dstands by above the grinding area22.

Procedure for conveying the glass plates11aand11bafter the cutting from the cutting area20to the breaking area21using the second glass plate holder40b, procedure for conveying the glass plates11aand11bafter the breaking from the breaking area21to the grinding area21using the third glass plate holder40c, and procedure for conveying the glass plates11aand11bafter the grinding from the grinding area22to the unloading area23using the fourth glass plate holder40dare each identical to that for conveying the glass plates11aand11bafter the cutting from the loading area19to the cutting area20using the first glass plate holder40a. Thus, description of conveyance procedure using each of the second to fourth glass plates holders40bto40dis eliminated.

After the glass plates11aand11bare placed on the cutting table59, the controller transmits a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the retreat signal (ON signal), drives the first servomotor34. The shaft of the first servomotor34rotates to move the first slide block from forward to backward in the front-rear direction along the first guide frame35, thereby moving the cutting device60together with the first traveling frame32backward in the front-rear direction in the cutting area20. Then, the cutting device60is located outward in the width direction (cutting start position) of the first corner18a(front side edge16) of each of the glass plates11aand11b.

After the cutting device60is located outside the first corner18aof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34, but also a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the fourth servomotor65. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops the first servomotor34, and the control unit of the fourth servomotor65, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the fourth servomotor65. When the shaft of the fourth servomotor65rotates to cause the slide block67ato move the feed screw64ain the width direction from the second side edge part53btoward the first side edge part53aof the cutting area20, the cutting table59is moved in the width direction from a side close to the second side edge part53btoward the first side edge part53aof the cutting area20. Then, the cutter wheel71of the cutting device60is located at the first corner18aof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b.

After the cutter wheel71of the cutting device60is located at the first corner18aof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the controller transmits a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the fourth servomotor65. Then, the controller transmits not only a drive signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control unit of each of the air cylinder69and the fifth servomotor70of the cutting device60, but also a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34. The control unit of the fourth servomotor65, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops the fourth servomotor65. The control unit of the air cylinder69and the control unit of the fifth servomotor70of the cutting device, having received the drive signal (ON signal) and the NC control signal, drive the air cylinder69and the fifth servomotor70, respectively, to perform contouring control motion under NC control on the vicinity of the first side edge14(first side edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11b. Then, the cutter wheel71cuts the vicinity of the first side edge14(first side edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the retreat signal (ON signal), drives the first servomotor34to move the cutting device60backward in the front-rear direction in the cutting area20in synchronization with the cutting (during the cutting). The cutter wheel71of the cutting device60is gradually moved from the first corner18atoward the second corner18bof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b.

When the cutting of the vicinity of the first side edge14(first side edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11bis finished by the cutter wheel71of the cutting device60and the cutter wheel71is located at the second corner18bof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34, but also a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the fourth servomotor65. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving of the first servomotor34, and the control unit of the fourth servomotor65, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the fourth servomotor65. As a result, the cutting device60is stopped from moving backward in the front-rear direction, and the cutting table59moves in the width direction from a side close to the first side edge part53atoward the second side edge part53bof the cutting area20. As the cutting table59is moved in the width direction, the cutter wheel71cuts the vicinity (rear end edge part) of the rear end edge17of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The control unit of the fourth servomotor65, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the fourth servomotor65to move the cutting table59in the width direction in the cutting area20in synchronization with the cutting (during the cutting). The cutter wheel71of the cutting device60is gradually moved from the second corners18btoward third corners18cof the corresponding glass plates11aand11b.

When the cutter wheel71of the cutting device60finishes the cutting of the vicinity of the rear end edge17(rear end edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11band the cutter wheel71is located at the third corner18cof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the fourth servomotor65, but also an advance signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34. The controller of the fourth servomotor65, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving of the fourth servomotor65, and the controller of the first servomotor34, having received the forward signal (ON signal), drives the first servomotor34. As a result, the cutting table59is stopped from moving in the width direction, and the cutting device60is moved forward in the front-rear direction. As the cutting device60is moved forward, the cutter wheel71cuts the vicinity of the second side edge15(second side edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the advance signal (ON signal), drives the first servomotor34to move the cutting device60forward in the front-rear direction in the cutting area20in synchronization with the cutting (during the cutting). The cutter wheel71of the cutting device60is gradually moved from the third corners18ctoward fourth corners18dof the corresponding glass plates11aand11b.

When the cutting of the vicinity of the second side edge15(second side edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11bis finished by the cutter wheel71of the cutting device60and the cutter wheel71is located at the fourth corner18dof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34, but also a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the fourth servomotor65. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving of the first servomotor34, and the control unit of the fourth servomotor65, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the fourth servomotor65. As a result, the cutting device60is stopped from moving forward in the front-rear direction, and the cutting table59moves in the width direction from a side close to the second side edge part53btoward the first side edge part53aof the cutting area19. As the cutting table59is moved in the width direction, the cutter wheel71cuts the vicinity (front end edge part) of the front end edge16of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The control unit of the fourth servomotor65, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the fourth servomotor65to move the cutting table59in the width direction in the cutting area20in synchronization with the cutting (during the cutting). The cutter wheel71of the cutting device60is gradually moved from the fourth corners18dtoward the first corners18aof the corresponding glass plates11aand11b. When the cutter wheel71of the cutting device60finishes the cutting of the vicinity (front end edge part) of the front end edge16of each of the glass plates11aand11b, the cutting device60is moved outward in the width direction (cutting start position) of the first corner18a(front end edge16) of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11band stands by.

For example, the glass plate11aand11bare positioned in the cutting area19as follows: the first positioning means allows the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14(first side edge14of the glass plate11billustrated) of the glass plate11bof a small size (small area) that is to be processed later and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a small area, the first side edge14extending in front-rear direction on one side in the width direction, to be located (aligned) at a position (the first positioning reference L1, or the first virtual positioning reference line) of the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14(first side edge14of the glass plate11aillustrated) of the glass plate11aof a large size (large area) that is to be processed first and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a large area, the first side edge14extending in front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction, thereby positioning the glass plates11aand11bthat are different in size and in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13; and the second positioning means allows the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size that is to be processed later to be located (aligned) at a position (the second positioning reference L2, or the second virtual positioning reference line) of the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11ain dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size that is to be processed first, thereby positioning the glass plates11aand11bthat are different in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface. Thus, when cutting is performed on the glass plate11bto be processed later and different in area after the positioning, not only a moving distance of the cutting device60(moving distance of the cutting table59in the width direction) until the cutting device60reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size equals to a moving distance of the cutting device60(moving distance of the cutting table59in the width direction) until the cutting device60reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size, but also a moving distance of the cutting device60until the cutting device60returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11aof a large size from the outermost edge (first side edge14) of the glass plate11aequals to a moving distance of the cutting device60until the cutting device60returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size from the outermost edge (first side edge14) of the glass plate11b. As a result, the moving distance of the cutting device60until the cutting device60reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bof a small size is shortened, and the moving distance of the cutting device60until the cutting device60returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass from the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bis shortened. Thus, arrival time (non-processing time) until the cutting device60reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bof a small size is shortened, and return time until the cutting device60returns to the outside in the width direction of the gara from the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of glass plate11bis shortened.

After the cutting for the peripheral part of each of the glass plates11aand11bis finished, the second glass plate holder40bconveys the glass plates11aand11bafter the cutting from the cutting area19to the breaking area20. After the glass plates11aand11bafter the cutting are placed on the breaking table78, the controller transmits a drive signal (ON signal) to not only the control unit of each of the first to fourth air cylinders88a,88b,89a, and89bof the first breaking device79aand the second breaking device79b, but also the control unit of each of the sixth to eleventh servomotors90,91,93,96,97, and98of the first breaking device79aand the second breaking device79b. The control units of the air cylinders88a,88b,89a, and89band the servomotors90,91,93,96,97, and98, the control units each having received the drive signal (ON signal), drive the corresponding air cylinders88a,88b,89a, and89band the corresponding servomotors90,91,93,96,97, and98.

The first breaking device79a, in which the air cylinders88aand89a, and the servomotors90,91, and93, are driven, causes the first X-axis actuator92aand the first Y-axis actuator94ato move the pressing roller102and the breaking cutter wheel99in the front-rear direction and the width direction. Then, the pressing roller102is located at an edge part located outside a cut in the first corner18aof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, and the breaking cutter wheel99is located near the cut in the first corner18aof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b. The second breaking device79b, in which the air cylinders88band89b, and the servomotors96,97, and98, are driven, causes the second X-axis actuator92band the second Y-axis actuator94bto move the pressing roller102and the breaking cutter wheel99in the front-rear direction and the width direction. Then, the pressing roller102is located at an edge part located outside a cut in the fourth corner18dof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, and the breaking cutter wheel99is located near the cut in the fourth corner18dof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b.

While the breaking cutter wheel99of the first breaking device79acuts the first corner18aof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the pressing roller102of the first breaking device79apresses the first corner18adownward. Then, while the breaking cutter wheel99of the second breaking device79bcuts the fourth corner18dof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the pressing roller102of the second breaking device79bpresses the fourth corner18ddownward. As a result, the peripheral part of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the peripheral part extending outward of the cut, is separated from the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b. The peripheral part separated from the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bremains on the belt conveyor80.

Next, the first breaking device79acauses the first X-axis actuator92aand the first Y-axis actuator94ato move the pressing roller102and the breaking cutter wheel99backward in the front-rear direction. Then, the pressing roller102is located at an edge part located outside a cut in the second corner18bof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, and the breaking cutter wheel99is located near the cut in the second corner18bof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b. Then, the second breaking device79bcauses the second X-axis actuator92band the second Y-axis actuator94bto move the pressing roller102and the breaking cutter wheel99backward in the front-rear direction. Then, the pressing roller102is located at an edge part located outside a cut in the third corner18cof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, and the breaking cutter wheel99is located near the cut in the third corner18cof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b.

While the breaking cutter wheel99of the first breaking device79acuts the second corner18bof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the pressing roller102of the first breaking device79apresses the second corner18bdownward. Then, while the breaking cutter wheel99of the second breaking device79bcuts the third corner18cof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the pressing roller102of the second breaking device79bpresses the third corner18cdownward. As a result, the peripheral part of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the peripheral part extending outward of the cut, is separated from the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b. The peripheral part separated from the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bremains on the belt conveyor80.

After the breaking is finished and the third glass plate holder40clifts the glass plates11aand11bafter the breaking upward, the controller transmits a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the conveyor drive motor81. The control unit of the conveyor drive motor81, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the belt conveyor80. The belt conveyor80is moved from one side to the other side in the width direction. When the belt conveyor80is moved in the width direction, the peripheral part of each of the glass plate11aand11bremaining on the belt conveyor80is gradually moved from the one side to the other side in the width direction, and the peripheral part of each of the glass plates11aand11bfalls from the belt conveyor80and are accommodated in a dust box (not illustrated).

After the breaking for the glass plates11aand11bis finished, the third glass plate holder40cconveys the glass plates11aand11bafter the breaking from the breaking area21to the grinding area22, and then the glass plates11aand11bare placed on the grinding table107. After the glass plates11aand11bare placed on the grinding table107, the controller transmits not only a drive signal to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the grinding table107, but also a retreat signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34. The control unit of the vacuum mechanism, having received the drive signal, drives the vacuum mechanism. The vacuum mechanism is driven to cause the glass plates11aand11bto be sucked and held by the suction pad124(grinding table107).

The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the retreat signal (ON signal), drives the first servomotor34. The shaft of the first servomotor34rotates to move the first slide block from forward to backward in the front-rear direction along the first guide frame30, thereby moving the grinding device108together with the first traveling frame32backward in the front-rear direction in the grinding area22. Then, the grinding device108is located outward in the width direction (grinding start position) of the first corner18a(front side edge16) of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The grinding device108is moved along the peripheral parts (first and second side edges14and15, front and rear end edges16and17) of the glass plates11aand11bin synchronization with the cutting device60.

After the grinding device108is located outside the first corner18aof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34, but also a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the twelfth servomotor109. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops the first servomotor34, and the control unit of the twelfth servomotor102, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the twelfth servomotor102. When the shaft of the twelfth servomotor102rotates to cause the slide block67bto move the feed screw64bin the width direction from the second side edge part53btoward the first side edge part53aof the grinding area23, the grinding table107is moved in the width direction from a side close to the second side edge53bpart toward the first side edge part53aof the grinding area23. Then, the grinding wheel116of the grinding device108is located at the first corner18aof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b. The first corner18aof each of the glass plates11aand11benter the slit120of the cover118of the grinding tool110.

After the grinding wheel116of the grinding device108is located at the first corner18aof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the controller transmits a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the twelfth servomotor109, and transmits not only a drive signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control unit of the thirteenth to fifteenth servomotors111to113and the control unit of the spindle motor119of the grinding device108, but also a backward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34. The control unit of the twelfth servomotor109, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops the twelfth servomotor109.

The control unit of each of the thirteenth to fifteenth servomotors111to113of the grinding device108, the control unit having received the drive signal (ON signal) and the NC control signal, drives the corresponding one of the thirteenth to fifteenth servomotors111to113to perform the contouring control motion under NC control on the vicinity of the first side edge14(first side edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11b. Then, the grinding wheel116grinds the vicinity14of the first side edge of the corresponding one of the glass plates. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the retreat signal (ON signal), drives the first servomotor34to move the grinding device108backward in the front-rear direction in the grinding area23in synchronization with the grinding (during the grinding). The grinding wheel116of the grinding device108is gradually moved from the first corner18atoward the second corner18bof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b.

When the grinding of the vicinity of the first side edge (first side edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11bis finished by the grinding wheel116of the grinding device108and the grinding wheel116is located at the second corner18bof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34, but also a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the twelfth servomotor109. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving of the first servomotor34, and the control unit of the twelfth servomotor109, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the twelfth servomotor109. As a result, the grinding device108is stopped from moving backward in the front-rear direction, and the grinding table107moves in the width direction from a side close to the second side edge part53btoward the first side edge part53aof the grinding area23. As the grinding table107is moved in the width direction, the grinding wheel116grinds the vicinity (rear end edge part) of the rear end edge of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The control unit of the twelfth servomotor109, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the twelfth servomotor109to move the grinding table107in the width direction in the grinding area23in synchronization with the grinding (during the grinding). The grinding wheel116of the grinding device108is gradually moved from the second corner18btoward the third corner18cof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b.

When the grinding of the vicinity of the rear end edge (rear end edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11bis finished by the grinding wheel116of the grinding device108and the grinding wheel116is located at the third corner18cof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the twelfth servomotor109, but also an advance signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34. The controller of the twelfth servomotor108, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving of the twelfth servomotor109, and the controller of the first servomotor34, having received the forward signal (ON signal), drives the first servomotor34. As a result, the grinding table107is stopped from moving in the width direction, and the grinding device108is moved forward in a rear direction. As the grinding device108is moved forward in the rear direction, the grinding wheel116grinds the vicinity of the second side edge15(second side edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the advance signal (ON signal), drives the first servomotor34to move the grinding device108forward in the front-rear direction in the grinding area23in synchronization with the grinding (during the grinding). The grinding wheel116of the grinding device108is gradually moved from the third corner18ctoward the fourth corner18dof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b.

When the grinding of the vicinity of the second side edge15(side edge part) of each of the glass plates11aand11bis finished by the grinding wheel116of the grinding device108and the grinding wheel116is located at the fourth corner18dof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b, the controller transmits not only a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servomotor34, but also a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the twelfth servomotor109. The control unit of the first servomotor34, having received the stop signal (OFF signal), stops driving of the first servomotor34, and the control unit of the twelfth servomotor109, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the twelfth servomotor109. As a result, the grinding device108is stopped from moving forward in the front-rear direction, and the grinding table107moves in the width direction from a side close to the first side edge part53atoward the second side edge part53bof the grinding area23. As the grinding table107is moved in the width direction, the grinding wheel116grinds the vicinity (rear end edge part) of the front end edge16of each of the glass plates11aand11b. The control unit of the twelfth servomotor109, having received the drive signal (ON signal), drives the twelfth servomotor109to move the grinding table107in the width direction in the grinding area23in synchronization with the grinding (during the grinding). The grinding wheel116of the grinding device108is gradually moved from the third corner18ctoward the fourth corner18dof the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11b. When the grinding wheel116of the grinding device108finishes the grinding of the vicinity (front end edge part) of the front end edge16of each of the glass plates11aand11b, the grinding device108is moved outward in the width direction (grinding start position) of the first corner18a(front end edge16) of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11band stands by.

For example, the glass plate11aand11bare positioned in the grinding area23as follows: the first positioning means allows the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14(first side edge14of the glass plate11billustrated) of the glass plate11bof a small size (small area) that is to be processed later and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a small area, the first side edge14extending in front-rear direction on one side in the width direction, to be located (aligned) at a position (the first positioning reference L1, or the first virtual positioning reference line) of the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14(first side edge14of the glass plate11aillustrated) of the glass plate11aof a large size (large area) that is to be processed first and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13that are large in area, the first side edge14extending in front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction, thereby positioning the glass plates11aand11bthat are different in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13; and the second positioning means allows the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size that is to be processed later to be located (aligned) at a position (the second positioning reference L2, or the second virtual positioning reference line) of the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11ain dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size that is to be processed first, thereby positioning the glass plates11aand11bthat are different in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13. Thus, when grinding is performed on the glass plate11bto be processed later and different in area after the positioning, not only a moving distance of the grinding device108(moving distance of the grinding table in the width direction) until the grinding device108reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size equals to a moving distance of the grinding device108(moving distance of the grinding table in the width direction) until the grinding device108reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size, but also a moving distance of the grinding device108until the grinding device108returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11aof a large size from the outermost edge (first side edge14) of the glass plate11aequals to a moving distance of the grinding device108until the grinding device108returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size from the outermost edge (first side edge14) of the glass plate11b. As a result, the moving distance of the grinding device108until the grinding device108reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bof a small size is shortened, and the moving distance of the grinding device108until the grinding device108returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size from the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bis shortened. Thus, arrival time (non-processing time) until the grinding device108reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bof a small size is shortened, and return time until the grinding device108returns to the outside in the width direction of the gara of a small size from the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of glass plate11bis shortened.

After the grinding for the glass plates11aand11bis finished, the fourth glass plate holder40dconveys the glass plates11aand11bafter the grinding from the grinding area22to the unloading area23. The unloading conveyor123in the unloading area23causes the glass plates11aand11bhaving been subjected to the cutting, the breaking, or the grinding to move forward from the rear end part toward the front end part of the unloading area23, and the glass plates11aand11bhaving been subjected to the corresponding processing are unloaded from the unloading area23.

When the glass plates11aand11bhaving been subjected to the corresponding processing are located on the unloading conveyor123in the unloading area23, the glass plates11aand11bhaving been subjected to the grinding are located on the grinding table110in the grinding area22, the glass plates11aand11bhaving been subjected to the breaking are located on the breaking table78in the breaking area21, the glass plates11aand11bhaving been subjected to the cutting are located on the cutting table59in the cutting area20, and the glass plates11aand11bbefore processing that are positioned by the first positioning means and the second positioning means are located on the loading conveyor48in the loading area19. As described above, the glass plate processing system10allows the plurality of glass plates is sequentially conveyed from the loading area19toward the unloading area23to continuously perform corresponding processing on the plurality of glass plates11aand11b.

The glass plate processing system10is configured as follows: the first positioning means allows a position (the first positioning reference L1, or the first virtual positioning reference line) of the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14(first side edge14of the glass plate11billustrated) of the glass plate11bof a small size (small area) that is to be processed later and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a small area, the first side edge14extending in front-rear direction on one side in the width direction, to be aligned with a position (the first positioning reference L1, or the first virtual positioning reference line) of the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14(first side edge14of the glass plate11aillustrated) of the glass plate11aof a large size (large area) that is to be processed first and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13that are large in area, the first side edge14extending in front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction, thereby positioning the glass plates11aand11bthat are different in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13; and the second positioning means allows a position (the second positioning reference, or the second virtual positioning reference line) of the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size that is to be processed later to be aligned) with a position (the second positioning reference L2, or the second virtual positioning reference line) of the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11ain dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size that is to be processed first, thereby positioning the glass plates11aand11bthat are different in size and in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13. Thus, when cutting is performed on the glass plate11bof a small size to be processed later (the glass plate11bdifferent in area) after the positioning, not only a moving distance of the cutting device60(moving distance of the cutting table59in the width direction) until the cutting device60reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11aof a large size (large area), which is large in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13, equals to a moving distance of the cutting device60(moving distance of the cutting table59in the width direction) until the cutting device60reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bof a small size (small area), which is small in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13, but also a moving distance of the cutting device60(moving distance of the cutting table59in the width direction) until the cutting device60returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11aof a large size from the outermost edge (first side edge14) of the glass plate11aequals to a moving distance of the cutting device60(moving distance of the cutting table59in the width direction) until the cutting device60returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size from the outermost edge (first side edge14) of the glass plate11b. Thus, as compared with a glass plate processing system of a conventional technique, the moving distance of the cutting device60until the cutting device60reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bof a small size can be shortened, and the moving distance of the cutting device60until the cutting device60returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size from the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bcan be shortened. As a result, arrival time (non-processing time) until the cutting device60reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bof a small size can be shortened, and return time until the cutting device60returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size from the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of glass plate11bcan be shortened.

The glass plate processing system10is configured as follows: the first positioning means allows a position (the first positioning reference L1, or the first virtual positioning reference line) of the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14(first side edge14of the glass plate11billustrated) of the glass plate11bof a small size (small area) that is to be processed later and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a small area, the first side edge14extending in front-rear direction on one side in the width direction, to be aligned with a position (the first positioning reference L1, or the first virtual positioning reference line) of the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14(first side edge14of the glass plate11aillustrated) of the glass plate11aof a large size (large area) that is to be processed first and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a large area, thereby positioning the glass plates11aand11bthat are different in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13; and the second positioning means allows a position (the second positioning reference L2, or the second virtual positioning reference line) of the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11ain dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size that is to be processed later to be aligned with a position (the second positioning reference L2, or the second virtual positioning reference line) of the center O1in the front-rear direction (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11ain dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) of the first side edge14of the glass plate11aof a large size that is to be processed first, thereby positioning the glass plates11aand11bthat are different in size and in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13. Thus, when grinding is performed on the glass plate11bof a small size to be processed later (the glass plate11bdifferent in area) after the positioning, not only a moving distance of the grinding device108(moving distance of the grinding table107in the width direction) until the grinding device108reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14)4of the glass plate11aof a large size (large area), which is large in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13, equals to a moving distance of the grinding device108(moving distance of the grinding table107in the width direction) until the grinding device108reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bof a small size (small area), which is small in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13, but also a moving distance of the grinding device108(moving distance of the grinding table107in the width direction) until the grinding device108returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11aof a large size from the outermost edge (first side edge14) of the glass plate11aequals to a moving distance of the grinding device108(moving distance of the grinding table107in the width direction) until the grinding device108returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size from the outermost edge (first side edge14) of the glass plate11b. Thus, as compared with a glass plate processing system of a conventional technique, the moving distance of the grinding device108until the grinding device108reaches the first side edge14of the glass plate11bof a small size can be shortened, and the moving distance of the grinding device108until the grinding device108returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size from the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bcan be shortened. As a result, arrival time (non-processing time) until the grinding device108reaches the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of the glass plate11bof a small size can be shortened, and return time until the grinding device108returns to the outside in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size from the outermost edge (the first side edge14) of glass plate11bcan be shortened. The glass plate processing system10can quickly perform cutting and grinding on the glass plate11bof a small size, and can shorten cycle time of the cutting and the grinding.

The glass plate processing system10causes the third moving mechanism52to press the second side edge15of each of the glass plates11aand11braised together with the rollers50by the air cylinder (first lifting mechanism51) to move the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction to locate the outermost edge (the first side edge14of the glass plate11billustrated) located outermost in the width direction of the first side edges14of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction at the first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19. This configuration enables the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction (the first side edge14of the glass plate11billustrated) of the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size (small area) that is to be processed later and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a small area to be accurately located (aligned) at a position of the outermost edge located outermost in the width direction (the first side edge14of the glass plate11billustrated) of the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the glass plate11aof a large size (large area) that is to be processed first and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a large area. Thus, the glass plates11aand11bdifferent in size and in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13can be reliably positioned, and the first positioning means can be automatically performed by using the loading conveyor48, the stopper49, the rollers50, the first lifting mechanism51, and the third moving mechanism52, without manual operation.

The glass plate processing system10determines the first moving dimension of each of the glass plates11aand11bin the width direction for locating the outermost edge (the first side edge14of the glass plate11billustrated) located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14of the corresponding one of the glass plates11aand11bat the first positioning reference L1in accordance with a difference in dimension in the width direction between the glass plates11aand11b, and determines the number of revolutions of the shaft of the third servomotor56based on the determined first moving dimension. Thus, the glass plates11aand11bcan be accurately moved in the width direction by the first moving dimension by the third moving mechanism52to accurately locate the outermost edge (the first side edge14of the glass plate11billustrated) located outermost in the width direction of the first side edge14in the width direction of each of the glass plates11aand11bon the first positioning reference L1(first virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19.

The glass plate processing system10causes the loading conveyor48to move the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction to locate the center O1in the front-rear direction of the first side edge14in the width direction of each of the glass plates11aand11b(the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing each of the glass plates11aand11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) on the second positioning reference L2(second virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19. Thus, the center O1in the front-rear direction of the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on one side in the width direction of the glass plate11bof a small size (small area) that is to be processed later and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a small area (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) can be accurately aligned at a position of the center O1in the front-rear direction of the first side edge14extending in the front-rear direction on the one side in the width direction of the glass plate11aof a large size (large area) that is to be processed first and has the upper surface12and the lower surface13of a large area (the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing the glass plate11ain dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction). As a result, the glass plates11aand11bdifferent in size and in area of the upper surface12and the lower surface13can be reliably positioned, and the second positioning means can be automatically performed by using the loading conveyor48without manual operation.

The glass plate processing system10determines the second moving dimension of the loading conveyor48backward in the front-rear direction for locating the center O1in the front-rear direction of the first side edge14in the width direction of each of the glass plates11aand11b(the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing each of the glass plates11aand11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) on the second positioning reference L2in accordance with a difference in dimension in the front-rear direction between the glass plates11aand11b. Then, the loading conveyor48moves the glass plates11aand11bbackward in the front-rear direction based on the second moving dimension determined, so that the glass plates11aand11bcan be accurately moved backward in the front-rear direction by the second moving dimension by the loading conveyor48. As a result, the center O1in the front-rear direction of the first side edge14in the width direction of each of the glass plates11aand11b(the center line L2extending in the width direction, while dividing each of the glass plates11aand11bin dimension into two regions in the front-rear direction) can be accurately located on the second positioning reference L2(first virtual positioning reference line) in the loading area19.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST