Patent GB-1025290-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus and method for cutting glass sheets
IPC: B65G49/06
Filed: 1964-04-24
Abstract: Sheet glass is cut into segments of preselected size by positioning the sheet on a support device tilted slightly from the horizontal, squaring an edge of the sheet on the support, engaging a positioning device to the top surface of the sheet adjacent its trailing edge, advancing the sheet and positioning device towards a fixed cutter bridge which includes a scoring device, stopping the sheet beneath the fixed bridge and scoring the sheet, breaking the glass along the score and conveying the cut segment away from the fixed bridge.  A sheet is fed at a pre-selected speed on rollers 34 (Fig. 1, not shown) on to a table 10.  A sensing device detects the leading edge of the sheet as it comes off the rollers and serves to supply air to ports 11 in the top surface of the table 1. The trailing edge of the sheet actuates a device serving to reduce the feeding speed and then, as the sheet leaves the last roller, actuates a further device serving to shut off the air supply to the table.  The sheet is then held by friction. After a suitable time delay, air is again fed to the table under the sheet, and the sheet is caused by the slight inclination of the table to move transversely against vertical rollers 90 of a squaring device 16.  The rollers 90 are then operated to move outwardly to square the sheet along a pre-selected index line.  The air to table 10 is then turned off, and a positioning bridge 20 actuated to move towards the trailing edge of the sheet. Rollers 84 on the bridge 20 sense the trailing edge, cause the bridge to stop and actuate glass gripping means (e.g. suction cups) which come into engagement with the top surface of the sheet.  Air is again supplied to the table 10 and the positioning bridge 20 moves with the sheet towards a fixed cutter bridge 18.  The bridge 20 is driven by a motor 58 which drives gears 66, 68, Fig. 5 (not shown), on racks 56, its advance along the rack being accurately determined by a pulse generator 59. When the leading edge of the sheet contacts and actuates sensing means 152 a computer works out the details of the required front edge trim to give the zero starting position for the actual cutting and causes the sheet to be stopped beneath the cutter bridge 18 at the correct spot for the front edge trim.  The air to table 10 is cut off, and a scoring device 104 (the wheel 132 of which may be lowered towards or retracted from the glass by pneumatic means 130, Fig. 4 (not shown), is actuated to transversely score the sheet. An anvil 178 (Fig. 4) moves up under the score and at the same time fingers 182 move down to snap the glass.  The edge trim is then discharged.  Air is fed to table 10, the sheet is advanced the calculated amount by the computer, air to the table is cut off and a score made on the sheet.  A cutting roll 158 then lifts the sheet 1/8 inch and simultaneously fingers 184 move down to snap the sheet.  The cut segment is then conveyed away by rolls 202 in the run out section 14.  The process is repeated until all segments have been cut. When all that remains is the final segment plus a trailing edge trim, a pinch roll 186 descends to hold the sheet whilst the score is made. The roll 186 is then retracted, the anvil 178 moved up and the fingers 182 moved down to snap off the edge trim.  The computer then actuates the drive motor 58 of the positioning bridge 20 which returns to its most rearward position whence it is stopped by limit switches 88, and feeds a new sheet on to the table.