Patent Publication Number: US-2019168352-A1

Title: Equipment for processing glass sheets

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns the technical field related to the processing of sheets, especially glass sheets. 
     In particular, the present invention concerns the operation of removal of sharp edges or corners from sheets subjected to a cutting process. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART 
     It is known that in the field of glass sheets processing, in particular glass sheets of the monolithic-layered type, several steps are carried out which, starting from an initial glass sheet in a predetermined size, result in the manufacture of final products intended for various uses. 
     For example, starting from a large-sized glass sheet, a first cutting step can be carried out in order to obtain a size which is convenient for the final product to be obtained, followed by successive treatment and finishing steps performed on the previously cut piece. 
     The final product is to be understood as a product suited to be used successively, both in the form in which it has been manufactured and in forms obtained with subsequent adaptations (in this case it is actually an intermediate product). For example, the final product may be constituted by a window pane, which will be successively used to make the window itself. 
     According to a known technique, the cutting operations are carried out automatically by placing the initial glass sheet on a horizontal workbench, above which an operating cutting head is automatically moved which, by means of suitable tools, cuts the upper surface of the sheet along convenient directions according to predefined outlines. The tool typically comprises a diamond point or a small wheel. 
     The sheet, shaped as described above, is divided/separated according to the provided outlines. The separating operation is carried out manually by an operator who handles the sheet, shaking it and collecting the various shaped pieces or through automated separating means suited to automatically separate the shaped pieces. 
     The shaped pieces obtained in this way are then conveniently subjected to a step of removal of the sharp edges which otherwise may represent a dangerous element when the pieces are successively handled by the operators. In some cases said removal step is compulsory in accordance with well-known safety rules to be applied to obtain safety glass. 
     This type of processing, also known as edging, is commonly carried out by means of edging machines that, in fact, serve to remove the sharp edges from the shaped pieces. 
     According to the known technique, edging machines comprise a workbench on which the shaped piece can be positioned and a tool that is moved along the edges to be removed. The tool is typically constituted by diamond belts or rotary diamond wheels suited to remove the sharp edges, for example by removing an edge portion according to a 45° angle with respect to the glass sheet plane. 
     The systems for processing sheets belonging to the state of the art, however, pose some recognized drawbacks. 
     A first drawback of said systems is represented by the fact that for the operator it is dangerous to handle the shaped pieces that have just been cut and to place them on the workbench of the edging machine, precisely due to the presence of the sharp edges resulting from the cutting operation. 
     Another drawback posed by the systems of the known type is related to the fact that the operations for moving the shaped pieces from the workbench of the cutting area onto the workbench of the edging machine are rather delicate to carry out. 
     A further drawback posed by the systems of the known type is related to the time and costs required by said cutting and edging operations and to the need to resort to very skilled operators who know how to handle glass sheets and cut pieces. 
     A further drawback posed by the systems of the known type is related to the actual overall dimensions of the cutting and edging machines. 
     It is the object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks described above. 
     In particular, it is one object of the present invention to provide a solution that makes it possible to reduce to a minimum the risks for the operators during the sheet cutting and edging processes. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a solution that makes it possible to optimize the efficiency of the cutting and edging processes as a whole. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a solution that makes it possible to reduce the overall space occupied during the execution of the cutting and edging processes. 
     Equipments for processing a glass sheet according to the state of the art are known, for instance, from documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,220,056 B1 and 5,040,342 A. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention is based on the general consideration that it would be convenient to provide a piece of equipment comprising an edging device and a workbench suited to accommodate a piece to be edged, wherein the workbench defines also the workbench for the preceding cutting step intended to obtain said piece to be edged. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, therefore, the subject of the same is a piece of equipment for processing a glass sheet, wherein said piece of equipment comprises an edging device and a workbench suited to be mutually moved with respect to each other in order to allow an edging operation to be carried out by said edging device on at least one edge of a piece resulting from a cutting operation performed on said glass sheet, said workbench being suited to define the work surface for said cutting step. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the edging device moves with respect to the workbench. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the workbench comprises a first portion and a second portion, at least one of said portions being movable with respect to the other, said two portions being suited to be moved near to or away from each other. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the edging device can be positioned in an intermediate area between the two portions of the workbench. 
     Preferably, the edging device can be positioned under the workbench. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the equipment comprises moving means suited to move the edging device. 
     Preferably, the moving means comprise moving means suited to position the edging device towards the first portion or towards the second portion of the workbench. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the equipment comprises moving means suited to move the first portion and/or the second portion of the workbench. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the equipment comprises cutting means associated with the workbench. 
     Preferably, the cutting means are arranged over the workbench. 
     According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutting means may be preferably positioned under the workbench. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the equipment comprises suction means for drawing the material resulting from the edging operation. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the equipment comprises drying/blowing means suited to carry out drying operations during the edging step, preferably in case of use of lubricating means. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the equipment comprises lubricating and/or cooling means for said edging operation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Further advantages, objects and characteristics, as well as further embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and highlighted here below through the following description, in which reference is made to the attached drawings. In particular, in the figures: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of the equipment that is the subject of the invention; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a side view of the equipment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 1C  shows an enlarged detail of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 2A  shows the equipment of  FIG. 1A  with a sheet to be processed in a first operating position, before the cutting step; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a side view of the equipment shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  shows an enlarged detail of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIGS. 3A to 7A  show the equipment shown in  FIG. 1A  with a sheet in successive operating positions following the cutting step; 
         FIGS. 3B and 7B  show a side view of the corresponding  FIGS. 3A to 7A ; 
         FIGS. 3C and 7C  show an enlarged detail of the corresponding  FIGS. 3B to 7B ; 
         FIG. 8A  shows an enlarged detail of  FIG. 7C ; 
         FIG. 8B  shows a top view of  FIG. 8A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Even though the present invention is described here below with reference to its embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below and illustrated in the drawings. On the contrary, the embodiment described and illustrated herein clarifies some aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims. 
     The present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous with reference to the construction of a piece of equipment for processing glass sheets, in particular a sheet made of monolithic-layered glass. 
     A preferred example of embodiment of the equipment  1  that is the subject of the present invention is illustrated in the attached drawings. 
     The equipment  1  substantially comprises a workbench  4 , cutting means  6  and an edging device  8 . 
     The workbench  4  is suited to accommodate a sheet L, as shown in  FIG. 2A , on which convenient processing cycles which are described in greater detail below can be carried out. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1   a,  the equipment  1  is in an operating condition preferably corresponding to the initial condition, that is, before use. In this condition, the cutting means  6  are positioned over the workbench  4  and the edging device  8  is positioned under the workbench  4 . 
     As is better illustrated below, the mutual positions of the workbench  4 , the cutting means  6  and the edging device  8  vary in the different operating steps of the equipment  1 . 
     The workbench  4 , the cutting means  6  and the edging device  8  are preferably mounted on a supporting structure  10  which can be positioned on the ground. The supporting structure  10  preferably comprises adjusting means  12  for the correct positioning of the equipment  1 . The adjusting means  12  preferably comprise adjustable feet. 
     The workbench  4  preferably comprises two portions  42 ,  52 . The two portions  42 ,  52  are preferably movable with respect to each other. In the embodiment illustrated and described herein, the first portion  42 , on the left in the various figures, is movable, while the second portion  52 , on the right in the various figures, is fixed. 
     In variant embodiments, the situation may be reversed, with the first portion which is fixed and the second portion which is movable, or both portions may be movable. 
     In particular, the first portion  42  can be moved and arranged in different positions along a longitudinal direction X. 
     Sliding means  44  are provided, thanks to which the first portion  42  slides with respect to the supporting structure  10  and which preferably comprise slide rails. 
     Furthermore, moving means  46  are provided which are suited to move the first portion  42  and preferably comprise a motor  48  (partially visible in  FIG. 1B ). 
     In variant embodiments, the moving means may comprise alternative means instead of the motor  48  illustrated herein, said alternative means being suited to obtain the desired movement in any case. Only by way of example, there may be electric motors and/or pneumatic motors and/or combinations of these and/or suitable kinematic mechanisms, such as racks, chains, belts, etc. 
     The equipment  1  preferably comprises a mechanical element serving as a safety stop  50  (partially visible in  FIG. 1B ) for the first portion of the workbench  4  along the longitudinal direction X. 
     The first portion  42  and the second portion  52  of the workbench  4  are associated, preferably at the top, with respective thrusting elements  62 ,  72  suited to act towards the workbench  4  in order to keep the sheet L stationary. 
     The first portion  42  is movable with respect to the second portion  52 , in such a way that it can be positioned at a distance which is sufficient to allow an operating head  82  of the edging device  8  to be accommodated, as shown in  FIG. 4A . 
     In variant embodiments, the first portion may comprise rotation means suited to allow the rotation of the same portion with respect to a vertical axis and the rotation of the piece positioned on it. Alternatively, the first portion can be associated with means for rotating the piece positioned on it such as, for example, a system for coupling and rotating the piece through suction cups. 
     Analogously, in variant embodiments the second portion may comprise rotation means suited to allow the rotation of the same portion with respect to a vertical axis and the rotation of the piece positioned on it. 
     Alternatively, the second portion can be associated with means for rotating the piece positioned on it such as, for example, a system for coupling and rotating the piece through suction cups. 
     The edging device  8 , as explained above, is preferably positioned under the workbench  4  and more preferably under the first portion  42  of the workbench  4 . 
     The edging device  8  comprises said operating head  82  and moving means  84  suited to move the operating head  82 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated and better visible in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the operating head  82  preferably comprises three rotary diamond wheels  86   a,    86   b  and  86   c,  which are suited to be positioned and moved with respect to an edge B 1  of a piece P 1  to be edged. Corresponding motors  87   a,    87   b  and  87   c  allow the rotation of said diamond wheels  86   a,    86   b  and  86   c.    
     In the embodiment illustrated herein, the operating head  82  is equipped with diamond wheels. In variant embodiments different tools can be used such as, for example, one or more flap discs. 
     In the case where diamond wheels are used, the corresponding processing cycle is preferably carried out in wet conditions, meaning with the aid of suitable lubricating/cooling means such as, for example, emulsifiable oils, water, etc. In this case, drying/blowing means are preferably provided, which are suited to dry the previously processed parts. 
     In the case where flap discs are used, the corresponding processing cycle is preferably carried out in dry conditions, wherein means are preferably provided which are suited to draw the glass powder generated during the processing cycle. 
     The moving means  84  preferably comprise first vertical moving means  92  suited to allow the movement of the operating head  82  along a vertical direction Y from a lower position under the workbench  4 , as shown for example in  FIG. 3B , to an upper operating position for the operating head  82 , as shown for example in  FIGS. 6B and 7B . 
     The first vertical moving means  92  preferably comprise a pneumatic cylinder  93   a  and a telescopic rod  93   b  at the end of which the operating head  82  is mounted. 
     In variant embodiments, the first vertical moving means may comprise alternative means instead of the system illustrated herein, said alternative means being in any case suited to obtain the desired movement. Only by way of example, there may be electric motors and/or suitable kinematic mechanisms, such as racks, chains, belts, etc. 
     The moving means  84  preferably comprise second moving means  94  suited to preferably allow the rotation of the operating head  82  around a rotation axis Z. The rotation of the operating head  82  allows the latter, in particular the diamond wheels  86   a,    86   b  and  86   c,  to be placed in at least one first position towards the first portion  42  of the workbench  4  (see  FIG. 6B ) and in at least one second position towards the second portion  52  of the workbench  4  (see  FIG. 7B ). 
     The second moving means  94  preferably comprise a motor  95   a  which is visible in  FIG. 8B . 
     In variant embodiments, the second vertical moving means may comprise alternative means instead of the system illustrated herein, said alternative means being in any case suited to obtain the desired movement. Only by way of example, there may be electric and/or pneumatic motors and/or combinations of these and/or suitable kinematic mechanisms, such as racks, chains, belts, etc. 
     In a further variant embodiment, in order to move the operating head  82 , and in particular the diamond wheels  86   a,    86   b  and  86   c,  alternative moving means may be provided between the first position towards the first portion  42  of the workbench  4  ( FIG. 6B ) and the second position towards the second portion  52  of the workbench  4  ( FIG. 7B ). For example, instead of rotating the operating head  82  around the rotation axis Z, it will be possible to maintain a fixed relative position between the telescopic rod  93   b  and the diamond wheels  86   a,    86   b  and  86   c  and to rotate the pneumatic cylinder  93   a,  through suitable rotation means, around the vertical axis Y by 180° between the first and the second position. 
     The moving means  84  preferably comprise third moving means  102 , visible for example in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , suited to allow the operating head  82  to be moved along a direction W. 
     The third moving means  102  preferably allow the operating head  82  to be moved along a direction corresponding, for example, to the edge B 1  of the piece P 1  to be processed. 
     The third moving means  102  preferably comprise a motor  103   a.    
     In variant embodiments, the third vertical moving means may comprise alternative means instead of the system illustrated herein, said alternative means being in any case suited to obtain the desired movement. Only by way of example, there may be electric and/or pneumatic motors and/or combinations of these and/or suitable kinematic mechanisms, such as racks, chains, belts, etc. 
     The moving means  84  preferably comprise fourth moving means  120  suited to allow the operating head  82  to be moved along a direction K, preferably parallel to the longitudinal direction X, under the workbench  4 . 
     The fourth moving means  120  allow the operating head  82  to be arranged in at least one first position suited to allow the processing cycles to be performed, for example one of the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6B and 7B , and in at least one second rest position, in which it does not occupy space, under the workbench  4 , for example towards the left with reference to  FIGS. 2B and 3B . 
     The fourth moving means  120  preferably comprise a pneumatic cylinder  121   a  provided with a rod  121   b  operatively connected to the pneumatic cylinder  93   a  used for the vertical movement. Slide means  121   c  favour the sliding movement of the operating head  82 , preferably means in the form of rails. 
     In variant embodiments, the fourth vertical moving means may comprise alternative means instead of the system illustrated herein, said alternative means being in any case suited to obtain the desired movement. Only by way of example, there may be electric motors and/or suitable kinematic mechanisms, such as racks, chains, belts, etc. 
     In a variant embodiment, the fourth moving means may not be present and the operating head  82  may be maintained in a fixed position with respect to the longitudinal direction X, as shown in the figures illustrating this embodiment. 
     The cutting means  6 , as previously explained, are preferably positioned over the workbench  4 . 
     In variant embodiments, the cutting means may be preferably positioned under the workbench. 
     The cutting means  6  preferably comprise a cutting head  110  provided with a cutting tool, typically a diamond point or a small wheel. 
     Moving means  114  allow the cutting head  110  to be moved with respect to the sheet L, according to predefined outlines corresponding to the cut piece/pieces to be obtained, which here below are referred to as shaped pieces P 1  and P 2 . 
     The moving means  114  are conveniently controlled by a centre unit, not illustrated herein, which coordinates their movements over the sheet L. 
     In the embodiment illustrated herein, the cutting means  6  are preferably associated with the right portion  52  of the workbench  4  and are an integral part of the equipment  1 . 
     In variant embodiments, however, the equipment may not comprise the cutting means and therefore comprise the workbench and the edging device, while the cutting means may constitute a separate part which works on the same workbench as the equipment according to the invention. 
     Furthermore, the equipment  1  preferably comprises suction means  150 , visible in  FIG. 8B , suited to draw the material resulting from the processing cycle, for example glass powder. Said suction means  150  may preferably be operated as described above, in case of dry processing, in particular when the operating head is equipped with flap discs. 
     The suction means  150  preferably comprise a suction mouth  151  arranged in proximity to the diamond wheels  86   a,    86   b  and  86   c  and connected to a suction pump and a collection container (not shown in the figures). 
     The equipment  1 , furthermore, preferably comprises drying/blowing means advantageously used in the case of use of lubricating/cooling products for the glass processing steps, in particular, as explained above, when rotary diamond wheels are employed. 
     In the embodiment illustrated herein, the drying/blowing means preferably coincide with the suction means  150 , wherein the function of the suction mouth  151  is switched so as to obtain a drying/blowing mouth, for example through the emission of an air flow. 
     In variant embodiments, the drying/blowing means can be made so that they are distinct from the suction means. 
     The operating head  82  is preferably associated with a lubricating unit  170  comprising a dispensing nozzle  171  suited to dispense a lubricating and/or cooling product which favours the operation of the diamond wheels  86   a,    86   b  and  86   c  on the edge of the sheet, as described above. Usable lubricating and/or cooling products comprise, for example, emulsifiable oils, water, etc. 
     A preferred type of use of the equipment  1  that is the subject of the invention is described here below with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 7 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are related to the equipment  1  in the operating condition of beginning of the processing cycle. 
     The initial sheet L to be processed, in fact, is positioned on the workbench  4 . 
     The sheet L is advantageously kept in a fixed position on the workbench  4  through the action of the thrusting elements  62 ,  72 . 
     The sheet L is preferably constituted by a glass sheet. The glass sheet L may be constituted by monolithic or layered glass, meaning glass made up of several layers of glass and/or other materials. 
     The glass sheet L is subjected to a first cutting operation by moving the cutting head  110 . 
     In the example of embodiment illustrated herein, the glass sheet L is preferably cut along a single rectilinear direction which, among other things, corresponds to the direction of movement W of the operating head  82  of the edging device  8 . 
     It is clear, however, that the cutting operation may follow different outlines according to the needs. 
     It should be noted that, in this case, also the third moving means  102  of the operating head  82  will be made in such a way as to allow the operating head  82  itself to be moved in different directions, for example the directions of a plane, and not along one direction W only, as in the case illustrated and described herein. 
       FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  substantially show the situation after the cutting operation, when two shaped pieces P 1  and P 2  have been obtained from the sheet L. 
     After the cutting operation, in order to obtain the two shaped pieces P 1  and P 2 , intermediate separating operations may be included in the process, possibly carried out through convenient movements of the portions  42 ,  52  of the workbench  4 . 
     The two shaped pieces P 1  and P 2  are respectively provided with an edge B 1 , B 2  which, as is known, has sharp edges that are dangerous to handle. 
     Furthermore, it should be noted that said sharp edges are the result of the preceding cutting operation, independently of the type of glass used, for example monolithic or layered, and independently of the cutting technology adopted. 
     Successively, the first portion  42  of the workbench  4  which supports the first shaped piece P 1  is moved along the direction X away from the second portion  52  of the workbench  4 , meaning towards the left with reference to  FIGS. 3B and 4B and 4C . 
     At this point, as shown in  FIG. 4C , between the two portions  42 ,  52  of the workbench  4  there is sufficient space for the upward movement of the operating head  82  of the edging device  8 . 
     The operating head  82  is thus moved upwards and brought to the upper vertical position, as shown in  FIG. 5C . 
     The operating head  82  is then rotated by 90°, anticlockwise with reference to the figures, so as to bring the diamond wheels  86   a,    86   b  and  86   c  at the level of the edge B 1  of the piece P 1  to be cut, as shown in  FIG. 6C . 
     The operating head  82  is moved along the direction W in order to process the entire edge B 1 . 
     The operating head  82  is then rotated by 180°, clockwise with reference to the figures, so as to bring the diamond wheels  86   a,    86   b  and  86   c  at the level of the edge B 2  of the piece P 2  to be cut, as shown in  FIG. 7C . 
     The operating head  82  is moved along the direction W in order to process the entire edge B 2 . 
     The edging operations on the two edges B 1  and B 2  of the two pieces P 1  and P 2  are thus completed. 
     If any other edge of the pieces P 1  and P 2  needs edging, it will be sufficient to move the piece P 1  or P 2  on the respective portion  42 ,  52  of the workbench  4 , in a manual or automated manner, in order to move the edge to be processed to a position substantially corresponding to that shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C . 
     During the movement of the piece P 1  or P 2  on the corresponding portion  42 ,  52  of the workbench  4 , the operating head  82  is preferably arranged in a safe position and/or outside of the operating range of the device with the piece P 1 , P 2  moving. The operating head  82  is preferably brought to the lower vertical position, for example as shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     It should be noted that in this embodiment it is the operating head  82  which is moved along the edge B 1 , along the direction W, to carry out the edging operation. 
     Preferably, during said edging steps the suction means  150  are activated to draw the material resulting from the processing cycle, for example glass powder in the case of dry processing. 
     Furthermore, preferably, the lubricating unit  170  is activated in order to favour the cutting operation by dispensing a suitable lubricating and/or cooling product, in the case of wet processing. 
     Again, preferably, during and/or after the activation of the lubricating unit  170  the drying/blowing means  150  are preferably activated to dry the cut areas. 
     Advantageously, according to the description provided above, the equipment that is the subject of the invention makes it possible to carry out the edging operations on the sharp edges of pieces resulting from a cutting operation, with no need for the operator to intervene as it happens, instead, in the systems of the known type. The risks for the operator are therefore reduced. 
     The cut pieces do not need to be moved from a machine to another as it happens in the known art, with a consequent reduction of the idle times required by these operations. 
     In this way processing times and/or costs are reduced compared to the known art. Furthermore, the equipment according to the invention is capable of performing the cutting and edging operations within an operating area with reduced dimensions, substantially coinciding with the dimensions of a cutting machine of the known type. 
     It has thus been shown that the present invention makes it possible to achieve the set objects. In particular, it makes it possible to provide a piece of equipment for processing sheets which allows the risks for the operator to be reduced to a minimum and optimizes the efficiency of the cutting and edging operations thanks to its reduced overall dimensions compared to the systems of the known type. 
     It should be noted that while in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the edging device is positioned under the workbench, in variant embodiments the edging device may be placed in a different position with respect to the workbench, for example laterally or even above, without deviating in this way from the innovative concept introduced by the present invention. 
     It should be noted that while the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiment represented in the figures, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiment described herein fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the following claims.